Special Collections Librarian, Kate Medicus, has just returned from taking RBS course L150, Modern Special Collections Cataloging. Held at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and taught by Brenna Bychowski, Catalog/Metadata Librarian at the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale University, this week-long course focused on using the most recent international cataloging standards for cataloging 19th and 20th century materials. It covered the variety of options for the cataloging of earlier materials that are available in these standards, Resource Description and Access (known as RDA). With plenty of hands-on exercises and class questions and discussions, it was a very productive week. Kate was able to gain additional practice cataloging ephemera, comic books, and limited editions. She fine-tuned her knowledge and learned ways to optimize our cataloging practices here, which will be documented and shared with others at KSU University Libraries.

Gillian Canacci, who is starting her second year in the School of Information program this fall, has been offered (and has accepted!) the Gerald H. & Victoria C.T. Read Assistantship for the 2027 academic year. Funded by a generous gift from the family of the late Gerald and Victoria Read, the assistantship was created with a goal of providing support to future librarians while they gain real-world experience in the administration of special collections and archives.

Ms. Canacci brings three years of experience working in University Libraries as a student employee in addition to one year working here with us in the Dept. of Special Collections & Archives. Her background is in studio art; she earned a B.F.A. in Fine Arts in 2025, specializing in drawing and with a minor in art history. That training and her knowledge of materials are valuable assets that she brings to her work here in the library. We look forward to working with Ms. Canacci this next year and seeing her role expand as the Read Graduate Assistant. Welcome back, Gillian!

This exhibit examines the history of fashion at Kent State across two galleries. Materials installed in Special Collections & Archives’ Marovitz Gallery in University Library highlight the intellectual and personal contributions of home economists who developed clothing and textiles curricula at Kent State in the early- to mid-20th century. Materials exhibited in the Fashion Library at Rockwell Hall center the experiences and creativity of students, illustrating how they applied, interpreted and extended these lessons through their coursework and extracurricular activities. Together, these installations invite visitors to consider how early fashion curricula—rooted in resourcefulness, material care and social responsibility—can inspire more thoughtful, equitable and sustainable approaches to fashion today.   

The exhibit will remain on display through the end of the semester (including Fashion Week).

Curated by Dr. Lynda May Xepoleas, Assistant Professor of Fashion Design.