UMBC students, faculty, and staff now have access to a new online collection of Baltimore photographs through UMBC’s Digital Collections. The Baltimore Collection, which includes approximately 96 photographs and negatives, represents contributions from various donors that have been compiled to showcase the rich history of our city.  The original photographs are available for view at Special Collections.

The Baltimore Collection features a wide range of images that capture prominent historical figures and events in Baltimore, as well as scenes from daily life in and around the city. These photographs offer a detailed and vivid look at life in Baltimore in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, highlighting memorable events that have shaped the city’s past and defined its landscape while showcasing the Baltimoreans who lived during this time.

Highlights  

Among the photographs in the Baltimore Collection are several images depicting the aftermath of the Great Baltimore Fire, which took place on February 7 and 8, 1904. Nearly 86 city blocks and over 1500 buildings were destroyed during the fire. Images in the collection portray the extent of the fire’s damage, from crumbling foundations of former buildings to wide expanses of city streets that have been reduced to piles of rubble.

 The Baltimore Collection also features images of the Baltimore Sesqui-Centennial in 1880, which celebrated the 150^th anniversary of the founding of Baltimore. The photographs show streets and buildings throughout Baltimore, including the Washington Monument in Mount Vernon Place and the Baltimore Sun Building, decorated with flags, banners, and commemorative arches.

In addition to images of historic events and daily life, the Baltimore Collection also contains negatives of the iconic Edgar Allan Poe. These images include portraits and magazine photographs of Poe as a younger man and later in life. The collection also features photographs of Poe’s memorial grave in the Westminster Burying Ground in Baltimore.

Access the digital images of the Baltimore Collections here to learn more about the people, places, and events that have shaped Baltimore’s history!

UMBC’s Special Collections is also open to the public by appointment in the summer and as well as Monday through Friday from 1pm-4pm, with extended hours on Thursday until 8 pm during the semester. 

This post was written by Special Collections & Reference student assistant Sarah Klimek.  Sarah helped to digitize, create metadata, produce contextual information for the collection, make the landing page, and publicize it all while volunteering in Special Collections during spring 2015. Thanks, Sarah!

UNIT: REFERENCE - REFERENCE STUDENT - WEB ASSISTANT

Purpose: Provide support for Reference Department by assisting with web development activities, compiling data, and producing reports. 

Reports to: Sarah New, Web Services Librarian

Duties: The Reference Student - Web Assistant will assist the Web Services Librarian by:

• Assisting with editing/creating web pages and web-based services

• Assisting with usability studies and focus groups to assess the library's website and services, including conducting surveys and interviews with library patrons and UMBC students
• Compiling results of assessment activities and assisting with other special reports
• Assisting with creation and editing of online tutorials
• May also have the opportunity to participate in and provide support for various other reference-related projects.

Skills required: The assistant should have a basic understanding of how information is organized, technical competence with computers and databases, word processing and common office software, experience with HTML, Javascript, and ability and aptitude to learn basic PHP.  Preference will be given to applicants who are experienced with tutorial creation software, such as Adobe Illustrator, TechSmith Camtasia or Adobe Captivate; or who have graphic design experience; or who are taking (or have taken) IS 303 or IS 387.  The assistant should be motivated, able to work in a team-based collaborative environment or independently, and possess excellent oral and written communication skills.  The assistant must also display demonstrated professionalism, good judgment skills, excellent public service orientation, and exceptional interpersonal skills.

Schedule: Up to 10 hours per week during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters; work hours are somewhat flexible.

Pay Scale: $10.25 per hour

To Apply: Contact Sarah New by e-mail: snew@umbc.edu or phone: 410-455-1551

HAPP 398 – Health, Environment and Armed Conflict

This class explores the interrelationship between health, the natural environment and armed conflict. Using specific case studies, this course will explore the connections between environment, health, security, conflict, poverty and peacemaking.