Archivists prepare the Nikki Giovanni Collection for use as her last book is published

Nikki Giovanni. Photo is part of the Bay State Banner Archive held at the BU Libraries.

The archivists of Boston University Libraries are hard at work preparing the archive of poet, writer, and activist Nikki Giovanni for use. Beginning in 1971, and over the course of her career, Nikki Giovanni donated more than 185 boxes filled with her manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, subject files, printed materials, professional records, personal memorabilia, audio and video recordings, and artwork to BU. The papers, when open for use, will offer unparalleled insight into her life and career. 

The publication this week of her last volume of poetry, The New Book: Poems, Letters, Blurbs, and Things by William Morrow, an imprint of Harper Collins, is a powerful reminder of how deeply moving and insightful Giovanni’s poetry and writings are.  

The Libraries will be able to welcome researchers to use the archive in 2026. Stay tuned for more details about a forthcoming event celebrating the opening of the papers and our access to an extraordinary archive that Nikki Giovanni has given us all. Until then, please direct queries and questions to archives@bu.edu. 

Boston University Introduces Common Read, a New Campus Tradition

BU Today announced the launch of the Boston University Common Read, a University-wide reading program that will serve as an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to build connection through discussion and engagement with a compelling title. The inaugural pick: Orbital by Samantha Harvey

A team from the BU Libraries guided the selection of the title, reading and reviewing several books before submitting a final recommendation to University leadership. University Librarian Mark Newton told BU Today:

“Our review considered how a book’s themes might connect with experiences of students entering college and how well it laid the foundation for discussion around the questions and aspirations that undergird so much of the research and learning we do in our time at the university,” Newton says. “Importantly, we wanted to recommend a book that would resonate with readers because of its relatability and timeliness and that could foster connection across the whole University community. Even though we don’t bring direct experience with space travel to our reading, I think Orbital meets these goals well through the range of perspectives, experiences, and concerns that Harvey packs into the telling.

Learn more at BU Today about the Common Read program and why Orbital was chosen as this year's book.

Pardee Library: Supporting Your Success!

Welcome new and returning students! We’re excited to be your academic partner this semester. Whether you’re diving into a research project, looking for a quiet study spot, or need to print your work, Pardee Library offers a variety of resources and services to support your success.

Here’s How We Support You:

Expert Librarians: Our friendly, knowledgeable team is here to guide you through the research process and help you find the best resources for your projects.

Research Resources: Access our vast collection of business databases and research guides designed to help you find the right information quickly and easily.

Study Haven: Choose your perfect study space, whether you prefer quiet individual areas or reservable team rooms for group work.

Tech Hub: We’ve got you covered with laptop chargers, financial calculators, and a Bloomberg terminal - just ask us for assistance.

Printing Made Easy: Get your documents printed quickly with our MyPrint stations.

Need Help? We’re here for you!
Feel free to reach out at pardstf@bu.edu or visit us in person. Let’s make this semester a success - together!

Welcome new students: Here’s what you can do at your library

Welcome! As you begin your academic journey at Boston University, the BU Libraries are here to guide you. Our expert librarians and array of resources can help you dive into your classes, develop new research skills, and learn. Explore the list below to learn about just some of the tools, resources, and supports available to you--no matter your major, schedule, or academic focus.

Get Expert Research Help

BU librarians can help you develop a search strategy and find scholarly sources, show you how to use resources and tools, and answer questions about the research process. Just Ask a Librarian!

Visit askalibrarian.bu.edu to call, chat, text, email, or set up an appointment with a librarian.

If you aren’t sure where to begin, use BU Libraries How-To Guides to get started with the research process and research more effectively.

Study and Collaborate

The BU Libraries branches offer a variety of seating options and noise levels so you can find the study spot that best meets your needs. Open study spaces offer three zones of noise levels—silent, considerate, and collaborative—to accommodate different needs.

Reservable spaces are also available across BU Libraries locations for individual study or group work.

Browse all Libraries study space options.

Borrow books & access scholarly materials                 

The BU Libraries provide a wide variety of high-quality scholarly materials, including academic databases, eJournals, eBooks, and print resources, scores, video and audio recordings, and other items. You can even sign up for a subscription to the New York Times and browse newspapers and magazines in PressReader.

