What is Banned Books Week?

Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a suddent surge in the number of challenges in libraries, bookstores, and schools. By focusing on efforts to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. 

The theme for Banned Books Week 2024 (September 22-28) is “Freed Between the Lines.” 

We can find freedom in the pages of a book – but book bans and censorship threaten that freedom, along with many other rights and institutions. During the Banned Books Week, let's share our love of right to read and the freedom found in books. Let's be Freed Between the Lines!

https://www.ala.org/bbooks/banned 

New term, new hours!
Monday-Thursday 7:45am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

The UCC Library is here for you! 

We're here to help you with research for your assignments, technology, citations, finding and accessing library resources, getting started at the library, questions about the college, and so much more. Stop on by and ask us all your questions, or send us a message via the chat feature or email.
The Sue Shaffer Learning Commons & Library is open to the public and offers comfortable seating, access to the library computer lab, WiFi, and access the physical and digital collections while in the library.

Check out our Library Services page for more information!

We're inviting everyone to discover the incredible resources and opportunities available at the UCC Library by signing up for a library card. 

This year, we’re thrilled to have Optimus Prime from the TRANSFORMERS as our special ambassador, highlighting that there's more than meets the eye at the UCC Library. Whether you're looking to enhance your skills, find valuable information, or connect with fellow avid readers, a library card unlocks a world of possibilities.

Today’s libraries are vibrant community centers offering much more than just books.

Curious about exploring a new hobby or learning a new language? The UCC Library has the resources you need. Interested in starting or growing a small business? We can help!

Did you know that the UCC Library offers eBooks, eAudiobooks, and Streaming Media for college faculty, staff and students? Are you a faculty member - if so, did you know that all of these (and more!) can be embedded directly into your courses?

Getting a library card is easy and is an essential step toward academic success and lifelong learning for all. 

Come visit us and bring home a few treasures!

We're finally ready to part with some of our older library titles, we'd love for you to visit the library and peruse this selection of gently used materials.

Prices are as follows:

Hardcover books: $1.00/ea
Paperback books: $0.50/ea
Other items (DVDs, etc...): $1.00/ea
 

It is cash only, and there are no refunds or returns. 

The Library is open Monday - Thursday 8am -5pm during summer term.

Welcome to Summer Term at the UCC Library! 

During this term, the library will have the following hours:

Monday - Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm

We will be closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

What the Library Offers You

As a student you have access to our computer lab and reserve collection. You can also reserve a study pod and ask for reference help from our library staff. 

Need a computer and/or calculator for class? The library has you covered with term-long check outs! 

Need help with citations? Try NoodleTools by clicking here. 

Did you know that you have access to more than 30,000 independent and documentary films with Kanopy? Find out more here. 

The library will also host the Library Olympics on July 24th. Who will take home the gold? Find out by registering here.  

There is a lot happening this term at your library! 

We look forward to seeing you!

This week's hints:

• A celestial event that occurs twice a year, once in the southern hemisphere, and once in the northern hemisphere on Earth.
• During this event, it is the longest day of the year. 
• Culturally, there are variations on how to celebrate this da, but most cultures recognize this event around the theme of fertility.

• Hint 1: A human-powered or motor-assisted vehicle with two wheels.
• Hint 2: Invented in Europe during the 19th century.
• Hint 3: A popular physical activity as well as a sustainable alternative to internal combustion engine vehicles.

Bonus: The UN promotes the usage of this vehicle on June 3rd, for it’s benefits to both human and environmental health.

All UCC Library Items Are Due

June 14th, 2024.

Do you have a ECE textbook, calculator, and/or laptop computer? Do you hate being charged fees? Then return your library items by June 14th, 2024.

• Hint 1: This insect has five eyes, one on either side of their head and three on top.
• Hint 2: These insects communicate with each other through dance.
• Hint 3: A variety of this insect pollinates approximately one third of the food we eat.

Bonus: The U.N. proclaimed May 20th as a day to acknowledge the role this insect has on our ecosystems.

