News archive
Category: Special Collections
Looking back: Heiligdomsvaart 2025 | Guided tours and cultural performances
During Heiligdomsvaart 2025, Maastricht University Library took part in the city-wide celebrations by hosting a unique program centered on the rich religious and cultural heritage of Maastricht. The Special Collections played a key role, with events that were not only fully booked but also warmly received by attendees.
…Call for performers | Culture & creativity @Dominicanen
Step into the spotlight at the Dominicanen Bookshop during Heiligdomsvaart 2025 and let your performance be inspired by rare treasures from the Maastricht University Special Collections.
…Faculty of Science and Engineering: Investigating book materials with microscopy
As part of the student project Level 2000, at the Maastricht Science Programme, a selection of damaged books of the Special Collections was examined to better understand and manage foxing, which are brown stains that could threaten the integrity of many books. Handling these books provides information about their creation and history. Paper, glue and ink indicate when the book was created, while damage can reveal more about its history.
…New acquisition for our Special Collections: Marlene Dietrich portrait by Charles Eyck
We are excited to announce a significant addition to our Special Collections at Maastricht University Library: an original portrait of Hollywood icon Marlene Dietrich, created in 1945 by celebrated Limburg artist Charles Eyck. This acquisition enriches our already extensive Charles Eyck collection and highlights a unique historical connection between Dietrich, Maastricht, and the liberation of the Netherlands during World War II.
…University Library Maastricht achieves successful digital integration for enhanced heritage access
In 2023, Maastricht University (UM) Library joined the NDE Versnellen grant program, a Dutch initiative that supports heritage institutions in making their digital collections more accessible and interconnected. Through this project, the library implemented advanced digital functionality (with IIIF) in their existing Omeka S system (software platform for digital collections), allowing rich metadata access, public availability, and compliance with national heritage standards.
…Maastricht University students publish reviews of historical books on Wikipedia
Eleven insightful reviews of rare books from Maastricht University’s (UM) Special Collections have been added to Wikipedia, thanks to the contributions of students from a specialised course.
…Wikimedia Commons Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Media Donations: Maastricht University Library Contributes 13 digitised Special Collections books
On 7 September, Wikimedia Commons marks its 20th anniversary, a milestone celebrated by a call for media donations from various institutions. In response, the University Library is proud to contribute 13 digital books from its Special Collections.
…Course Sustainable Digital Heritage (in Dutch)
The digital infrastructure is now an integral part of our daily lives. This development presents numerous opportunities for education and research while also setting new demands for the accessibility and presentation of our cultural heritage. Learn more about this course, which this edition offers students a unique chance to participate free of charge.
…Exhibition: From House of Worship to Academic Hospital
The exhibition’s narrative begins with the opening of the Academic Hospital in Maastricht in 1986, a significant milestone in the city’s medical history. However, this event is but a chapter in a much longer story, spanning over ten centuries of intramural healthcare. This rich history is meticulously documented in the book “From House of Worship to Academic Hospital,” which serves as the foundation for the exhibition.
…Celebrating World Poetry Day: A Timeless Art Form
Poetry should be celebrated every day because it allows one to see the world through different eyes. That’s the sentiment echoed by Limburg poet and writer Merlijn Huntjens as International Poetry Day is celebrated worldwide today, on 21 March.
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