Sep 02, 2026 Selected additions to the Digital Library in spring 2026
The Digital Library Services team is continuously working to put digitized Special Collections online for researchers! Below are some selected highlights of new materials coming online during Spring Semester 2026, with almost 10,000 items added.
Manuscripts
Harry Nelson Papers – The Harry Nelson papers (1886-2015) are mainly a collection of materials documenting the life of Maud May Babcock (1867-1954), a theater teacher and director at the University of Utah from 1892 to 1938. Journals, travelogs, daily planners, teaching materials, manuscripts, programs, announcements, letters, and news clippings are included. Harry Nelson (1901-1988) was a theater student and friend of Maud May Babcock. Finding Aid
David Hisato and Tamaki Tsubokura Yamate Papers – The David Hisato and Tamaki Tsubokura Yamate papers (1942-1968) contain correspondence, business and personal documents, photographs and other miscellaneous materials. The correspondence relate to the life of the Yamates inside and outside of the concentration camp, Central Utah Relocation Center located in Topaz, Utah. The documents concern the actions taken by the War Relocation Authority in regards to the incarceration of David Yamate and his family. Finding Aid
Rudger Clawson papers (1870-1943) – The Rudger Clawson papers (1870-1943) consists of memoirs, autobiographical accounts, diaries, letter books, loose letters, scrapbooks, newspaper and periodical clippings, printed books and miscellaneous documents. Clawson was born in Salt Lake City a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) Church. He served a mission to the Southern States that ended after his companion Joseph Standing was murdered by a mob in Georgia. Clawson practiced polygamy and was the first LDS member to be imprisoned for just over three years for the practice. After his release from prison he became the Stake President for the Box Elder Stake for the LDS Church. Then as an apostle in the Council of the Twelve Apostles which he did for 45 years until his death on 21 June 1943 at the age of 86.
Wilford Woodruff Papers – The Wilford Woodruff papers (1807-1898) contain a handwritten document by Woodruff regarding the successions of the Mormon Church Presidency, concerning Orson Hyde and Orson Pratt and their placement in line of succession of the LDS Church. Also included are copies of his journal as well as a revelation from 1877. Wilford Woodruff was the fourth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Finding aid
George Dollinger Pyper Papers – The George Dollinger Pyper papers (1834-1975) consist primarily of correspondence, scrapbooks, diaries, news clippings, programs, contracts, scripts, broadsides, and scores documenting George Dollinger Pyper’s career as manager of the Salt Lake Theatre. Pyper served as manager of the Salt Lake Theatre from 1898 to 1929. He also served as general superintendent of the Deseret Sunday School Union and as a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Finding aid.
Feargus O’Connor Willden papers – The Feargus O’Connor Willden papers consist of an autobiography/diary of Feargus O’Connor Willden (1864-1878), autobiographical to 1878, then diary entries or transcription 1864-1868; family history to 1955 incorporating a typed transcription of the diary; papers related to an application for an Indian Wars veterans pension; a 1920 Indian Wars Veteran ribbon. Willden was a Utah Black Hawk War veteran and a resident of south-central Utah. Finding aid.
Print and Journal
KRCL Program Guides – Program guides for the community radio station from the 1980s-2000s.
Photos
Mickey Ibarra Photograph Collection – The Mickey Ibarra papers (1996-2001) contain materials from his tenure as an Assistant to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Clinton White House. Finding aid.
Mel and Peggy Fletcher photograph collection – The Mel and Peggy Fletcher photograph collection consists of ski images along with family photographs. Finding aid
Olympic Experience Collection – The Olympic Experience photograph collection consists of photos taken by people in Salt Lake during the 2002 Winter Games. This includes photos of events, as spectators, but also photos of Salt Lake and the surrounding area during the Games. Finding aid
Utah Ski and Snow Sports Archives Annual Banquet photograph collection – Photographs and slides taken at the Utah Ski Archives annual banquet held in honor of various skiers and founders of the skiing industry in Utah and the inter-mountain west. Featured are 1992 through the present. Also included are images from a few of the events and displays that the University of Utah Ski Archives has been involved in. Over 4800 photos added.
