Welcome to the library: Celebrate recently updated spaces that elevate access, collaboration and services

Join UC Libraries this spring at events to celebrate newly updated spaces that foster an adaptive, accessible and productive user experience.

Science Library – February 16

science library

The fall semester saw the opening of a combined Science Library in Braunstein Hall. This thoughtfully transformed space creates a united hub of services, spaces, technology and specialized collections dedicated to supporting the teaching and research needs of the Natural Sciences departments within the College of Arts & Sciences. Although its collections focus on the sciences, the Science Library invites ALL to come and enjoy and make use of the revitalized space in the heart of UC’s campus.

Celebrate Our Grand Opening!
We invite you to join us on Monday, February 16 from 2:00-4:00pm for the Science Library’s Grand Opening Reception! Enjoy refreshments, learn about our new spaces and services, be inspired by our special collections displays, explore science through demonstrations and more!

DaVInci @ Langsam – April 2

The Data Visualization and Interaction at Cincinnati (DaVInCi) team led by Jillian Aurisano, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, has created a collaborative space in the library. DaVInCi@Langsam is designed to support collaboration in research and teaching at UC. It offers a large display screen and specialized software that allow everyone in the room to share content and interact. Ongoing research is exploring new ways to heighten interaction with displayed content on the expansive display.

Drop into the DaVInCi@Langsam Open House
Check out the possibilities of the collaborative space at an open house on Thursday, April 2 from 9:30-11:30am, Langsam Library’s 4th floor. Enjoy refreshments while viewing demos of the technology and learn how to reserve and use the space.

CECH Library Reading Room – April 21

The beginning of spring semester brought with it the opening of the renovated College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services (CECH) Library Reading Room. Located on the 4th floor of the Teachers-Dyer Complex, and totaling more than 3,000 square feet, the reading room is accessible via the staircase in the CECH Library or directly for those with a Bearcat ID.

Bathed in natural light, the renovated reading room features flexible, soft seating arrangements in the room’s south and north ends and four large study tables with integrated lighting (coming soon) and power access. An inclusive, reservable study room (400B) features adaptive lighting and study and focus tools.

Celebrate the CECH Library Reading Room Opening
Tuesday, April 21, 2:30-4:30pm, CECH Library Reading Room, 400 Teachers-Dyer Complex. Tour the space, hear remarks from UC Libraries and CECH and enjoy the refreshed space.

UC Libraries GIS Services attends the Urbanism Club Meeting

a slide from the introduction to GIS workshop offered by the urbanism club The title of the slide is GIS Tips, Tricks, and secret tools followed by a GIS help session.

The UC Libraries GIS research consultants attended the Urbanism Club in support of the club’s Introduction to GIS session. GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems and is the process of collecting, analyzing, and managing data with spatial attributes. Fenley Jones, Kayra Koprulu, and Jaclyn Mauro were great hosts and put on an incredibly informative session that covered access to software, how to increase your knowledge base through trainings, and how they personally use different tools. It was really great to see the various ways students are using GIS resources and how the club supports students who are interested in learning more about GIS. To find out more about the club, visit their campuslink page. And the club will be offering additional GIS sessions on March 9th and April 13th.

Weiye (in grey sweater) and Andrew Ho (in red shirt), UC Libraries GIS Research Consultants

The UC Libraries GIS services is available to help students and researchers plan GIS projects, access software, understand how create visualizations such as maps and analyze spatial data. The lab is located in 412 Langsam and is open in the spring during the following hours:

  • Mon 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM 
  • Tues 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM 
  • Wed 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM 
  • Thurs 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM 
  • Fri 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM 

Weiye Li (Left – Phd student – Geography & GIS) and Andrew Ho (Right – Undergraduate – Planning) look forward to meeting you and learning about your GIS interests.

Read Source, the online newsletter, to learn about the news, events, people and happenings in UC Libraries

source graphic

Read Source, the online newsletter, to learn about the news, events, people and happenings in UC Libraries.

In this issue of Source, Liz Kiscaden, dean and university librarian, writes about a new global library collaboration with the library at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. We announce the opening of two renovated library spaces: the Science Library and the CECH Library Reading Room as we bid a fond farewell to Crosley Tower. We highlight library services in the CECH Library to improve accessibility and our expanding Evidence Synthesis group. Library collections are on display in the Chem Bio building renovation featuring the Oesper Collection and online in a new exhibit by the Archives and Rare Books Library about the Bronson v. the Cincinnati Board of Education. Spring is events season in UC Libraries, and we feature those currently on the calendar.

