Vanessa Freedman
@vrfreedman.bsky.social
Hebrew & Jewish Studies librarian at University College London. Co-convenor, Hebraica Libraries Group. Posts are my own views etc She/her
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
Getting a lot more people on this list for sharing antisemitic lies about the Talmud over the past couple of days.
Reminders:
1. The entire Talmud is public and freely available online. This Anyone claiming to know about "secret" or "hidden" Jewish teachings from it is lying to you.
Reminders:
1. The entire Talmud is public and freely available online. This Anyone claiming to know about "secret" or "hidden" Jewish teachings from it is lying to you.
December 21, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Getting a lot more people on this list for sharing antisemitic lies about the Talmud over the past couple of days.
Reminders:
1. The entire Talmud is public and freely available online. This Anyone claiming to know about "secret" or "hidden" Jewish teachings from it is lying to you.
Reminders:
1. The entire Talmud is public and freely available online. This Anyone claiming to know about "secret" or "hidden" Jewish teachings from it is lying to you.
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
Happening this Sunday!
Don't miss your chance for a behind the scenes tour of our latest exhibition, and to speak to members of our team about the vital work we do and how it can support your own research: wienerholocaustlibrary.org/event/interg...
Don't miss your chance for a behind the scenes tour of our latest exhibition, and to speak to members of our team about the vital work we do and how it can support your own research: wienerholocaustlibrary.org/event/interg...
February 17, 2026 at 9:28 AM
Happening this Sunday!
Don't miss your chance for a behind the scenes tour of our latest exhibition, and to speak to members of our team about the vital work we do and how it can support your own research: wienerholocaustlibrary.org/event/interg...
Don't miss your chance for a behind the scenes tour of our latest exhibition, and to speak to members of our team about the vital work we do and how it can support your own research: wienerholocaustlibrary.org/event/interg...
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
Introducing the new LBC Library’s reading room | Leo Baeck College
at the Heart of Progressive Judaism
lbc.ac.uk
February 16, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
Congratulations and good luck to our friends @leobaeckcollege.bsky.social who are opening their new reading room this week. We'll have more about it in our next Archivist in the Spotlight but in the meantime, find out about their library collection here: celebratingjewisharchives.org/archives/leo...
Leo Baeck College Library - hiddentreasurenew
Leo Baeck College Library, part of Leo Baeck College, contains 60,000 volumes exploring Jewish civilisation. The great texts of Jewish tradition are supported […]
celebratingjewisharchives.org
February 16, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Congratulations and good luck to our friends @leobaeckcollege.bsky.social who are opening their new reading room this week. We'll have more about it in our next Archivist in the Spotlight but in the meantime, find out about their library collection here: celebratingjewisharchives.org/archives/leo...
Nice obituary of @ucllccos.bsky.social Pro-Vice Provost Paul Ayris by our former colleague Ben Meunier www.theguardian.com/books/2026/f...
Paul Ayris obituary
Other lives: Library leader at UCL committed to the movement for open science
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Nice obituary of @ucllccos.bsky.social Pro-Vice Provost Paul Ayris by our former colleague Ben Meunier www.theguardian.com/books/2026/f...
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
Celebrate Hebrew International Language Day with us on 21 February!
Experience Bialik, King of the Jews - a powerful film by Yair Qedar - followed by a Q&A and poetry readings in Hebrew and Yiddish.
Secure your spot: buff.ly/leE7wk6
@uclhjs.bsky.social
Experience Bialik, King of the Jews - a powerful film by Yair Qedar - followed by a Q&A and poetry readings in Hebrew and Yiddish.
Secure your spot: buff.ly/leE7wk6
@uclhjs.bsky.social
February 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Celebrate Hebrew International Language Day with us on 21 February!
Experience Bialik, King of the Jews - a powerful film by Yair Qedar - followed by a Q&A and poetry readings in Hebrew and Yiddish.
Secure your spot: buff.ly/leE7wk6
@uclhjs.bsky.social
Experience Bialik, King of the Jews - a powerful film by Yair Qedar - followed by a Q&A and poetry readings in Hebrew and Yiddish.
