Banned Books Week 2020

This week, Brookens Library is celebrating Banned Books Week. During the last week of September, libraries across the world celebrate the freedom to read. It brings attention to the censorship of books in libraries and schools in the past and present.

There are many reasons why books can be either challenged or banned. Here are a few examples of books that were banned or challenged and the reasons behind them.

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Scary Stories by Alvin Schwartz is a classic spooky book series that many have read around camp fires. However, it was banned for being too scary and its illustrations too gruesome for readers. Elementary school teachers were concerned when children were scared by the book, and it has been challenged by many other schools since for similar reasons. Want to read it? Request the book via I-Share.

An American classic, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain depicts life during the late 1800s and the adventure that Huckleberry Finn goes on. It was banned and challenged by many schools because of the use of racial slurs. Available at Brookens Library.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is yet another classic that has been banned and challenged by many schools. Many parents have requested to have it banned because of its use of profanity, and it contains topics about sex, abortion, and suicide. Audiobook available at Brookens Library.

These are only a few reasons why books are banned and challenged around the world. Brookens Library holds many banned and/or challenged books to promote the freedom to read; find a commonly banned eBook to read this week on cloudLibrary.

If you want to learn more about other banned books, check out the links below.

Top 10 Most Challenge Books

Frequently Challenged Books

Banned and Challenged Classics

Cookbooks & Kitchen Items Are Here!!!!

It’s Thanksgiving time, and that means lots and lots of cooking.  Whether you’re traveling home or staying on campus, this is a great time to check out our new cookbook collection and try one of our kitchen items from the Library of Things.  The cookbooks are a part of our new Popular Books collection on the main level of the library.  To provide extra inspiration, we’ve created a special cookbook display at our display shelves near the main desk, be sure to check it out. 

Our Library of Things items are great for both traditional and non-traditional Thanksgiving feast items.  Our waffle maker is perfect for making mashed potato cakes, make some whipped cream for pie with one of our hand mixers,  and the immersion blender is all you need for silky smooth butternut squash soup. Check out the whole kitchen collection of the Library of Things here. 

Don’t know how to cook?  That’s OK, our cookbook collection is designed for beginner cooks and contains title such as:

Martha Stewart’s Cooking School: Lessons and Recipes for the Home Cook

How to Cook Everything: 2,000 Simple Recipes for Great Food

The America’s Test Kitchen Cooking School Cookbook: Everything you Need to Know to Become a Great Cook

And many more!

We’re wishing you a relaxing and tasty Thanksgiving break!

Introducing the Library of Things!

We are incredibly excited to announce our newest collection, The Library of Things.  This non-traditional collection is all about enhancing campus life through our library resources.  Currently, the collection has 3 major groupings – Home and Kitchen, Technology, and Games.  Here is a list of some of the individual items you can find in each area:

• Home and Kitchen: cake pans, a blender, hand mixers, pasta maker, sewing machine, umbrellas, and more.
• Technology: Raspberry Pi, Shero Ollie, device charging cords, portable chargers, and more.
• Games: Chess, Dominion, Ticket to Ride, Dixit, Sushi Go Party!, Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle, and more.

Check out our Library of Things page for all of our offerings in each area.  

Items are available for check-out at the main desk of the library.  You may borrow up to 3 items at one time with borrowing periods ranging from 6 hours to 7 days.

 

Binge Kits: Curated DVD Kits!

Not sure what to watch next?  Our new Binge Kits are a great solution to that problem!  Each binge kit is a curated trio of movies centered around a theme.  And bonus – every time you check out a binge kit, you get a free bag of microwavable popcorn and candy to munch on while enjoying your movie-fest.  Some of this month’s binge kits include:

SPAAAAACE!!!!!

All about Austen

Underdog Sports Stories

Dance Dance Dance

 

And more…

New binge kits will come out each month. Happy bingeing!!

Labor Day Weekend Movie Special!!!

 After the excitement of the first week of classes, the long Labor Day weekend is a great time to rest and enjoy some downtime.  There’s no better way to do that then with some friends, some movies, and some snacks and we’re here to help you host that much needed movie night.  During the Labor Day weekend (Friday Sept. 1 – Sunday Sept. 3), if you come to the library and check out 3 DVDs from our Feature Film Collection, we’ll give you a bag of microwavable popcorn and candy.  With the variety of our film collection, there’s something for every body from new releases to old favorites.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!  

