Join us in the library Oct. 7 for an afternoon of poetry

The University of Cincinnati Libraries and the Elliston Poetry Room announce the next roster of poets for Poetry Stacked, a semi-regular poetry reading series held in the 6th floor east stacks of the Walter C. Langsam Library.

At the next event, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 4:30pm, three poets will read their original work:

poets kevin oberlin, matt farley and leila chatti
  • Kevin Oberlin is the author of two chapbooks: Steamboat Alley (2022) and Spotlit Girl (2008). His poems have appeared in neat journals like Pilgrimage, Thimble and Dunes Review, as well as in the anthologies Tributaria: Poetry, Prose, and Art Inspired by Tributaries of the Ohio Watershed and Wayfinding: Poetry Celebrating America’s Parks and Public Lands. He is Professor of English at UC Blue Ash College and lives in Moscow, Ohio.
  • Matt Farley is a poet, educator and warehouse worker living in Southwest Ohio. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Miami University and teaches composition there. His recent work explores labor, class, place and the strange systems and intimacies of working life. He is active in Greater Cincinnati’s literary and community arts scene through readings, workshops, storytelling, and community-based projects. His current poetry project documents life on the warehouse floor.
  • Leila Chatti is a Tunisian-American poet and author of Wildness Before Something Sublime (Copper Canyon Press, 2025)and Deluge (Copper Canyon Press, 2020), winner of the 2021 Levis Reading Prize, the 2021 Luschei Prize for African Poetry and longlisted for the 2021 PEN Open Book Award, as well as four chapbooks. Her honors include multiple Pushcart Prizes, grants from the Barbara Deming Memorial Fund and the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown and Cleveland State University, where she was the inaugural Anisfield-Wolf Fellow in Publishing and Writing. Her poems appear in The New York Times Magazine, The Nation, The Atlantic, POETRY and elsewhere.

The mission of Poetry Stacked is to celebrate poetry and raise awareness of the collections of both UC Libraries and the Elliston Poetry Room.

Each reading engages audiences via exposure to contemporary poetry and increases appreciation for both the talents of UC and community poets, as well as for poetry itself. Poetry Stacked is free and open to all to attend. Following each reading, guests are invited to tour the Elliston Poetry Room.

Can’t make it to Poetry Stacks in person? It will be live streamed via the Elliston Poetry Room’s Instagram.

poetry stacked logo

Upskill with CECH Library | Fall 2026 workshops

CECH Library is hosting a variety of workshops this fall – with more to be posted soon! See the full list of workshops and register. Many of our workshops are virtual via Zoom.

  • A good citation manager will be your best friend – come learn about Zotero, a free citation management software.
  • Research skills feel rusty? Want to learn about UC Libraries many, many research resources? A research skills refresher sounds like a good fit for you.
  • Want to talk to a librarian about your latest project? Drop by CECH Research Power Hour. Come when you can, stay as long as you like.
  • Become a pro using one of our most powerful databases. Mastering advanced search in Scopus will absolutely make you a stronger researcher.
  • Get the low-down on scholarly publishing, open access, and more with our Scholarly Publishing 101 workshop. Taught by UC Libraries’ Scholarly Communications Librarian, Melissa Moreau

Contact the CECH Library if you have any questions.

Welcome Back, CECH-IT Community!

Hope everyone’s fall term is off to a great start!

This semester marks the first time we are beginning the academic year with an open, newly renovated Reading Room, expanded MakerLab support available five days a week, and technology upgrades in our library classroom. As always, our dedicated librarians are ready to partner with you to support student success.

We look forward to working with you throughout the semester and wish you and your students a successful start to the academic year. Read on for a few updates and reminders as you settle into the fall term.

See you in the library,
Katie Foran-Mulcahy, CECH Library Head

New University of Cincinnati collections at ARB 

The Archives and Rare Books Library is excited to announce new University of Cincinnati collections that have finding aids published online, or accruals made to existing collections. These include: 

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UC Libraries Fall Events – poetry, exhibits, dogs and games!

fall events

Poetry readings, exhibit openings, lunch & learns, dogs and game night! There’s something for everyone. UC Libraries Fall Events provide an opportunity for people to engage with and learn about library collections and resources. Grab a friend or colleague and come to an event or two or three. All events are free and open to all to attend.

