Early Detection Saves Lives

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to promote early detection, education, and support for those affected by breast cancer. At the UCC Library, we provide access to trusted academic resources to help you stay informed. Whether you're researching for an assignment or want to learn more for personal interest, our databases offer reliable, up to date information.

Explore Key Resources:

CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature)
Find nursing-focused articles like: Advances in breast cancer screening and prevention from Contemporary OB/GYN or Mitigating Disparities in Breast Cancer Among Black Women from Building Professionals.

Health and Medicine (Gale OneFile)
Access articles that are raising awareness: Breast cancer in men: the importance of teaching and raising awareness.

Kanopy and Films on Demand

Watch documentaries such as Beauty and the Breast and Breast Cancer.

Come Browse our Collection

Read books in the library such as: ‪Stop breast cancer before it starts by Samuel S. Epstein, and ‪Living well beyond breast cancer: a survivor's guide for when treatment ends and the rest of your life begins by Marisa C. Weiss and Ellen Weiss‬‎. We also have eBooks through our databases such as ‪Black Women and Breast Cancer : A Cultural Theology by Elizabeth A. Williams. and for those who are studying to be in the medical field: ‪Breast Cancer: Visual Guide for Clinicians by MD Barber, J StJ Thomas, and JM Dixon.

You can access these resources through our Library Databases A-Z or ask library staff for help finding what you need. Let’s use this month to raise awareness, empower ourselves with knowledge, and support those impacted by breast cancer.

Riverhawk Book Talk Book Club

Love books? Join us for a relaxed, no pressure chat about whatever you're reading! No assigned books, just good conversation and great recommendations.

No assigned books. No pressure. Just good conversation.
Open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Next meeting: Friday, October 24th
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Location: Library Innovation Room

Don't forget to sign up here.

And don't forget to stop in during library hours and see our new exhibit: The Black Pioneers

Check out our calendar of library events here.

International Pronouns Day: Respecting Identities, Building Inclusive Communities

October 15 marks International Pronouns Day, a time to reflect on the significance of respecting, sharing, and correctly using personal pronouns. At its core, this observance affirms the dignity of LGBTQ+ individuals while encouraging inclusive practices across classrooms, workplaces, and communities.

Why Pronouns Matter

Pronouns are a fundamental aspect of respectful communication. When misused, they can contribute to exclusion and marginalization; when affirmed, they strengthen belonging and support mental health. A Rainbow of Voices: The Experiences of Middle School LGBTQIA+ Students (via ProQuest: Publicly Available Content Databases) highlights how correct pronoun use contributes to improved emotional well-being and mental health for transgender and nonbinary youth.

Higher Education and Inclusion

On campus, pronoun awareness helps create a culture of respect and equity. Faculty, staff, and students who model inclusive language foster stronger community and better learning environments. Articles in ERIC (via EBSCOhost) and Gale OneFile: Gender Studies examine how inclusive practices contribute to student success and positive campus climate.

Explore Library Resources

The UCC Library provides access to databases where you can learn more:

• ProQuest: Publicly Available Content Databases – Research on LGBTQ+ issues and mental health, such as “What is known about gambling in lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) communities? A scoping review.”

• JSTOR – Cultural studies on gender and identity, including “Gender Bias in the Classroom.”

• ERIC – Education focused research, like “Modelling Inclusive Education. The Didactic Model for Inclusive Teaching and Learning as a Heuristic for Inclusion Research and Teacher Education.”

• Gale OneFile: Gender Studies – Social and policy perspectives, for example “Indigenous social exclusion: insights and challenges for the concept of social inclusion.”

• EBSCO Discovery Service – Links you to reviews and scholarly commentaries, such as Gender: Your Guide: A Gender-Friendly Primer on What to Know, What to Say, and What to Do in the New Gender Culture by Lee Airton, a scholarly cited work that offers practical insight into navigating pronouns and gender-inclusive communication in everyday life.

Moving Forward

International Pronouns Day is more than symbolic; it’s an invitation to reflect on how language shapes experience. Small acts, like asking and sharing pronouns, contribute to a more welcoming and affirming community.

Photography Month- Embrace the Journey

May is National Photography Month-a time to celebrate the art technique and creativity behind every great photo. Whether you're just picking up a camera for the first time or have years of experience behind the lens, the library has a wealth of resources to support your passion for photography.

Explore our digital and physical collection to find both books and eBooks on topics like Creative Photography, Black and White Photography, and editing techniques. If your looking to improve your post-processing skills check out our Photoshop tutorials on Niche Academy, including Photoshop Basics- a great starting point for editing like a pro.

For in-depth learning, dive into scholarly journals and articles available through Gale OneFile: Fine Arts. You'll find expert advice on everything from using reflectors effectively to mastering lighting techniques. Gale also features video tutorials such as how to capture stunning sunset photos. ideal for photographers of all levels. ERIC can also show you articles on taking pictures as a form of therapy called Phototherapy.

Prefer to learn through film? Kanopy offers a wide selection of streaming video content, including Fundamentals of Photography, which covers essential skills, and Photography for Birders, perfect for nature and wildlife, enthusiasts.

Whether you're interested in digital photography, nature shots, portraiture or simply learning how to take better photos with your phone, the library is here to help you develop your skills and explore your creativity.

Celebrate this month by picking up your camera and discovering something new- start your photographic journey with the library today. 

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).