News

May 12, 2026

News

The once-disputed location of the 1776 Battle of Harlem Heights, a "much-needed morale boost" for the Continental Army in the American Revolution, was confirmed to have taken place in present-day Morningside Heights through the meticulous work of Columbia College alum Lincoln Diamant, 1943CC.

May 4, 2026

News

The latest installment in the Archivist's Pick exhibition series features six sets of materials drawn from newly-processed Chinese and Chinese-American archival collections from the C.V. Starr East Asian Library, united by a shared thread of artistic expression.

May 4, 2026

In the media

Librarian for Jewish Studies Michelle Margolis was included in the Library Journal Movers & Shakers 2026, which recognizes "the people shaping the future of libraries," for her work to share Jewish stories and collections with both Columbia students and the public. (Photo by William Neumann Photography)

May 1, 2026

In the media

Rare Book Librarian Jane Siegel introduces "the six young women hired by Melvil Dewey in 1883 to work at Columbia College library [who] captured the imagination of 20th-century library historians as groundbreaking fore-mothers of female employment and/or the beginnings of low-paid exploitation of women in the library workforce."

Apr 28, 2026

News

Did you know that the original engraving of the King's College seal, the predecessor to Columbia University, was lost for over 120 years? The Libraries recounts the history of the seal, which was believed to be lost until the early 20th century and is now held by the University Archives.

Apr 25, 2026

In the media

How well do you know the history of Columbia Commencement? From graduation tchotchkes to special speakers, Columbia News consults the Libraries' University Archives to test readers' knowledge of one of Columbia's most cherished traditions.

Apr 23, 2026

In the media

In honor of National Library Week, Columbia News looks back to when librarians needed to "move some 700,000 books from Low Library to the newly-constructed Butler Library. The solution: a giant slide from the steps of Low Plaza to South Lawn. A classic example of working smarter, not harder!"

Apr 21, 2026

News

Avery Drawings & Archives has acquired the records of the Architectural League of New York from 1975 through 2005, which bear witness to incredible changes in the way architecture was practiced in New York City, including an increased interest in sustainability.

Apr 20, 2026

News

The theme of the 2026 National Library Week (April 19-25) is “Find Your Joy,” an invitation for library users to explore and discover what sparks joy in them at the library. In celebration, the Columbia community shares ways in which they've found joy in our campus libraries.

Apr 17, 2026

News

Take back the internet: The Libraries highlights resources that explore the evolution of online, networked information and raise the alarm about the current landscape of enshittified websites, addictive social media feeds, and rampant disinformation.

Apr 16, 2026

In the media

The Society of American Archivists (SAA) "presents 250 for the 250th, an online repository that tells the story of our country in documents," including a 1776 register of admissions from the University Archives that "explains why there were no admissions at King’s College for the year 1776."

Apr 15, 2026

Social, Video

Columbia Surgery highlights archival collections in the Health Sciences Library in a new series with Head of Archives and Special Collections Katherine Satriano, who explores a 1543 volume by Andreas Vesalius that changed understanding of the human body.

Apr 14, 2026

News

Columbia University Libraries hosted the annual OA Switchboard NYC Summit, which served as a reminder that, in scholarly publishing, libraries, publishers, and service providers must develop and sustain open channels of conversation for the benefit of core users.

Apr 14, 2026

News

King’s College, the colonial predecessor to Columbia, educated many men who helped forge the new nation during the American Revolution, but graduates of the College were also lost during the conflict, including the first fallen alumnus, Harman Rutgers.

Apr 13, 2026

In the media

A special exhibition in the Li Lu Law Library Milton Handler Rare Books and Manuscripts Room, "For the Record: A History of the Law Library Through Artifacts and Treasures," traces the path of Columbia Law School from its origins to the present day.

Apr 6, 2026

In the media

The new Red Scare: Columbia Magazine reports on a recent discussion with families affected by 1950s McCarthyism, including Molly Jong-Fast, MaryLouise Patterson, and Michael Meeropol, which addressed the parallels of the Red Scare to American politics and society today.