This week's hints:

• The protector of the dead in ancient Egypt. 
• Credited in mythology for creating embalming and mummification. 
• In Egyptian mythology, would escort the deceased into the afterlife. 

With week's hints

• A Roman general and statesman
• Became a dictator in 49 BCE until his assassination in 44 BCE, which was made famous in a Shakespearean play. 
• When he was dictator of Rome, he created a calendar and named it after himself. It  would be used in Europe until 1582, but is still used by the Eastern Orthodox Church. 

This week's hints:

• A Greek poet who is credited to have authored two well known epics.
• Both of his epic poems feature a legendary king named Odysseus. 
• In Dante's Inferno, he is referred to as the "Poet Sovereign" and Alexander Pope considered him to be the "greatest of poets."

Library Poetry Hour

April 25th at 3pm at the UCC Library 

Click here to register.

In ancient Rome, recitationes were a literary practice that involved one or more public readings of a text by the author.

Tomorrow, April 25th at 3pm, the UCC Library will be hosting our own recitationes with our second poetry hour. Come to recite your own work or a favorite. Don't want to share? Come and listen. This event is not exclusive to poetry, come and share a short story or essay instead. 

Need help finding a poem? Click here to access the LitFinder database. Simply type in an author or the word "poetry" and start exploring. 

Above painting: Catullus Reading His Poems to Friends by Stephan Bakalowicz

 How to Use the UCC Library Catalog 

This 19th century artistic rendering of the Library of Alexandria by O. Von Corven, shows that the ancient library has a lot in common with modern libraries found across the world, including at UCC. Stacks of books surround busy readers shuffling through pages, a librarian taking some items down from a bookcase while an eager reader awaits below. Also like UCC, the Library of Alexandria was a research institution, which means that its main focus was on academic inquiry instead of pleasure reading. While this ancient library and our modern one function in a similar way, many things have changed in the field of librarianship. Such as how we catalog our collections, and how our patrons access those collections. Currently, the UCC library uses the Dewey Decimal System, and while we don't have a physical card catalog, we do have a digital one. Read below for steps on how to access and use this catalog. 

• To access the UCC catalog, first visit our website by clicking here.
• Then click on "Databases." A drop down menu will appear, then click on "Library Catalog" on the bottom of the menu. 
• You should see a page that looks like the image below. Type your inquiry in the search bar. This could be a keyword, author name, or title. There are other options in the drop down menu. 

• Lets say that you want to find a book on the Library of Alexandria. After typing that subject in to the search bar and hitting enter, there will be a display of titles with that key word in the record. 

• From here, click on a title that seems to fit your interest. For this example, lets look at the fourth title. 

• If we had a card catalog, this is the information that would be displayed on this item's card. But where is this book located in the library collection? For that we look at the Dewey Decimal Number, or call number, on the bottom of the record. For this item, the call number is "027 BAT." 

• Take this number and find the same number in the bookcases in the library. The collection is ordered from 000 to 999, with the 000's being towards the front of the building. If you get lost, that's okay. Ask a library staffer for help.  

• Here is the book on the shelf. Note how the other call numbers are in order. 
• You have read the book, but you don't want to check it out. That's okay, instead of putting it back on the shelf, we ask that you instead put it on one of these carts, or hand it to a library staffer to re-shelve. 

• Hint 1: Not from the ancient world, but some of his plays take place in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. 
• Hint 2: One of his more popular plays is a comedy that takes place in Athens.
• Hint 3: Died on April 23rd, after a successful career as a writer in London.

A Night at the Theater with Kanopy!

Kanopy is an on-demand streaming video platform for all UCC students, staff, and faculty that offers a world of cinema including films, TV shows, educational videos, and documentaries. The best part? This service is free! 

Explore the ancient world and beyond with Kanopy! With films such as...

First time using Kanopy?

To access Kanopy, go to the UCC Library website. Click on "Databases." A menu will drop down, from here select "All Databases." This page shows all of the databases provided by the UCC Library to students. Click on the letter "K" for Kanopy. Finally, click on "Kanopy." 

