The Adler University Library and the Center for Adlerian Practice and Scholarship are nearing the completion of digitizing over 260 archival videos featuring sessions and lectures of the University’s founding members.

Marina Bluvshtein, Ph.D.

In the past, tapes had to be borrowed from the library archives, but thanks to a generous gift from Ellen Mendel, president of the Alfred Adler Institute of New York, the digitization project is turning a collection of historical videos, including case studies, open forum family counseling sessions, and lectures on Adlerian psychology, into an online resource for University students, staff, and faculty.

“These videos are some of the most significant archival assets we have,” said Ariel Orlov, Library and Learning Services senior director. “This project will make it easier for the Adler community to access and to learn from our founders.”

Since spring, 75 titles have been digitized and are now available on OneDrive. Another batch of 185 videos, including most of the Adlerian Psychology from Scratch series by Harold Mosak, Ph.D., will be added and made available online in spring 2024.

Organized by topical playlists, the collection contains videos featuring founders and early instructors of the Institute of Adlerian Psychology. These include Rudolf Dreikurs, Bernice Bronia Grunwald, Bernard Shulman, Eva Dreikurs Ferguson, and Dr. Mosak. These influential educators helped create the then-Institute of Adlerian Psychology, which today is Adler University.

In the coming months, the University will invite the Adler community to view the videos and engage prominent Adlerians, said Marina Bluvshtein, Ph.D., director of the Center for Adlerian Practice and Scholarship.

“These recordings give us a fuller sensory experience of the story that ultimately led to the creation of Adler University,” said Dr. Bluvshtein. “The presentations and lectures in these videos keep our founders’ teaching alive, fill the gap in our knowledge, and help us experience their work.”