  • Sept. 29, 5:30-7PM, DAAP 5000 Level & Ella Lipnik on 3000 Level: Reception for Fotofocus exhibit in the DAAP Library. Dare to Stare: 19th-Century Circus and Sideshow Portraits. Exhibit curated by Theresa Leininger Miller
  • Oct. 7, 4:30pm, Walter C. Langsam Library 6th floor east stacks: Poetry Stacked
poetry stacked logo
  • Oct. 15, 6-7:30PM, Walter C. Langsam Library Digital Scholarship Area: Great Library Guess Off. The Guesspionage™ -style challenge will highlight UC Libraries-specific statistics, such as percentage of students who utilize library resources, as well as available statistics on student wellness that contribute to belonging and academic success (i.e., reported sleep, stress levels, and study habits).
  • Oct. 19, 2PM-3PM: Open Access Week Panel. Details coming soon.
  • Oct. 20, NOON-1:30PM, Stanley J. Lucas, MD, Board Room, Health Sciences Library: Winkler Center Lunch & Learn. Medical Illustration: The American Civil War and Now, and the opening of the Daniel S. Young Exhibit. Speakers: Kris Ramprasad, MD, MA (history), retired associate professor at UC; Sydney Seeto, second-year medical student at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and Sophie Laye, second-year medical student at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
daniel young medical illustration
  • Oct. 22, 2PM-3PM: Open Access Week Workshop. Details coming soon.
  • Oct. 23, NOON-2pm, Science Library‘s Intersect Space: Celebrating Dr. Kenneth Caster: Legacy, Archive & Library Collection. Reception follow. Co-hosted by A&S Geology Department.
  • Oct. 28, 3PM, Science Library‘s Intersect Space: Oesper Research Talk – “Rudy W. Thomas: The Hands Behind the Oesper Collections.” This talk will present the life and career of Rudy W. Thomas, longtime demonstrator and restoration specialist for the University of Cincinnati’s Department of Chemistry.
  • Nov. 18, 4:30PM, John Miller Burnam Classics Library: Poetry Stacked
  • Nov. 19: 4:30PM, Max Kade German Cultural Center (CCH 5105): Archives and Rare Books Library & German Studies Present: The Printer and the Courtier: The Circulation of “Pennsylvania German” Books in Enlightenment Germany, a talk by Jennifer A. Merriman, Ph.D. Candidate, College of William & Mary.
  • Dec. 1, 3PM, Water C. Langsam Library: Fuzz Therapy for Finals (Dog Therapy). Unwind before finals with UC’s own Sammy the therapy dog and other registered therapy animals from Pet Partners.
service dog

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Check out the newest exhibits in UC Libraries

Exhibits highlight the services, collections, places and people of UC Libraries. The newest exhibits on display in the Walter C. Langsam Library showcase chemistry caricatures and open access.

chemistry caricatures

Caricatures in Chemistry: By William B. Jensen

On display on the 5th floor lobby of the library, this exhibit features original, hand-drawn caricatures by Dr. William B. Jensen (1948-2024), Ralph E. Oesper Professor of the History of Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati and curator of the Oesper Collections from 1986 until his passing.

The exhibit was curated by Mark Chalmers, science and engineering librarian and Oesper curator, and was designed by Ashleigh Stout, UC Libraries communication design co-op student.

Available online via JSTOR, the online collection contains the 33 original, hand-drawn caricatures of notable chemists and physicists Jensen penned between 1970 and 1974. They are held by the Oesper Collections in the History of Chemistry. The collection was scanned and digitized by the UC Libraries Digital Initiatives Team. The humor and whimsy captured in the caricatures invite viewers to look a little closer and discover the stories behind the faces.

At the exhibit there are handouts featuring three of the chemists.

Open Access At UC

Open access describes any publishing model that provides barrier-free electronic access to scholarly content. Open access content is not behind a paywall or gated in any other way and is available to anyone with an internet connection, making it more equitable. The exhibit, on display on the 4th floor lobby of the library, defines open access, shows the scale of open access at UC and demonstrates the benefits to students.

open access

UC Libraries supports open access at the university through a variety of
services and programs, including:

  • Open Publishing Infrastructure
  • Scholarly Dissemination Planning
  • Article Processing Charge Support
  • Self-archiving Support

The exhibit was curated by Melissa Moreau, scholarship communication librarian, and designed by Ashleigh Stout, communication design co-op student. More about UC Libraries Open Access initiatives can be found on the Libraries website. At the exhibit, there is a handout for those wishing to learn more about Open Access.