Giving Tuesday

Today is Giving Tuesday! I know that there are so many worthy causes to which you could donate today, but I hope that you will consider making Friends of Brookens Library one of them. The Friends make possible the wonderful events offered by the library, including One Book, One UIS. The organization also supports the purchase of materials for the collection (essential for us right now) and enhancements of the learning spaces in Brookens. The faculty and staff of Brookens Library are grateful for your support—thank you! – Jane Treadwell, University Librarian and Dean, Library Instructional Services

Make a gift

Join A MARCH Book Club & Receive a FREE Book!

One Book, One UIS:  We are eagerly looking forward to the One Book, One UIS events this year. MARCH, a graphic memoir about the life of civil rights icon John Lewis, has been chosen as the campus community read for the 2015/2016 academic year.  Congressman Lewis, co-author Andrew Aydin and Illustrator Nate Powell have agreed to speak at the University of Illinois Springfield in conjunction with the program.

Their presentation will be on Monday, October 19 at 7:00 in Sangamon Auditorium. Tickets (FREE) are required for the event and can be acquired through the Sangamon Auditorium in person or by calling the Sangamon Auditorium Ticket Office at 217-206-6160.

As part of the overall One Book, One UIS Program we have created Book Discussion Groups or Book Clubs. We have 4 different dates and times available for you to choose from. Slots are limited to 12 per section to be sure to sign up early. Participants will receive a free copy of MARCH Book One.  Sign up today!

Brookens Library Undergraduate Student Research Award: Apply Today!

Brookens Library Student Research Award Now Accepting Applications

 Undergraduate research, scholarly and creative activities are foundational components of a complete liberal arts education. The Brookens Library Student Research Award was created to recognize and reward UIS undergraduate students whose academic work incorporates the use of Brookens Library’s collections and services and demonstrates exceptional information literacy skills. In addition to recognition at UIS, the award includes a monetary prize of $250.

Eligibility:

• Open to undergraduate students enrolled at University of Illinois Springfield in any academic level for the current academic year. All disciplines are eligible.
• The paper, project or poster must be tied to a specific UIS course or other appropriate undergraduate research projects (i.e.: StARS Symposium).
• Submissions must be from the current or previous academic year.
• Individual or team submissions are allowed (in the event a team submission wins the award, the prize will be split among the team members).
• The paper, project or poster must be completed at the time of submission.
• All submissions must contain an element of library research that demonstrates the use of primary and/or secondary sources. This could be a literature review, an annotated bibliography or other means of documentation appropriate to the project submitted.
• The submitted paper or project must have a reference list (works cited).
• All applicants must agree to give the library permission to upload winning papers/projects to the campus institutional repository (IDEALS).

Your complete application must include:

• A completed application form.
• A 700-1000 word abstract introducing the research question being answered by the submission. Include a discussion of hypotheses, methodology and/or results when appropriate.
• A final version of the research paper, project or poster presentation.
• A bibliography or other appropriate list of sources consulted/works cited.
• A statement of support from the UIS faculty member who taught the course or administered the research project for which the paper/project/poster was originally submitted.

 

Evaluation Committee

A committee comprised of librarians and faculty members from different disciplines will judge all submissions.

Evaluation criteria:

Submissions will be judged on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated ability to select, evaluate, and synthesize appropriate library resources and successfully use them in the creation of a research project or paper.
• Evidence of significant scholastic and/or personal learning and the development of a steady research pattern or habits that can be utilized in future academic endeavors.
• Ability to describe and analyze the applicant’s research strategies, techniques, and learning process.
• Originality/uniqueness of the project/topic, mastery of content (appropriate to class level), clear writing, and overall quality of the project.

Deadlines and important dates:

• Application forms are due by March 23, 2015. The online application form is available here: https://uofi.uis.edu/fb/sec/1048711
• All remaining application materials are due by 5pm on March 23, 2015.
• The winner will be announced at the StARS conference on April 3, 2015.

 Expectations for achievement will be commensurate with the applicant’s academic level and the requirements of the discipline.

Writing Help at Brookens

Looking for writing help from an experienced writing tutor but don’t want to schedule an appointment? We’ve got you covered! Every Thursday from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm a writing tutor from The Learning Hub will be in Brookens Library providing assistance. No appointment is ever needed, just stop by.

No Appointment Needed!

Kindle Fires Now Available

Brookens Library now has 12 Kindle Fires available for check out.  Kindles are available to current students, staff, faculty and members of Friends of Brookens Library.  These eBook readers are perfect for exploring our new 3m Cloud Library if you do not currently have a compatible device of your own the Kindle Fires can be checked out for 14 days with no renewals and come with all of the necessary accessories.  Stop in to the library and give one a whirl today!