If you wish to create a watch later playlist, or start a film and continue watching later,  you will have to create an account. To do this, click the icon in the top right hand corner. Then click "create an account." Follow the prompts. 

Jeopardy Game

Don't forget to register for the Ancient Worlds Jeopardy game, taking place on May 16th at 3pm in the library. You can register here.

Explore the Ancient World at the UCC Library

For the next several weeks the UCC library will be stepping back in time to Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. (But don't worry, we'll still have printing and Wi-Fi available)

Each week will bring a different ancient figure to our Smarty Awards (scroll down to see this week's)

Be sure to check out our display covering ancient history, modern novels set in the ancient world, and regional cooking.

Learn how you, as a student, can explore the ancient world and beyond using our databases.

Finally, on May 16th at 3pm, we will be having our Ancient World Jeopardy game. Register here. 

• Hint 1: A young pharaoh who ruled Egypt for nine years.
• Hint 2: His tomb was discovered in 1922 in the Valley of the Kings. His tomb was so well preserved that he became the most well known Egyptian pharaoh. 
• Hint 3: After his mysterious death, his successors attempted to wipe out the legacy of his reign. 

Take Action for Libraries Day!

On this annual day of action during National Library Week, advocates are joining together to affirm their participation in 2024 elections. Libraries are nonpartisan, but they are not indifferent. The nation’s libraries play a critical role in our democracy, encouraging readers, educating voters and preparing all of us to participate in elections. To launch ALA's new Reader, Voter, Ready campaign, we're asking library advocates to pledge to get informed, get registered, and get ready to vote! Use our action form to sign the pledge and commit to voting:

I am a reader. I am a voter. I will be registered, informed, and ready to vote in all local, state, and federal elections during 2024 and beyond.

Sign the pledge

National Library Outreach Day

National Library Outreach Day (formerly National Bookmobile Day) celebrates library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are. Whether it's a bookmobile stop at the local elementary school, services provided to community homes, or library pop-ups at community gatherings, these services are essential to the community. Each year, National Library Outreach Day is celebrated on Wednesday of National Library Week. In 2024, National Library Outreach Day will be April 10. 

National Library Outreach Day is an opportunity for library advocates to make their support known—through thanking library staff, writing a letter or e-mail to their libraries, or voicing their support to community leaders.

National Library Outreach Day is coordinated by the ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS), the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS), and the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL).

-American Library Association

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. For example, did you know that we offer a digital chat service? You can reach library staff via the library website, your Canvas course shell, or text (541-835-8146, standard text-messaging rates apply)! After hours? The library participates in a 24/7 statewide cooperative chat, Answerland, to provide service when we're not at the library.

Library Instruction Request

We also offer library instruction sessions in your classroom! UCC professors can use the Library Instruction Request form to book a classroom session with me, the Library Director. Sessions can be customized to each class and cover any number of topics.

Are there other ways that you think the UCC Library can provide Outreach to UCC students? Let us know by filling out the Library Suggestions/Feedback form here or in the building!

-Liz

Liz Teoli-Thomason | Library Director
Umpqua Community College

(she, her, hers)

National Library Workers Day: Libraries work because we do!

Tuesday, April 9, 2024 is National Library Workers Day (NLWD), a time to recognize library professionals for their expertise and leadership skills in transforming lives and communities through education and lifelong learning. The day also reminds the public that library workers serve as community compasses that lead users to endless opportunities for engagement, enrichment, and development. 

To show appreciation for library workers and the work they do throughout the year, library users are invited to Submit at Star by providing a testimonial about a favorite library employee at ala-apa.org/nlwd. Check out these 10 Ways to Celebrate National Library Workers Day

- American Library Association

Don't forget to stop by the Sue Shaffer Learning Commons & Library to say thanks to the amazing Library Staff! I'm lucky to have such an amazing team to work with! There are our two full-time Library Assistants, Nik & Peggy who help make sure that all of your circulation and trivia needs are met, Sonja & Jackie our two part-time Library Clerks who aid in keeping everything running smoothly during the mornings and evenings, Ivana, Zack, & Seren our dedicated student workers, and even a few volunteers from the UCC Scholars program! Without this team you we wouldn't be able to provide you the stellar service, warm welcomes, kind words, informed assistance, and physical and digital collections that we do. 

