What's New at the UCC Library?

National Gardening Month

“April showers, bring May Flowers” that is because April is National Gardening Month.

This month is a time to start planning your gardens and making them fruitful. We have many books to help you start planning your flower or vegetable garden, such as “Starter Vegetable Gardens”.

Watch shows such as the “Science of Gardening” which is available via Kanopy to help you learn how to get started! Also check our databases for more articles to help plant those wonderful gardens.

Looking for tips on how to get your children involved? Try reading this article by Sharon Cornwall, “Gardening with Children." Want to learn to garden in a new way? Check out “Planting by the Moons Phase” published in the 2025 Old Farmer's Almanac available via Gardening and Horticulture (a Gale OneFile database).

Grief & Wellness

Grief is the word commonly used to refer to an individual’s or group’s shared experience following a loss. The experience of grief is not a momentary or singular phenomenon. Instead, it is a variable and somewhat predictable process of life. 

From “Grief and Guilt” by Layne Prest (2024)

Life has its ups and its downs, its highs and its lows. Different people handle different situations in a multitude of ways. No matter who you are, no matter what you are going through, you are not alone. There is always some to talk to, there is always a reason to go on. 

Resources to Help

The UCC Library has a number of resources to help you understand and process what you are going through. Below you will find a listing of some of these resources (articles, books, eBooks, & films). You can access these digital materials by clicking on the links and logging in with your 800#. For physical resources, please visit us during regular library hours.

It's (very nearly) Inventory Time Again!

Who will be involved with this?

Library Staff are gearing up for our second annual library collection inventory. We will be physically scanning every single item in our library collection. We will also be reaching out to individuals who have items checked out to ensure they are aware of them.

What we need from you!

We are asking you (faculty, staff, students, and community members alike), to see if you have any library items that are past due. If so, please return them to the library as soon as possible. Books can always be returned via our external book drop (in the parking lot), and everything (books, laptops, calculators, etc…) can be returned to our library circulation desk during our regular library hours. 

When will this happen?

The inventory will take place during the month of May. It should not interrupt our normal operations, and we will remain open during our regular library hours. 

Why does this need to be done?

This helps us maintain an accurate list of all library materials currently owned by the college. It also helps us to identify gaps in our collection, and informs us what we need to purchase in the upcoming fiscal year.

Stay tuned for the next update!

Thursday, April 10: Take Action for Libraries Day

This celebratory day is held annually on Thursday of National Library Week.

It's a day to rally advocates to support libraries. A specific action will be announced by ALA's Public Policy & Advocacy Office during National Library Week.

Follow @librarypolicy and @amlibraryassoc on Bluesky and other American Library Association social media channels for updates.

This year, as library funding is under attack, ALA encourages every library advocate to Show Up for Our Libraries by telling Congress to protect federal support for libraries. Use our tools below to take action and go to ala.org/showup for even more ways to take action for libraries.

What you can do right now:

1. Call Your Members of Congress.

Use this form to make a call in support of federal library funding. Enter your address in the form, and then click the call button to receive a phone call that connects you with your elected officials.

Call on Congress to protect IMLS

2. Email Your Members of Congress.

Use this form to email your members of Congress. Enter your address in the form, and then click the "Send email" button to contact your elected officials. Your message can be customized--tell your story!

Email Congress to protect IMLS

3. Help spread the word on social media.

Follow this link for social media graphics and sample social posts to help get the word out!

Social Media Toolkit

National Library Week 2025: Drawn to the Library

Wednesday, April 9: National Library Outreach Day (formerly National Bookmobile Day), a day to celebrate library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are.

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Library outreach at a Community College looks different than it may at a public library. We may not operate a bookmobile, but we offer a variety of services beyond traditional library services. 

Did you know that we offer a digital chat service? Did you know that we offer Library Instruction sessions in your classrooms? Did you know that the library will lend resources (including staff) to help promote the College? 

Do you have an idea of a way the UCC Library can provide more outreach? Tell us! You can reach library staff via the library website, your Canvas course shell, or text (541-835-8146, standard text-messaging rates apply)! You can also fill out the  

Stay tuned for more information tomorrow on Take Action for Libraries Day!

National Library Week 2025: Drawn to the Library

Tuesday, April 8: National Library Workers Day

Today is a day for library staff, users, administrators, and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers. 

About this day:

On January 25, 2003, a resolution was proposed:
That in order to recognize the hard work, dedication, and expertise of library support staff and librarians that the Tuesday of National Library Week be designated National Library Workers Day; and, that on that day, interested library workers, library groups, and libraries should advocate for better compensation for all library workers and, if the day coincides with Equal Pay Day, these individuals, groups, and libraries should recognize both days together.

UCC Library Workers:

Your friendly UCC Library Staff is here to help! They include:

• Liz Teoli-Thomason, Library Director
• Peggy N., Library Specialist
• Austin J., Library Desk Clerk
• Mindy M., Library Desk Clerk

They can help you with course reserves, technology check outs, book recommendations, database tutorials, citation help, research help, and so much more!

Stay tuned for more information tomorrow on National Library Outreach Day!

National Library Week 2025: Drawn to the Library!

Monday, April 7: Right to Read Day

Today is a day for readers, advocates, and library lovers to take action to protect, defend, and celebrate the right to read. The American Library Association (ALA) kicks off National Library Week with the release of its State of America's Libraries Report, including the list of Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2023.

From the American Library Association:

Despite growing pressure, library professionals and advocates stood strong for the freedom to read in 2024—continuing to provide essential services, support their communities, and drive innovation in libraries.
Book challenges remained high, with 72% initiated not by parents but by organized groups and elected officials. Learn more and find out which books faced the most censorship challenges in this year's State of America's Libraries Report. 

For more on the State of America's Libraries, check out the full report here. 

Stay tuned for more information tomorrow on National Library Workers Day!

Celebrate National Library Week at the UCC Library April 6–12, 2025

What draws people to the library? Everything! From books and digital resources to job assistance and creative programming, libraries are essential to thriving communities.

National Library Week, April 6–12, 2025, is a time to celebrate the many ways libraries bring people together, spark imagination, and support lifelong learning.

At the UCC Library, we invite the community to join the celebration! Whether you're a longtime patron or haven’t visited in a while, now is the perfect time to explore all the library has to offer. Our library provides services to students, faculty, staff, and community members alike! We offer Wi-Fi, comfy seating, a safe and cozy space, and access to library collections for all. Current UCC students can check out various technology pieces, and course reserve items to help ensure their success at UCC. Faculty can work one-on-one with a credentialed librarian to help build stronger connections to resources for them and their students. No matter what you're looking for, we aim to provide access to resources that educate, inspire, and connect.

For more information on different services to different groups please see our Library Services page.

Whatever draws you in, the library has something for everyone. Whether you’re preparing for a career change, launching a business, raising a family, or embracing retirement, the UCC Library is here to support your journey. Libraries serve as hubs for learning, creativity, and connection, helping people of all ages explore new ideas and opportunities.

First celebrated in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries of all types across the country each April.

Stay tuned for more information tomorrow on  Right to Read Day!