About this site

This website is an enhanced catalog of Schaffer Library’s collection of rare works related to author, artist, and printmaker William Blake. Utilizing research by Union College undergraduates throughout the site, it also showcases student creativity and engagement with the collection. Selected images and links are included to inspire additional research.

It was developed in a collaboration among library staff members, students, alumni, and current and emeritus faculty from the English and Visual Arts departments at Union College with three general themes in mind: celebrating the inventiveness of Blake’s printing techniques and art as well his writings; preserving and fostering student work on Blake; demonstrating the riches of the collections held on-site in the Special Collections department of the library. Its overall goal is to use the advantages of digitization to create a greater awareness of the library’s physical holdings of works related to Blake, draw researchers to it, and perpetuate conversations about Blake among students and alumni for years to come.

Special acknowledgement is made to student research assistants Jessica Rosenthal ’18 and Caitlin Williams ’18, who did most of the research and preparation of text for the title catalog, images, and other sections of the site. James McCord (Professor of English Emeritus), Andrew Burkett (Associate Professor of English), and Sandra Wimer (Senior Lecturer and Artist in Residence, Visual Arts Department) all shared their deep knowledge of and enthusiasm for Blake as well as for student work with the collections. They also provided essential connections to projects by former students now archived on the site. Within the library, the Blake@Union project was coordinated overall by Annette LeClair (Director of Collection and Technical Services), while website development was coordinated by Gail Golderman (Digital Scholarship and Services Librarian). Graphic design and Omeka software implementation was by Jennifer Goodwin (Library Web Developer), and scanning, photography, metadata, and other technical support services were provided by Rebecca Fried (Metadata and Digital Services Specialist) and Matthew Golebiewski (Digitization and Metadata Specialist). The support of India Spartz (Head of Special Collections and Archives) and Marlaine Deschamps (Archives Specialist) was invaluable throughout the project.

For further information email digitalservices@union.edu.