Thank you to my amazing library staff for all you do!

-Liz

Liz Teoli-Thomason | Library Director
Umpqua Community College

(she, her, hers)

Hints for this week's smarty award:

• 1 - This week long celebration begins today (April 8th). 
• 2 - Not only dose this week celebrate libraries and library workers, but also our collective right to read. 
• 3 - Is sponsored by the American Library Association. 
• Bonus: See the library blog for a post mentioning the answer! 

National Library Week, 2024

"The American Library Association (ALA) is thrilled to celebrate National Library Week from April 7 to11. This year’s theme is "Ready, Set, Library!" which illustrates the idea that in an always-online world, libraries give the community a green light to connect with others, learn new skills, and focus on what matters most." - ALA Press Release April 2, 2024.

Right to Read Day

Right to Read Day, is a day for readers, advocates, and library lovers to take action to protect, defend, and celebrate the right to read. Today, the State of America's Libraries Report was released. This annual report discusses many important factors, and also includes the most up to date Top 10 Most Challenged Books list.

Below is from an Introduction to the Report (18 pages; PDF)  by ALA’s Interim Director, Leslie Burger:

Library workers never cease to amaze me, and that’s saying something because I’ve been in the field for quite some time. Toward the end of 2023, I joined the American Library Association (ALA) in a new capacity, as interim executive director, at a time when book bans were plaguing school and public libraries and when library workers were being threatened and attacked for defending the First Amendment freedom to read. The first thing I noticed was that so many libraries across the country were bursting with new programs, new displays, new services, and new ways to serve their communities, whether patrons or students. In the face of adversity, library workers were taking action.

Let’s look for a moment at the hot topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and libraries. Well over 1,000 people took advantage of ALA’s continuing education sessions on AI in 2023. Library workers are learners, first and foremost. When something new looks to shake up library processes, our members eagerly search for answers. When it comes to AI, many library workers are fascinated by the possibilities and determined to avoid the pitfalls. In this edition of the State of America’s Libraries, Leo S. Lo, dean and professor of the College of University Libraries and Learning Services at the University of New Mexico, talks about exciting advancements made possible by AI, such as automated cataloging and chatbots for user support.

Libraries found support at every level of government for efforts to increase access to high-speed internet connectivity. Tribal libraries took advantage of programs that offer deep discounts on broadband infrastructure. The Learn Without Limits proposal, introduced in 2023, offers library patrons and students access to hotspots off-premises. Libraries continue to serve as hubs for people living in areas that lack high-speed internet.

Partnerships with community organizations help put libraries at the center of their communities, and 2023 was full of fascinating examples. For instance, Cleveland Housing Court worked with Cleveland Public Library to open videoconferencing kiosks in four libraries to bring the court closer to the people. In Baltimore County Public Library, a Pop-Up Shops program for local vendors—from candle makers to photographers—provides free space and offers vendor-preparation classes for aspiring entrepreneurs. Schools innovate constantly, including one in El Cerrito, California, where librarians and teachers worked with students on an award-winning global human rights research project.

Some librarians at universities, including University of Iowa and University of Puerto Mayagüez in Puerto Rico, help people apply for trademarks. It’s heartening to find library workers doing amazing work even as they face a barrage of challenges. Libraries have always been magical places, filled with stories, hopes, and dreams. Library workers are the magicians who create that magic.

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

Family Friendly Space Now Available to Students

Are you torn between studying and keeping your young ones entertained?

Then come by the library and reserve a space in our recently remodeled Moody Room.

Room features desks for you, play table, reading nooks, and books for them!

To reserve the Moody Room, click here and then select "Family-friendly Room."

For more information about the space click here.

Any questions? Ask library staff.

