Explore African American History and Culture
Umpqua Community College and the Sue Shaffer Learning Commons and Library are closed on June 19th.
June 19th marks Juneteenth, a significant day in American history commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. On this day in 1865, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom. Juneteenth is a time to honor the strength, resilience, and contributions of African Americans, while also acknowledging the ongoing work toward racial equity and justice. The library invites you to engage with a variety of resources that celebrate Black voices and deepen understanding of this powerful legacy.
Our digital and physical collections highlight the richness of Black history, art, and activism. From personal narratives and historical accounts to cultural studies and documentaries, we invite you to explore the journey of Black Americans. The UCC Library is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all individuals can learn and grow. Whether you're researching African American history or exploring social justice topics, we offer:
Gale OneFile: U.S. History – Access scholarly resources on pivotal moments like the Civil War, behind the scenes of the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights Movement. Don’t miss this article on the Juneteenth Monument.
Kanopy – Stream powerful films that tell Black stories, such as this collection from the University of Southern California Cinematic Arts. There is also this series called Roots, which is about one family's journey through slavery and wants to preserve their legacy.
Books and eBooks: Featuring fiction, nonfiction, and poetry from Black authors and thinkers, including works like The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson and the book The Light of the World by Elizabeth Alexander. Poetry includes The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes.
Films on Demand – Watch educational documentaries such as Slavery and the Making of America, which traces the history of slavery and its enduring impact.
ERIC – Explore research on African American education, equity in schools, and inclusive curriculum development.
Understanding history is key to creating a more just future. The library supports this through tools that promote critical thinking and dialogue around systemic racism, cultural identity, and activism.
Step into the Past: Celebrate Renaissance Faires
Umpqua Community College is hosting a Renaissance Faire on July 19, 2025. This coincides with the College's production of Spamalot, a lovely musical based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The Sue Shaffer Learning Commons and Library invites you to celebrate the enchantment and educational value of Renaissance Faires, joyful gatherings that blend entertainment, history, and embrace the Riverhawk community spirit.
Renaissance faires, often held throughout the summer and fall, celebrate the art, culture, and daily life of the Renaissance period (roughly the 14th to 17th centuries). These events invite attendees to engage with a world of historical reenactments, artisan crafts, period music, live theater, and educational demonstrations that illuminate one of the most dynamic periods in human history.
Don't forget beautiful paintings created in the Renaissance, such as the Mona Lisa (pictured above).
Whether you're donning a doublet or simply curious about life in the 1500s, the UCC Library offers a variety of resources to explore the rich tapestry of Renaissance life and learning:
Books and eBooks – Explore Fashions from that time period with Costume and Fashion Source books Elizabethan England, and The Medieval World, both by Kathy Elgin. Check out books about the Renaissance with: A Short History of the Renaissance in Northern Europe by Malcolm Vale, these works offer insight into politics, art, science, and society during the Renaissance.
Gale OneFile: Fine Arts – Access articles on Renaissance artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael and Titan and how their art helped to shape the cultural rebirth of Europe by blending science, beauty, and human emotion in groundbreaking ways.
Gale OneFile: World History- Check out the thinkers of the time such as Galileo, and Machiavelli and explore how their ideas shaped the modern world.
Films on Demand – Watch engaging documentaries such as Renaissance, or Leonardo da Vinci: a two-part film series by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon which highlights Leonardo da Vinci's Life.
Kanopy – Stream historical dramas and educational films like The Middle Ages around the World or The Private Life of Henry VIII, perfect for a deeper understanding of the theatrical and political world brought to life at fairs.
JSTOR – Delve into scholarly research about Renaissance festivals themselves—how they originated, what cultural purposes they serve today, and their educational potential as living history.
Renaissance faires are more than entertainment—they’re an opportunity to reflect on innovation, humanism, and the power of creativity in shaping societies. They encourage curiosity and community through playful yet profound connections to the past.
The UCC Library is here to support your journey into this fascinating historical period with curated resources and helpful guidance. We encourage you to visit a fair, explore our collections, and let history come alive.
Huzzah and happy exploring!
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