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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:

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.


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Oregon Black Pioneers logo

Library Exhibit: The Black Pioneers

This exhibit is open to all UCC students, faculty, staff, and community members, and will be available for viewing during regular library hours from October 13, 2025 - December 5, 2025.

Between 1840 and 1870, Oregon’s provisional and territorial governments passed laws excluding Black people from rights afforded to white settlers. Despite this, a small number of Black Americans settled or remained in Oregon, challenging the discriminatory laws and laying the foundation for the state’s future Black communities.

This exhibit highlights some of those Black pioneers who risked everything to build a better life for themselves and their families in Oregon. Swing by the UCC Library to learn more!

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Deep Thoughts and Documentaries

Join us Thursday, October 16, at 3:00pm for Deep Thoughts and Documentaries. This monthly event is a great way to explore big ideas and connect with others. Deep Thoughts and Documentaries will be held once a month in the library, so if you enjoy this one, mark your calendar for the next. Did you know you can preregister here?

 

Calendar of events

Check out our calendar of library events here.


 

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Red book with

 

What is Banned Books Week?

Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. Held in the last week of September or first week of October, the annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas. 

Banned Books Week 2025 poster

2025 Banned Books Week Theme: “Censorship Is So 1984 — Read for Your Rights.” 

By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles lists of challenged books as reported in the media and submitted by librarians and teachers across the country. 

Top 10 challenged books of 2024

Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024:

(the 2025 list will come out in April of 2026)

  1. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/allboysBR
  2. Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/genderBR
  3. (TIE) The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/bluestBR
  4. (TIE) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/wallflowerBR
  5. Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/tricksBR
  6. (TIE) Looking for Alaska by John Green
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/alaskaBR
  7. (TIE) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/earlBR
  8. (TIE) Crank by Ellen Hopkins
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/crankBR
  9. (TIE) Sold by Patricia McCormick
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/soldBR
  10. Flamer by Mike Curato
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/flamerBR

The most common justifications for censorship provided by complainants were false claims of illegal obscenity for minors; inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters or themes; and covering topics of race, racism, equity, and social justice.


 

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From Cover to Cultura

Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) is a time to recognize the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities in the U.S. At the UCC Library, we are proud to support this celebration by offering resources that highlight the depth and diversity of Latinx voices.

Featured Titles:

Explore fiction, poetry, and memoirs by influential writers. Our physical and digital collections also feature scholarly and contemporary titles such as:

Watch and Learn on Kanopy
  • Latino Americans: A landmark documentary series chronicling over 500 years of Latinx history in the U.S.

  • Dolores: A compelling portrait of civil rights leader Dolores Huerta

Dig Deeper with Databases:

Leverage the library’s academic databases such as Gale Diversity Studies, and ERIC to explore Latinx history in Film, social movements, and key figures in depth. These platforms provide access to peer-reviewed articles, historical documents, and multimedia resources.

We also encourage participation in local events, exhibits, and programs that celebrate Latinx culture, through music, cuisine, art, and storytelling, to build greater understanding and connection beyond the classroom.


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Start Strong at UCC

The first week of the term is already in full swing, and there’s no better way to kick off the new academic year than by getting involved with some of the exciting events happening at the library or around the college this month!

Resource Fair

Umpqua Community College will be having a Resource Fair on Thursday, September 18, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Held right on campus (at the compass). Explore the many services and programs available to support your success. From academic help and career guidance to mental health resources and student organizations, everything you need in one place. Expect giveaways, activities, and helpful info!

 

Riverhawk Book Talk Book Club

Join us for the launch of Riverhawk Book Talk, the UCC Library's monthly book club, held on the 4th Friday of every month from 12pm-1pm. A casual, no pressure space to share what you're reading, swap recommendations, and connect with fellow book lovers. No assigned reading, just bring a book you enjoy!

Book club welcomes all students, faculty, and staff. Come connect, get inspired, and discover your next great read. Want a reminder? Register here and we will send you a calendar invitation!

We can’t wait to see you there!


 

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Start Your Term Strong with UCC Library Resources

Welcome back, Umpqua Community College students! The new term is here, and we’re excited to help you start strong. Whether you're tackling your math, science, or writing classes, taking classes in nursing, trades, or business; the UCC Library has the tools and support you need.

New Library Hours: Fall Term (From 9/15-11/29)

Monday–Thursday: 7:45AM-6PM
Friday: 9AM- 4:30PM
Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Stop by for quiet study, group projects, research help, or just a place to get focused.

 

Important Dates to Know

GIS Kit& ECE Book Checkout (Starting now!)

Come to the UCC Library circulation desk to check out textbooks for your Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Human Development and Family 
Science (HDFS) courses. 

 

Need Tech? We've Got You Covered (Starting 9/15)!

Laptops, chargers, graphing and scientific calculators.
Tech Checkout Opens:
September 15, 2025, the first day of Fall Term
Bring your student ID or other form of ID and stop by to get the gear you need to succeed in the classroom and online. Supplies are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Your UCC library staff are here to support you! We can help with:

Visit us in person or check out our online resources at library.umpqua.edu


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Summer Reserve Items Are Due This Week

 

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 Thursday, August 28, 2025.

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

Reminder:

Laptops and calculators CANNOT be placed in the book drop, they must be returned to the circulation desk during regular library hours. Any technology placed in the book drop will get damaged by the heat, and patrons will be charged for these damages.  

