University of Idaho Library

University of Idaho Library Bringing the world to Idaho...and Idaho to the world.

Welcome to June, Vandals! Did you know that for the past few years our Moscow campus has been home to a drum corps durin...
06/01/2026

Welcome to June, Vandals! Did you know that for the past few years our Moscow campus has been home to a drum corps during the first few weeks of summer?

On this day 46 years ago, Mount St. Helens erupted and distributed ash across the northwest. These photos (by James John...
05/18/2026

On this day 46 years ago, Mount St. Helens erupted and distributed ash across the northwest. These photos (by James Johnson and Chris Pietsch) appeared in the 1980 Gem of the Mountains yearbook with the accompanying text:

"On May 18, only one day after most of the graduating seniors and their relatives had left town, Mt. St. Helens erupted, depositing ash over parts of three states. States of emergency were called in Washington, Idaho, and Montana in the wake of the worst eruption of that volcano in almost 100 years.

Normal activity in the city of Moscow and at the University of Idaho was brought to a virtual standstill for three days following the blast. All roads out of town, except US 95 south to Lewiston, were closed. Citizens were encouraged to stay indoors, and businesses were encouraged to stay closed. Most of the ash had been cleaned up by the time summer school began three weeks later, but the dollar impact on the university could end up being as much as $600,000."

The sun is out and the Arb is blooming! 🌸 But did you know the University of Idaho was home to the first established arb...
05/11/2026

The sun is out and the Arb is blooming! 🌸 But did you know the University of Idaho was home to the first established arboretum in the West?

The latest from The Idaho Harvester explores the evolution of the UI Arboreta—featuring vintage blueprints and photos from the Special Collections archives. Whether you're there for a stroll or grad photos, come see how these gardens grew.

Read more here: https://harvester.lib.uidaho.edu/posts/2026/04/30/arb.html 🏛️📸

Happy Mother’s Day to all our Vandal Moms! 🌷We’re throwing it back today to the 1953 Mother's Day Weekend festivities on...
05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all our Vandal Moms! 🌷

We’re throwing it back today to the 1953 Mother's Day Weekend festivities on campus. These photos from our Digital Collections capture students winding the maypole and the crowning of Queen Dolores Uria surrounded by her court.

To all the moms who’ve supported, cheered, and loved us every step of the way—this day is for you. We appreciate you! 💛

Finals week is a grind, but you don’t have to do it alone. 💻📚 Stuck on a citation or can’t find that one elusive source?...
05/09/2026

Finals week is a grind, but you don’t have to do it alone. 💻📚 Stuck on a citation or can’t find that one elusive source? Our librarians are available 24/7 via live chat to help you cross the finish line.

No matter where you’re studying from, expert help is just a click away!

🔗 Tap the link in our bio to start a chat now.

Before the Joe Vandal we know today, there was Empire: the 8-month-old Great Dane who served as the university's mascot ...
05/08/2026

Before the Joe Vandal we know today, there was Empire: the 8-month-old Great Dane who served as the university's mascot in the early 1920s. 🐾

Known as a "Canine Aristocrat," Empire lived in the Kappa Sigma house and traveled across the West to cheer on our athletes, even venturing as far as Stanford for away games. He was such a campus celebrity that he was insured for $200 and lead the Pep Band in parades!

Preserving these unique glimpses into student life and school spirit is what we do at the U of I Library Special Collections and Archives.

The blueprint journey for the modern U of I Library! 🌟 From students checking the $1.3M plans in 1953 to the project lea...
05/08/2026

The blueprint journey for the modern U of I Library! 🌟

From students checking the $1.3M plans in 1953 to the project leaders on the ground in 1956, see how we got from a sign to our campus center. Same vision, 70 years later.

We all know Idaho is the potato capital, but do you know where the world’s favorite tuber actually got its start? Test y...
05/07/2026

We all know Idaho is the potato capital, but do you know where the world’s favorite tuber actually got its start? Test your knowledge below and see if you’re a true spud scholar or just a "common fries" fan.

Idaho is famous for potatoes, but which country did the potato actually originate from?

A) Ireland
B) Mexico
C) Peru
D) Joe Vandal-usia

Drop your guess in the comments and scroll for the answer! 👇
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
---------
Correct Answer: C, Peru!
Potatoes were first domesticated by the Inca in the Andes Mountains of Peru nearly 8,000 years ago. It wasn’t until the 1500s that Spanish explorers brought them back to Europe, eventually making their way to Idaho soil in the 1830s!

The best feeling in the world? Finding a word for exactly how you feel. 💛With finals next week and commencement around t...
05/06/2026

The best feeling in the world? Finding a word for exactly how you feel. 💛

With finals next week and commencement around the corner, the energy in Moscow is pure kvell.

Address

850 S Rayburn Street
Moscow, ID
83843

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 2am
Tuesday 6am - 2am
Wednesday 6am - 2am
Thursday 6am - 2am
Friday 6am - 8pm
Saturday 12pm - 6pm
Sunday 12pm - 2am

Website

https://cdil.lib.uidaho.edu/open-invitation/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when University of Idaho Library posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to University of Idaho Library:

Shortcuts

Share