The University Libraries Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections at UNM will host its annual Love in the Archives event on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, with the theme of Love of Learning. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Frank Waters Room in Zimmerman Library. The event is also accompanied by an online exhibit. Both are free and open to the public.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore CSWR's collection of pictorial archives and documents that highlight and celebrate educators and lifelong learners. The event will also feature displays of photographs, letters, and other historical documents that offer a glimpse of those who have dedicated their lives to teaching and learning.

The exhibit will feature materials from Albuquerque High School and Albuquerque Academy teacher E.R. Harrington, who taught for 46 years, as well as materials from the photo collection of Ruth Apodaca, an avid member of the Bear Canyon and Palo Duro Camera clubs where she took images from all over New Mexico. A selection of UNM Press books chosen by CSWR staff related to the theme of love of learning can be found on the online exhibit.

The exhibit and event are built by Portia Vescio, university archivist for CSWR, with contributions from archivist Nancy Brown-Martinez, pictorial archivist Cindy Abel Morris, conservation technician Jennifer Dawn Eggleston, research guide Jennifer Jordan, and graduate students, Mathieu Debic and Marya Jones.

“We are extremely excited about Love in the Archives this year. We are back in person for the first time in three years and are looking forward to seeing people again. We are also excited about our theme: Love of Learning,” Vescio said. “Most of us archivists are in this field because we love learning about and from past events and people. To be able to share some of the stories we have in the CSWR with people who share our same passions is just one of the reasons we look forward to Love in the Archives so much.”

Love in the Archives is an annual Valentine’s Day open house showcasing decades of historical and digital memorabilia from the Center of Southwest Research and Special Collections. This year CSWR is excited to host an in-person event accompanied by an online exhibit.

For more information, contact Portia Vescio.