Audio Visual Materials
Mike Cassidy Independent Film Collection – Reading Room Access and Mike Cassidy Independent Film Collection – The Mike Cassidy independent film collection consists of work prints and film elements directed and produced by him, and other unique videos. Cassidy’s most known work is the “(Attack of) The Giant Brine Shrimp”. Finding Aid
Dr. R. Adams Cowley audio-visual collection, 1973-1991 – (reading room access) – The Dr. R. Adams Cowley audio-visual collection consists of newscasts and documentaries about Dr. Cowley and the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Service Systems (MIEMSS). Dr. Cowley, a graduate of the University of Utah, was a prominent surgeon and pioneer in emergency medicine and the treatment of shock trauma. Finding Aid
Gary Nate Ski Films – (reading room access) – The Gary Nate ski films consists of his work as a cameraman with Warren Miller and other skiing footage in and around Utah. Finding aid
KUTV News Collection – Campus Access – Almost 400 videos added to this existing collection during spring 2026. The KUTV News Collection is housed in the Multimedia Division of Special Collections and includes thousands of film reels and videotapes with airchecks, edited segments, and series from Utah’s Channel 2 ranging from the 1960s to the early 2000s. The bulk of the collection ranges between the late 1970s to the 1990s. Finding aid.
Diane Orr Independent Film Collection (reading room access) – The Diane Orr independent film collection consists of films and tapes related to Orr’s career as a filmmaker. The collection includes film elements and final version of her films, such as SL-1, The Plan, The Longest War, and Lost Forever: Everett Ruess. Finding aid.
KUTV Extra – More programs added. KUTV EXTRA was a news magazine type show that aired from 1977 to 1984 and had unique and diverse segments. EXTRA fostered a legacy of programming that provides a historical snapshot of art and culture during a time of marked social change and technological development in Utah and throughout the nation. Finding aid.
Book Arts
Book Arts Photoengraving Collection – The images in this collection are scanned letterpress prints made from the collection of approximately 20,000 photoengravings located in the Book Arts Studio. The zinc, magnesium, or copper engravings are mounted type high on wood or, in some cases, are composed entirely of metal. The majority of the photoengravings, also known as zinc cuts, were sourced from the Newcomen Society in the late 1990s and a small number were donated by individuals. These cuts are available for use in the Book Arts Studio for trained and approved users.
Rare Books
Middle East Manuscripts Collection – Additional materials added. The Aziz Atiya Middle East Library is recognized internationally as a major center for research in Middle East studies and has been considered “the fifth largest of such a collection in North America.” The collection includes hundreds of unique Middle Eastern and Islamic manuscripts in languages such Arabic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish, Urdu, and Coptic, dating as early as the ninth century CE. Also included are more than 3,000 printed books from and about the Middle East.
Oral Histories
Interviews with Jewish People in Utah – Additional audio interviews added from the Jewish Oral History Project. The Jewish oral history project audio recordings (1972-1982) document the experiences of various people of the Jewish community in Utah and surrounding areas. The American West Center conducted this and other ethnic oral history projects in an attempt to record the experiences of Utah’s ethnic minorities.
Finding aid for Jewish Oral History Project audio recordings
Mormon Women’s Voices Oral History Project – Reading Room Access – The Mormon women’s voices oral history project (2005-2013) contains interviews with 84 women about their experiences with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and how it has affected their lives. Topics covered include origins of religious activity and current religiosity, church callings, family life, community, social and feminist issues in the church, as well as education, relationships and professional lives. The women interviewed live across the United States and Canada, but the majority reside in Utah, Maryland and Virginia. Viewing these items is restricted to the Special Collections Reading Room, or by request.
Digital Library Services Faculty Projects
Utah Religious Architecture Collection – Many new photos added to this collection. The Utah Religious Architecture Photograph Collection displays the history and variety of religious communities in Utah through images of existing and historical houses of worship. While exterior views are predominant, available interior shots are also welcome if they respect the traditions and feelings of the faith community. A feature of this collection is to highlight how buildings are repurposed. Some church buildings are used by different traditions over time, others are now used for secular purposes, and still others were built for secular purposes and are now occupied by religious communities.
No Comments