Systematic Review & Evidence Synthesis Workshops – Fall 2026

The University of Cincinnati Libraries and the UCL Evidence Synthesis Network is offering our popular series of workshops on systematic reviews and evidence synthesis.

Students, staff, and faculty can learn about and work through various components of the review process – from protocol to data extraction – with the support of experienced librarians. We are also offering supplemental workshops on advanced searching, reviews in the social sciences, Covidence, and more!

Pick and choose which workshops meet your needs and fit your schedule! See the full list of workshops and register online.

2026 Systematic Review workshop series flyer

Recordings and PowerPoints will be shared with all those that register. Please let us know if you have any questions!

UC Libraries seeks innovative proposals from students

Do you have a creative idea to support your student community? Do you love the library and have ideas on how to enhance its collections or services? The University of Cincinnati Libraries will help bring your vision to life! The UC Libraries Student Innovation Grant encourages UC students to use library resources and services to help support students and enhance our library, university and local community.  

The Libraries will provide up to $5,000 to fund a pilot project that leverages library resources to address an opportunity or challenge related to student engagement, research or teaching & learning at UC.  

Applications are open throughout the 2026’-27’ academic year and projects must be completed before June 2027. 

Am I Eligible To Apply? 

All University of Cincinnati undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. Individuals, teams or groups can apply, with one member serving as the primary contact.   

Proposals should identify an opportunity or challenge that can be addressed through a creative approach using or leveraging library resources. Proposals must articulate how the Libraries’ collections, services, spaces or programs will be utilized as well as how this pilot supports one of the UC Libraries’ strategic directions. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis dependent on funding availability. 

What Happens If My Project Is Selected? 

Grant recipients will be expected to:  

  • Engage with UC Libraries resources, spaces, collections and/or services.
  • Meet with appropriate library staff members about your pilot project.  
  • Produce an itemized final budget. 
  • Write a LiBlog post about your research project.  
  • Present at a UC Libraries all-staff meeting about your project experience. 
  • Complete a feedback survey at the end of your grant cycle to help improve the program for future recipients. 

How Do I Apply? 

  • Fill out the application form 
  • You will be asked for a line-item budget to explain what your funds will be used for. Examples of this could be supplies or materials needed for ideas like exhibitions, events, pop-up services, etc. You may use this template to construct your budget by creating a copy and uploading it to your application form. 
  • PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to fund personal student stipends/salaries or retroactive projects. If labor is required for your project, the library will provide the paid work within the unit that will oversee your project. You must use the funds allocated to your project by the end of the academic year in which you are applying. 

What If My Idea Isn’t Fully Formed Yet? 

That’s okay! We’d be happy to meet with you and help you form your project application. E-mail Nimisha at nimisha.bhat@uc.edu and Erin at erin.rinto@uc.edu for any questions and assistance.  

Newly Processed Collections related to Cincinnati History that You May Have Missed

With the help of additional staff members and interns at the Archives and Rare Books Library, we have been working hard processing collections and publishing better descriptions of our holdings.  Here are some recently processed (or recently improved) finding aids related to the history of the City of Cincinnati that are now available to our researchers.  Most of the descriptions below were taken from the finding aids written by Brittney Lynn Smith and Julianna Witt.

Cincinnati Board of City Hall Trustees records (ON-75-18) – The Cincinnati Board of City Hall Trustees records document the planning and construction of Cincinnati’s City Hall which was completed in 1893.  Samuel Hannaford and Sons were the architects for the project and the Board of City Hall Trustees were formed to manage the budget.  The collection contains clerk’s records relating to the project, meeting minutes, reports, architectural and contractual bids and financial records.  ARB intern, Brittney Lynn Smith, processed this collection.

A color image from the front of the Findlay Market Dedication Day booklet in 1974 showing entry doors to Findlay Market and cars on the streets surrounding the market.
The Findlay Market Dedication Day booklet from the Friends of Findlay Market Committee records.
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