Secure your spot: buff.ly/leE7wk6
@uclhjs.bsky.social
Age verification?
My first work computer had no hard disk and had to be booted up from floppies
My first work computer had no hard disk and had to be booted up from floppies
Age verification?
The size of my first data admin computer application had 71 kb
The size of my first data admin computer application had 71 kb
Age verification? School handouts smelled good
February 10, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Age verification?
My first work computer had no hard disk and had to be booted up from floppies
My first work computer had no hard disk and had to be booted up from floppies
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
The CIA just stopped publishing their World Factbook and took every page, including the archived copies of previous versions!
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
Spotlighting The World Factbook as We Bid a Fond Farewell
Somewhat devastating news today from the CIA: One of CIA’s oldest and most recognizable intelligence publications, The World Factbook, has sunset. There's not even a hint as to why they …
simonwillison.net
February 5, 2026 at 12:25 AM
The CIA just stopped publishing their World Factbook and took every page, including the archived copies of previous versions!
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
I'm finding that searches on Google Books now don't even pick up metadata, including for books that I'd expect to be out of copyright. Searches return lots of periodical literature and little else.
winbuzzer.com/2026/01/28/g...
(what’s the betting that the answer to this mystery is LLMs and crawlers)
(what’s the betting that the answer to this mystery is LLMs and crawlers)
February 4, 2026 at 8:03 AM
I'm finding that searches on Google Books now don't even pick up metadata, including for books that I'd expect to be out of copyright. Searches return lots of periodical literature and little else.
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
Looking forward to tomorrow's 'Come Fill Your Dance Fill Your Dance Card'.
Hosted by @uclhjslibrary.bsky.social, @uclhjs.bsky.social and the IJS.
We're all booked up, but you can sign up for the waitlist (or let us know if you'd like a similar future event).
www.tickettailor.com/events/uclin....
Hosted by @uclhjslibrary.bsky.social, @uclhjs.bsky.social and the IJS.
We're all booked up, but you can sign up for the waitlist (or let us know if you'd like a similar future event).
www.tickettailor.com/events/uclin....
February 4, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Looking forward to tomorrow's 'Come Fill Your Dance Fill Your Dance Card'.
Hosted by @uclhjslibrary.bsky.social, @uclhjs.bsky.social and the IJS.
We're all booked up, but you can sign up for the waitlist (or let us know if you'd like a similar future event).
www.tickettailor.com/events/uclin....
Hosted by @uclhjslibrary.bsky.social, @uclhjs.bsky.social and the IJS.
We're all booked up, but you can sign up for the waitlist (or let us know if you'd like a similar future event).
www.tickettailor.com/events/uclin....
Colne and Ver
My favorite Twitter prompt was "RT this with your home river," so reskeet this with your home river.
Mine is the Patuxent.
Mine is the Patuxent.
February 3, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Colne and Ver
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
Do you have reading suggestions for articles that underline the importance of (academic) libraries for students/staff? There exist a lot of articles, but I wonder what colleagues suggest as useful articles for students on this topic. Extra: master students in the humanities, not in library science.
February 3, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Do you have reading suggestions for articles that underline the importance of (academic) libraries for students/staff? There exist a lot of articles, but I wonder what colleagues suggest as useful articles for students on this topic. Extra: master students in the humanities, not in library science.
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
This year's theme for LGBT+ History Month is Science and Innovation, celebrating the contributions of LGBT+ people throughout history and raising awareness of their discoveries. Share your book recommendations here: https://ucl-global.libwizard.com/f/LGBTplus2026
February 2, 2026 at 9:18 AM
This year's theme for LGBT+ History Month is Science and Innovation, celebrating the contributions of LGBT+ people throughout history and raising awareness of their discoveries. Share your book recommendations here: https://ucl-global.libwizard.com/f/LGBTplus2026
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
Why Authors Aren’t Disclosing AI Use and What Publishers Should (Not) do About It – Part 2 scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2026/02/03/w...