This week's hints: 

• A Canadian-American actor and comedian. 
• Won a Golden Globe in 1999 for his role in The Truman Show.
• His breakthrough role was in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. 

Last Friday, library staffers Nik and Sonja challenged fellow Riverhawks to Dewey Dash!

Who could put more books in dewey decimal order in under one minute?

Many tired, some succeeded, all had fun!

Did you miss out on the fun?

Want a re-match?

Coming Summer Term 2024: The Library Olympics

Poetry Night at the Library

Thursday, March 21st from 3pm to 5pm 

Recite a favorite, read your own poetry, or just sit back and enjoy a snack.

This week's hints:

• These Items are all due on march 22nd
• If you want to avoid a large fine, you should turn them in.
• Includes books, laptops, calculators, and lab kits. 

This week's hints: 

• A 5th century bishop.
• Was kidnaped by pirates and enslaved 
• People wear green on the day of his death 

LIB 127: Introduction to College Research & Information Literacy

• Do you find research to be difficult 😰 and citations to be menacing 🤔? 
• Do you want to learn how to find high quality information in a fraction of the time ⏲?
• Do you want to know how to analyze, summarize, annotate, and ethically share information 🐱‍👤? 
• Do you need 3 humanities credits and want to take an online course 💻?

Good news, LIB 127 is for you! 

Talk to your advisor about registering for this 3-unit course today! CRN: 46197

This week's hints:

- An American author born on February 27th, 1902. 

- Often wrote novels concerning the plight of the poor working class in America. 

- One of his novels is about two migrant workers during the Great Depression in California. 

Hints for this weeks Smarty Award: 

• Hint 1: A lawyer whose work was focused on expanding legal protection for gender equality.  

• Hint 2: First African American woman to earn a JSD from Yale Law School, and first African American woman to be ordained as an Episcopal Priest.  

• Hint 3: Helped Ruth Bader Ginsburg write the brief that allowed her to win the Reed V. Reed case in 1971, which ruled that discrimination based on sex was unconstitutional. 

This weeks hints: 

1) The fourth installment in a magical book series

2) Four characters must compete in three extremely dangerous tasks.

3) Features mermaids, dragons, and a sphinx. 

The UCC Library will be closed, 

Monday, February 19th, 2024,

in observance of 

Presidents' Day

We will be open Tuesday, February 20th at 7:45 am.

To learn more about President's Day click here.

To learn about our past presidents click here

And, just for fun, to learn more about pets in the White House click here

This weeks hints: 

1. Born in the Year of the Dragon in San Francisco, but raised in Hog Kong

2. Took up martial arts at 13 years old, and opened a martial arts school at the age of 20. 

3. Died young, at ae 32, a month after completing work on a film. 

This week's hints:

1) Along with Italy, this country has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world.

2) Known as the "land of the dragon" 

3) In late-winter a 15 day long celebration is held to mark the start of a new lunar year. 

Guess the answer to these hints and get candy!

1: A mushroom that can be harvested at springtime 

2: Two different types, yellow and black.

3. Are edible and delicious. but have a poisonous look-a-like.  

This week's hints: 

1) American author who went to Ohio State University

2) Famous for writing teen horror

3) One of the most well known books is "The Night of the Living Dummy." 

This week's hints are:

1) A children's novel about a boy who adopts two hunting dogs. 

2) Takes place in the Ozark region of Oklahoma 

3) Adapted into a movie in 1974 and 2003. 

Give your guess to a library staffer and if correct, you'll win candy! 

Guess the topic based on the three hints, tell a library staffer your guess and if correct, win a candy. 

This weeks hints are: 

• Hint 1: Born in 1858 in France

• Hint 2: Formally established the academic discipline of sociology.

• Hint 3: Wrote a book on suicide studying the suicidal rates between Catholics and Protestants. 

Start Streaming Here​​​​​​

Sandra Day O’Connor, First Woman to Serve on US Supreme Court, Dies Aged 93.

Sadly, today we lost an amazing trail blazer, Sandra Day O'Connor. She was the first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court, and her legacy will live on for generations to come. If you're interested in learning more about her, check out the PBS Documentary Sandra Day O’Connor: The First, now available streaming with our brand-new streaming service, Kanopy.

