CECH Library Spotlight: Harriet Versus the Galaxy by Samantha Baines

Posted on by

CECH Spotlight highlights recommended books in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.

This book was purchased with funding provided by a 2024 CECH Diversity Grant and selected using the Framework for Selecting Children’s Literature With d/Deaf Representation created by Emma Kist’s ASL 2003 students.

Harriet Versus the Galaxy / written by Samantha Baines (2019)

If you were ever a fan of The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, Samantha Baines’ debut juvenile book Harriet Versus the Galaxy would be right up your alley.

The novel follows Harriet Green, a ten-year old from England who happens to be hard of hearing. After moving in with her Gran, she learns that her hearing aid can do more than just help her hear. She can understand alien languages. One day she’s moving in with her Gran, the next she’s being tasked to save Earth from aliens! 

Baine explores more than just Deafness* throughout her novel, however. Gender identity, while small in detail, makes a mighty difference in the way it is presented in this novel. Baines shows readers that gender identity is a topic for all ages and can be mentioned without trauma being present. This novel represents the Deaf* and gender identity with compassion without calling attention to them. 

Throughout the novel, Baines takes the opportunity to explore how bullying can have an effect on children, and how to handle it with grace. Harriet Versus the Galaxy stands tall and teaches readers how to be brave in the face of a problem, and how to be compassionate to one another without putting another person down. In the end, this book helps to encourage all of us to authentically be ourselves. 

Throughout the novel, you can find artwork reminiscent of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or The Dork Diaries. With illustrations from Deaf artist Jessica Flores, you truly feel like you are with Harriet as she learns about the world of aliens — or should I say galaxy?

This book is available for checkout in the CECH Library.

NOTE: In alignment with the UC ASL/Deaf studies department, I use Deaf* above to include and acknowledge the different cultures and ways of being Deaf.

Review by Alice Somers, CECH Library Student Assistant | Early Childhood Education and Deaf Studies, CECH 2026

Two UC librarians elected to the SWON Libraries Consortium Board

Posted on by

Ted Baldwin, director of the Science and Engineering Libraries and the interim head of Library Collections, and Emily Wages, collection services manager at the University of Cincinnati Clermont’s Frederick A. Marcotte Library, have been voted in by the Directors Council to join the SWON Executive Board in June. They join existing UC Board member Gerry Wagner, unit operations manager in UC Libraries Collection Development Services and Engagement Department.

SWON Libraries formed in 1973 as the “Greater Cincinnati Library Consortium” (GCLC) when a group of library directors in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky wanted a vehicle for pooling resources, sharing knowledge and collaborating to better serve their patrons. They continue that mission today as one of the State Library of Ohio’s Regional Library Systems.

2024 Systematic Review Cohort at the Health Sciences Library

Posted on by

The Health Sciences Library is launching a systematic review cohort where researchers can work through the review process with the support of our experienced librarians.

Systematic reviews are large projects that are rigorous, multi-faceted, and lengthy undertakings. By bringing together a cohort of researchers, we hope to provide a supportive and collaborative environment as you progress from research question to publication.

If you are interested in conducting a systematic review or other type of comprehensive review, join us May 6th or May 14th to learn more about this exciting opportunity. At these informational sessions librarians will give an overview of the cohort and workshops and will be available to answer any questions you have about the systematic review group.  

This informational session is being offered twice but there is no need to attend both.

Registration can be found at Faculty OneStop.

ORCID and GitHub Sign Memorandum of Understanding – ORCID

Posted on by

ORCID profiles can now be linked to Github profiles.  What does this mean for you?  Now you can include your ORCID number on your Github profile.  It is also possible to add the URL of your Github account to your ORICD landing page.  If you need some help setting up your ORCID or linking these two resources, please contact askdata@uc.edu. 

To learn more check out the ORCID blog post on the memorandum.

2024 Striker Lecture to cover the world impact of the 77-year history of the UC neurology department

Posted on by

By Richard A. Puff, Chief Communications Officer, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Charles Aring, MD, had a profound impact on the Cincinnati region and, through his founding of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine’s Department of Neurology, a tremendous influence on the health of people throughout the world.

Cincinnati-born, Aring lived in a nearby home for orphans. In 1919, he began working as a 15-year-old office boy at the College of Medicine and went on to receive his medical degree from the college 10 years later. Aring quickly became an internationally known neurologist and returned to UC in 1947 as the founding chair of the Department of Neurology after having founded the neurology department at University of California at San Francisco.

