Author Archives: Melissa Cox Norris

And the winners are…results of the 2025 International Edible Books Festival

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The University of Cincinnati Libraries celebrated the International Edible Books Festival on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

tacos
Lexi Davis – Dragons Love Tacos – Best Overall

This year, we had an impressive 24 entries from students, librarians and staff, along with family, friends and retirees. There are few restrictions in creating an edible book – namely that the creation be edible and have something to do with a book. Today’s entries covered all genres – from fiction to non-fiction, animals, food, classics, contemporary titles and more.

carrots



Popular books represented on screen and now as edible books were “Dune,” “Bridgerton,” “Pride and Prejudice,” and “Twilight.” Children’s books made for popular edible books. This year we had “Charlotte’s Web,” “Freckle Juice,” “Too Many Carrots,” “Black Hearts in Buttersea,” and “Matilda.” Young Adult books made a presence this year with “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and “Harry Potter.”


Animals were a theme this year with “Penguin Island,” “Dragons Love Tacos” and “How to Eat Fried Worms.” Both fiction, “The Warmth of Other Suns,” “Grapes of Wrath,” “The Silver Bone” and “White Teeth,” and non-fiction, “Eyes on the Prize,” “An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits,” and “How Infrastructure Works: Inside Systems that Shape our World” were represented. Along with the 18th-century classic “De montibus, silvis, fontibus”

In addition to promoting the reading of books, we also use this event to promote and “judge” the creativity of our colleagues and friends in creating edible books. Thank you to the two esteemed judges: Brian Gray, associate dean for collections (non-edible collections), and Usha (oo-sh-uh), student staff member in the CECH Library. And the winners are…

  • Melissa Cox Norris – Penguin Island – Most Adorable
  • Sam Norris – Too Many Carrots – Most Noteworthy
  • Carly Fledderjohann – The Cheese Touch (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) – Most Noteworthy
  • Deborah Weinstein – Charlotte’s Web – Most Imaginative
  • Stephen Norris – The Silver Bone – Most Outrageous
  • Avery Rice – Pride and Prejudice – Most Checked Out
  • Melissa Cox Norris – Difficult Women – Most Out of this World
  • Aja Bettencourt-McCarthy – How Infrastructure Works: Inside the Systems That Shape Our World – Most Creative
  • Luahna Winningham Carter – Freckle Juice – Most Gruesome
  • Jakob Elliott – Dune – Silliest
  • Jessica Ebert – Black Hearts in Battersea (“buttercream”) – Most Delicious
  • Josh Zack, Tim Zack, and Debbie Tenofsky – Eyes on the Prize – Most Frightening
  • Nainika Kovelamudi & Priyanka Rao Siripurapu – Bridgerton – Most Beautiful
  • Olya Hart – White Teeth – Most Wordly
  • Olya Hart – Bunnies on Ice – Most Whimsical
  • Jenny Mackiewicz – Matilda – Most Taboo
  • Jenny Mackiewicz – Twilight – Most Humorous
  • Holly Prochaska – How to eat fried worms – Most Clever
  • Yu Mao – Atomic Habits – An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones – Most Literary
  • Alex Temple – De montibus, silvis, fontibus – Most Technical
  • Suzanne Bratt – The Warmth of Other Suns – Most Timely
  • Lisa Haitz – The Grapes of Wrath – Most Fun
  • Clara Kelley – Harry potter sorting hat – Best Student Entry
  • Lexi Davis – Dragons Love Tacos – Best Overall

Congratulations to all the edible books creators! View the entries and the winners on the UC Libraries Facebook Page. See you next year for Edible Books 2026!

harry potter
Clara Kelley – Harry potter sorting hat – Best Student Entry

University of Cincinnati Libraries participating in cohort to define AI literacy

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The University of Cincinnati Libraries has been selected to participate in a cohort organized by Ithaka S+R to consider how existing information literacy frameworks can be adapted or revised to reflect AI-driven transformations.

According to Ithaka S+R: “Each participating institution will conduct qualitative research to understand the changing information practices and needs of students and instructors, using instruments developed in consultation with methodological experts at Ithaka S+R. Working in collaboration with Ithaka S+R and in conversation with other cohort members, participating institutions will identify how libraries and other university units can weave AI literacy into their existing operations, leveraging programs or initiatives that center on information, digital or meta literacy.”

Representing UC will be Madeleine Gaiser, online learning and instruction librarian, Lynn Warner, research and health sciences librarian, and Daniel Dale, assistant director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CET&L). Lori E. Harris, UC Libraries associate dean for research & instruction, will serve as administration liaison. The outcome of this work will be curriculum for an AI literacy workshop, which will be offered on an ongoing basis to the UC community.