Did you know that with your library card, you now have access to over 30,000 online films through Kanopy? Here's the best part... it's free! With Kanopy, you will have access to films that entertain, educate, and inspire including critically acclaimed movies, documentaries, and award-winning foreign films. 

Are you ready to begin exploring Kanopy? click the link above to get started! 

It is thanks to a generous grant from the Whipple Foundation we are now able to bring this streaming service to UCC's faculty, staff, & students!

Wait! We have one more holiday to celebrate before we enter the winter season! Red Planet Day is today

and commemorates the launch of the Spacecraft Mariner 4 by NASA in 1946, which was the first craft ever to reach Mars. 

Enjoy these selected books about the red planet, the other planets in our solar system, and astronomy. If space is what ignites your passion, then talk to a library staff member about other out of this world books! 

The Planet Mars by William Sheehan

ISBN: 9780816516414

Publication Date: 1996-09-01

Twenty years after the Viking missions of the '70s, we are finally going back to Mars. No fewer than ten missions are planned for the period between 1996 and 2003, and it is likely that human explorers will follow soon after--perhaps by the middle of the twenty-first century. When they do, they will owe much to the Mars of romance, to the early pioneers whose discoveries and disappointments are brought to life in The Planet Mars: A History of Observation and Discovery. In this timely and vividly written account, William Sheehan traces human fascination with Mars back to the naked-eye observers of the planet. He recalls the early telescopic observers who first made out enigmatic markings and polar caps on its surface. Through lively historical anecdotes, he describes in detail the debate over the so-called canals of Mars, which encouraged speculation that the planet might be inhabited. Finally, Sheehan describes more recent theories about the planet, leading up to the present, when unmanned spacecraft have enabled us to make giant strides in exploration. Well documented and sparked with human interest, this book will be a useful companion and guide in interpreting the barrage of headlines about Mars that is sure to come over the next few years. Amateurs will appreciate the contributions that have been made to Martian studies by people like themselves, and professionals will find much original material that has never before been published. The American Mars Global Surveyor is scheduled for launch in November 1996, and soon after the American Mars Pathfinder will make its way toward the red planet. A Russian mission consisting of an orbiter and two landers will be launched in October 1997. These space travelers will write a whole new chapter in the dramatic story of Mars, a planet whose exploration has only just begun. Astronomy Book Club main selection and selections of Book-of-the-Month Club and Quality Paperback Book Club.

 

The Planets by DK

ISBN: 9781465424648

Publication Date: 2014-08-18

Discover places where a day is longer than a year, where hailstones are made of diamonds, and where a mountain looms twice the size of Everest.   These and more are all to be found in The Planets. The Sun's gravity holds in thrall eight planets, each with an entourage of moons, as well as dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets. The Planets takes you on a dazzling visual tour. From the Solar System's fiery heart, travel to rocky worlds such as tiny Mercury scorched by the Sun. Then witness Venus swathed in a sulfurous haze, and go to the outer reaches to visit planets such as gas giant Jupiter, which is 120 times the size of Earth. Using 3-D models and photography from NASA and the European Space Agency, The Planets describes each one, as well as the extraordinary endeavors of space exploration.  Edited by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock, this book is enthralling reading for everyone interested in astronomy and space exploration.

 

The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Terence Dickinson; Alan Dyer

