DaVInCi@Langsam Open House April 2

Posted on March 19, 2026 by Melissa Cox Norris

Designed to support collaboration in research and teaching, the Data Visualization and Interaction (DaVInCi@Langsam) space, offers a large display screen and specialized software to allow everyone in the room to share content and interact. It is a collaborative environment that brings data into focus to generate insights, communicate findings and make better decisions.

The space creates an atmosphere where students and faculty build a community of visual thinkers at the University of Cincinnati to solve today’s biggest challenges.

DaVInCi@Langsam is a collaboration between the College of Engineering and Applied Science and the University of Cincinnati Libraries and is located in room 418 of the Walter C. Langsam Library. Join us Thursday, April 2, 2026, 9:30-11:30am at an open house to learn more about the space. Enjoy refreshments, see tech demos and learn how to reserve the space.

Panel to discuss “This is Not a Slush Pile: Surfacing the Submissions Queue”

Posted on March 16, 2026 by Melissa Cox Norris

On Thursday March 26^th, in the Elliston Poetry Room, 646 Walter C. Langsam Library, the team behind UC’s Poetry Stacked reading series welcomes three writer/editors in various spaces of the literary publishing business to discuss the state of submissions and journals/presses in 2026.

The panelists include: 

Lisa Ampleman of Cincinnati Review
Matt Hart of Solid State
Sara Moore Wagner of Driftwood Press and Anthology

The panel will be moderated by Ben Kline of UC Libraries, with students, faculty and staff granted time to ask questions after the panel discussion.

The panelists will address such questions as:

What are you seeing in your submissions and what would you like to see more or less of?
How much research is necessary when choosing where to submit?
How does the volume of submission queues drive response and publishing schedules?
And other related topics.

The workshop is free and open to all. Refreshments will be served.

UC Libraries celebrates Open Education Week March 2-6 with launch of the Zero Textbook Cost Grant Program

Posted on March 2, 2026 by Melissa Cox Norris

In response to the growing cost of course materials, the University of Cincinnati Libraries is launching the Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Grant Program. Available to UC faculty to apply, the aim of the program is to incentivize and support the adoption of either open educational resources (OERs) or library resources into general education and high-enrollment courses at UC. The program will provide material support in the form of grants for adopting, adapting, creating or maintaining zero-cost course materials and will build resources and infrastructure for success within UC Libraries and the UC community at large.

The ZTC Grant Program supports the integration of OERs and existing library resources into course curricula with the goal of replacing paid textbooks and course materials with the zero-cost model and maximizing student savings. To ensure this, the program is committed to providing financial, structural and instructional support to address common barriers to engagement.

Grants will be awarded in four categories: Adoption, Adaptation, Creation and Maintenance. They will have a staggered launch with Adoption, Adaptation and Maintenance grants launching in March 2026 (with awards administered in FY 2026–2027) and Creation grants tentatively scheduled for launch in October 2026.

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Welcome to the library: Celebrate recently updated spaces that elevate access, collaboration and services

Posted on February 9, 2026 by Melissa Cox Norris

Join UC Libraries this spring at events to celebrate newly updated spaces that foster an adaptive, accessible and productive user experience.

Science Library – February 16

The fall semester saw the opening of a combined Science Library in Braunstein Hall. This thoughtfully transformed space creates a united hub of services, spaces, technology and specialized collections dedicated to supporting the teaching and research needs of the Natural Sciences departments within the College of Arts & Sciences. Although its collections focus on the sciences, the Science Library invites ALL to come and enjoy and make use of the revitalized space in the heart of UC’s campus.

Celebrate Our Grand Opening!
We invite you to join us on Monday, February 16 from 2:00-4:00pm for the Science Library’s Grand Opening Reception! Enjoy refreshments, learn about our new spaces and services, be inspired by our special collections displays, explore science through demonstrations and more!

DaVInci @ Langsam – April 2

Welcome to the library: Celebrate recently updated spaces that elevate access, collaboration and services

The Data Visualization and Interaction at Cincinnati (DaVInCi) team led by Jillian Aurisano, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, has created a collaborative space in the library. DaVInCi@Langsam is designed to support collaboration in research and teaching at UC. It offers a large display screen and specialized software that allow everyone in the room to share content and interact. Ongoing research is exploring new ways to heighten interaction with displayed content on the expansive display.

Drop into the DaVInCi@Langsam Open House
Check out the possibilities of the collaborative space at an open house on Thursday, April 2 from 9:30-11:30am, Langsam Library’s 4th floor. Enjoy refreshments while viewing demos of the technology and learn how to reserve and use the space.

CECH Library Reading Room – April 21

The beginning of spring semester brought with it the opening of the renovated College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services (CECH) Library Reading Room. Located on the 4th floor of the Teachers-Dyer Complex, and totaling more than 3,000 square feet, the reading room is accessible via the staircase in the CECH Library or directly for those with a Bearcat ID.