BU Libraries Search provides a single place to search our collections. Review tutorials and FAQs to get the most out of BU Libraries Search.

If you need materials beyond the BU Libraries collections, we may be able to obtain them from another library for you. Learn about making an Interlibrary Loan request.

Use subject specific tools & resources

BU Libraries collections include industry-specific databases, and the Pardee Management Library provides access to a Bloomberg terminal. Library Research Guides and Course Guides offer topic- and class-specific resources to help you find quality sources in your areas of research.

If you need help, meet with a subject specialist librarian.

Explore special collections

The Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center at the BU Libraries is the University’s central repository for archives, personal papers, and rare books. Its collections include the papers of notable individuals, the records of organizations, and rare books. Learn more about our special collections, make an appointment for archival research, and visit one of our curated exhibitions.

BU Libraries celebrate Della Hardman Day

Research Proposals Sought for Nursing Archives Research Award

The Nursing Archives Associates is now accepting proposals for the Nursing Archives Research Award, a $2,500 award to support use of the nursing archives held in the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center at Boston University Libraries for historical research about nursing and health care. 

Students, faculty and independent researchers from all disciplines are welcome to submit research proposals for evaluation. The award supports travel, photocopy, digitization, and other expenses related to using the nursing archives in Boston University’s Special Collections. 

Download a flyer with more information about the award and proposal requirements. The information is also below. The deadline for proposals is November 1, 2025. Awards will be announced in December 2025.  

To speak with an archivist and learn more about the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, please visit bu.edu/library/gotlieb-center.  

$2,500 Archival Research Award  

The purpose of the Nursing Archives Research Award is to support historical research about nursing and health care. The award is limited to researchers who will use the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center (HGARC) Nursing Archives at Boston University as a source for primary research.  

Eligibility includes students, faculty, and independent researchers from all disciplines, based on evidence of preparation and/or productivity in historical research related to nursing and health care. Successful grantee will receive $2,500. This award is payable to the individual applicant and is taxable income. The purpose of the award is to support travel, photocopy, digitization, and other expenses related to using the nursing archives in Boston University’s Special Collections.  

Applicants should submit a full research proposal of no more than 500-600 words, exclusive of title page and references, along with a current CV. The proposal should include the following:  

• Abstract  

• Project description indicating the scope of the historical research  

• Boston University Nursing Archives collection(s) to be used  

• Narrative for existing scholarship and how the research will advance scholarship in the history or nursing and health care 

• Methodology and timeline, and  

• Intended product and plan for dissemination  

Evaluation of the proposal will consider the clarity and feasibility of the project. Recipients of the research award are expected to submit a summary of their work, a head shot and brief biography for the Nursing Archives Associates Newsletter and HGARC blog. To speak with an archivist, and learn more about the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, please visit bu.edu/library/gotlieb-center 

The deadline for proposals is November 1, 2025 

Awards will be announced in December 2025 

Proposals should be sent to: NURSING@BU.EDU 

Begin searching the BU Libraries’ Nursing collections in ArchivesSpace: https://archivesspace.bu.edu/repositories/9/classifications/16.  

Digital Edition of The Papers of Howard Washington Thurman Now Available

Howard Thurman teaches a class at Boston University.

Collection includes transcriptions of materials held at Boston University

A digital version of the five-volume documentary edition, The Papers of Howard Washington Thurman, edited by Walter Earl Fluker, Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor Emeritus, is now publicly available online. This comprehensive online resource, developed by The Howard Thurman Papers Project in collaboration with The Center for Digital Editing at the University of Virginia, makes accessible Dr. Thurman's extensive archives, which span 63 years, and contain approximately 58,000 items of correspondence, sermons, unpublished writings, and speeches. Researchers and the public can now freely access this collection at thurmanpapersproject.org, which features materials documenting Thurman's influential work as a theologian, philosopher, and a key mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

“I am delighted that my alma mater, Boston University, through the auspices of the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, has announced that the digital version of our five-volume documentary edition, The Papers of Howard Washington Thurman, is now open and accessible to the public,” Dr. Fluker said. “Without the support of the director and staff at HGARC over 40 years, my dream of making Howard Thurman’s vast documentary record, which spans 63 years and consists of approximately 58,000 items of correspondence, sermons, unpublished writings, and speeches would not have been possible.” 