Read these articles, as well as past issues, on the website. To receive Source via e-mail, contact melissa.norris@uc.edu to be added to the mailing list.

Celebrate the grand opening of the Science Library Monday, Feb. 16, 2-4pm

science library invite

During the summer and fall semesters of 2025, a significant university investment fueled the vibrant formation of a combined Science Library in Braunstein Hall. This thoughtfully transformed space creates a united hub of services, spaces, technology and specialized collections dedicated to supporting the teaching and research needs of the Natural Sciences departments within the College of Arts & Sciences. Although its collections focus on the sciences, the Science Library invites ALL to come and enjoy and make use of the revitalized space in the heart of UC’s campus.

Celebrate Our Grand Opening!
We invite you to join us on Monday, February 16 from 2:00-4:00pm for the Science Library’s Grand Opening Reception! Enjoy refreshments, learn about our new spaces and services, be inspired by our special collections displays, explore science through demonstrations and more!

The Science Library boasts a new service desk, new carpeting, expanded and improved lighting, updated stair treads and a remarkable selection of contemporary furniture. Seating capacity has greatly increased, and over 230 seats are available for individual study, computing, group collaboration and a wide range of special events. The interior design – highlighted by innovative fabrics and wall graphics – draws inspiration from scientific disciplines and the natural world, including works by Cincinnati-based artist Charley Harper. A soothing palette of blues and greens invites students and other visitors alike to experience focus and tranquility.

Continue reading

Corey Ferguson joins UC Libraries as Classics Library Operations Supervisor

UC Libraries is excited to welcome Corey Ferguson as the Library Operations Supervisor of the John Miller Burnham Classics Library.

In this role, Corey will lead the various day-to-day library operations, including student supervision, service point management, and stacks maintenance. Other duties include engaging in and overseeing events, exhibits, instructional materials, collections processing, student and supplies budget management, and operational data and assessment activities.

Corey most recently was the Youth Collection Development Librarian for MidPointe Library System. In addition, she has worked at public libraries in Cincinnati, Springfield (MA), and New York. She also brings experience in various editorial and publishing roles.

Welcome, Corey!

Corey Ferguson standing in front of the stacks in the Classics Library.

More than just bread tins

The Archives and Rare Books library is excited to announce that the John Day Caldwell papers (UA-81-22) have been processed, and a finding aid has been completed. The collection contains a wealth of documents dating from 1782 to 1902 that provide a detailed look into the settlement and early history of Cincinnati, as well as Ohio state history. 

Photograph of John D. Caldwell standing in his masonic uniform and hat.
John D. Caldwell in his regalia, undated.

John Day Caldwell (1816-1902) worked in numerous roles in Cincinnati, including as a transportation agent, newspaper editor, librarian, city commissioner and Cincinnati Board of Education clerk. During the Civil War, Caldwell assisted in establishing the Cincinnati Home Guards, a civilian group of men who protected and patrolled the city. 

His papers, originally stored in metal bread tins by Caldwell, were received as part of the Ohio Mechanics Institute records back in the 1970s. A card catalog was created for the collection, and the papers were rehoused into archival boxes following their receipt. However, archivists at ARB have reprocessed the collection for better organization and have created a corresponding finding aid that can be accessed online

Continue reading

Welcome Weiye Li, GIS Research Consultant for Research and Data Services

Weiye is a PhD candidate in Geography at the University of Cincinnati. Originally from Shenzhen, China, he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Land Resource Management at China University of Geosciences.

His research focuses on geospatial data science, socio-environmental sustainability, and health geography, with a particular interest in applying advanced modeling and algorithms to understand human–environment interactions. He has contributed to several projects including land management, nature-based climate solutions, and urban perception analysis using street-view imagery, and has presented his work at academic conferences such as the American Association of Geographers (AAG) annual meeting.

As a GIS Collab consultant, Weiye looks forward to supporting others while continuing to expand his analytical toolkit in GIS-related analysis. He can share information, offer advice, and even partner on certain projects (on a case by case basis).

The Data & GIS collab is located in 412 Langsam with the hours of

Monday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Tuesday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Wednesday: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Thursday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Friday: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm