Author Archives: Katie Foran-Mulcahy

CECH Library Annual Highlights, AY26

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What a year it’s been! The CECH Library staff are delighted to share our 2025-26 Annual Highlights, a Microsoft Sway showcasing moments, milestones, and the impact of our work throughout the academic year.

This report highlights the many ways our library community learned, created, collaborated, and grew together. We invite you to take a look back with us and celebrate the achievements that made this year so meaningful.

As always, we’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out with any feedback, ideas, or questions.

Team CECH Library
Katie Foran-Mulcahy, Madeleine Gaiser, + Sarah True

Learn and Play in the MakerLab

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Two people cutting vinyl in the MakerLab to create a custom tote bag project.

Curious about the MakerLab equipment and creative opportunities available in the CECH Library? Join us for a fall MakerLab workshop!

These hands-on sessions are designed to help you explore MakerLab tools and technologies while creating something of your own. Participants will leave with a small takeaway item and new skills to build on.

Explore the full lineup of CECH Library MakerLab workshops via Faculty One Stop. Registration is required, so be sure to sign up in advance.

Welcome Back, CECH-IT Community!

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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

CECH Library Annual Highlights, AY25

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CECH Library staff have produced a Microsoft Sway presentation with stories, key data, and proud achievements from academic year 2024-25. We hope you’ll enjoy reviewing library happenings from the past year as much as we did!

As always, feel free to reach out directly with any feedback, ideas, or questions.

Team CECH Library
Katie Foran-Mulcahy, Madeleine Gaiser + Rachel Hoople

UC Libraries Source Newsletter Highlights CECH MakerLab Revitalization

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We’re thrilled to share that the CECH Library MakerLab was recently profiled in the latest issue of Source, UC Libraries’ quarterly newsletter.

The article, titled “Re-Making the MakerLab: A Year of Creative Collaboration in the CECH Library,” explores the exciting transformation of the MakerLab over the past year. It highlights the partnership between UC Libraries and the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH), which has led to a revitalized space for hands-on learning.

We invite you to read the article and learn more about the journey and vision behind the MakerLab’s evolution. And as always, we welcome your questions, feedback, or ideas for collaboration. Let’s chat — reach us at cechlibrary@uc.edu.

Announcement of MakerLab Workshops, Fall 2025

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The CECH Library is excited to unveil our Fall 2025 MakerLab Workshop Series – a hands-on, creative lineup designed to spark innovation and empower makers of all skill levels.

Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just curious about the tools and tech available in the MakerLab, we’ve got something for everyone. This fall, our workshops will cover a variety of topics, including Cricut Design Space (and the Cricut Maker 3), sticker making, use of the xTool laser, and 3D printing and Tinkercad basics.

Make it a great day,
Katie Foran-Mulcahy, Head
CECH Library

Welcome back! Love, CECH Library

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Hard to believe we’re here already, again. Summer went by VERY quickly this year. From all of us here in CECH Library, welcome back! We’ve been hard at work this summer and have so enjoyed reconnecting with our amazing students this week.  Here are a few high-level updates about summer projects and support opportunities in the semester ahead.

The renovation of our 4th floor reading room is still in progress and slated to re-open by spring 2026. For the most up-to-date information on our reading room, check out the 4th floor renovation page on our website. You’ll also find an up-to-date photo gallery where you can view the project in progress.

Your CECH librarians are eager to support you via library instruction and research assistance. Reach out to your CECH librarian liaison for details and support. This fall we are offering a variety of virtual and in-person workshops on topics such as systematic reviews, research skills, and citation management. A complete listing of workshops and registration details are available via Faculty OneStop.

Those who have our UC Libraries website bookmarked may notice a new search box and majorly improved discovery tool, now known as OneSearch. Use it to search for articles, books, and nearly everything else that UC holds in its print and electronic collections. All CECH Library staff are eager to assist you with OneSearch, and don’t miss this excellent suite of support resources in the CECH Knowledge Base from librarian Madeleine Gaiser.

Lastly, our MakerLab is operational and staffed with two MakerLab Assistants Monday-Thursday from 1-5pm.  Drop in anytime our library is open to use self-service tools, or visit during MakerLab Assistant hours to get help with advanced tools, including the laser cutter/engraver, sticker printer, and 3D printer. And stay tuned – fall semester MakerLab workshop offerings will be announced soon.

All best,
Katie, Madeleine + Rachel (CECH Library staff)

Renovation Alert: CECH Library 4th Floor

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We’re excited to share that the 4th floor of the CECH Library will undergo a renovation beginning Tuesday, May 27. The space will be closed for the summer and is set to reopen at the start of the fall semester.

This transformation is designed to better support our students and academic community by creating a more dynamic, flexible, and welcoming environment.

Architectural rendering of planned improvements to the CECH Library reading room.

What’s coming:

  • Reconfigured layout for enhanced study, collaboration, and events
  • Modern study tables with integrated power and lighting
  • Comfortable seating, refreshed study room, new carpet, and paint
  • A thoughtful blend of modern design and the existing classic architectural elements

The main level (3rd floor) will remain open, and materials will still be accessible by request.

This project reflects our ongoing commitment to student success and innovation in academic spaces. Stay tuned for updates — and have a fantastic summer.

Katie Foran-Mulcahy (she/her)
Head, College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library

ERIC Updates, May 2025

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In March 2025, journal publishers received the following notice from ERIC. This information was also detailed in a prior LiBlog post in April:

The Department of Education is working with the Department of Government Efficiency to “reduce overall Federal spending” and “reallocate spending to promote efficiency” (EO 14222). As a result, the number of records added to the ERIC collection will be significantly reduced going forward. The number of actively cataloged sources will be reduced by approximately 45% starting April 24, 2025. Subject matter was not considered during the process to identify which sources would be made inactive.  Please note that all records currently in ERIC will remain available.

On April 28, 2025, the acting director of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) announced a contract renewal with the AEM Corporation and the continuation of ERIC. The announcement also stated that “no content has been removed or deleted from ERIC” but characterized the future as a “new phase” with a “refined scope”. 

With a 50% cut to its annual budget, the future of ERIC remains uncertain. For up-to-date information on ERIC, see the ERIC Updates page of our Education Complete LibGuide.

Further Reading

Barshay, J. (2025, April 28). Education Department restarts online library ERIC. The Hechinger Report. https://hechingerreport.org/proof-points-restart-eric-ed-library/  

Fitzgerald, S. R., Weaver, K. D., & Droog, A. (2025). Selecting a specialized education database for literature reviews and evidence synthesis projects. Research Synthesis Methods, 16(1), 30–41. doi:10.1017/rsm.2024.11 

Tech & MakerLab Playground at CECH Library

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Join us Wednesday, April 2 from 3-5pm in the CECH Library for our 2nd annual Tech & MakerLab Playground.

Tech & MakerLab Playground at CECH Library

This open-house style event will offer a variety of hands-on exploration opportunities with our MakerLab and STEAM Kits. Check out projects from Trends in Learning Technology Innovation students, play with robots, and see demos of our newest MakerLab equipment. We’ll also offer visitors a special sneak-peak of our new Study and Focus Tools Collection.

Light refreshments available courtesy of the CECH Dean’s Office.

We hope to see you at this fun event — celebrating the intersections of learning, tech, and creativity.

See you in the library!

On behalf of Team CECH Library,
k

Katie Foran-Mulcahy
Head, CECH Library