Digital Humanities (DH) is an interdisciplinary field that combines the methods and techniques of the humanities with computing technologies to analyze, interpret, and present cultural, historical, and literary phenomena. The goal of digital humanities is to leverage digital tools and methodologies to enhance research, teaching, and the understanding of humanistic subjects. The digital humanities explore and communicate complex ideas and concepts in the humanities and social sciences and contribute significantly to the exploration and communication of intricate ideas within the humanities.
The collections of the Irwin Library and the Ruth Lilly Science Library are available for use by all members of the Butler community. Limited access to library materials is extended to readers and researchers outside the Butler community.
Library materials may be used in the libraries, or they can be borrowed using a Butler ID card or a Special Borrower’s library card. For more information, please select from the list to the right.
The Library (Irwin and Science) and Information Technology (IT) work together to meet Butler’s technology lending needs. The appropriate lending department depends on affiliation (student or faculty/staff) and usage scenario.
The Irwin Library has a collection of standard camcorders, high definition camcorders, USB snowball & wireless microphones, and several tripods available for check-out at the Information Commons desk. The equipment can leave the library and has a seven day circulation period. Items are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and can be renewed one time. Patrons should charge camcorders and clear memories before returning the equipment.
The Irwin Library recognizes that demand for these devices can be high; as a result, patrons are required to wait 24 hours after returning camcorders and microphones before checking one out again.
The Irwin Library has various à la carte chargers for smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc. The loan period on these items is four hours. Items are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and cannot be renewed.
Smartphone/Tablet Chargers:
Laptop Chargers:
Miscellaneous:
An assortment of headphones are available at the Irwin Library. Some of them are headphones only and connect via a 3.5mm connector, while others also have microphones and connect to the computer via USB. Four hours is the loan period for these components. Items are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and cannot be renewed.
The Irwin Library has iPad 2s, iPads, and iPad Minis available for check-out to students at the Information Commons desk. The Science Library has iPad 2s available. We also have several iPad cases with a Bluetooth keyboard available for check-out. These devices may leave the library and have a seven day circulation period. iPads are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and cannot be renewed. Patrons should not delete library-installed applications. When iPads are returned, they will be wiped of all user data and settings and reset to library settings.
The Irwin Library recognizes that demand for these devices can be high; as a result, patrons are required to wait 24 hours after returning an iPad before checking one out again.
Both the Irwin Library and the Science Library have PC laptops and Apple Macbooks available for checkout to current Butler University students. These are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. This equipment can leave the library, has a 14-day circulation period, and cannot be renewed.
The Irwin Library recognizes that demand for these devices can be high; as a result, patrons are required to wait 24 hours after returning a laptop before checking one out again.
For Professional Phase Pharmacy and Physician Assistant Students:
Several portable CD players are available for check-out to Butler University students. These are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and can be found at the Information Commons desk. These can leave the library, have a seven day circulation period, and cannot be renewed.
Headphones are available for checkout as well, through a separate checkout transaction.
Irwin Library houses various miscellaneous items, such as calculators, adapters, etc., that are available for check-out to Butler University students. These are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and can be found at the Information Commons desk. These are not meant to leave the library and have a four-hour loan period. They cannot be renewed.
Overdue notices will be e-mailed to students several times before an item(s) is declared lost. To ensure a timely return of equipment and to avoid fees for lost materials, students are encouraged to monitor their due-dates via My Library Account. Late fees for reserves, PC & Mac laptops, & iPads are billed at $10 per day per overdue item up to $140. Late fees for all other equipment (headsets, à la carte chargers, room keys, etc.) are billed at $10 per overdue item. If the library equipment is returned undamaged within 14 days past the due date, then the student will only be required to pay the late fee(s).
After 14 days, library equipment is declared lost, and a bill will be e-mailed to the student and to Student Accounts. Students will have to pay an irreversible replacement cost (ranging from $15 to $500+). If the bill is greater than $195, a department-requested hold will be placed on the student’s account and will not be lifted until the bill is settled.
Please direct any questions regarding overdue items and billing to circ@butler.edu.
Podcasts serve as an effective medium for conveying information to a general audience due to their versatility and accessibility, while offering a wide array of options, including fictional stories, interviews, and traditional narratives, to enhance and better convey your topic and idea. Additionally, podcasts can contain various kinds of information, making them suitable for explaining complex topics in an engaging and comprehensible manner. Podcasts can also engage your audience through active listening, visualization, and practical application, which allows for more dynamic and effective delivery of information.
Here is an example of the use of podcasts to convey information to a broader audience:
Are you ready to record and edit your podcast? Click “Book Time in the Sound Booth” to reserve your spot and start recording and editing your podcast in our podcasting booth located in the Irwin Library!
Note: If you intend to do a podcast for your project, please follow and review the Podcasting Tutorial! Additionally, it is hard to predict the availability of the sound booth, please consider booking ahead to ensure you can maximize your time and ensure the best podcast!
Short-form video content has become a powerful tool for conveying information, particularly in the humanities, due to its engaging and accessible nature. Viewers can watch and enjoy these videos, which are often just a few minutes or seconds long, while scrolling through social media feeds, making them ideal for capturing and maintaining audience attention. Short-form videos in the context of the humanities share historical insights, cultural perspectives, and complex concepts in a visually compelling manner. This format can aid in distilling intricate ideas, making them more digestible for broader audiences, and fostering increased awareness and understanding.
TikTok has emerged as a dynamic platform for conveying information, including topics within the humanities. Its short-form video format and engaging features enable the dissemination of historical events, cultural insights, and sociological concepts in a visually compelling and accessible manner. Increasingly, educators, content creators, and general users are using TikTok to deliver bite-sized educational content, fostering increased awareness and understanding among a diverse audience. By leveraging TikTok's interactive capabilities, such as duets, stitches, and comment sections, users can actively engage with and respond to humanities-related content, promoting dialogue and communicating complex ideas and topics in a format that resonates with diverse audiences.
Here is an example of the use of TikTok to convey information to a broader audience:
YouTube videos are an excellent medium for conveying information on a whole range of subjects. Whether it is long-form or short-form, YouTube videos can help convey important information on a variety of complex subjects. Channels dedicated to the humanities, such as "School of Life," "Crash Course," and "TED-Ed," provide engaging and educational videos on topics ranging from literature and history to philosophy and sociology. These videos often feature visually compelling animations, expert narration, and well-researched content, making complex concepts more accessible and understandable to a broad audience.
Here is an example of the use of YouTube and long-form video to convey information to a broader audience:
Websites play a vital role in conveying information within the humanities, offering dynamic and engaging platforms for learning and exploration. These websites provide access to a wide array of resources, including primary and secondary sources, scholarly articles, multimedia content, and educational tools. By integrating interactive elements such as timelines, maps, and virtual exhibits, these websites enable users to immerse themselves in historical periods, cultural movements, and philosophical ideas. Websites play a pivotal role in making your project more accessible, engaging, and comprehensible to a diverse audience.
Here is an example of the use of websites from previous GHS course projects to convey information to a broader audience:
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