This March, JSTOR’s collection highlights include a vibrant mix of historical archives, health media, and pathbreaking literature. From Montana’s mid-century newsletters to a global archive on HIV/AIDS and the arts, these additions illustrate the power of preservation and the depth of human creativity. Let’s explore the highlights.

Path to Open book of the month: Published by the Author

Book cover of "Published by the Author: Self-Publication in Nineteenth-Century African American Literature" by Bryan Sinche. The design features a red book layered over a green one, set against a beige background.

Each month, we’ll spotlight a title from JSTOR’s Path to Open program—a pilot program that makes new books available to participating institutions now and fully open access after three years.

March’s featured title is Published by the Author: Self-Publication in Nineteenth-Century African American Literature by Bryan Sinche, published by University of North Carolina Press.

A standout chapter, “That This Book May Speak for Me,” explores how Black preachers like George White and Jarena Lee used self-publishing to build community, and challenge exclusion, leaving behind powerful records of leadership and resistance.

Read the chapter or learn more about the Path to Open program.

Reveal Digital: Documenting the artistic response to HIV/AIDS

HIV, AIDS & the Arts is a growing open access collection from Reveal Digital.

Since the earliest years of the AIDS crisis, artists have responded using every form of media to confront stigma and celebrate life. This collection preserves that response across visual art, playbills, sheet music, zines, personal papers, and more. It centers voices often left out of traditional AIDS archives, particularly from Africa and the Global South.

Explore the collection.

Shared collections: Montana newsletters and angling notebooks

Class of 1940 Newsletters – Montana State University-Bozeman

Detail of a typewritten page showing part of an update on the author's life for an alumni newsletter. Transcript: HEINRICH, Jean & Walt: You know it's so quiet around here I doubt if I can concentrate. No one is jiggling the table, grabbing my envelopes or stamps or yelling, "Mama, come here quick." Of course it would be an even crazier household than it is if I were being bothered cuz it's 12:30 a.m. I'm a worse night owl now than I was when I was young--oh, I mean younger. Between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. I can get more work done! --and it's so peaceful! Not that I'm complaining, you understand. I just happen to have a happy noisy family of seven (yes, one has been added since last year). To keep you up to date, we have Kathy 13, John 11, Barbara 8, Tom 6, Jim 4, Mary 3, and Robert 9 mo. on Christmas Day. It's quite a gang, but really lots of fun. And a happy part of it is we have plenty of room, a nice brick home, a new car every year, all the automatic devices for helping mothers, plenty to eat, enough clothes to wear, can swim in Lake Michigan all summer,
Taylor, Peggy Roman, and Bettie Eagle Nelson. Montana State University-Bozeman, Class of 1940 Newsletters, 1950-1958.

This warm and witty collection features decades of alumni updates from the “Old Gang” of Montana State’s Class of 1940. These typewritten newsletters document friendships, family news, and changing times with charm and detail.

Browse the newsletters.

Sylvester Nemes Papers – Montana State University-Bozeman

A collection of postage stamps and torn paper pieces arranged on a black background. The stamps include a 75-cent Wendell Willkie stamp labeled 'Statesman,' a 15-cent Buffalo Bill Cody stamp, a 23-cent Mary Cassatt stamp, two identical 22-cent USA Olympic 88 skier stamps, and a 41-pence British stamp featuring Queen Elizabeth II. Among the torn paper pieces, one has handwritten text reading 'Boys mother,' and another contains a printed reminder saying 'REMEMBER to use the POST.' Some stamps have remnants of tape or paper attached.
Sylvester Nemes. Letter Fragments. Montana State University-Bozeman, 1994–2005.

A master of soft-hackled flies and a devoted angling writer, Sylvester Nemes left behind drafts, correspondence, and even two unpublished historical novels. His papers reveal a life spent chasing both trout and stories.

Explore the collection.

Audiovisual archives: animated lessons in public health

Two featured animated films from the Wellcome Collection used storytelling to teach health awareness.

Hygiene: Kate’s Party (1990)

This video introduces children to five key hygiene rules through a surprise visit from the Hy-genie.

Dying for a Smoke (1967)

This video follows a teen lured into smoking by “Old Nick O’Teen”—until he glimpses the future and takes control of his health.

March’s highlights show how archives can deepen our understanding of health, history, and human expression. We’ll be back in April with more to explore!

Written by:

author headshot

Maria Papadouris

Maria Papadouris is a Content and Community Engagement Manager at ITHAKA, where she works on bringing the JSTOR community together under the common goal of championing access to knowledge (and having a fun time doing it!). A first-generation Greek American and first-generation college student, Maria studied political science and creative writing, bringing an interdisciplinary approach to issues in the humanities. She is also looking to pursue graduate studies in English literature.

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