Curated by Your Local Library Staff

Looking for your next great read? Check out the Staff Picks Display inside the library! This month, our librarians have highlighted their favorite books—fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, and hidden gems. Here are just a few examples of books we have chosen for the display.

Fiction:

• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (also a Graphic Novel): is a dystopian novel about a future society where books are banned and “firemen” burn them, until one fireman begins to question everything.

• ‪Hondo: a novel by Louis L'amour. In the aftermath of an Apache uprising, Hondo Lane an U.S. Calvary dispatcher, tries to convince Angie Low and her son, Johnny, to leave their isolated ranch and flee with him to safety.

• ‪Saturn run : a novel of 2066 by John Sandford and Ctien: In 2066, when a Caltech intern discovers a decelerating object near Saturn that proves to be an advanced alien spacecraft, a hastily assembled crew is thrust into a high stakes international race, filled with danger, betrayal, and discovery, to capture the technology that could shift the balance of global power.

Non-Fiction:

• ‪‪In cold blood: a true account of a multiple murder and its consequences by Truman Capote is a pioneering true-crime narrative that recounts the brutal murder of a Kansas family and the far-reaching psychological and societal impact of the crime

• Field Guide to the Grasses, Sedges and Rushes of the United States by Edward Knobel is a concise, illustrated manual designed to help readers identify and distinguish common American grasses, sedges, and rushes.

• ‪Vacuuming in the nude: and other ways to get attention by Peggy Rowe: At age eighty, Rowe finally achieves her long-sought writing breakthrough and shares a humorous, heartfelt account of her persistence, family support, and lifelong habit of finding and spreading laughter—even through challenges like cancer.

• ‪English-Hawaiian dictionary by Mary Kawena Pukui and Samuel H. Elbert: for those adventurous enough to learn Hawaiian.

• ‪Half the sky : turning oppression into opportunity for women worldwide‬‎ by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn: Two Pulitzer Prize winners argue that empowering women in the developing world is both a moral imperative and the key to global economic progress.

Discover something new, unwind between classes, or jump, start a research idea, and all books are available to check out right away. We have something for everyone. Have a suggestion or a favorite? Stop by the desk and tell us, we love talking books.

Don't forget to join us for the final Riverhawk Book Talk of the year (Friday, December 19, 2025 from 12-1pm in the Innovation Room)!

 Course Reserves are Now Overdue

Library reserve items (laptops, calculators, and ECE/HDFS textbooks) check out for one term at a time. This ensures that the library is able to update all firmware, software, and keep collections accurate. This means that all library laptops, calculators, and textbooks were due on or before Monday, December 1, 2025 and are now overdue. Laptops & Calculators CAN NOT be put in the book drop.

If you need a library laptop, calculator, or ECE/HDFS textbook for Winter Term 2026, they will be available at the start of Winter Term (Monday, January 5, 2026). If you need a library laptop, calculator, or ECE/HDFS textbook for Intersession, they will be available at the start of Intersession (Monday, December 8, 2025).

Students who do not return library laptops, calculators, and textbooks may now have a hold placed on their student account and may be blocked from registering for Spring Term. In addition, they may be referred to a collection agency and charged a non-refundable fee of up to $250. 

Your library materials were due Monday, December 1, 2025. For further information about laptop circulation, please see this page of the library website, or reach out to us via the “Chat with Us Now” button at the top of the library website.

Winter Intersession Hours

Monday: 8am-5pm

Tuesday: 8am-5pm

Wednesday: 8am-5pm

Thursday: 8am-5pm

Friday: 8am-4:30pm

We will be closed for Winter Break from 12/23-12/29 and closed on 1/1 for New Years Day.

For all library hours, please click here.

  Upcoming Closure for Thanksgiving Break

This College we will be closed on Thursday, November 27, 2025, and Friday November 28, 2025, all in-person and online services will be unavailable. We will reopen at 8:00am on Monday, December 1.