Why Authors Aren’t Disclosing AI Use and What Publishers Should (Not) do About It - Part 2 - The Scholarly Kitchen
Current AI disclosure guidelines are failing and driving AI use underground rather than making it transparent. In this follow-up post, I turn to the more challenging question: what publishers should d...
scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org
February 3, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Why Authors Aren’t Disclosing AI Use and What Publishers Should (Not) do About It – Part 2 scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2026/02/03/w...
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
@wikipedia.org recently celebrated its 25th birthday, so it felt fitting that we had the honour of speaking to Joanna Baines, joint UK Wikimedian of the Year 2025, for our Spotlight series!
Read the highlights of this conversation on our blog now buff.ly/XZVMoE8
@uclspeccoll.bsky.social
Read the highlights of this conversation on our blog now buff.ly/XZVMoE8
@uclspeccoll.bsky.social
Spotlight on Joanna Baines: joint UK Wikimedian of the Year for 2025 | UCL Open@UCL Blog
UCL Homepage
blogs.ucl.ac.uk
January 29, 2026 at 4:15 PM
@wikipedia.org recently celebrated its 25th birthday, so it felt fitting that we had the honour of speaking to Joanna Baines, joint UK Wikimedian of the Year 2025, for our Spotlight series!
Read the highlights of this conversation on our blog now buff.ly/XZVMoE8
@uclspeccoll.bsky.social
Read the highlights of this conversation on our blog now buff.ly/XZVMoE8
@uclspeccoll.bsky.social
Scary
January 30, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Scary
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
Why Authors Aren’t Disclosing AI Use and What Publishers Should (Not) do About it scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2026/01/27/w...
Why Authors Aren't Disclosing AI Use and What Publishers Should (Not) do About it - The Scholarly Kitchen
Only a negligible percentage of authors seem to actually be disclosing their AI use. Here's why I think that's the case.
scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org
January 27, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Why Authors Aren’t Disclosing AI Use and What Publishers Should (Not) do About it scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2026/01/27/w...
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
Come learn Edwardian ballroom dances from a 1909 Jewish dance card in the Gaster Papers!
With dance instructor Susan de Guardiola (USA), Subject Librarian @vrfreedman.bsky.social and myself (talking about Jewish balls).
@uclhjs.bsky.social @artshumsucl.bsky.social @biajs.bsky.social
With dance instructor Susan de Guardiola (USA), Subject Librarian @vrfreedman.bsky.social and myself (talking about Jewish balls).
@uclhjs.bsky.social @artshumsucl.bsky.social @biajs.bsky.social
Come Fill Your Dance Card. A @uclhjs.bsky.social and @uclspeccoll.bsky.social event, 5 February, 6-8pm in person at UCL. Learn to party like British Jews around 1900! Book early, spaces are limited www.ucl.ac.uk/arts-humanit...
Come Fill Your Dance Card
In this special event, we will learn about the Gaster papers and about how to party like British Jews around 1900.
www.ucl.ac.uk
January 21, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Come learn Edwardian ballroom dances from a 1909 Jewish dance card in the Gaster Papers!
With dance instructor Susan de Guardiola (USA), Subject Librarian @vrfreedman.bsky.social and myself (talking about Jewish balls).
@uclhjs.bsky.social @artshumsucl.bsky.social @biajs.bsky.social
With dance instructor Susan de Guardiola (USA), Subject Librarian @vrfreedman.bsky.social and myself (talking about Jewish balls).
@uclhjs.bsky.social @artshumsucl.bsky.social @biajs.bsky.social
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
!!! 10 days left for submitting proposals !!! #BIAJS2026
Join us in London in July!
CALL FOR PAPERS NOW LIVE
#BIAJS2026 “Space and place in Jewish studies” 13-15 July Birkbeck
bajsbulletin.wpcomstaging.com/2025/11/03/c...
CALL FOR PAPERS NOW LIVE
#BIAJS2026 “Space and place in Jewish studies” 13-15 July Birkbeck
bajsbulletin.wpcomstaging.com/2025/11/03/c...
