Monthly Archives: September 2015

October Events

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October is the spookiest month, to misquote a famous author, and there’s a huge variety of seasonal events going on around Champaign-Urbana. Though we typically aim to provide you all with something to do each week, this month we’re going to share events that are date specific, as well as some that are happening throughout the month. If you like to be scared, we’ve got some haunted houses. If you like to have things a bit less blood-curdling, we’ve got corn mazes and other fall themed events. There’s a little something for everyone!

Photo taken from Curtis Orchard

Photo taken from Curtis Orchard

Curtis Orchards – All Month
Curtis Orchards is the perfect place to really get in the fall mood. Whether you have a hankering for some apples or pumpkins, want to play some mini-golf, or listen to some great roots music, Curtis Orchards is a local favorite for autumnal fun. There’s also the Country Store to satisfy your need for fudge, along with some award-winning apple cider. Our mouths are watering just thinking about it.
http://curtisorchard.com/

Photo taken from the Art Theater Co-op

Photo taken from the Art Theater Co-op

Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Art Theater Co-op- October 16-17
It’s astounding! If you’ve never seen the Rocky Horror Picture, it’s an absolute must for the month of October and for the rest of the year. If you’ve never been to a live-cast performance, then you are doubly responsible for going to see what all the fun is about. The stars and highlights of this film are too innumerable to list here, so make your way over to the Art for an experience you won’t soon forget.
http://www.arttheater.coop/rocky-horror-picture-show/

Photo taken from Hardy's Reindeer Ranch

Photo taken from the Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch

Corn Maze at Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch in Rantoul- All Month
Corn mazes are an essential autumn experience and a great way to spend a Saturday. This particular maze at Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch in nearby Rantoul is shaped like a giant eagle carrying an American flag. If that isn’t a recipe for an amazing day, we don’t know what is. For those of you with a taste for horror, there is also the option to do the maze at night with a flashlight. If those aren’t reason enough to go and do this, there’s a giant pumpkin cannon. Sold.
http://www.reindeerranch.com/maze.html

The National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China at Krannert – October 21 at 7pm
Though it may not fall in with the whole theme of spookiness and fall fun we have going so far, this event is too awesome to pass up. As the event description says, these acrobats are “among the world’s most acclaimed athletes.” We don’t have much else to say because this seems so cool in and of itself, but if you need more convincing, just look them up on YouTube. It’s amazing.
http://krannertcenter.com/performance.aspx?id=20157211038494912817410782

Photo taken from Bone Saw Mill

Photo taken from the Bone Saw Mill

Haunted Houses at Bone Saw Mill- All Month
And you were here thinking we’d end this blog without mentioning a haunted house in the month of October. This one actually features two different haunts this year including “The Freak Show: Field of Fears” and “The Haunt at Bonesaw Mill”, so those of you seeking a scare are in for quite the treat.
http://freakshowillinois.com/

Did we miss anything? Let us know on Facebook (Undergraduate Library @ UIUC) or Twitter (askundergrad)!

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UGL 101: The Unexpected Joys of the Undergraduate Library

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Photo courtesy of UGL Media Commons

Photo courtesy of UGL Media Commons

Have you ever wanted to learn about all of the unique services the UGL has to offer in one video? Lucky for you, the UGL has created a new tour video! Group rooms, video production studio, loanable technology – we’ve got it all. Check it out below to learn more!


For more information on UGL services, check out some of the following links:

Reserve a Group Study Room

Office Hours

Video Studio Reservation

Audio Studio Reservation

Loanable Technology

Like the video? Let us know by tweeting at us (@askundergrad) or writing on our Facebook wall (Undergraduate Library @ UIUC).

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Reader’s Advisory: Book to Film

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Well it appears that the summer is over and school is back to dominate your life. With school comes endless amounts of homework and social events that could really slow down your progress on that constantly growing “to-read” list. Unfortunately for you, your time to read these books before they are inevitably adapted into movies could be coming to an end. From Sci-Fi to young adult dystopians, no genre is safe from the entertainment machine that is the movie industry! You better put your reading hat on, you do not want the movie to ruin the book!

