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 Subject headings can be problematic when they center whiteness, include outdated or offensive terminology and omit concepts related to people’s experiences.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.

Continue reading

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

Visit the Digital Displays by Frederick A Marcotte Library @ UC Clermont

The Frederick A. Marcotte Library at UC Clermont curates several monthly library material displays that pertain to timely issues. The displays in the library feature new books as well as monthly rotating topics. There are also display cases within the Snyder and Edith Peters Jones buildings that feature rotating subjects each month. You’ve probably seen these throughout campus and maybe even checked out materials from them. For these physical displays we lay out books, DVDs, periodicals, and QR codes for ebooks relating to a particular topic. We feature all materials available in these physical displays in our digital display so that you can explore what is on our physical display shelves from the comfort of your home, access electronic materials, and request items from each display.

Learning Commons at the Library: Survey question 4

We may be coming out of a wintry weekend, but it’s definitely spring semester! Thank you for your thoughtful responses to our Learning Commons at the Library survey questions throughout the fall. We’re back now with a few more questions for you. Your responses will help our collaboration with our new neighbors be the best it can be!

From now until February 25th, we’re asking: Is the library a welcoming space for you? How can we better meet your needs?

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

Course Reserves at UC Clermont’s Frederick A. Marcotte Library

In support of UC Clermont’s teaching mission and affordable learning initiatives, our library holds a course reserves section for which we purchase core textbooks that cost more than $100. Some textbooks may be available as eBooks. Students can request physical textbooks at the library information desk and check them out for four hours at a time; they may be renewed if not requested by another student. A valid Bearcat Card or photo ID is required to check out. The library does not purchase lab manuals, bundled sets, custom editions, access codes, or loose-leaf format items. Users can search UC’s course reserves online by class or instructor.

Keeps Tabs on New Books at Frederick A. Marcotte Library

UC Clermont’s library shares our newest purchases each month on our New Books Blog. You can browse this month’s newest titles or take a look at previous months. By clicking on the titles, you can see them in the catalog and put a hold request on any you are interested in. There is also the option to subscribe to the new books blog so you never miss a title! If you would rather browse a physical display, we also feature a rotating new book display on the first floor of the library.