Must Read UNM Digital Library
First of all, thank you followers via Twitter and Facebook for being my eyes while mine are in textbooks this semester. I got a link suggestion from Keisha on the Navajo Now Facebook page and I am so excited to share what she has shared with me!
The University of New Mexico (UNM) has a digital library posted online. I believe I have searched around a database like this once before, but never found these types of resources. There are at least 60 different Navajo Language Readers in the collection. They are fully scanned, in color, and are available for complete PDF download for non-commercial, personal or educational use. The length for each reader varies, most actually have pages that are half occupied by drawings. I like this layout because it gives you enough room to make some decent notes without overcrowding the margins.
What a find! I hope that everyone takes advantage of these. I would recommend printing these in a booklet format if you have access to that option when you print them. This will allow you to use 1/4 the amount of paper required, and are small enough to fit into what ever you carry; a purse or backpack. However, this printing option is not available on all computers, if that is the case go to your nearest printing establishment with your files saved on a USB drive. Tell them you want to print these into booklets. They’ll set you up.
To get to the digital library,
First, go to: http://econtent.unm.edu/index.php, then type in “Navajo Language” in the search field. When the results pop up, select “Navajo Language Readers” under Subject in the left column. That should give you about 70 readers. I said 60 before because I am not sure if any of these are duplicates.
To save to your desktop:
In the left column, once you have opened the reader that you like, there is a pull-down menu by a “go” button. Pull down that menu and select, “Complete Print Version”. Then click Go. A new window should pop-up and allow you to save the PDF file that loads.
It’s also fun just to look at the covers. Enjoy.
Photos courtesy: University of New Mexico Digital Library
Dine college used to have student work like this, but it is gone.
I know what your talking about, I found some of their work recently. I’m going to post on that in a week or so.
So nice!! Thanks for sharing! ;)
peace
xandi
You’re welcome! I’m glad they helped you. My Navajo teacher had some of these books too. There is quite a bit of children’s literature in Navajo, actually the most extensive I’ve seen in a Native language.
I’m the same as you I really thought It was me talking about myself when I found this website. Thank you so much I can start to relearn my language.
Yeah, it’s surprising how many of us feel this way about our language.