Category Archives: CECH Library

The University of Cincinnati Libraries Annual Progress Report, 2020-2021

Posted on by

Looking back as we plan our NEXT Directions.

This year’s Annual Progress Report covers July 2020 through June 2021. It was an exceptionally complicated time, during which we entered the second year of the pandemic, developed and adopted new digital resources to support remote learning and remote research and prepared for the transition back to campus for the 2021 fall semester.

In these unprecedented times, library faculty and staff continuously found ways to transform and elevate library services by bringing their experience, talents and dedication to the forefront so as to continue to fulfill our mission to “empower discovery, stimulate learning and inspire the creation of knowledge by connecting students, faculty, researchers and scholars to dynamic data, information and resources.” Continue reading →

New Book Spotlight: The Blackbird Girls

Posted on by

The New Book Spotlight highlights new-to-us titles in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.

The Blackbird Girls / by Anne Blankman / 2020

Content Advisory/Trigger Warning: physical and mental abuse, anti-Semitism

Anne Blankman’s The Blackbird Girls is a historical fiction that jumps between Oksana and Valentina in the aftermath of the Chernobyl power plant explosion in 1986, and Rifka who is on the run from the Nazis in 1941.

Rifka grew up practicing Judaism while Valentina identifies only ethnically with Judism. Separated by over forty years, the two girls experienced anti-Semitism in ways that were similar yet so different. Oksana was the perfect Ukrainian, and all her life she was told to hate Valentina and people “of her kind”.

When the Chernobyl power plant exploded, Valentina and Oksana’s lives were forced together much to their dismay. But when they have to live together in Leningrad with Valentina’s grandmother, they learn how similar they are and how important they are to each other.

Blankman explores the impact World War II and the Holocaust had on Jewish people while showing personal growth in a prejudice time in world history. Blankman has created a story full of hope and resilience in a time of fear and uncertainty.

The Blackbird Girls is available from CECH Library, as well as the OhioLINK and Search Ohio lending networks. It also won the 2020 National Jewish Book Award for Middle Grades Literature.

Review by Alice Somers (she/her), CECH Library Student Assistant | Secondary English Education, CECH 2025

UC Libraries Closed Monday, Jan. 17 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Posted on by

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. from LIFE Magazine

UC Libraries will be closed Monday, Jan. 17 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day . The libraries will resume normal hours on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Want to read up on Martin Luther King, Jr., his impact and legacy, and how you can make a difference? Check out these library resources and the Racial Justice Resources for Activists, Advocates and Allies Research Guide.

CECH Spotlight: Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Posted on by

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

Julian is a Mermaid / written and illustrated by Jessica Love / 2018

On Saturdays, Julian and his Abuela go swimming at the community pool. One Saturday, Julian sees several women wearing beautiful mermaid dresses and is totally entranced. He decided he wants to be a mermaid himself, but what might his Abuela think of this?

Jessica Love’s Julian is a Mermaid is an absolutely breathtaking picture book. It follows the story of a gender non-conforming child, which is a rare but very welcomed sight, who dreams of becoming a mermaid. This heartwarming story is full of vivid and magical illustrations that beautifully depict a child’s imagination and embrace diversity with a broad range of body types and skin tones. With each turn of a page, you will feel the anxiety, the love, and the acceptance Julian feels through subtle details in facial expressions and body language. Along with Julian, readers of all ages will learn that anyone can be a mermaid, and all it takes is acceptance, creative expression, and unconditional love.

Julian is a Mermaid is available from CECH Library,  as well as the OhioLINK and Search Ohio lending networks.

Review by Sadie Matthews, CECH Library Student Assistant | Elementary Education, CECH 2023

 

Spring 2022 Return to Campus Update for UC Libraries

Posted on by

With the university shifting to online learning until January 24 because of the increase in local, state, and national COVID-19 cases, and the high transmission rate of the Omicron variant, UC Libraries are making adjustments to operating hours. Library locations remain open with reduced hours, except for the Archives and Rare Books Library, which is not currently taking new research appointments, but is available to answer reference questions via phone and e-mail.

Hours by location are listed on the Libraries website, including those for UC Blue Ash, Clermont and Law, which vary from those for UC Libraries.

Current information on the Libraries Return to Campus plans, can be found online.

 

Rachel Hoople joins CECH Library as Operations Supervisor

Posted on by

rachel hoopleRachel Hoople has joined the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services (CECH) Library team as operations supervisor.

Rachel began work at UC as a temporary staff member in the Walter C. Langsam Library this past March. Additionally, she has held the role of library associate at the Portsmouth Public Library and worked in a variety of positions at Shawnee State University, including writing tutor and adjunct professor. Rachel holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Shawnee State University and grew up in Portsmouth, Ohio.

On a personal note, Rachel is an avid reader and appreciator of literature for young people. Her favorite YA fiction genres include fantasy, thriller and rom-com. Some of her favorite books include The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune, and Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian. Her 1st favorite author was Patricia Polacco and her favorite book in the Harry Potter series is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Rachel’s skill sets in readers’ advisory and YA literature will be well-utilize in the CECH Library.

Welcome back, Rachel!

Winter Break hours for UC Libraries

Posted on by

Winter Break Hours for the University of Cincinnati Libraries begin Saturday, Dec. 18. All library locations will be closed Dec. 18-Jan. 2, except for the Donald C. Harrison Health Sciences Library (HSL), which will be open noon-5pm, Dec. 20-23 and closed Dec. 24-Jan. 2.

winter sceneIn addition, all library locations except for Langsam Library and HSL will close at noon, Friday, Dec. 17. The Desk@Langsam will also close at noon, Friday, Dec. 17.

A listing of all hours is available on the Libraries website.

Have a relaxing and safe Winter Break.

UC Libraries closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

Posted on by

turkeysThe University of Cincinnati Libraries will be closed Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26 for Thanksgiving, with some locations closed the remainder of the holiday weekend and many library locations closing early on Wednesday, November 24 at 5pm. Check the listed hours for each library location’s specific hours.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Data Day 2021 Wrap

Posted on by

Authored by Amy Latessa (OoR Advanced Research Computing team) and Mark Chalmers (UC Libraries – Science and Engineering Libraries)

On November 5th, UC Libraries with collaboration from the OoR Advanced Research Computing team, hosted the 6th annual UC Data Day. The theme of this year’s virtual event was Bias, Miscommunication, and Equity in Data and featured a Keynote by Heather Krause, two interactive panel sessions, and a weeklong virtual screening of the documentary film Coded Bias.  This year’s event had 145 attendees and 29 views of the film. 

Following the opening remarks of Xuemao Wang, Vice Provost for Digital Scholarship and Dean and University Librarian of UC Libraries, Data Day commenced with the keynote by Heather Krause, PStat, and Founder of We All Count. Heather challenged the traditional notion of data’s objectivity, reminding attendees that researchers must make choices and these choices are not objective. Heather also walked participants through several examples of research questions and demonstrated how the questions could be better designed with equity in mind and the onus of change on systems.   She emphasized to participants that there is no “silver bullet” against bias, prejudice, and injustice, and we all must remain vigilant and consider who’s lived experiences are being centered, even at the onset of a project such as when formulating a research question. Heather was engaging and took many thought-provoking questions from the audience.   Continue reading →

UC Libraries closed Thursday, Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.

Posted on by

veterans day graphicUC Libraries will be closed Thursday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day.

Regular library hours will resume Friday, Nov. 12.

To learn more about veterans at UC, check out this online exhibit from the Archives and Rare Books Library entitled “School & Country: Military Life at the University of Cincinnati.”