“Supporting AI literacy is an extension of the important role that libraries and librarians fill in the information environment,” said dean and university librarian Liz Kiscaden. “Like our role in supporting information literacy, data literacy and digital literacy, supporting AI literacy will prepare our students and faculty to succeed in a new information economy. We are excited to be a part of the Defining AI Literacy cohort organized by Ithaka S+R, particularly as we will be undertaking this work with such a strong cohort of peer institutions.”

Ithaka S+R is a not-for-profit organization that helps academic and cultural communities serve the public good and navigate economic, technological and demographic change. Their work also aims to broaden access to higher education by reducing costs and improving student outcomes.

The AI cohort’s work will commence in April and is estimated to conclude in May 2026.

Join us April 16 for Poetry Stacked + music, dancing and art!

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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, April 16 at 4:30pm, a celebration of both National Poetry Month and the final event of the academic year, three poets will read their work:

paige webb

Paige Webb is an interdisciplinary poet-scholar. Other categorical boxes to aid legibility: they’re a queer, neurodivergent being of settler descent and a doctor untrained in basic CPR. The aim of their work is to create space for curative touch in concert with the creative vitality in all beings (thanks to Gabrielle Civil, Hortense Spillers, and CAConrad for help with this language). They are a Charles Phelps Taft Fellow at the University of Cincinnati and recipient of [accolade], [accolade], [accolade]. You can find some of their work at Anomaly, Blackbird, Colorado Review, Denver Quarterly, DIAGRAM, Indiana Review, The Kenyon Review, Poets.org, Poetry Northwest, Verse Daily, Vinyl Poetry and Prose, West Branch and the chapbook Tussle.

Kristi Maxwell is the author of nine books of poems, including Wide Ass of Night (Saturnalia Books, 2025); Goners (Green Linden Press, 2023), winner of the Wishing Jewel Prize; Realm Sixty-four (Ahsahta Press, 2008), editor’s choice for the Sawtooth Poetry Prize and finalist for the National Poetry Series; and Hush Sessions (Saturnalia,2009), editor’s choice for the Saturnalia Books Poetry Prize. She’s the director of creative writing and an associate professor of English at the University of Louisville. Kristi holds a PhD in literature & creative writing from the University of Cincinnati and an MFA in poetry from the University of Arizona.

kristi maxwell
dior stephens

Dior J. Stephens is a Black, Queer poet, writer and the co-editor-in-chief of Foglifter Journal and Press. They are currently in the final year of their PhD in philosophy with a focus on creative writing at the University of Cincinnati. Dior’s debut full-length poetry collection, CRUEL/CRUEL (2023), was nominated for the 2024 Ohioana Book Award, and their collection Atomic I is forthcoming from Nightboat Books. A Cave Canem, Sewanee and Lambda Literary fellow, Dior has also been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and the Best of the Net. Their work critically engages with themes of language, identity, and resistance, contributing to the broader conversations in poetics and the Black/Diasporic experience. 

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

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source

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 how UC Libraries is taking advantage of funding opportunities to Invest in Strategic Priorities. The Archives and Rare Books Library announces receipt of a national grant to process historic Cincinnati schools desegregation case records.The Carl Solway Gallery Archive in the Robert A. Deshon and Karl J. Schlachter Library for Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) Library is featured. Ted Baldwin, head of the Sciences Libraries, writes about how the razing of the iconic Crosley Tower will necessitate the move of the current Chemistry-Biology Library space to Braunstein Hall where it will merge with the Geology-Mathematics-Physics Library to become the Science Library opening fall semester.

Beginning in 2025, the Preservation Lab expanded its mission to provide expertise and services to the larger cultural heritage community, moving to a regional lab model. Under this new model, the Preservation Lab is now entirely managed, staffed and equipped by the University of Cincinnati. Two articles: Re-introducing the Preservation Lab and Exploring Historical Bindings: A Hands-On Workshop at UC’s Archives and Rare Books Library celebrate the Preservation Lab. Open Access publishing opportunities are discussed in this issue and upcoming Library Events are listed.

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.

Hungry? Bite into an edible book with UC Libraries

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Celebrate books good enough to eat at the International Edible Books Festival April 1st

Once again, the University of Cincinnati Libraries will celebrate the International Edible Books Festival with an event scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, from 11 a.m. to noon on the 4th floor of the Walter C. Langsam Library.

At the event, over 20 participants will present edible creations inspired by an book. There are few restrictions in creating an edible book — namely that the creation be edible and have something to do with a book.

edible book

Popular books represented on screen and now as edible books will be “Dune,” “Bridgerton,” “Pride and Prejudice,” and “Twilight.” Numerous children’s books will make people smile with such titles as “Charlotte’s Web,” “Freckle Juice,” “Too Many Carrots,” “Black Hearts in Buttersea” and “Matilda.” Young Adult books have a presence this year with “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and “Harry Potter.”  Animals are a theme this year with “Penguin Island” and “Dragons Love Tacos.” Both fiction, “The Silver Bone” and “White Teeth,” and non-fiction, “Eyes on the Prize” and “How Infrastructure Works: Inside Systems that Shape our World” are represented. See these delicious entries and more at the event.

