What's New at the UCC Library?

Celebrate Independence Day

Umpqua Community College and the Sue Shaffer Learning Commons and Library will be closed on Friday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.

The Fourth of July commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, marking the birth of the United States as a sovereign nation. It’s a time to reflect on the values of liberty, democracy, and unity, while also engaging in thoughtful conversations about the ongoing work of shaping a more equitable and inclusive society.

The UCC Library invites you to explore the founding, evolution, and complexities of American democracy through a variety of digital resources. Whether you're researching historical events or examining modern civic issues, we offer access to a rich array of scholarly and streaming materials:

Books and eBooks – Discover works like 1776 by David McCullough, A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn, and Alexander Hamilton: Making of America. These books provide varied perspectives on America's founding and evolution.

ERIC (Education Resources Information Center) – Research how civic education and American history are taught in schools, and how critical thinking and historical literacy are shaped in the classroom.

Gale OneFile: U.S. History – Dive into scholarly articles and historical records about the American Revolution, the writing of the Constitution, and key figures like Thomas Jefferson and Frederick Douglass.

Films on Demand – Watch educational documentaries like American Revolution, a powerful video on dissatisfaction of the American people under British rule.

Kanopy – Stream titles such as America the Story of Us and The Constitution Did Not Create a Democracy. These films are ideal for understanding the ideals and contradictions woven into U.S. history.

Explore JSTOR – Dive into journal articles, artwork, and more, including insightful pieces like this article on Fourth of July Myths—perfect for uncovering the stories behind the celebration.

America’s founding ideals, and the tensions between them and our lived realities, are essential to being informed, engaged citizens. The UCC Library is committed to fostering a space where historical inquiry, civic awareness, and thoughtful reflection thrive.

We hope you enjoy a safe and meaningful Fourth of July!

Celebrate Disability Pride Month & Helen Keller’s Legacy

Explore These Resources:

• The Story of My Life by Helen Keller
• The Complete Guide to Creating a Special Needs Life Plan: A Comprehensive Approach Integrating Life , Resource, Financial and Legal Planning To Ensure A Brighter Future For a Person With A Disability by Hal Wright

Memorial Day

In observance of Memorial Day, The Sue Shaffer Learning Commons & Library will be closed on Monday, May 26. We pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who have given their lives in service to our country. Regular hours with resume on Tuesday, May 27. We wish everyone a safe and meaningful holiday.

For a complete list of hours click here.

A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month—a time to honor and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of AANHPI communities to the fabric of American life. From culinary delights to influential music and movies, such as Flower Drum Song, on Kanopy. AANHPI individuals have shaped our world in countless ways.

Did you know that instruments like the slide guitar and ukulele, rooted in Hawaiian culture, have influenced genres such as blues music? You can find videos on Or that AANHPI innovators contributed to the development of everyday technology like USBs and made vital advances in medicine, including the development of birth control for women?

You can also explore powerful personal stories like George Takei’s They Called Us Enemy, a graphic memoir that recounts his childhood experience in Japanese American internment camps during World War II.

Explore more about these incredible contributions through Gale OneFile: U.S. History and our library’s curated collection. Stop by to discover, learn, and celebrate!

About the Observance

Each year, on 24 March, the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims is observed.

The purpose of the Day is to:

• Honor the memory of victims of gross and systematic human rights violations and promote the importance of the right to truth and justice;
• Pay tribute to those who have devoted their lives to, and lost their lives in, the struggle to promote and protect human rights for all;
• Recognize, in particular, the important work and values of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, of El Salvador, who was assassinated on 24 March 1980, after denouncing violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable populations and defending the principles of protecting lives, promoting human dignity and opposition to all forms of violence.

For more on this topic from the United Nations, click here.

Want to dig even deeper? Explore articles related to human rights in our library databases. Not sure where to start? Try doing a topic search in our Discovery Service using the main search box on the library home page.

Women's Rights are Human Rights

Continue the celebration of amazing women and learn more about challenges faced, struggles won, and ceilings shattered in award-winning films available through Kanopy. 

March is Women's History Month!

National Women's History Month "is an American observance held during the month of March to recognize and celebrate women's contributions to culture, history, and society. It grew from International Women's Day , a global celebration of women's achievements celebrated each year on March 8, and the Women's History Week celebration, which was first held in Sonoma County, California, in 1978. In 1987, US Congress officially established the month of March as Women's National History Month (Harmon, 2025)". 

Learn more about Women's History Month by exploring the library databases on women such as Shirley Chisholm, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, and Marie Curie and so many more amazing women.

Watch Films with Kanopy

Check out some of the award-winning films available through Kanopy and learn more about amazing women throughout history.

February is Black History Month

In 1986 the United States Congress passed, and President Ronald Reagan signed, Public Law 99-244, which formally established Black History Month as a federally designated observance. The month is honored with historical, cultural, and educational presentations in several countries with substantial Black minority populations. In the United States, Black History Month (sometimes also known as African American History Month) is observed during the month of February (Issit, 2024). 

Explore eBooks such as this one, Freedom facts & firsts: 400 years of the African American civil rights experience, using the UCC Library Discovery Search. Come to the UCC Library to learn more about black individuals throughout history.

References

Issitt, M. (2024, November 26). Black history month: Overview. In Points of view. Great Neck.

Wynn, L. T. (2009). Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, March (1965). In Freedom facts & firsts: 400 years of the African American civil rights experience (pp. 68-70). Visible Ink Press.