Celebrate National Library Week with UCBA Library

Posted on April 20, 2026 by Michelle Leonard

Happy National Library Week, UCBA! The theme for this year’s celebration of libraries is “Find Your Joy!”.

This week, we invite our campus community to take a moment to think about where they find library joy, whether that comes through discovery, learning, creativity, or connection. National Library Week is a time to recognize the important role academic libraries play in teaching, research, and lifelong learning. From scholarly collections and digital resources to technology and expert support, the library remains at the heart of our campus.

To celebrate, we are hosting a variety of fun events and activities throughout the week. Be sure to check out the message monitors inside and outside the library, where we have curated some of our most joyful library moments from over the years.

Monday – Thursday Events

Find Joy in Unexpected Places: Students are invited to explore the library and keep an eye out for a hidden gifts of joy. Each day, one small squishable surprise with a National Library Week message of encouragement will be tucked away somewhere in the library. Finders keepers!
Guess the Bookworms: How many gummy bookworms are cozied up in the jar? Students can stop by the library and submit their best guess through Thursday this week. We’ll review guesses on Friday and the student with the closest guess wins the entire jar of bookworms!
Book Blooms Display: Fresh reads for a new season! Browse our spring book display, check out a book, and grab a treat to enjoy along the way.

Wednesday | 12 pm – 2 pm

Spring Fling: Visit our table at the Student Life and Success Spring Fling for freebies, treats, and a chance to say hello.

Thursday | 2 pm – 3 pm

Coffee, Cookies & Community: Books in the Nook Finale: Faculty, staff, and students are invited to stop by to enjoy coffee and cookies, and take a moment to recharge in the library’s wellness space or anywhere in the library. This gathering also marks the final Books in The Nook event of the semester and is a perfect opportunity to reflect and connect as the semester wraps up.
Thursday is also Take Action for Libraries Day, a time to rally support and show appreciation for libraries and the work they do.

Students and staffed reading and relaxing in the Nook — Faculty, staff and students enjoying the Books in the Nook silent reading party.

We hope to see you around the library this week. We also encourage you to show some love to your local public libraries. We are truly fortunate to have such an outstanding library system in the greater Cincinnati area.

Thanks, and see you in the library!

UCBA Library Joy Abounds

Photo collage of UCBA Library faculty, staff, students and visitors expressing joy in the UCBA Library.

Three library staff members holding their spin art.

UCBA Library’s Research Lightning Talks

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Michelle Leonard

This year’s Research Lightning Talks will take place in Walters Hall, Room 100 on:

Tuesday March 3, 2026
2:30-3:30 pm

These 7-minute presentations showcase current research of UC Blue Ash faculty, spark conversation, encourage collaboration, and inspire action within the UC Blue Ash community.

Presentations:

Incorporation of Alternative Milks in Biochemistry Lab Experiment – Daniel Landfried, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
AI Art: Is it Art? – Adity Mutsuddi, Associate Professor of Computer Science
Making Physics Labs More Accessible – Dean Stocker, Associate Professor of Physics
Girl in Disorder: Painting, Memory, and Visual Identity – Nicole Trimble, Associate Professor of Media Communication & Techology

To register, visit: Faculty & Staff and Students

Research Lightning Talks flyer — Event information

Books In The Nook Kickoff Event

Posted on February 6, 2026 by Michelle Leonard

Whether you’re trying to carve out a little reading time in a busy schedule, hoping to start reading more, or looking for a quiet spot where your students can catch up on assigned reading, we’ve got you covered! Join us for Books in the Nook, the UCBA Library’s silent reading parties for all faculty, staff, and students, where we offer a peaceful, focused environment to cozy up with a good read. Don’t have a book on hand? No worries, we’ve curated a suggested reading list for you.

Be sure not to miss our kickoff event on Wednesday, February 11, with light snacks and giveaways while they last!

Events will be held 2-3pm on these dates:

Wednesday, February 11
Thursday, February 26
Wednesday, March 11
Thursday, March 26
Wednesday, April 8
Thursday, April 23

New to The Nook? It’s located in the UCBA Library and was created in partnership with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and the UC Student Wellness Center.