Aring and much more, including how modern neurology and the Beatles are related, will be discussed Tuesday, May 7 when Joseph Broderick, MD, Class of 1982, presents the 2024 Cecil Striker Lecture “Cincinnati Neurology: From Astute Human Observations to Life-changing Therapies.” The lecture begins at 5 p.m. in the Kresge Auditorium and also will be streamed online. Register to attend the free presentation.

Continue reading →

Langsam Library offers extended hours through exams

Posted on by

Need a place to study for exams? Working late on that final class project? The Walter C. Langsam Library has extended building hours beginning Sunday, April 14 through exams. The Desk@Langsam will maintain regular hours.

Extended Building Hours April 14-24:

Sunday-Thursday: 8am-3am
Friday: 8am-10pm
Saturday: Noon-10pm


Extended Building Hours April 25-27:

Thursday: 8am-8pm
Friday: 8am-5pm
Saturday: CLOSED

Break hours begin Sunday, April 28.

extended hours graphic

The Preservation goes “Back to Basics” at their Open House on Thurs, May 2nd

Posted on by

Join the Preservation Lab, Thursday, May 2 from 2pm-4pm as they celebrate Preservation Week with their annual Open House. Located in the 300 Level of the Walter C. Langsam Library, the Preservation Lab’s Open House theme is “Back to Basics” and will feature samples of their work, opportunities to meet and greet preservation colleagues and cookies!

open house graphic

The Preservation Lab is a collaboration between the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library and the University of Cincinnati. The Lab is located on UC’s Main campus on the 300 level of the Walter C. Langsam Library, 2911 Woodside Drive. Information about parking on campus, both metered and garage parking, is available on UC’s website. Woodside Garage and Campus Green Garage are the garages closest to Langsam Library. There will be signs directing visitors to the Lab’s floor from the main level of Langsam Library (400 level), but assistance is available at The Desk @ Langsam.

To learn more about the Lab, subscribe to the Preservation Lab’s blog and follow them on Instagram –@thepreservationlab or subscribe to the Lab’s YouTube channel.

The Classics Library at the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day/Findlay Market Day Parade

Posted on by

Classics Library student worker Yo Shionoya, in a John Miller Burnam Classics Library t-shirt he had designed with an image of the Lupa and twins on an Urbs Roma commemorative coin minted during the reign of emperor Constantine and included in our Return of… exhibition (see below), held up the library’s cardboard cut-out of the Eden Park Lupa on a float representing the Italian American Community at the opening day of the Major League Baseball season. Rebecka was relegated to the streets. The atmosphere was electric and full of anticipation with some 200,000 Cincinnati baseball fans lining the streets in downtown Cincy. The float was featured on several local TV stations.

Continue reading →

Lunch & Learn “Vesalius, Mascagni and anatomical mega prints – A personal journey”

Posted on by

Wednesday, April 17, 11:30am-1pm, Donald C. Harrison Health Sciences Library, Stanley J. Lucas MD Board Room

Join the Henry R. Winkler Center for the History of the Health Professions at an April 17th Lunch & Learn, “Vesalius, Mascagni and anatomical mega prints – A personal journey.” Renaissance anatomist and physician Andreas Vesalius (December 1514 – June 1564), revolutionized the study and practice of medicine by his careful descriptions and anatomical studies of the human body. Efrain Miranda, PhD, CEO of Clinical Anatomy Associates, Inc, will discuss Vesalius’s life and his obsession with large images that led to the printing of the “Fabrica” in 1543, and through the centuries led to the “New Fabrica” by Garrison and Hast.

anatomy image
efrain miranda

Mascagni, is the largest anatomical book ever printed, of which there are only 16 known copies in the world – one at the Winkler Center. Anatomist Paolo Mascagni (1755-1815), worked on this masterpiece for 25 years, and after his death, the Mascagni family contracted with the artist Antonio Serantoni to complete the work. All plates were drawn, engraved and hand-colored with meticulous detail, beauty and accuracy by Serantoni from 1823-32.

The presentation will examine the life of Mascagni and the history of the plagiarist and thief that stole his prints. Miranda will illuminate the presentation with examples of mega drawings that are on display around the world, some measuring 14 feet in height.

Join the UC Libraries R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Team for a full roster of programs in April

Posted on by

The University of Cincinnati Libraries RESPECT (Racial Equity Support Programming to Educate the Community Team) has as its charge to use library resources to expand programming and resources that provide library users with the tools to understand systemic racism in order to begin dismantling it. Upcoming, RESPECT is sponsoring three events that are free and open to all to attend.

Continue reading →