Elevate Knowledge

Stanford Libraries elevate knowledge by collecting thoughtfully and purposefully in hundreds of subjects and disciplines; by situating library resources in the context of Stanford’s shared vision for values, research, education and community in a dynamic future; and by reaffirming that knowledge above all else is the prerequisite for global solutions. Please see examples below.

A Cartographic Masterpiece

David Rumsey recently gave a tremendously important and valuable piece of history to Stanford’s David Rumsey Map Center: Urbano Monte’s 60-sheet planisphere—the largest known early modern manuscript map of the world completed ca. 1587. All sheets of the intricately detailed nine by nine foot map have been digitally assembled for the first time. Monte's map has been lauded by many, including National Geographic. It was on display at a recent lecture, “Making the World Go 'Round: How Urbano Monte Created his Map of 1587,” by Chet Van Duzer, a renowned history of cartography scholar currently in residence as the first fellow of the Center.

Hidden Medical Text Read for the First Time in a Thousand Years

With X-ray imaging at SLAC's synchrotron, scientists uncovered a 6th-century translation of a book by the Greek-Roman doctor Galen.

New Collection at Stanford Libraries Offers Extensive Materials on Discovery, Exhibitions of Giant Sequoia Trees

Stanford Libraries has acquired historical materials documenting the discovery and exhibitions of giant sequoia trees from the 1850s to the early 20th century. The collection, assembled by Livermore-based hydrogeologist and independent scholar Gary D. Lowe, contains over 4,000 items gathered over 20 years.

Stanford Exhibition Hand and Eye Celebrates East Asian Ceramic Traditions

Professor Hideo Mabuchi now uses ceramics as an example in his teaching to show students how different disciplinary perspectives – such as geology, art, physics, history and chemistry – can be brought together to appreciate a single topic of interest.

Cantor Arts Center and Stanford Libraries Collaborate to Make Warhol Photography Archives Publicly Available

Searchable databases allow researchers and Andy Warhol fans worldwide to examine over 130,000 photographs taken by the iconic artist.

Knight Fellow’s Project Leads to a New Collection at Stanford Libraries

A new archive in Stanford Libraries’ Special Collections chronicles the work of successful multiracial designer and diversity advocate Cheryl D. Miller.

Early Printing: Pieces of the Puzzle

The Libraries periodically receives donations of rare and unique materials. For example, an alumnus recently donated anonymously a 15th-century fragment. Is its surface vellum or paper? Is its text handwritten or printed? Why was it given and how will it be used? The answers reveal the coalescence and fine-tuning of Special Collections at Stanford Libraries.

Faculty and Students at Stanford Argue for Increased Study of Games and Interactive Media

A popular seminar series led by Henry Lowood, curator for History of Science and Technology and Film and Media Collections, and Ingmar Riedel-Kruse explores interactive media and what it teaches us about human behavior, storytelling and society.

Stanford’s Treasure Trove of Electronic Theses and Dissertations Tops 5,000 Mark

When Yusi Chen decided to submit his dissertation in electrical engineering electronically, he helped Stanford achieve a milestone by becoming the 5,000th student to upload his treatise through the university’s innovative Electronic Thesis and Dissertation service.