Course Reserves are Due Now

Library reserve items (laptops, calculators, and ECE/HDFS textbooks) check out for one term at a time. This ensures that the library is able to update all firmware, software, and keep collections accurate. This means that all library laptops, calculators, and textbooks are due on or before Monday, December 1, 2025. Laptops & Calculators CAN NOT be put in the book drop.

If you need a library laptop, calculator, or ECE/HDFS textbook for Winter Term 2026, they will be available at the start of Winter Term (Monday, January 5, 2026). If you need a library laptop, calculator, or ECE/HDFS textbook for Intersession, they will be available at the start of Intersession (Monday, December 8, 2025).

Students who do not return library laptops, calculators, and textbooks may now have a hold placed on their student account and may be blocked from registering for Summer/Fall Term. In addition, they may be referred to a collection agency and charged a non-refundable fee of up to $250. 

Your library materials are due Monday, December 1, 2025. For further information about laptop circulation, please see this page of the library website, or reach out to us via the “Chat with Us Now” button at the top of the library website. 

We hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Fall Reserve Items Due

Library reserve items (laptops, calculators, and ECE/HDFS textbooks) check out for one term at a time. This ensures that the library is able to update all firmware, software, and keep collections accurate. This means that all library laptops, calculators, and textbooks are due on or before Monday, December 1, 2025.

If you need a library laptop, calculator, or ECE/HDFS textbook for Winter Term 2026, they will be available at the start of Winter Term (Monday, January 5, 2026). 

Students who do not return library laptops, calculators, and textbooks may now have a hold placed on their student account and may be blocked from registering for Winter/Spring Terms. In addition, they may be referred to a collection agency and charged a non-refundable fee of up to $250. 

Your library materials are due Monday, December 1, 2025. 

For further information about laptop circulation, please see this page of the library website, or reach out to us via the “Chat with Us Now” button at the top of the library website. 

Two Ways to Connect Through Storytelling, and the Fall Term Study in!

The UCC Library is always buzzing with curiosity and conversation, and two favorite gatherings, Riverhawk Book Talk and Deep Thoughts and Documentaries, offer perfect spaces to dive in, and the Study In offers tutoring, prizes, and pizza!

Fall Term Study In Join us in the Library & Tutoring Center for our annual Fall-Term Study In. This event features drop-in tutoring, healthy (and some not so healthy) snacks, pizza, research help, an open computer lab, a raffle, give away, and smiling friendly faces! Don't forget you can preregister here!

Deep Thoughts and Documentaries takes that same spirit to the screen with Animal Babies, from one of our streaming databases Kanopy. Stop by from 3-5 PM this Thursday to enjoy a lighthearted, heartwarming documentary experience. Don't forget you can preregister here.

Riverhawk Book Talk brings readers together each month to explore compelling stories, from timeless classics to bold new voices. There is no required reading. It’s coming together to, connect, share books that you are reading, or want to read, and get recommendations for other books. The book club meets from 12-1 PM this Friday.  We encourage you to preregister for the book club here.

Both events celebrate curiosity, connection, and conversation. Whether you love to read or watch and reflect, there’s a place for your voice in the discussion.

Veterans Day at UCC

Each year on Veterans Day (November 11), we pause to honor the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Their commitment to protecting our freedoms and communities continues to inspire gratitude and reflection.

To observe this national holiday, UCC campus and the UCC Library will be closed on Tuesday November 11. Regular hours and services will resume on Wednesday, November 12.

As we take this day to reflect, we encourage our community to explore resources that share the stories and experiences of veterans across generations:

Featured books and eBooks:

• The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

• ‪150 years of Oregon veterans presented by the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs.

• ‪For love of country: what our veterans can teach us about citizenship, heroism, and sacrifice by Howard Shultz and Rajib Chandrasekaran

Check out our Databases to learn more:

• Academic Search Complete: Happiness in US military veterans: Results from a nationally representative study, and Re-evaluating disability assessment in war veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.

