“Coming to the Plains: Latin@ Stories from Central Nebraska Oral History Project” Exhibit Opens in Criss Library

1st Floor Criss Library – “Coming to the Plains: Latin@ Stories from Central Nebraska oral history project” highlights the stories and experiences of individuals traveling from Latin America to Central Nebraska. The 8-panel exhibit and short film share oral histories in both Spanish and English with images and quotations gathered by University of Nebraska at Kearney faculty.

Topics explored in the exhibit include “Reasons for Leaving Home,” “My Family,” and “My Journey.” The oral history work is ongoing, as project leads Prof. Laurinda Weisse from UNK’s Calvin T. Ryan Library, Dr. Michelle Warren from the Modern Languages department, and Prof. Jacob Rosdail from the Communications department continue to collect stories from those who have traveled to make Central Nebraska their home.

Weisse stated: “By using a relatively small set of open-ended questions, we give the participants choices in how much to reveal, while also eliminating the possibility of yes/no answers to questions. Video and/or audio taped oral histories, transcribed and translated – into English if conducted in Spanish or vice versa - create a body of primary sources that future scholars can use to investigate their own research questions.”

The exhibit is on view whenever the library is open and runs through October 20, 2021. Learn more about the project “Coming to the Plains” and how it illustrates strategies that librarians at UNK’s Calvin T. Ryan Library are using to promote diversity and inclusion in their collections, as well as engaging with the varied Latinx communities in Central Nebraska.

“Coming to the Plains” is on display at UNO to coincide with the event COVID-19 and Human Rights: Narratives of Latinos During the Pandemic on October 5, 2021, during Hispanic Heritage Month and UNO's Human Rights Week. The program is co-sponsored by UNO Libraries’ Archives and Special Collections, the Office of Latino/Latin American Studies (OLLAS), and the Goldstein Chair in Human Rights.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries

UNO Libraries fulfill the UNO mission through dynamic services, highly qualified and adaptive personnel, unique and extensive collections, and accessible learning spaces and environments. With its two locations, Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library on UNO’s Dodge Campus and in KANEKO-UNO Library located in Omaha’s Old Market, UNO Libraries provides UNO students, faculty and staff, and the Omaha community with the resources and materials needed to excel academically and professionally.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

Become a fan of UNO on Facebook and follow UNO's Twitter and Instagram updates.