UBC Library

William Shakespeare’s First Folio published in 1623 gifted to UBC Library

The University of British Columbia has acquired a complete first edition of William Shakespeare’s Comedies Histories and Tragedies—an extremely rare book published seven years after Shakespeare’s death and credited with preserving almost half of his plays.

Jan 12, 2022

Credit: The Phil Lind Klondike Gold Rush Collection

Historic collection from the Klondike Gold Rush gifted to UBC in $2.5M donation

UBC alumnus and Canadian telecommunications icon, Philip B. Lind, CM, has donated $2.5 million to UBC.

May 5, 2021

A Guide for the Naive Homosexual, a 1971 pamphlet authored by Vancouverite Roedy Green, which invites interested Vancouver visitors to come over to the author’s address for a cup of tea and a chat.

Secret love letters and languages: UBC exhibit offers Pride Week history lesson

As love notes go, this one might seem rather ordinary: “My beloved darling, I never forget you. I think about you every day.” But what if you found out it was a secret message from 1902 in France, written in code between two women?

Jul 29, 2019

UBC Library acquires copy of ‘the most beautiful of all printed books’ – the Kelmscott Chaucer

A new chapter in teaching is about to begin for the UBC Library with the acquisition of one of the world’s most extraordinary books: the Kelmscott Chaucer.

Aug 24, 2016

Centuries-old medieval manuscripts added to UBC Library collection

The acquisition of two outstanding medieval manuscripts has bolstered UBC Library’s rare book holdings and provided valuable, real-life texts for teaching and learning.

Mar 21, 2016

Libraries evolve to keep pace in rapidly changing world of technology

Academic university libraries have come a long way since the early days of the card catalogue system, microfiches, and rows of book stacks.

Sep 1, 2015

“Window on a lost world”: rediscovered papyri at UBC shed light on ancient Egypt

A reminder for a dinner invitation and a touching letter from a young man to his mother offer a rare glimpse of daily life in ancient Egypt, thanks to a recent rediscovery at UBC Library.

Jul 6, 2015

UBC Library acquires 800-year-old medieval Papal document

An extraordinary Papal document that’s nearly 800 years old has become a valuable teaching and research tool at UBC, thanks to a history instructor’s passion and the university library’s restoration efforts.

Jan 29, 2015 - by Glenn Drexhage

Wilde times: rare book coup for UBC

UBC Library has scored a rare book coup by acquiring two exceptional examples of early gay literature that share a connection with famed Victorian writer Oscar Wilde.

Jan 12, 2015

UBC Chung Collection celebrated in new documentary

A documentary film looking at UBC Library’s acclaimed Chung Collection premieres on Knowledge Network on May 16.

May 14, 2014

$1.2M UBC photo collection offers priceless glimpse into B.C. history

A Vancouver art collector has donated a treasure trove of rare historical photos to UBC Library.

Mar 18, 2014

Iconic Videomatica film collection available at UBC and SFU

Film fans, rejoice – Videomatica’s legendary film collection is now accessible for borrowing from UBC and SFU libraries.

Jan 27, 2014

Medieval manuscript’s impact spans centuries

A 700-year-old book—the oldest in UBC Library’s collection–helps bring history alive

Oct 16, 2013 - by Glenn Drexhage

The fight against mould, rot and decay

A trip to China helps preservation librarian Alvan Bregman save UBC’s ancient treasures

Apr 3, 2013 - by Glenn Drexhage

UBC unveils interactive kiosks for Chinese Canadian stories

UBC is unveiling interactive kiosks that offer compelling stories of Chinese Canadian communities, a searchable Chinese Head Tax Register of 97,000 digitized records and Gold Mountain Quest, an educational videogame.

Oct 12, 2012

UBC digitization program brings B.C. history to the world

An innovative UBC program has provided more than $1 million in funding to help B.C. communities promote their unique histories to audiences around the world, thanks to digitization.

May 2, 2012

One year later: UBC remembers Japan’s earthquake, explores lessons learned

UBC experts and community members are available to comment on the March 11 anniversary of Japan’s “triple disaster” – the earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant meltdown.

Mar 8, 2012

Live-in for Literacy camps out at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre

Lovers of literacy and libraries are invited to come by and show their support for Live-in for Literacy, which begins this Tuesday on the second-floor foyer of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre. From January 17 to 26, students will once again “camp” at the Learning Centre in order to raise funds to build one or more libraries in a developing country.

Jan 17, 2012

UBC and SFU welcome $1.7M Videomatica film collection

An exceptional film collection valued at $1.7 million will be housed and preserved by the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University.

Jan 16, 2012

Historical B.C. newspapers digitized by UBC Library

For the first time, more than 45,000 pages chronicling B.C.’s storied past are available online following the completion of a British Columbia Historical Newspapers Project.

Nov 7, 2011