Alcohol Studies Archives Blog Preserves a Legacy

When the Center of Alcohol Studies (CAS) Library at Rutgers closed its doors in 2016, it marked the end of an era, but for many of us, not the end of its story. The Alcohol Studies Archives Blog emerged via revisiting and restoring timeless, relevant content from the CAS Library News (2007-2016). Now in its fifth year, the blog is an online continuation of the legacy of the Center, originally founded at Yale and relocated to Rutgers in 1962, with its library functioning as a major resource and repository in addiction science. Curated by Judit Hajnal Ward, the blog shares news, discoveries, and highlights of the Digital Alcohol Studies Archives Collection, serving as a bridge between historical scholarship and modern digital access.

A library collection that refused to fade

CAS is a pioneering institution in addiction science. Its library housed rare books, journals, newsletters, and archival materials that chronicled decades of research, policy, education, and treatment innovation. When the library closed, many feared that its treasures would be lost to time. Instead, they seem to have found a second life online in the Digital Alcohol Studies Archives Collection and the Digital Alcohol Studies Exhibit.

I started blog as a modest effort to document the ongoing digitization since 2007 and share newly accessible archival materials. First, I reinstated relevant articles from the newly digitized CAS Library News, back dating them to their original publication dates. Over time, the site evolved into my storytelling platform, where I can blend scholarship related to alcohol studies with personal reflection, humor, and historical insight.

Main blog themes follow traditions

One of the blog’s strengths is its thematic diversity. Posts are organized into categories that reflect both the academic and human sides of alcohol studies.

Alcohol History posts trace the evolution of alcohol research, from early temperance movements to the scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century, including highlights in the Alcohol Studies Archives Exhibit. They often spotlight key figures like E. M. Jellinek and Mark Keller, whose work shaped the modern understanding of alcoholism.
Resources and Treasures focus on digitized archival materials such as documents, correspondence, photos, and ephemera that were once part of the CAS Library. The posts often include commentary that contextualizes the materials for modern audiences.
Publication Highlights of published and unpublished texts and digitized journals such as the Alcoholism Treatment Digest offer insights into how treatment approaches and research priorities have shifted over time.
Storytelling and Humor posts like “Humor in Alcohol Studies” and “Wordsmiths in Alcohol Studies” explore the human side of scholarly communication. Whether it’s a humorous anecdote about cataloging quirks or a reflection on the language of addiction, these entries make the blog feel alive.

Motive and goal

The blog’s primary goal is accessibility and preservation, with purpose. Rather than just saving randomly, the documents were selected for digitization as the ones potentially meaningful in the 21st century. Stories around the archival content aim to invite visitors of all related platforms to engage with the history of addiction science as readers and inspire reflection and contributions to an ongoing dialogue about addictions. The blog wishes to:

highlight valuable content rescued and digitized from the collections of the now-defunct Alcohol Studies Library
provide historical data and contextual information that make archival materials more engaging and understandable
serve as a research resource for scholars, students, and the public interested in addiction science
preserve and celebrate the intellectual heritage of CAS and its contributors.

Bridging past and present, the blog offers valuable resources for students, researchers, and anyone curious about the roots of addiction science, and presents how historical context can enrich contemporary understanding.

Potential impact

With its content discussing unique resources, the blog has the potential to have a tremendous impact in various areas.

Educating new generations of researchers about the foundations of alcohol studies
By making relevant archival materials accessible and engaging, the blog supports teaching and learning across disciplines. It’s a valuable tool for courses in psychology, history, public health, and library science.
Inspiring interdisciplinary exploration by connecting history, science, and storytelling
Blending scholarship and storytelling can inspire new research questions, interdisciplinary collaborations, and creative projects. The blog shows that archives mean a lot more than preservation of documents and images.
Preserving institutional memory, ensuring that the contributions of CAS are not lost to time
For Rutgers and the broader addiction community, the blog helps maintain continuity from Yale to Rutgers. It honors the contributions of past generations, looking at them from the perspective of the 21st-century reader.
Fostering community engagement
The blog fosters a sense of belonging among CAS and SSAS alumni, researchers, and readers who share an interest in alcohol studies. The platform is an open space to highlight shared memories, celebrate legacies, and inspire new ideas.

Building a future on the past

In our age of rapid change and digital transformation, the Alcohol Studies Archives Blog reminds us that the past can function as a source of insight, identity, and inspiration. As the digital collection continues to grow, the blog will uncover more treasures, tell more stories, and connect more dots in the history of alcohol studies. The core mission will remain the same: to keep the legacy of the Center of Alcohol Studies Library alive.