The Nook area of the UCBA Library includes whiteboards, comfy seating and wellnees tools like puzzles and fidget gadgets. — The Nook, located in the UCBA Library, offers a cozy and relaxing space for visitors.

Bookish Bits

As part of the Books In The Nook event, we’re starting a Bookish Bits series where faculty, staff and students share their thoughts about their reading habits. This week’s question:

What’s the last book you read?
Submit your answer.

Michelle Leonard, UCBA Librarian: Divergent by Veronica Roth. My youngest son started reading the print version and our family starting listening to the audiobook version together.
Christian Boyles, UCBA Collections Services Manager: Waiting by Ha Jin. Takes place in post-Great Leap Forward China and follows a military doctor, his wife, and the woman he actually loves. Social and legal hurdles conspire to make a simple divorce and a chance to move on nearly impossible.
Pam Adler, UCBA Library Operations Manager: The Stalker by Sarah Alderson. A psychological thriller about a person being stalked, feeling watched and followed.

The Nook Open House – Oct 22

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Michelle Leonard

Join us on October 22, 2025 from 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm to celebrate the opening of The Nook located in the UCBA Library. Enjoy snacks and refreshments while exploring the new wellness space designed to help you take a break, reflect, and recharge. All attendees will receive a gift bag with wellness tips.

New Nook area filled with comfy seating and quiet activities like fidget spinners on tables. A handwritten sign saying Welcome to the Nook is shown on the whiteboard behind the furniture.

The Nook is free and open to all UC Blue Ash students, faculty, and staff. We look forward to welcoming you to this calming space in our library! Learn more about The Nook by visiting: libraries.uc.edu/libraries/ucba/reservations-spaces/nook.html

A long white table is topped with puzzles in progress and a sign in a signholder listing information about the new Nook area.

UCBA Library Space Closed for Minor Renovations October 9 & 10 – UC Reading Days

Posted on September 30, 2025 by Michelle Leonard

The UCBA Library Space Closed for Minor Renovations during UC Reading Days on October 9 & 10, 2025.

Staff will be available for support:
Oct 9: 9am – 4pm | Oct 10: 9am – 3pm
(Ring the doorbell for assistance)

You can also reach us via chat, email, or phone.
Visit our Contact Us FAQ for details.

Stay tuned for updates on the new space!

Spring Book Blooms Display at the UCBA Library

Posted on April 1, 2025 by Michelle Leonard

by Lauren Wahman

a field of blooming yellow and purple flowers

Looking for some good reads for the upcoming summer break? Find novels, short stories, and more at the UCBA Library’s Spring Book Blooms Display. Visit the Spring Book Blooms virtual featured books or stop by the UCBA Library during open hours to browse these featured books and check out an item with your UC ID. The display will be available until Thursday April 30.  

Women’s History Month at the UCBA Library

Posted on March 10, 2025 by Michelle Leonard

by Lauren Wahman

The UCBA Library is featuring a selection of books highlighting the 2025 theme for Women’s History Month – Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations. Visit the Women’s History Month virtual featured books or stop by the UCBA Library during open hours to browse the full selection and check out an item with your UC ID.

Women’s History Month at the UCBA Library — Women’s History Month Books

UCBA Library’s Research Lightning Talks

Posted on February 17, 2025 by Michelle Leonard

by Lauren Wahman

Tuesday March 4, 2025
2:30-3:30 pm

These 5-minute presentations showcase current research of UC Blue Ash faculty, spark conversation, encourage collaboration, and inspire action within the UC Blue Ash community.

UCBA Library’s Winter Book Crush

Posted on December 3, 2024 by Michelle Leonard

by Lauren Wahman

Looking for some good reads for winter break? Visit the UCBA Library during open hours to browse a selection of recently published novels, short stories, biographies, and more and get a winter treat (while supplies last) or explore the virtual display.

Books can be checked out with your UC ID. The display will be available until Friday December 13.

Read Around The World Display at the UCBA Library

Posted on October 29, 2024 by Michelle Leonard

by Lauren Wahman

compass atop a world map with placement pins

Explore the world at the UCBA Library’s Read Around The World Display. Visit the UCBA Library during open hours to browse a selection of novels and short stories that span the globe or explore the virtual display. Books can be checked out with your UC ID. The displays will be available until Friday November 15.  