• Gale Academic OneFile: INTO THE EXTREMES: How US Military engineers conquered sand, snow, and stardust, and Veterans Training Service Dogs for Other Veterans: An Animal-Assisted Intervention for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Watch and Learn on Kanopy:

• The Vietnam War, A Film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick

• Service: When Women Come Marching Home

Veterans Day is more than a date on the calendar—it’s a time to honor those who have served and to recognize their lasting impact on our nation’s history and future.

Roots of Resilience: Native American History and Culture

Native American Heritage Month (November) is a time to celebrate the histories, cultures, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples across the United States. At the UCC Library, we honor this month by highlighting Native voices that share stories of identity, resilience, and connection to the land.

Featured Titles:
 

Explore fiction, poetry, and nonfiction by Indigenous authors. Our physical collection feature inspiring works such as:

• ‪Native American ethnobotany by Daniel E. Moerman

• ‪You don't have to say you love me : a memoir By Sherman Alexie

• ‪The only good Indians : a novel by Stephen Graham Jones

Explore eBooks and our databases to learn Indigenous history, literature and activism:

Diversity Studies (Gale OneFile):  

• Seven Myths of Native American History

• The People Have Never Stopped Dancing: Native American Modern Dance Histories

Some eBooks include:‪

•  American Indian Sovereignty: The Struggle for Religious, Cultural and Tribal Independence‬‎ by Mark Hazlett II, 

• ‪Assembled for Use : Indigenous Compilation and the Archives of Early Native American Literatures‬‎ by Kelley Wisecup.

Jstor:

•  Native American Traditional and Alternative Medicine by Susan L. Johnston, 

• Song and Dance: Native American Religions and American History by Lawrence E. Sullivan.

Watch and Learn on Films On Demand:

• Native America (Season 2): Before meeting the Old World, the New World thrived with its own richness now, expeditions and recreations reveal how their clash forever changed history.

• Famous Americans: Native Americans: This program explores the rise of early American civilizations, the impact of European arrival, and the enduring legacy and challenges of Native American cultures.

We invite the UCC community to discover, read, and reflect this month. By engaging with these stories, we honor the creativity, strength, and enduring contributions of Native communities, past, present, and future.

Spooky Season at the Library

Halloween is the perfect time to explore the eerie side of our library! Whether you’re in the mood for a classic ghost story or curious about the history behind Halloween traditions, we’ve got plenty of books and databases to satisfy your spooky curiosity.

On the Shelves:
 

Looking for something to send chills down your spine? Try these timeless favorites:

• The Annotated Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: the original tale of science and horror.

• Novels and Stories: The Lottery, The Haunting of Hill House, we have always lived in the Castle, other stories and sketches by Shirley Jackson: haunting psychological masterpieces.

• The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury: Short tales of aliens, only if you like sci-fi, but who doesn't.

In Our Databases:
 

Our digital collections are full of fascinating Halloween finds:

• Gale Literature (LitFinder): You can read such classic stories such as Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, or if you are looking for something a little less scary such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, by Victor Hugo.

  History Reference Source: See the Origins of the Jack O Lantern.

  Kanopy: stream classic horror films and documentaries right from home, like The Fog.

Whether you’re reading, researching, or just looking for a frightfully fun film night, the library has you covered. Stop by, or log in, and celebrate the season of scares with us.

Don't Forget!

Join us this Friday, October 31, for Spooky Movie Time! in the Library's Innovation room from 11 AM-4 PM!

Drop in at any time, whether you stay for one movie or the whole afternoon, you're welcome to come relax, hang out, and enjoy a lineup of spooky (but fun) films. It's the perfect way to take a break and get into the Halloween Spirit. We can't wait to see you there!

Happy Halloween!

Early Detection Saves Lives

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to promote early detection, education, and support for those affected by breast cancer. At the UCC Library, we provide access to trusted academic resources to help you stay informed. Whether you're researching for an assignment or want to learn more for personal interest, our databases offer reliable, up to date information.

