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

source graphic

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 moving forging a path as we create our strategic plan. Readers can access the Strategic Plan to give a sense of what we accomplished in 2022/2023. Collections play a prominent theme in this issue, including in a new DAAP Library exhibit, Rediscovering Catherina van Hemmessen’s Flagellation of Christ: Women as Artists, Patrons and Rulers in Renaissance Europe, that features prints, books and manuscripts from the collections of UC Libraries and in the acquisitions of Blue Books in the Archives and Rare Books Library. Collaboration is another theme of this issue when we write about Poetry Stacked Beyond the Bookshelves and the efforts of several librarians and staff to present for school children participating in the College Mentors for Kids program. And don’t miss the article about the lost mural in the CEAS Library.

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

Learning Commons at the Library: Survey question 5

Thank you for your valuable input in our most recent survey question regarding the shared space between the Frederick A. Marcotte Library and the Clermont College Learning Commons! Your answers and opinions are helping us turn the library’s second floor into a remarkable place for studying and learning.

Our newest survey question regarding our spatial collaboration is now live. Until March 25th, we’re asking: What would make you more inclined to use library and/or Learning Commons services?

Please respond to this question anonymously through this online form or one of the two response collection boxes located outside of the Library’s main entrance and in the McDonough lobby.

Celebrate Pi Day early with a Pre-Pi Day Potluck at the Marcotte Library

Pi Day is happening over spring break, but that won’t keep the Frederick A. Marcotte Library from celebrating early!

RSVP for our Pre-Pi Day Potluck on the event’s GetInvolvedUC event page today and join us in the library at noon on Thursday, March 7th for the festivities. You bring a pie to share and we’ll supply the plates and cutlery. We’ll see you there!

Join us Wednesday, March 6 for an afternoon of poetry…and dance!

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

poet images
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Board Game Night at the Library

What: Board Game Night

When: Friday, February 23rd, 5-8 PM.

Where: 462 Langsam Library (by the Triceracopter)

This event, co-hosted by the UC Board Game Club and UC Libraries, is featuring the CEAS Library Board Game Collection.

What to expect: fun and free snacks.
Come on your own or bring friends.
Play your favorite games or learn new ones.
Learn about the Board Game Club and discover our collection.

Questions? Please contact Olga Hart of Ben Edwards.

New Library Exhibit Explores Decolonizing the Library Catalog

decolonizing the library catalog

A new exhibit on display on the fourth floor lobby of the Walter C. Langsam Library explores “Decolonizing the Library Catalog.” An important purpose of a library catalog is to ensure discoverability of materials. In addition to keywords that may or not be present in the book title or other parts of the record, subject headings are assigned to indicate the topics of library resources. Subject headings are created and maintained by a group of authorities, such as the Library of Congress, to help users find materials on a given topic. Headings are generally based on standard, contemporary American English-language usage and are intended to reflect current literature. (Adler). Subject headings can be problematic when they center whiteness, include outdated or offensive terminology and omit concepts related to people’s experiences. The display explores these issues, includes examples of problematic subject headings and lists ways in which people are working to update and improve the Library Catalog.

“Decolonizing the Library Catalog” was curated by Susan Banoun, team leader in eResources & Access, Mikaila Corday, eResources Department, and Olga Hart, coordinator of library instruction. It was designed by Francesca Voyten, communications design co-op student. The exhibit is sponsored by the Libraries RESPECT (Racial Equity Support Programming to Educate the Community Team) in honor of Black History Month.

To learn more, a print bibliography is available at the exhibit and posted below as an image.

We Love d/Deaf Children’s Books: Special event with the ASL Club

You’re invited… To recommend new children’s books for the CECH Library collection with d/Deaf representation, d/Deaf characters, and d/Deaf stories.

Using a framework created by ASL 2003 Psychosocial Aspects of Deafness, participants in this event will use their knowledge of d/Deaf culture and American Sign Language to recommend new books for the CECH Library children’s collections, including books for young children through young adults (YA).

WHEN: Wednesday, February 14th at 4:30pm
WHERE: CECH Library’s classroom, room 320
REQUIRED: An interest in d/Deaf culture, inclusion, and representation in books/media

All are welcome, RSVP to participate in this fun event on Valentine’s Day afternoon.

This event is co-sponsored by the ASL Club and the CECH Library and is funded by a CECH Diversity Grant. For further questions, contact Katie Foran-Mulcahy, CECH Library Head.

Posted in UC

Spotlight on Library Databases

library databases

UC Libraries provides access to hundreds of research databases available online for searching and downloading of information. Last year, there were 4,627,063 database searches and 2,191,398 full-text article downloads. Below is a list of new databases for 2023/2024.

For more databases, browse the list of A-Z databases online.

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Announcing the 2022-2023 UC Libraries Annual Report

annual report graphic

Beginning Anew

Announcing the 2022-2023 University of Cincinnati Libraries Annual Report. My tenure as dean and university librarian began in mid-August 2023, a time of great growth at the University of Cincinnati. I’ve spent these past six months learning as much as I can about the Libraries – how 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” supports the university’s NEXT Lives Here Strategic Directions. Documents such as the Annual Report have been key to my education.

In this Annual Report, we look back at the top News & Events, applaud Staff Accomplishments & Milestones and look at the Libraries By the Numbers and Financially. Under the leadership of interim dean and university librarian Lori Harris, we welcomed a significant number of new librarians and staff members who will provide essential library services and research support and help move the Libraries forward. We acquired, processed, preserved and made available collections used for research. We held events to bring people into the Libraries to interact with our facilities and collections. We created welcoming places – both virtual and in-person – for people to study, research and collaborate. And, we provided our expertise to the students, faculty and researchers who rely on UC Libraries for their academic pursuits.

Looking Forward

While we celebrate the accomplishments of the past academic year, we also continue to move forward and plan for the future. This past fall we began the process of developing an updated strategic plan with goals and initiatives that will continue to advance the mission of the University of Cincinnati. This plan will build upon the successes of UC Libraries and respond to the rapidly changing landscape of higher education, as well as the increasingly diverse needs of our students, faculty and researchers. The strategic plan will be completed this summer and will guide our work for the next three years. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, enjoy reading the 2022-2023 University of Cincinnati Libraries Annual Progress Report.

Liz Kiscaden,
Dean and University Librarian