National Internship Awareness Month

Did you know that April is National Internship Awareness Month? Internships (or practicums) are essential for those going to school to become a librarian.  We have been lucky enough to have an intern here at the Border Heritage Department for the past 3 months as she is finishing her final semester at the University of North Texas obtaining her Master of Library Science degree.

During her internship, countless hours have been spent on a large digitization project in creating the Local Newspapers & Newsletters collection featured on our Digital Archives website. 

Explore Our Collections - Border Heritage Center Digital Collections (quartexcollections.com)

She has had hands-on experience with scanning historical documents, editing, importing, and creating the metadata that is attached to each item. This experience will aid her in her future career....perhaps as an archivist so she can continue preserving and sharing historical documents for all to access. Wherever she lands, we wish you the best and Happy Graduation in May!  

Let's give all the interns out there you know a hand this, and all months to come!

 El Paso...officially reporting eclipses since 1885!

The Border Heritage Department, along with most of El Paso, took a break today to step outside and view the Eclipse from the Sergio Troncoso Library.

No eclipse glasses are needed however to check out the many interesting and valuable resources we have here at our temporary location.  

Renovations are wrapping up and before we know it, it will be time to box everything up and head back to the Main Library location in Downtown.  Visit us now or later, we'd be happy to help you in your research needs!

The month of March may hold many reasons to celebrate......Spring Break, National Read Across America Day, National Pi Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Manatee Appreciation Day.....the list could go on.  The Border Heritage Department however would like to pay tribute to a topic that deserves a whole month of recognition.....National Women's History Month.

Women have fought for justice and equality throughout time and the Farah Factory Strike of 1972-1974 is a fierce example of what a largely female employed workforce can do. Combatting low wages, high demands and little benefits, the Farah workers of El Paso fought for their right to Unionize and make a fair wage.  

Video by Susan Barnum

More information on the Farah Strike can be found at the website for the University of Texas at Austin Exhibit page below.

Justice For Farah | Ya Basta - UT Libraries Exhibits (utexas.edu)

 

Since 1976, February has presidentially been proclaimed Black History Month in the United States, although the celebrations began long before. 

But why February? 

Celebrations began in this month that hold the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass (February 14, 1818) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809), both key individuals involved with the Emancipation of slaves during the American Civil War.  

As February comes to a close, the Border Heritage Department would like to highlight just a small fraction of that history here in El Paso. 

Extra, extra, read all about it!

Did you know that the El Paso Public Library has a resource available to library patrons to access news articles from the El Paso Times and the El Paso Herald as far back as 1881?!?!

Ever wondered what the price of eggs was in 1958? (53 cents by the way ;)

Looking for articles from when you starred on your high school football team?  

Maybe you're a student looking for more sources for that paper you're writing?

The ProQuest Historical Newspapers: El Paso Herald/El Paso Times database can be accessed at any of the El Paso Public Libraries or even from your own home with a valid library card!

To help the library staff at the many locations around town, the Border Heritage Department has begun giving hands-on training so that any of the library staff should be able to assist in using this valuable resource. 

This short instructional video will show you just how easy accessing these newspapers can be from any El Paso Public Library location.

If you have any questions, leave a comment below or email us directly at LibBorder@elpasotexas.gov

Sun Bowl History in El Paso

It's the big week for football fans everywhere! Chips will crunched, wings will be tossed, and soon the smell of barbecues will fill the air. As we prepare for the big day we thought we would highlight our own local version of the Super Bowl.....the Sun Bowl! 

Moments in El Paso's History

In 2023 the City of El Paso celebrated its 150th birthday! To help celebrate this milestone the Border Heritage Center created short, historical videos highlighting the culturally rich past of the area. Travel back in time as you see how significant the arrival of the railroads was to the rising city.