Want to avoid this hassle? 

Please return your library materials on or before Thursday, August 28, 2025.

Laptops & Reserves for Summer Term

If you need a library laptop, calculator for Fall Term 2025, they will be available at the start of Fall Term (Monday, Sept. 15, 2025). ECE/HDFS textbooks will be available for students registered in those specific classes on Monday, September 8, 2025.

Further Information

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. 


 

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Deep Thoughts and Documentaries

Join us this Thursday (August 21) from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM in the Library, as we watch and reflect on Wild Honey: Caring for Bees in a Divided Land as well as the film Days and Years in the Lives of Plants. These films are available via one of our streaming services Kanopy.

Pro tip: Did you know that if you pre-register for these events then you will automatically get a calendar invitation & 1-hr reminder? you can do so by using this link.

 

About the Films

Wild Honey: Caring for Bees in a Divided Land:  This Film explores how migratory wild honeybees transcend the colonial border dividing Timor, uniting the people of Lookeu through ritual, song, and shared heritage. Amid modern pressures, the community works to preserve the bees' movements and their cultural identity.

Days and Years in the Lives of Plants: A Look at how plants time their flowering using light-sensitive pigments, messenger, RNA and temperature cues, and how these processes are impacted by climate change.


 

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We Celebrate World Honeybee Day

The third Saturday in August, August 16, 2025, marks World Honeybee Day, a global celebration of one of the planet’s most important pollinators. Honeybees play a vital role in our ecosystem and food systems, supporting biodiversity and helping produce over one-third of the food we eat. This day is an opportunity to appreciate their essential contributions, and to recognize how we can help protect them.

 

honeybee on purple flower

 

At the UCC Library, we believe that understanding the natural world is a key part of education, sustainability, and collective well-being. World Honeybee Day invites us to pause and ask: How do our actions impact the world around us? How can we support ecological health and balance? To support this reflection, the Sue Shaffer Learning Commons and Library offers a wide range of digital and streaming resources focused on bees, pollination, environmental sustainability, and conservation.

Books and eBooks:
Explore titles like The Bees in Your Backyard by Joseph S. Wilson and Olivia Messinger Carril, a beautifully illustrated guide that helps readers identify native bees and understand their behavior and habitat. Our Native Bees: North America's endangered pollinators and the fight to save them by Paige Embry, highlights  the vital yet often overlooked role of North America's native bees in ecosystems and agriculture, as the author explores their importance through personal adventures and conservation efforts.  And for those interested in beekeeping, The Backyard Beekeeper by Kim Flottum offers an accessible introduction to starting and maintaining a hive.

MasterFILE Premier:
Browse scholarly articles on Bee Vision to explore how bees perceive the world. You can read this study that shows that Bees teach each other puzzle solving, highlighting their intelligence. The article Honey Bees in Demand discusses how farmers and beekeepers can collaborate to support bee health while meeting agricultural needs. Research topics such as the impact of pesticides on bee health, climate change, and urban beekeeping as a form of conservation.

Films on Demand:
Watch Vanishing of the Bees, a documentary that examines the mysterious decline of honeybee populations around the world and explores the consequences for food security and environmental health. Another featured film, Hive to Honey, shows Award-winning Colorado apiary Bee squared, led by owner Beth, a behind the scenes look at local honey production while highlighting the vital role of bees and how we can help protect their future.

Kanopy:
This platform offers several compelling documentaries on pollinators and conservation. Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us? presents a poetic, urgent look at the global bee crisis and the people working to heal it. Seed: The Untold Story also highlights the connection between pollinators and food security, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity and indigenous farming practices.

Gale OneFile: Environmental Studies and Policy:
Find timely articles on environmental policy, agriculture, and bee conservation. Notable reads include: Land Use and Season Interactively Affect Honeybee (Apis mellifera) Body Size and Fat Stores. which talks about human driven habitat changes impact honeybee health, with this study showing seasonal and land use effects on their size, fat stores, and survival traits. If you are a coffee drinker, Tropical agriculture: the value of bees to coffee harvest might interest you. This article explores how honeybees significantly boost coffee yields and highlights the importance of pollinator friendly habitats for sustainable tropical agriculture.

Protecting Our Pollinators, One Day and Every Day

World Honeybee Day is more than a tribute to bees, it’s a call to stewardship, inviting us to learn more about how we can support the environment, both locally and globally. At UCC, we are committed to fostering an informed and engaged community that values sustainability, science, and the delicate balance of nature.

Whether you're curious about pollination, concerned about climate change, or considering planting a bee-friendly garden, the UCC Library is here to support your learning with resources that inform and inspire.

Take a moment this August, and every day, to appreciate the tiny workers that keep our planet blooming. Because when we care for bees, we care for the future.

honeybee on white flower covered in pollen


 

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Deep Thoughts and Documentaries

Join us this Thursday (August 14) from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM in the Innovation Room, as we watch and reflect on Feeding Tomorrow. This film is available via one of our streaming services, Kanopy.

Pro tip: Did you know that if you pre-register for these events then you will automatically get a calendar invitation & 1-hr reminder? you can do so by using this link.

About the Film

Feeding Tomorrow: Up against a broken food system suffering from ecosystem destruction, climate change, health epidemics, and inequality, a brave group of visionary leaders in agriculture, healthcare and education work to build a more just, regenerative, and resilient system in their local communities.


 

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