ISBN: 9781552095072

Publication Date: 2002-11-02

The modern classic, completely updated. The newest edition of The Backyard Astronomer's Guide includes the latest data and answers the questions most often asked by home astronomers, from beginners to experienced stargazers. Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer provide expert guidance on the right types of telescopes and other equipment; photographing the stars through a telescope; and star charts, software and other references. They cover daytime and twilight observing, planetary and deep-sky observing, and much more. With over 500 color photographs and illustrations, The Backyard Astronomer's Guide is one of the most valuable, beautiful and user-friendly astronomy books ever produced. New and updated for this edition: A 20-page full-color Atlas of the Milky Way provides location and context for hundreds of celestial objects mentioned throughout the book. A chapter on Astrophotography with Digital Cameras specifies what equipment works best and how to use it to collect a color gallery of celestial portraits. Telescopes for Recreational Astronomy features assessments of a wide range of new telescopes, from models for beginners to those for veteran astronomy enthusiasts, with special emphasis on computerized telescopes and how they work. Accessory Catalog spotlights the best of the accessories and flags the frivolous and irrelevant. Three practical appendices: Polar Aligning Your Telescope; Optics Cleaning and Collimation; Testing Your Telescope Optics. Any serious home astronomer must have this superb guide as an ongoing reference.

The Sue Shaffer Learning Commons and Library hours will differ this week due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday. 

• Monday and Tuesday: Normal hours, 7:45am - 6:00pm 
• Wednesday: 7:45am - 5:00pm 
• Thursday and Friday: Closed 
• Saturday and Sunday: Closed 

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving! 

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are nearly two million living women veterans in the United States, making up approximately 10% of the total veteran population. In recognition of these women, the library recommends When Janey Comes Marching Home by Laura Browder with photographs by Sascha Pflaeging. 

When Janey Comes Marching Home by Laura Browder; Sascha Pflaeging

ISBN: 9780807833803

Publication Date: 2010-05-01

While women are officially barred from combat in the American armed services, in the current war, where there are no front lines, the ban on combat is virtually meaningless. More than in any previous conflict in our history, American women are engaging with the enemy, suffering injuries, and even sacrificing their lives in the line of duty. When Janey Comes Marching Home juxtaposes forty-eight photographs by Sascha Pflaeging with oral histories collected by Laura Browder to provide a dramatic portrait of women at war. Women from all five branches of the military share their stories here--stories that are by turns moving, comic, thought-provoking, and profound. Seeing their faces in stunning color photographic portraits and reading what they have to say about loss, comradeship, conflict, and hard choices will change the ways we think about women and war. Serving in a combat zone is an all-encompassing experience that is transformative, life-defining, and difficult to leave behind. By coming face-to-face with women veterans, we who are outside that world can begin to get a sense of how the long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have shaped their lives and how their stories may ripple out and influence the experiences of all American women. The book accompanies a photography exhibit of the same name opening May 1, 2010, at the Women in Military Service to America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, and continuing to travel around the country through 2011.

At the end of this week there is a holiday, Veterans Day, and as we take a break from being on campus, let us also take a moment to reflect on those individuals who served in the armed service. Starting today and continuing until Thursday, the library will be highlighting a book from our collection relating to veterans and the wars and conflicts that they have or currently live through. Today’s book is For Love of Country: What Our Veterans Can Teach Us About Citizenship, Heroism, and Sacrifice by Howard Schultz and Rajiv Chandrasenkaran. 

For Love of Country by Howard Schultz; Rajiv Chandrasekaran

ISBN: 9781101872826

Publication Date: 2015-10-27

The remarkable stories in For Love of Country aim to bridge the divide in our society between our civilian and military populations, shattering stereotypes of our veterans as broken, angry, and needy by highlighting the power of their experiences and their profound devotion to their country. The first half of this extraordinary book honors acts of remarkable valor in Iraq and Afghanistan, including an army sergeant who runs into a hail of gunfire multiple times to protect his comrades; two marines who chose to stand and defend their outpost from an oncoming truck bomb rather than run to safety; and a sixty-year-old doctor who joined the navy after his son was killed at war and saved the lives of dozens of people. The second half showcases how post-9/11 veterans are plowing their leadership skills and commitment to service into initiatives to strengthen and rebuild our nation. Among them are former soldiers who help residents dig out after natural disasters, a general seeking to find new ways to treat brain injuries, and an army spouse who is helping wives whose husbands have lost multiple limbs in war. We see the challenges some of our returning troops face--joblessness, homelessness, post-traumatic stress--but we also learn of the remarkable skills, and courage, they have acquired.

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