UC Graduate a notable leader in the United States anti-smoking movement

Ahron Leichtman (February 21, 1943 – October 12, 2018) was a national and regional leader in the quest to ban public smoking in the United States. He graduated in 1964 from the University of Cincinnati, with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, and earned a creative writing certificate from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1971.

During the 1980s and 1990s he founded multiple organizations to carry out anti-smoking initiatives. He established and led Citizens Against Tobacco Smoke (CATS), which was later renamed Citizens for a Tobacco-Free Society (CATS). Leichtman organized a coalition of over 90 nonsmoker’s rights, anti-smoking and environmental health groups to provide tireless grassroots support for the national campaign to ban airline smoking.

He created the Smoke-free Skies Campaign that led to the ban of smoking on all U.S. airline flights. Leichtman developed promotional materials to encourage the news media to cover the health, safety, legal and economic issues involved with airline smoking. He participated in numerous television network, nationally syndicated and radio interview programs about airline smoking, serving as the primary advocate for a total smoking ban on commercial airline flights.

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

source

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 how UC Libraries is taking advantage of funding opportunities to Invest in Strategic Priorities. The Archives and Rare Books Library announces receipt of a national grant to process historic Cincinnati schools desegregation case records.The Carl Solway Gallery Archive in the Robert A. Deshon and Karl J. Schlachter Library for Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) Library is featured. Ted Baldwin, head of the Sciences Libraries, writes about how the razing of the iconic Crosley Tower will necessitate the move of the current Chemistry-Biology Library space to Braunstein Hall where it will merge with the Geology-Mathematics-Physics Library to become the Science Library opening fall semester.

Beginning in 2025, the Preservation Lab expanded its mission to provide expertise and services to the larger cultural heritage community, moving to a regional lab model. Under this new model, the Preservation Lab is now entirely managed, staffed and equipped by the University of Cincinnati. Two articles: Re-introducing the Preservation Lab and Exploring Historical Bindings: A Hands-On Workshop at UC’s Archives and Rare Books Library celebrate the Preservation Lab. Open Access publishing opportunities are discussed in this issue and upcoming Library Events are listed.

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.

Black History Month spotlight: Lucy Oxley 

Our second Black History Month spotlight goes to a pioneer of medicine in the Cincinnati area, Lucy Oxley – the first African American to graduate from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.  

Lucy Oxley was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1912. During her childhood, her family moved to Cincinnati, as her father was named rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. As a young girl, Oxley looked up to three of her uncles who became doctors and knew early on that she wanted to be one too. She graduated early from Woodward High School and joined the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine’s six-year undergraduate and medical program.  

Lucy Oxley, MD / Credit: Winkler Center for the History of Health Professions

During her time at UC, Oxley excelled, working hard to earn her spot in the group of top fifteen students who would have the chance to intern at General Hospital (UC Medical Center). However, she was refused an internship spot. When she questioned Dr. Alfred Friedlander about why she wasn’t given an internship, he said to her, “Lucy, you are a negro, and we don’t want you.” Oxley replied, “Well Dr. Friedlander, I wouldn’t change that for anything.” Rising above the prejudice, she went on to complete her internship at Freedmen’s Hospital in Washington, DC, and returned to Cincinnati to join her classmates for graduation on June 5, 1936.  

After graduation, Oxley became a medical director for student wellness at Bennett College in North Carolina, and then Wilberforce College here in Ohio. Following that, she had a daughter, Francine, and returned to Cincinnati where she started her general practice. In 1945 she began working in cancer research alongside fellow UC grad, George Sperti. A few years later she returned to full-time practice in family medicine where she cared for thousands of patients and families.  

Later in life, Oxley was diagnosed with lung cancer but continued to treat patients up until her passing in 1991. She is remembered today for her dedication to those she cared for and for paving the way for young African Americans who aim to make a difference in the medical field just as she did.  

To learn more about Lucy Oxley’s life and contributions to the world of medicine, visit the Source newsletter link:  https://libapps.libraries.uc.edu/source/lucy-oxley-md-a-pioneer-and-servant-leader/

Or watch Drs. Felson and Goodman interview Dr. Oxley as part of the Henry R. Winkler Center for the History of the Health Professions Oral History Series.  https://uclid-uc-edu.uc.idm.oclc.org/record=b1410475  

Frederick A. Marcotte Library’s New Items and Timely Titles

UC Clermont Library maintains several book displays across the UC Clermont campus: one that features new materials in the library and three other throughout campus that pertain to timely issues. We feature all of the materials available in these physical displays on our digital display website and on our New Books Blog 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. Our display topics for the month of February 2025 are Black History Month, the Great Backyard Bird Count, and World Day of Social Justice.