As in past years, entries will be judged according to such categories as Most Literary, Most Delicious, Most Adorable and Most Gruesome. In addition, the Top Student Entry and Best Overall Entry will receive UC merch. After the entries are judged they will be consumed and enjoyed by all in attendance.

According to the International Edible Book Festival website, the edible book was initiated by librarian and artist Judith A. Hoffberg during a 1999 Thanksgiving celebration with book artists. It became an international celebration in 2000 when artist Béatrice Coron launched the Books2Eat website. Traditionally, the event is celebrated on April 1st (April Fools’ Day) to mark the birthday of Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755-1826), a French lawyer and politician who became famous for his book, “Physiologie du gout” (The Physiology of Taste).

The Libraries International Edible Books Festival is free and open to the public. Following the event, pictures of the edible books and their awards will be posted on the Libraries Facebook page. Come to celebrate (and eat) “books good enough to eat.”

Check out library Spring Break reduced hours, March 15-23

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Most University of Cincinnati Libraries locations have reduced hours for Spring Break, March 15-23. Check the library website for a list of hours by location.

Have a safe and rejuvenating Spring Break, Bearcats!

spring break vine with lemons

    New exhibit displays The Art of Bookplates

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    On display on the 5th floor lobby of the Walter C. Langsam Library through the end of spring semester, The Art of Bookplates features various bookplates found in the collections of the University of Cincinnati Libraries.

    A bookplate, sometimes called an ex libris plate, is a label affixed inside a book to indicate ownership or to honor an individual, gift or collection fund.

    the history of bookplates. the oldest known bookplate is a hand-colored wood-cut created by Hilbrand Brandenburg in the 1470s or 1480s

    UC Libraries has numerous bookplate designs to represent various collections, libraries, funds and gifts. In addition, some books in our collection include bookplates from other universities where they were housed before finding a home in UC. The exhibit showcases just some of the bookplates found throughout our libraries.

    some bookplates that are found at our libraries. besides our university bookplates, we have bookplates that exist here from other universities.

    The Art of Bookplates was curated, designed and produced by Lexi Davis, design co-op student on the Communications Team. Want to learn more? A handout available at the exhibit includes an article by William Jensen tells more about bookplates found in UC Libraries Oesper Collection.

    Join us March 12 for Poetry Stacked…and Live Art!

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    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, March 12 at 4:30pm, three poets will read their original work:

    • Kari Gunter-Seymour is the Poet Laureate of Ohio and the author of three award-winning collections of poetry, including Dirt Songs (EastOver Press 2024) and Alone in the House of My Heart (Ohio University Swallow Press 2022). She is the executive director of the Women of Appalachia Project and editor of its anthology series Women Speak. Her work has been featured in a number of periodicals and journals including the American Book Review, Poem-a-Day, World Literature Today and The New York Times. Find her at www.karigunterseymourpoet.com.
    • Phoebe Reeves is professor of English at the University of Cincinnati Clermont College. She has three chapbooks of poetry, most recently The Flame of Her Will. Her first full length collection, Helen of Bikini was published in March 2023. She lives in Cincinnati with her husband Don, amidst her unruly urban garden.
    • Prince Bush is a poet from Nashville, TN whose poems appear in Cherry Tree, The Drift, The Cortland Review, Northwest Review and elsewhere. He received a fellowship from the Bucknell Seminar for Undergraduate Poets while earning his BA in English as an Erastus Milo Cravath Presidential Scholar at Fisk University. Currently a PhD student in Creative Writing at the University of Cincinnati as a Yates Fellow, Prince Bush earned his MFA in Creative Writing as a Truman Capote Literary Fellow from the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop.
    poets Kari Gunter-Seymour, Phoebe Reeves, Prince Bush
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    Join us for the workshop The Visual Cento: Fonts of Inspiration

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    Join the University of Cincinnati Libraries and the Elliston Poetry Room for a hands-on discussion & workshop about creating visual cento poetry.

    Dior Stephens, poet and PhD graduate student in the College of Arts and Sciences, will kick things off with an introduction of the cento form. Katie Foran-Mulcahy, librarian and head of the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services Library, will provide an overview of library collections and how to navigate the stacks before sending participants to explore and collect lines and possible visual elements from various texts. D.J. Trischler, assistant professor of communication design at UC’s Ullman School of Design in the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning will then talk about found art as the canvas and give tips on how to use text and images to express meaning.

    This will culminate in participants creating their own cento poetry – no prior experience required.

    The event is free and open to all to attend.

    the visual cento: fonts of inspiration