New Book Spotlight: The Blackbird Girls

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

Man Qi joins RDS team as a student research consultant

Man QiMan Qi is joining UC Libraries’ Research and Data Services (RDS) team as a student research consultant where she will provide consultations in the Data & GIS Collab in the Geology-Mathematics-Physics Library.

Her expertise is GIS software, hydrological modeling, SWMM modeling, geographic data processing, spatial analysis, map design, Python and R.

Man Qi is a PhD candidate in Geography & GIS from UC’s College of Arts and Sciences. She is passionate about helping others with data visualization and spatial data analysis. Her main job is to provide support to our UC community in spatial data processing and analysis (e.g., location analysis, spatial interpolation), map design and making using GIS techniques and hydrological modeling using SWMM. In addition, she also works with UC RDS team to develop workshops according to the UC community’s needs in learning GIS techniques, such as ArcGIS StoryMaps workshop.

Welcome, Man!

UC Libraries commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a week-long online learning event

martin luther king, jr.The UC Libraries Racial Equity, Support & Programming to Educate the Community Team (RESPECT) will be hosting an online asynchronous, interactive program to commemorate and celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Visit the online presentation beginning Jan.17 to read and listen to Dr. King’s speech, “The Other America,” then engage in conversation and learning throughout the week of Jan. 17-21.

 

Lexicomp online: New access codes for 2022

The Health Sciences Library subscribes to Lexicomp Online and with each annual renewal, the previous year’s app access expires and 50 new Lexicomp app access codes become available.
50 access codes for the 2022 Lexicomp app
• Lexicomp app registration is first come, first serve
• App accounts expire annually
Lexicomp Academic Discount Program
• When the 50 app access codes are gone, another option is to purchase a Lexicomp app at a reduced cost
• A link to the academic student discounts is available on the Lexicomp Online home page (located under Help & Training Resources, just below the search box)
Lexicomp Online
Lexicomp Online is a collection of clinical databases and clinical decision support tools that provides users with an extensive medical library. It provides clear, concise, point-of-care adult and pediatric drug information as well as in-depth information on interactions, toxicology, and more. Lexicomp also includes support tools like drug ID, calculators, and patient education.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Health Sciences Library.

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

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

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

 

American Astronomical Society Journals Now Fully Open Access in 2022

Starting January 1st, 2022, the full journal portfolio of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) are now completely open access. The journals include the Astronomical Journal (AJ), the Astrophysical journal (ApJ)Astrophysical Journal Letters (ApJL), and the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series (ApJS). The Planetary Science Journal is not affected by this transition as it is already open access. These journals consistently feature some of the most read and highest impact scientific research results in the astronomical sciences.  The AAS views this transition to open access as directly impacting the quality of scientific research, as stated by Editor in Chief, Ethan Vishniac, “Science works best when it is as transparent and as accessible as possible.” They also view this move as supporting their diversity, equity, and inclusion work in the astronomical community, as referenced in the following statement from their press release.

“The transition to OA will allow everyone to access this high-quality and trusted research, and it will offer scientists low-cost fully OA options for publishing their research in astronomy and related disciplines. The new publishing policy aligns with ongoing efforts by the Society to center diversity, equity, and inclusion in its work within the astronomical community.”

Read the full press release here: https://aas.org/press/aas-journals-open-access

Spring 2022 Return to Campus Update for UC Libraries

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

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!

New Resource: MLA Handbook Plus

UC Libraries is happy to provide access to the online version of the ninth edition of the  MLA Handbook Plus (Modern Language Association of America Handbook for Writers of Research Papers).

What is in the 9th edition

As stated in the introduction, this new edition “…expands and improves the explanation of how to use MLA style, including the MLA’s system of documentation; features new guidelines to answer common questions; restores and updates key sections from previous editions that readers told us they valued; and adds chapters and plentiful visual examples to support writers.”

Notable features of this online digital resource

  • It can be accessed anytime from anywhere on any browser or device.
  • It provides simultaneous access to an unlimited number of users.
  • It meets WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards.
  • The text is easy to search and navigate.
  • Users can set up a free personal account to save searches for quick access.
  • Cross-linking provides easy access to related content.

How to access MLA Handbook Plus online

To access the resource, type “MLA Handbook Plus” in the search box on the library home box under the “Books” or “Databases” tab.

Coming soon

In addition to annual updates, additional content will be available in 2022, including MLA Guide to Undergraduate Research in Literature and MLA Guide to Digital Literacy. There will also be a video course that will teach the principles of MLA documentation style through a series of short videos and quizzes.

Olga Hart