ERIC Updates, May 2025

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 

Join us for the Ethical AI Symposium, Thursday, May 22

UC Libraries Research & Data Services is hosting an Ethical AI Symposium, exploring the responsible use of AI, its benefits and risks, and ethical considerations for the UC community. Scheduled for Thursday, May 22, from 10:30am-1:30pm in the Medical Sciences Building (MSB) 5051, the event is open to all interested in learning more about AI’s dual role as both an innovative tool and a potential source of harm.

The symposium will feature a keynote address by Emile Loza de Siles, assistant professor of law of the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, William S. Richardson School of Law. Following is a networking lunch and a panel discussion where UC thought leaders will share their perspectives on ethical AI practices and the future of responsible innovation.

Symposium Agenda

  • Keynote                           10:30am – 11:30am
  • Lunch                               11:30am – 12:15pm
  • Panel Discussion           12:15pm – 1:30pm

Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/DmesAj0Jj0

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CECH voted!

This semester the CECH Library wanted to know your thoughts. You helped us name fidget slugs, determine the best book-to-screen adaptation, and even answered burning questions like ‘is water wet?’ Check out all the ways CECH Voted this Spring Semester:

March Madness

Popular books battled it out throughout the month of March to determine: what is the best book-to-screen adaptation? With surprising early round eliminations of fan favorites like Holes and Percy Jackson, The Hunger Games claimed the prize, narrowly beating out Harry Potter. Disagree? Check back next March for the next round of CECH Library March Madness!

Large yellow poster showing a voting bracket with books and their movie adaptation.
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Cincinnati organizations fighting for school desegregation

Last November, the University of Cincinnati Libraries announced the award of an Archives Grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission to the Libraries’ Archives and Rare Books Library (ARB). This grant supports the archival processing of records related to the lawsuit Bronson v. Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Cincinnati maintained by the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and donated to the University of Cincinnati in the 1980s.    

Before and during Bronson v. Board, there were several local organizations working towards education desegregation. These groups included committees, religious groups and nonprofits. The Cincinnati NAACP’s records related to the lawsuit include many examples of the different ways in which these organizations worked towards desegregation as seen in Community Notices, Exhibits, Research Materials and Attorney’s Work Files series housed within the Bronson v. Board records. Listed below are some of the different organizations and their impact.  

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Updates and timeline for Library Services Platform (LSP) Upgrade – OhioLINK borrowing unavailable beginning May 23

As work progresses on the Library Services Platform (LSP) Upgrade, please note important updates and timeline. Because this migration involves several library systems, including the catalog, acquisitions and circulation, a pause in certain services is necessary.

  • May 23 – OhioLINK and SearchOhio borrowing and renewals unavailable. Physical books from other Ohio universities, as well as materials from public libraries, cannot be requested nor can previously borrowed materials be renewed. While OhioLINK and SearchOhio services are unavailable, work with UC librarians to find alternatives that fulfill teaching and research needs. OhioLINK requesting will return with the LSP go live this summer. The supplemental SearchOhio lending will return in the fall. Interlibrary Loan (ILL) remains available.
  • Early June – look for a preview of the draft LSP discovery interface.
  • June 25 – the new LSP is scheduled to go live.

The Library LSP upgrade website includes more information on the project, including a FAQ. Contact your subject librarian with any questions.

Check out “Poetry in the Library”

Interested in poetry in UC Libraries? Check out the new exhibit on display in the Walter C. Langsam Library’s 6th floor east installed in celebration of National Poetry Month.

The display features the poets and events hosted by the Elliston Poetry Room. Located in 646 Langsam Library, the Elliston Poetry room houses the University of Cincinnati’s vast repository of twentieth-century and contemporary poetry. Among the tens of thousands of volumes are rare and signed first editions, historic broadsides, printed ephemera and archival recordings of visiting writers dating back to Robert Frost’s first visit in 1951. The Elliston Poetry Room hosts poetry events throughout the year. Highlighted in the display are event planning documents and promotional materials, as well as images and information about visiting poets.

In 2022, the Elliston Poetry Room partnered with UC Libraries to create Poetry Stacked, a semi-regular poetry reading series held in the 6th floor east stacks. The display includes information and images from previous readings along with the Poetry Anthology.

poetry stacked logo

Poetry in the Library was curated by Michael Peterson, assistant research professor and curator of the George Elliston Poetry Collection, and Melissa Cox Norris, director of library communications. It was designed and produced by Lexi Davis, UC Libraries communication design co-op student.

UC Libraries sponsors Undergraduate Research Summer Learning Community

Are you or do you know an undergraduate who is interested in doing research in the future or is currently active in research? 

summer cohort

The Undergraduate Research Summer Learning Community is sponsored by UC Libraries in collaboration with McNair Scholars, University Honors Discover program, and CCPS Undergraduate Research Program and will run from June 4 to July 23, Wednesday mornings 9:30-11 am via zoom and in-person. 

The sessions will focus on professional skills such as data management, research ethics, ownership of work, and research presentations that help students thrive in a research environment.  It is free and open to all undergraduates regardless of university affiliation.

 You can find information about the weekly sessions and the registration link on the UC Libraries website.  Email aksdata@uc.edu with questions.

summer cohort flyer

The Preservation Lab presents “More than Conservation” Thursday, May 1

Join us for the Annual Preservation Lab Open House, Thursday, May 1, 2-4pm, 3rd floor Langsam Library. “More than Conservation” will include tours of the lab, demonstrations of projects and treatments, cookies, bookmarks, and stickers!

preservation open house

Want a sneak peek of the work of the Preservation Lab? Stop by Langsam Library’s 4th floor to learn about artist’s books and book arts, Tuesday, April 15, 2-3:30pm; and Thursday, April 17, 10:30am-noon to learn about the anatomy of a book.

Formed in 2012, the Preservation Lab is a book and paper conservation lab. The Preservation Lab provides the full suite of preservation services to the University of Cincinnati Libraries and, for a fee, to other cultural heritage institutions. The Preservation Lab’s expertise is in book and paper conservation, with services available in general circulating materials repair, single-item conservation treatment, housing, exhibition prep, and preservation consulting.

Introducing Lindsay Taylor, assessment and evaluation specialist in UC Libraries

Lindsay Taylor joined the University of Cincinnati Libraries Operations and User Services Team on March 17 as the new assessment and evaluation specialist. Lindsay brings a wealth of experience in library assessment, financial administration and instructional services to the university. 

lindsay taylor

Lindsay previously served as an adjunct reference and instruction librarian at Cincinnati State and as a financial administrator at the University of Cincinnati’s Department of History. Additionally, she was a graduate assistant in library assessment while completing her MS in Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Lindsay is a proud alumna of the University of Cincinnati, with a B.A. in Classics and classical civilization. Her knowledge of UC and libraries will be invaluable as we strive to strengthen our organization by building a culture of assessment and data-informed decision making.

This is one of the new strategic staffing positions outlined in the UC Libraries Strategic Plan and we look forward to Lindsay working with the entire organization on assessment and evaluation.

Welcome, Lindsay, to UC Libraries!

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

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