Bathed in natural light, the renovated reading room features flexible, soft seating arrangements in the room’s south and north ends and four large study tables with integrated lighting (coming soon) and power access. An inclusive, reservable study room (400B) features adaptive lighting and study and focus tools.

Celebrate the CECH Library Reading Room Opening
Tuesday, April 21, 2:30-4:30pm, CECH Library Reading Room, 400 Teachers-Dyer Complex. Tour the space, hear remarks from UC Libraries and CECH and enjoy the refreshed space.

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

Posted on February 3, 2026 by Melissa Cox Norris

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 a new global library collaboration with the library at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. We announce the opening of two renovated library spaces: the Science Library and the CECH Library Reading Room as we bid a fond farewell to Crosley Tower. We highlight library services in the CECH Library to improve accessibility and our expanding Evidence Synthesis group. Library collections are on display in the Chem Bio building renovation featuring the Oesper Collection and online in a new exhibit by the Archives and Rare Books Library about the Bronson v. the Cincinnati Board of Education. Spring is events season in UC Libraries, and we feature those currently on the calendar.

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.

Introducing the renovated CECH Library Reading Room

Posted on January 20, 2026 by Melissa Cox Norris

Tuesday, January 20, the renovated College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services (CECH) Library Reading Room reopened. Located on the 4^th floor of the Teachers-Dyer Complex, and totaling more than 3,000 square feet, the reading room is accessible via the staircase in the CECH Library or directly with a Bearcat ID.

Bathed in natural light, the renovated reading room features flexible, soft seating arrangements in the room’s south and north ends, and in the center of the room four large study tables with integrated lighting (coming soon) and power access. An inclusive, reservable study room (400B) features adaptive lighting and study and focus tools.

Artwork and print collections line the perimeter of the room and include materials that support the entirety of CECH, including the School of Education, School of Criminal Justice, School of Human Services and School of Information Technology. Quick access to additional print collections is available across UC Libraries and the high-density storage facility at Fishwick.

The renovation of the CECH Library 4^th floor Reading Room was a joint effort between UC Libraries and CECH. Prior to his retirement in 2023, CECH dean and professor emeritus Larry Johnson teamed up with dean and university librarian Liz Kiscaden to plan for the revitalization of the space. The college expanded its support of the revitalization when CECH dean Lisa Huffman came aboard. The re-imagined reading room prioritizes student access and space, while preserving the room’s historical architecture. The redesigned space also offers improved access, re-opening direct entry from level 4 and adding an additional “front door” to the CECH Library.

Visit the CECH Library and check it out.

Langsam Library offers extended hours during exams

Posted on December 4, 2025 by Melissa Cox Norris

Need a place to study for exams? Working late on a class project? The Walter C. Langsam Library has extended building hours now through exams. Sunday – Thursday, the building is open until 3am. The Desk@Langsam will maintain regular hours. The Exam hours are listed on the Libraries website.

Announcing the Esports Zone @ Langsam

Posted on October 15, 2025 by Melissa Cox Norris

Available now on the 4th floor of the Walter C. Langsam Library, the Esports Zone @ Langsam includes five computer stations with pre-installed, free-to-play video games. Stations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Log in with UC credentials to access the full game collection.

Join us for the Indie VR Games Showcase

Monday, October 27, 2025 ~ 12:30-4pm ~ Esports Zone @ Langsam and Langsam 410

Presented by the UC Game Lab, in collaboration with UC Libraries, and in honor of the new Esports Zone @ Langsam and activities of the Immersive Learning and Emerging Technologies group, the UC Game Lab will showcase some recent and classic indie VR games, with an eye for innovative titles that spark the imagination. Come play or watch others play, and learn more about these new technologies.

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

Posted on September 9, 2025 by Melissa Cox Norris

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, welcomes Bearcats to campus and we highlight what we did over the summer. We announce a new digital collection, The Daniel S. Young Archives of Medical Illustrations, as well as a collaboration to digitize rare manuscripts. We invite readers to the upcoming Cecil Striker Annual Lecture, “Pharmacy Education in the Queen City,” and to learn more about other Library Events. Chris Platts, assistant professor of art history and frequent collaborator with the Libraries, talks about some of his projects and research interests. And Katie Foran-Mulcahy writes about efforts to re-make the MakerLab in the CECH 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.

UC Libraries sponsors Undergraduate Research Summer Learning Community

Posted on April 17, 2025 by Melissa Cox Norris

Are you or do you know an undergraduate who is interested in doing research in the future or is currently active in research?

The Undergraduate Research Summer Learning Community is sponsored by UC Libraries in collaboration with McNair Scholars, University Honors Discover program, and CCPS Undergraduate Research Program and will run from June 4 to July 23, Wednesday mornings 9:30-11 am via zoom and in-person.

The sessions will focus on professional skills such as data management, research ethics, ownership of work, and research presentations that help students thrive in a research environment. It is free and open to all undergraduates regardless of university affiliation.

You can find information about the weekly sessions and the registration link on the UC Libraries website. Email aksdata@uc.edu with questions.