UC Libraries names Brian Gray Associate Dean of Collections

brian gray

Brian Gray will join the University of Cincinnati Libraries on October 21, 2024 as associate dean of collections. In this role, he will join the Libraries’ senior leadership team to be a part of a continuing transformation, working to realize our mission and strategic directions. Gray will be responsible for managing general collections, preservation, special collections and archives within UC Libraries. In addition, he’ll serve as the senior administrator for the Archives & Rare Books Library, John Miller Burnam Classics Library and the Albino Gorno Memorial (CCM) Library.

Gray has an M.B.A in organizational development & leadership from Case Western Reserve University, a masters of library and information science from Kent State University with a focus on management, and a B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Akron. He comes to UC from Case Western Reserve University where he served as the collection strategies librarian. Previous roles include the team leader of research services, research services librarian of chemical and bio-molecular engineering and macro-molecular science, as well as head of reference.

“I look forward to working with Brian and welcome him to the UC community,” said Liz Kiscaden, dean and university librarian. “His experience and knowledge of OhioLINK, collection development, reference and research will make him a wonderful associate dean for collections especially as we embark on implementing our new strategic plan.”

Staff Picks: Recommendations from the collections of UC Libraries

Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, a graphic novel, documentary and historical fiction can all be found in the Staff Picks exhibit on display on the 4th floor lobby of the Walter C. Langsam Library. Highlighting the collections of UC Libraries, the exhibit gives recommendations and blurbs from library staff and includes such titles as: “The Feather Thief,” “Being Human,” “Lincoln in the Bardo,” “Monarch,” “The Glass Hotel” and so much more.

staff picks book covers

A bibliography is available for pickup at the exhibit and displayed below.

Staff Picks was curated by Melissa Cox Norris, director of library communication, and designed by communications design co-op student Lexi Davis.

Happy Reading.

bibliography

Frederick A. Marcotte Library Digital Displays

UC Clermont Library maintains three monthly displays that pertain to timely issues; one is inside the library and two are in display cases in the Snyder and Edith Peters Jones buildings. You’ve probably seen these throughout campus and maybe even checked out materials from one. For these physical displays we lay out books, DVDs, periodicals, and QR codes relating to a particular topic. We feature all the materials available in these physical displays on our digital display website 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. Our display topics for the month of September 2024 are Appalachian and Rural Studies, US Elections, and AI.

Fall 2024 Course Reserves at Clermont College’s Frederick A. Marcotte Library

Did you know that students at UC Clermont can check out some course textbooks from the library?

Every semester the library receives a textbook list from the bookstore and we work to put items on course reserve here. We identify course textbooks that are over $100 and try to buy those from the bookstore, our vendors, or by other means if we can. If we happen to have a course book that is under $100 that is already in our existing collection, we will also put those items on course reserve when we find them. Unfortunately we aren’t able to buy some textbooks even if they’re over $100 because they are custom, loose leaf, subscription, or rental only, but we do our best! As of last year, we default to ordering an eBook copy if it is available. If no eBook copy is available for library purchase and circulation, then we will buy a physical copy.

The reserves we have can be seen organized by instructor name at this link. They can be seen organized by class name/number at this link 

Physical reserves check out for four hours and can be used in the library, some are available as ebooks and can be accessed online any time. Visit UC Clermont Library’s front desk to check out physical reserves.

If you have any questions about course reserves or are an instructor that would like for us to add an item to reserves for any of your courses, please contact the library at clermontlibrary@uc.edu

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

source

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 Building our Foundation. A photo montage of highlights from 2023/2024 celebrates the past academic year. A booklet housed in the Archives and Rare Books Library recounts “details of scandalous Hix-Snook Murder Trial.” The intricate dynamics of data in today’s digital age, with a special focus on research data produced in the academy, were explored in a spring semester course taught by librarians Amy Koshoffer and Mark Chalmers. A collection from the Winkler Center about the 25th General Hospital is featured, along with a shout out to Health Sciences Library namesake, Donald C. Harrison, who made a recent visit to the library. A library spotlight informs readers on the Geology-Mathematics-Physics 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

Check out library Spring Break reduced hours, March 11-19

spring break vine with lemons

Most University of Cincinnati Libraries locations have reduced hours for Spring Break, March 11-19. Check the library website for a list of hours by location.

Have a safe and relaxing Spring Break, Bearcats!