What's New at the UCC Library? - Sue Shaffer Learning Commons and Library: Guides at Umpqua Community College

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!

---

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.

Recent Posts

Today is International Pronouns Day!

International Pronouns Day: Respecting Identities, Building Inclusive CommunitiesOctober 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 MatterPronouns 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 InclusionOn 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 ResourcesThe 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 ForwardInternational 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....

Fall Library Events You Won’t Want to Miss!

Library Exhibit: The Black PioneersThis 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!---Deep Thoughts and DocumentariesJoin 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 eventsCheck out our calendar of library events here. ...

Welcome to Banned Books Week 2025!

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. 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 Most Challenged Books of 2024:(the 2025 list will come out in April of 2026)All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. JohnsonWhy this book matters: bit.ly/allboysBRGender Queer by Maia KobabeWhy this book matters: bit.ly/genderBR(TIE) The Bluest Eye by Toni MorrisonWhy this book matters: bit.ly/bluestBR(TIE) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen ChboskyWhy this book matters: bit.ly/wallflowerBRTricks by Ellen HopkinsWhy this book matters: bit.ly/tricksBR(TIE) Looking for Alaska by John GreenWhy this book matters: bit.ly/alaskaBR(TIE) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse AndrewsWhy this book matters: bit.ly/earlBR(TIE) Crank by Ellen HopkinsWhy this book matters: bit.ly/crankBR(TIE) Sold by Patricia McCormickWhy this book matters: bit.ly/soldBRFlamer by Mike CuratoWhy this book matters: bit.ly/flamerBRThe 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. ...

Turning Pages, Honoring Heritage

From Cover to CulturaHispanic 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:The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel García MárquezNuestra América 30 Inspiring Latinas/Latinos Who Have Shaped the United States by Sabrina Vourvoulias‪The Latino Student's Guide to STEM Careers‬‎ ‬‎By Laura I. Rendón and Vijay KanagalaWatch and Learn on KanopyLatino 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 HuertaDig 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....

Fall Library Events You Won’t Want to Miss!

Library Exhibit: The Black Pioneers

Deep Thoughts and Documentaries

Calendar of events

Leave a comment

Commenting on blog posts requires an account.

Login is required to interact with this comment. Please and try again.

If you do not have an account, Register Now.

Fall Library Events You Won’t Want to Miss!

Library Exhibit: The Black Pioneers

Deep Thoughts and Documentaries

Calendar of events

Leave a comment

Commenting on blog posts requires an account.

Login is required to interact with this comment. Please login here and try again.

If you do not have an account, Register Now.

Login is required to interact with this comment. Please and try again.