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!

Fresh Reads

Discover What's New This Summer!

Our New Books section is overflowing with fresh reads just in time for your summer adventures! We've recently added over 100 new titles, and there are more on the way.

Whether you're looking to dive into a gripping novel, learn something new with a thought-provoking nonfiction title, or relax with a beautifully illustrated graphic novel — we've got something for everyone. Our new arrivals include:

• Fiction –  The Vegetarian by Han Kang is a haunting surreal novel about a woman who stops eating meat and how that decision upends her life and those around her. Eruption by Michael Crichton and James Patterson is a fast-paced thriller about a dormant volcano in Hawaii that suddenly threatens to explode. 

• Non-Fiction – Explore history, science, memoirs, and more. Finding Your Style in Pastel by Jean Hirons, is a hands-on guide to pastel painting that helps artists build skills while discovering their own unique artistic voice. Teaching Fiercely: Spreading Joy and Justice in our Schools, by Kass Minor, offers powerful insights and practical tools for educators committed to bringing joy and justice into classrooms- despite the challenges of and inequitable system.

• Graphic Novels – For teens, adults, and fans of visual storytelling. We are excited to feature new takes on classic tales alongside powerful new stories in our latest collection. Fahrenheit 451, originally written by Ray Bradbury and reimagined by Tim Hamilton, following fireman Guy Montag as he begins to question a world where books are banned and burned. The Girl Who Sang by Estelle Nadel, illustrated by Sammy Savos, tells the true story of a young Jewish girl who survived the Holocaust by hiding and finding hope through song.

• Children’s Books – Perfect picks for young readers and family reading time. Jump into Cranky Chicken by Katherine Battersby — a funny and heartwarming tale of an unlikely friendship between a grumpy chicken and an enthusiastic worm as they learn to embrace their differences.

Be sure to stop by our New Books display and find your next favorite read. And don't forget — more books are arriving soon, so check back often!

Summer Hours

Also, don’t miss our updated summer hours:

 Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

 Friday-Sunday: Closed

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.

---

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!

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.

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)

National Library Week, 2024

"The American Library Association (ALA) is thrilled to celebrate National Library Week from April 7 to 11. 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!