News

Bugs! IPM practices at UTSA Special Collections

Heat, humidity, and insects define the summer season in San Antonio, Texas. This is a sad reality for archivists and anyone seeking to preserve paper and film-based collections in a state that, in the words of an anonymous quip, “has four seasons: almost summer, summer, still summer, and Christmas.” Air conditioners and dehumidifiers answer the […]

UTSA Libraries Exceed Expectations in 2025 LibQUAL+ Survey

This past spring, UTSA Libraries conducted LibQUAL+, a nationally recognized survey to assess library services at UTSA, and a record number of students, faculty, and staff provided feedback, giving high rating to library services across all campuses.

Urban Bird Project to Happy Foundation by Nicolas Isaiah, student clerk, UTSA Special Collections

Connections aren’t something you can anticipate. However, this fact has made me appreciate every moment of life. During my time with the Urban Bird Project, I had no idea what I was in store for. Even as I walked into the first class for a basic rhetoric course, I was amazed and intrigued by the […]

100 Years Ago: A Selection from the San Antonio Light Photograph Collection

Some of the noticeable changes to San Antonio in 1925 were the large construction projects.  Among them were the Olmos Dam, the Municipal Auditorium, and the Aztec Theater.  Numerous views of these structures are represented in our collections. These photographs are representative of ones that the San Antonio Light printed in their pages in 1925.  […]

Introducing our new Special Collections Librarian

Isis Brockman, the new Special Collections Librarian, brings a rich background in libraries and education. Excited to share history through unique collections, she values community engagement and appreciates discovering new materials in her role.

Shape the Future of UTSA Libraries: Share Your Feedback and Win Big!

From March 17 to April 11, UTSA students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to participate in the biannual LibQUAL+ survey, offering an opportunity to share valuable feedback on the UTSA Libraries' services.

Faculty Teaching in the Archives Grants for Academic Year 2025-2026

UTSA Special Collections Faculty Teaching in the Archives (FTIA) Grants are aimed at instructors who wish to enhance or create undergraduate or graduate courses using unique materials from Special Collections. These grants support the development of innovative primary source assignments and projects for students. UTSA’s manuscript and rare book collections are well suited for teaching […]

Stock Show and Rodeo: 1953

February has arrived and so has the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.  Following are some photographs of an early Stock Show and Rodeo from 1953.  All of these images come from the San Antonio Light Photograph Collection.

Congratulations, Restaurant Mixtli!

Congratulations to the Mixtli team for earning a Michelin Star—UTSA Special Collections is proud to support their research and menu development!

UTSA Libraries announces 2024-25 Adopt-a-Free-Textbook grant recipients

UTSA Libraries has announced the recipients of its 2024-2025 Adopt-a-Free Textbook grants, which aim to save students nearly $240,000 by adopting, adapting, or creating free and low-cost course materials. The 13 awardees span disciplines like Russian, education, history, and environmental science. Since 2016, the program has saved students over $12 million, advancing affordability and inclusivity in education. Faculty projects include using Open Educational Resources (OER), no-cost materials, and custom-designed resources to enhance access and reduce costs for students.

CEDISH Hosts Roundtable on Documenting LGBTQ+ Oral Histories and Community Archives

UTSA’s CEDISH will host a roundtable on November 21 to discuss preserving LGBTQ+ voices through oral histories, featuring scholars and librarians sharing insights on ethical practices in community archiving.

UTSA’s Mexican Cookbook Collection joins Google’s digital cultural revolution

UTSA's Mexican Cookbook Collection joins Google Arts & Culture's Latino Heritage exhibit, showcasing rare cookbooks and recipes.