Howard Thurman teaches a class at Boston University.

The digital collection includes transcriptions of many documents preserved in the extensive Howard and Sue Bailey Thurman archival collections housed at the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center at Boston University Libraries. These physical collections include manuscripts of Thurman's books such as Deep River (1945) and With Head and Heart (1980), correspondence with notable figures including Langston Hughes and Coretta Scott King, subject files, audio recordings of sermons dating from 1951 to 1978, and Sue Bailey Thurman's manuscripts, correspondence, and personal memorabilia—including a piece of cloth woven by Mahatma Gandhi and presented to her during their 1936 meeting.  

The launch of The Papers of Howard Washington Thurman edited by Dr. Fluker coincides with the recent launch of the Boston University Digital Library featuring digitized versions of Howard Thurman’s sermons at Boston University . The sermons are part of the Howard Thurman Collection, available for use at Boston University. For more information, please visit the detailed Finding Aid to the Howard Thurman Collection. 

The Gotlieb Center, is part of the University's Special Collections preserving  archives, personal papers, and rare books and making them available for use. Those interested in exploring these physical collections can contact the Center via email at archives@bu.edu or by visiting bu.edu/library/gotlieb-center. 

Dr. Thurman's legacy continues at Boston University not only through these scholarly resources but also through the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground.  Students and community members can learn more about the Center's programs at bu.edu/thurman or by emailing thurman@bu.edu.  

BU Librarians Present on Experiential Learning, AI, and More at Annual Boston Library Consortium Forum

Boston University librarians shared insights and expertise into emerging trends, innovative tools, and best practices at the Boston Library Consortium Forum, an annual membership meeting of library professionals from 26 public and private universities, liberal arts colleges, state libraries, public libraries, and special libraries across the Northeast. 

 The forum, hosted at Boston University, is a venue for library professional to discuss current industry issues and trends, engage in professional development through workshops and presentations, and connect with peers and colleagues. Presentations by BU Libraries staff at this year’s forum include:  

• Lucy Flamm, Social Work Librarian, and Jack Mulvaney, Discovery Services Manager, led the lighting talk, Making Meaningful Metrics: Applied Analysis of Online Content for Instructional Librarians. In this talk, they offered a case study of BU’s online instructional and resource-directed content, known as Library Guides, to demonstrate how alternative metrics inform our understanding of users, user information goals, and platform discovery, and furthermore how these metrics can influence iteration practices and translate value to stakeholders. 

• In their presentation, Library Strategies to Support Experiential Learning Courses in Business Schools, Dorice Moylan, Reference Librarian, and Kathleen Berger, Assistant Head of Information Services at the Pardee Management Library, reviewed trends in experiential learning in business schools and the increase in these courses offered at the Questrom School of Business. They provided examples of the additional library support strategies they have developed to meet the needs of experiential learning classes.  

• Brock Edmunds, Assistant Head for Access Service at the Pardee Management Library, demonstrated how library professionals can responsibly use AI tools to support patrons in his presentation, AI in Action: Practical Ways Library Staff Can Leverage AI. Brock offered actionable insights into how AI can streamline workflows and improve service quality, covered AI-assisted citation and bibliography generation and brainstorming, among other topics, and provided practical tips for responsible AI use.  

BU librarians and archivists also welcomed forum attendees on tours of the library’s distinctive collections and lively exhibitions. BLC attendees joined curator-led tour of Textiles Tell Stories, an exhibition of the African textiles collection held at the BU Libraries, and its complementary community exhibit Textiles Tell OUR Stories; had an intimate view of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s time at the University and his leadership of the Civil Rights Movement through the Libraries’ archival collection of Dr. King’s papers; and engaged with other select items from the University’s special and archival collections held in the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center at the BU Libraries. 