Explore Key Resources:

CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature)
Find nursing-focused articles like: Advances in breast cancer screening and prevention from Contemporary OB/GYN or Mitigating Disparities in Breast Cancer Among Black Women from Building Professionals.

Health and Medicine (Gale OneFile)
Access articles that are raising awareness: Breast cancer in men: the importance of teaching and raising awareness.

Kanopy and Films on Demand

Watch documentaries such as Beauty and the Breast and Breast Cancer.

Come Browse our Collection

Read books in the library such as: ‪Stop breast cancer before it starts by Samuel S. Epstein, and ‪Living well beyond breast cancer: a survivor's guide for when treatment ends and the rest of your life begins by Marisa C. Weiss and Ellen Weiss‬‎. We also have eBooks through our databases such as ‪Black Women and Breast Cancer : A Cultural Theology by Elizabeth A. Williams. and for those who are studying to be in the medical field: ‪Breast Cancer: Visual Guide for Clinicians by MD Barber, J StJ Thomas, and JM Dixon.

You can access these resources through our Library Databases A-Z or ask library staff for help finding what you need. Let’s use this month to raise awareness, empower ourselves with knowledge, and support those impacted by breast cancer.

Riverhawk Book Talk Book Club

Love books? Join us for a relaxed, no pressure chat about whatever you're reading! No assigned books, just good conversation and great recommendations.

No assigned books. No pressure. Just good conversation.
Open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Next meeting: Friday, October 24th
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Location: Library Innovation Room

Don't forget to sign up here.

And don't forget to stop in during library hours and see our new exhibit: The Black Pioneers

Check out our calendar of library events here.

International Pronouns Day: Respecting Identities, Building Inclusive Communities

October 15 marks International Pronouns Day, a time to reflect on the significance of respecting, sharing, and correctly using personal pronouns. At its core, this observance affirms the dignity of LGBTQ+ individuals while encouraging inclusive practices across classrooms, workplaces, and communities.

Why Pronouns Matter

Pronouns are a fundamental aspect of respectful communication. When misused, they can contribute to exclusion and marginalization; when affirmed, they strengthen belonging and support mental health. A Rainbow of Voices: The Experiences of Middle School LGBTQIA+ Students (via ProQuest: Publicly Available Content Databases) highlights how correct pronoun use contributes to improved emotional well-being and mental health for transgender and nonbinary youth.

Higher Education and Inclusion

On campus, pronoun awareness helps create a culture of respect and equity. Faculty, staff, and students who model inclusive language foster stronger community and better learning environments. Articles in ERIC (via EBSCOhost) and Gale OneFile: Gender Studies examine how inclusive practices contribute to student success and positive campus climate.

Explore Library Resources

The UCC Library provides access to databases where you can learn more:

• ProQuest: Publicly Available Content Databases – Research on LGBTQ+ issues and mental health, such as “What is known about gambling in lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) communities? A scoping review.”

• JSTOR – Cultural studies on gender and identity, including “Gender Bias in the Classroom.”

• ERIC – Education focused research, like “Modelling Inclusive Education. The Didactic Model for Inclusive Teaching and Learning as a Heuristic for Inclusion Research and Teacher Education.”

• Gale OneFile: Gender Studies – Social and policy perspectives, for example “Indigenous social exclusion: insights and challenges for the concept of social inclusion.”

• EBSCO Discovery Service – Links you to reviews and scholarly commentaries, such as Gender: Your Guide: A Gender-Friendly Primer on What to Know, What to Say, and What to Do in the New Gender Culture by Lee Airton, a scholarly cited work that offers practical insight into navigating pronouns and gender-inclusive communication in everyday life.

Moving Forward

International Pronouns Day is more than symbolic; it’s an invitation to reflect on how language shapes experience. Small acts, like asking and sharing pronouns, contribute to a more welcoming and affirming community.