Call for Papers: BIAJS Conference 2026 (13-15 July, Birkbeck, University of London)
CALL FOR PAPERS #BIAJS2026 Space and Place in Jewish Studies British and Irish Association of Jewish Studies Annual Conference 2026 Birkbeck, University of London | July 2026 “there is…
bajsbulletin.wpcomstaging.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:07 PM
!!! 10 days left for submitting proposals !!! #BIAJS2026
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
Jewish material can present unique challenges to those working with it.
This blog runs through some top tips for archivists and others working with Jewish material, including reading Hebrew and caring for sacred texts.
Read more here: celebratingjewisharchives.org/blog/an-intr...
#Blog #Archives
This blog runs through some top tips for archivists and others working with Jewish material, including reading Hebrew and caring for sacred texts.
Read more here: celebratingjewisharchives.org/blog/an-intr...
#Blog #Archives
An introduction to Jewish terminology for cataloguing - hiddentreasurenew
Workshop: Jewish terminology for cataloguing
celebratingjewisharchives.org
January 19, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Jewish material can present unique challenges to those working with it.
This blog runs through some top tips for archivists and others working with Jewish material, including reading Hebrew and caring for sacred texts.
Read more here: celebratingjewisharchives.org/blog/an-intr...
#Blog #Archives
This blog runs through some top tips for archivists and others working with Jewish material, including reading Hebrew and caring for sacred texts.
Read more here: celebratingjewisharchives.org/blog/an-intr...
#Blog #Archives
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
Please help spread the word on this, especially to those who may be feeling cold winds towards their research.
We’ve opened the call for our International Fellowships, enabling early career researchers to work for two years at a UK research institution
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/sche...
We’ve opened the call for our International Fellowships, enabling early career researchers to work for two years at a UK research institution
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/sche...
January 15, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Please help spread the word on this, especially to those who may be feeling cold winds towards their research.
We’ve opened the call for our International Fellowships, enabling early career researchers to work for two years at a UK research institution
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/sche...
We’ve opened the call for our International Fellowships, enabling early career researchers to work for two years at a UK research institution
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/sche...
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
💥New: UK academia’s presence on X is reaching a tipping point
✍️ @andytattersall.bsky.social
#X #AcademicSocialMedia #AcademicSky
✍️ @andytattersall.bsky.social
#X #AcademicSocialMedia #AcademicSky
UK academia’s presence on X is reaching a tipping point - Impact of Social Sciences
Data collected on UK universities’ use of social media shows academic engagement with X is at a tipping point with more institutions off the platform than on.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 14, 2026 at 11:08 AM
💥New: UK academia’s presence on X is reaching a tipping point
✍️ @andytattersall.bsky.social
#X #AcademicSocialMedia #AcademicSky
✍️ @andytattersall.bsky.social
#X #AcademicSocialMedia #AcademicSky
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
A Bluesky challenge!
We've got so many great heritage/GLAM accounts here now, that some are flying under the radar
From national organisations to niche collections, these active accounts are all (at time of posting) under 500 followers-lowest at 9-how many can we get over 500?
go.bsky.app/U16Nwsw
We've got so many great heritage/GLAM accounts here now, that some are flying under the radar
From national organisations to niche collections, these active accounts are all (at time of posting) under 500 followers-lowest at 9-how many can we get over 500?
go.bsky.app/U16Nwsw
January 12, 2026 at 3:52 PM
A Bluesky challenge!
We've got so many great heritage/GLAM accounts here now, that some are flying under the radar
From national organisations to niche collections, these active accounts are all (at time of posting) under 500 followers-lowest at 9-how many can we get over 500?
go.bsky.app/U16Nwsw
We've got so many great heritage/GLAM accounts here now, that some are flying under the radar
From national organisations to niche collections, these active accounts are all (at time of posting) under 500 followers-lowest at 9-how many can we get over 500?
go.bsky.app/U16Nwsw
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
Reposted by Vanessa Freedman
You've never seen an LLM fabricate with more gusto than when you feed it a Judeo-Arabic text from the Cairo Geniza and ask for a translation. Absolute fantasy, confidently delivered.
December 30, 2025 at 6:03 AM
You've never seen an LLM fabricate with more gusto than when you feed it a Judeo-Arabic text from the Cairo Geniza and ask for a translation. Absolute fantasy, confidently delivered.