New Libraries Guide for Updated NIH Public Access Policy

The National Institute of Health (NIH) has accelerated the implementation of its updated public access policy required of all peer-reviewed research papers related to NIH-funded activities. Beginning July 1, 2025, researchers who have received a grant from the NIH must submit an electronic version of their accepted manuscript to PubMed Central immediately upon their paper’s final acceptance for publication to be made publicly available upon its Official Date of Publication. There will no longer be a 12-month embargo period before public availability.   

This updated policy was previously set to begin in December 2025. The NIH may delay the processing of non-competing renewal awards until all publications relevant to the award are brought into compliance.  

To support researchers, the BU Libraries have created a NIH Public Access Policy Guide (library.bu.edu/NIHpublicaccess). This guide explains the updated public access policy, and offers guidance and resources related to the submission process and methods, copyright and licensing issues, and relevant citation management tools. Researchers can contact the Guide’s authors or other librarians for additional assistance. 

Author Q&A: BU Libraries Michael Fernandez on Streaming Video Collection Development and Management

Michael Fernandez, Head of Technical Services for the BU Libraries, oversees the work to ensure library resources are discoverable and accessible to the BU community. He has co-authored a new book that offers library professionals practical advice on selecting, acquiring, and managing streaming media. Streaming Video Collection Development and Management, co-authored by Yale University Library’s Amauri Serrano, outlines the rapidly evolving and complex landscape libraries are currently navigating and provides guidance for library professionals at every size and type of institution. 

Streaming Video Collection Development and Management, published by Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited, is now available through the BU Libraries.  

Michael, who previously held e-resource positions at Yale University and American University, recently shared more about the book, ongoing issues in streaming media management, and his approach to creating a resource for all library workers. 

Q: What did your work, and the landscape of streaming media in libraries, look like when you began thinking about this book? 

A:  In 2019, Yale was acquiring more and more streaming media, and there were challenges responding to this format and the growing demand for it—faculty were increasingly asking for it to show in classes and students were asking for it to complete assignments. This was leading up to 2020, when the need for streaming video exponentially grew due to the pandemic, and we needed to ramp up our efforts to acquire more. 

Working with the collection development librarian at Yale, my co-author Amauri Serrano, we found we were having to develop new workflows for sourcing streaming videos and doing outreach to distributors. In many cases, the streaming videos we were acquiring were niche documentaries where we’d have to directly contact the filmmaker: how do we do that? On the e-resources management side: how do we make content discoverable and accessible to users? That was a challenge.  

Q: How did building workflows for managing streaming media evolve into a guide for libraries?  

A: This wasn’t really written down anywhere and the actual monographs that were out on streaming management and libraries were 5 to 10 years old. Obviously, a lot of changes had taken place in the marketplace and there are a lot of differences in what workflows look like today.  

We had the basics. How do we scale this up? We felt that a lot of libraries were going through these same challenges, so our idea was to outline what we found to be best practices and to reach as wide an audience as possible. A lot of the fundamentals are the same, regardless of size, mission, or budget of your library. We wanted to put them into a manual that would be helpful across libraries. We saw that as supporting our mission: speak to librarians at all types of institutions and address their specific work. 

Q: How did you approach this manual to address such a wide range of topics and users? 

A: This book is for any librarian or library worker in any situation. Even though there’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, the fundamental tools and techniques that we outline in the book can be applied by library staff to their library and help them manage streaming video, regardless of what capacity they are working in.  

Each chapter includes interview sections with librarians who work with streaming at different types of libraries--public, community college, other small and mid-size universities, large consortia. One thing we found, regardless of size or financial situation, we were still fundamentally dealing with the same issues. All of their stories echoed what we were seeing in our day to-day work at Yale.  

It’s a guide with real-world perspectives.  

Q: What does the future of streaming media management look like?  

A: The way the marketplace is going for streaming video now, it seems to be moving away from ownership models and more toward subscription-based models, which is similar to what we are seeing with other content, such as e-books.  Going forward, I’d like to see what other options we have for the local hosting of files and to look into applying principles from the book into practical licensing workflows.   

Michael Fernandez is the Head of Technical Services for the BU Libraries, overseeing a department tasked with managing electronic resources as well as cataloging and processing physical collections.