Apr 6, 2026

News

Avery Drawings & Archives acquires the papers of David Henken, an architect, engineer, and founder of Usonia, a cooperative community in New York that was established on the principles espoused by Frank Lloyd Wright in his designs for “Broadacre City.”

Mar 31, 2026

News

As Columbia nears its annual Commencement ceremonies in May, University archivists reflect on the ceremony 100 years ago when, in 1926, the University first celebrated Commencement as "an out of doors exercise," before which it was held indoors.

Mar 30, 2026

News

EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) and the Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals release the Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals with Full Text, a robust new resource for researchers and students in architecture and design.

Mar 18, 2026

News

The University Archives has recently processed more than 1,400 bibliographical files as part of an addition to the Office of Public Affairs records, including 1950s press coverage of "Chief Cyclotron Officer" Miriam Levin.

Mar 16, 2026

In the media

To mark 250 years of American independence, Columbia News brings together the many ways in which the University engages with this national legacy, including archival treasures in the Libraries that explore the past through rare documents and collections.

Mar 12, 2026

In the media

The New York Times reports that "a study of the financial aspects of treaty relationships between Native nations and the United States and a sweeping history of legal discrimination against Chinese immigrants" are awarded the 2026 Bancroft Prizes.

Mar 12, 2026

News

Columbia University Libraries awards the 2026 Bancroft Prizes to two exemplary works in American history and diplomacy by scholars Emilie Connolly and Beth Lew-Williams.

Mar 9, 2026

News

All Columbia University researchers, administrators, students, and staff have access to GrantForward, the University’s funding opportunity discovery platform designed to streamline the identification and tracking of external funding opportunities.

News

1776: Battle of Harlem Heights

Archivist Pick: Artistic Encounters in the Archives

Michelle Margolis | Movers & Shakers 2026 - Educators

The Wellesley Half-Dozen

Lost and Found: The King’s College Seal

How Well Do You Know the History of Columbia’s Commencement?

The Great Columbia Book Slide of 1934

Architectural League of New York Records Arrive at Avery

National Library Week 2026: “Find Your Joy”

Take Back the Internet: A Book Dsplay & Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon

SAA 250 for the 250th: 1776 Register of Admissions | University Archives

'From the Archives': Health Sciences Library Series

Publishers & Libraries: Hosting the Third Annual OA Switchboard NYC Summit

1776: First Fallen Alumnus

For the Record: A History of the Law Library Through Artifacts and Treasures

The New Red Scare

Drawings & Archives Acquires David Henken Papers

Commencement: An Out of Doors Exercise

Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals Now Available with Full Text

Now Available | OPA Biographical Files

The U.S. Semiquincentennial and Columbia University

Histories of Native American Treaties and Anti-Chinese Violence Win Bancroft Prize

Columbia University Libraries Announces the Winners of the 2026 Bancroft Prizes

GrantForward: Your New Funding Opportunity Tool

News

Subscribe to the Libraries' Monthly Newsletter.

1776: Battle of Harlem Heights

Archivist Pick: Artistic Encounters in the Archives

Michelle Margolis | Movers & Shakers 2026 - Educators

The Wellesley Half-Dozen

Lost and Found: The King’s College Seal

How Well Do You Know the History of Columbia’s Commencement?

The Great Columbia Book Slide of 1934

Architectural League of New York Records Arrive at Avery

National Library Week 2026: “Find Your Joy”

Take Back the Internet: A Book Dsplay & Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon

SAA 250 for the 250th: 1776 Register of Admissions | University Archives

'From the Archives': Health Sciences Library Series

Publishers & Libraries: Hosting the Third Annual OA Switchboard NYC Summit

1776: First Fallen Alumnus

For the Record: A History of the Law Library Through Artifacts and Treasures

The New Red Scare

Drawings & Archives Acquires David Henken Papers

Commencement: An Out of Doors Exercise

Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals Now Available with Full Text

Now Available | OPA Biographical Files

The U.S. Semiquincentennial and Columbia University

Histories of Native American Treaties and Anti-Chinese Violence Win Bancroft Prize

Columbia University Libraries Announces the Winners of the 2026 Bancroft Prizes

GrantForward: Your New Funding Opportunity Tool