Here at the UGL, we understand your plight, so this week’s reader’s advisory is focusing on books that will be adapted into movies during the Fall semester.

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

First on the list is James Dashner’s The Scorch Trials. If you were a fan of the first book in the series, then you will be quite pleased to read The Scorch Trials. Centered on the Gladers after their adventures and hardships in the maze, the story sees the group from the first story face even more tragic situations and encounter new friends. From start to finish, this book is full of excitement and with the adaptation, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, coming out September 18th, you better get off your butt and do some reading.

The Martian by Andy Weir

Have you ever wondered if you would be able to survive in the wilderness with just your wit and your smarts? Well stop wondering, you would definitely not make it. But Andy Weir’s debut novel, The Martian, depicts someone who is attempting to survive on Mars with just those tools (and a couple degrees in botany and engineering). In Weir’s groundbreaking novel, astronaut Mark Watney is stranded on Mars after a freak accident. Now, against all odds Mark must survive long enough for NASA to save him. Humorous, dark, and amazingly hopeful, Weir’s novel is the go-to read of the fall. With the adaptation coming out October 2nd, you have a couple weeks to read this page turner.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Next on your young adult list is the final chapter of the popular Hunger Games trilogy: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. After the last hunger games, which saw the launch of a revolution, Mockingjay sees Katniss’ story end with a violent revolution, secrets, and love. With the success of the previous films and pending release of Mockingjay Pt. 2 in theaters on November 20, you have some time to read this one, but why wait?

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Let’s be completely honest, you probably skipped Frankenstein in your high school class. So what better time to read Mary Shelley’s magnum opus than now? Frankenstein tells the classic story of a doctor attempting to create life. Frankenstein has been spoofed and adapted into a number of different movies, novels, and plays, but that hasn’t stopped Hollywood from trying again. Harry Potter himself (Daniel Radcliffe) is starring in an adaptation that tells the story from Igor’s perspective titled Victor Frankenstein. With this coming out November 25th, you better start scheduling some “me time” with Mary Shelley.

In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick

Guys and gals, Moby Dick was real! In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex tells the real life story of man’s encounter with nature and giant whales. The novel, by Nathaniel Philbrick, tells the story of the survivors of the Essex, a whaleship that was attacked by a sperm whale in November 1820. Tragedy after tragedy befalls the survivors of the attack who were eventually saved in February of 1821. This is a must read for non-fiction aficionados and it is also a great way to mentally prepare to see Chris Hemsworth (yes, that is indeed Thor) on the big screen once again. In the Heart of Sea comes out December 11th which sounds like a thrilling way to kick start your Christmas vacation.

Which of these fine books are you most looking forward to read? Let us know by tweeting @AskUndergrad. All of these and more can be found at the Undergraduate Library or online using the library catalog.

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About That New Tree in the Courtyard…

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Welcome back Club UGLers! As the semester wears on you may find yourself in the Undergraduate Library a little more than you expected. That could be a product of many of our fine services such as Loanable Technology, Course Reserves, or the fast and efficient printing. It could also be that you find our late night hours are convenient for that last minute paper or project. Nevertheless, you may come accustomed to your underground surroundings. For those of you veteran UGL goers, you may notice that sudden and drastic change in Courtyard foliage.

Photo courtesy of UGL Media Commons

Photo courtesy of UGL Media Commons

Unfortunately, the Undergraduate Library had to say goodbye to an old and trusted friend this summer. Treebeard, the mighty leader of the Ents, passed away in early June from a sudden and unforeseen tree disease. As many of you know, Treebeard was a naturally grown leader. From acorn to full grown tree, Treebeard lived a life that many have admired. From his shepherding of the forests of Middle Earth to his successful charge against Saruman’s fortress during the War for the Ring, Treebeard was a wise and powerful Ent.

We at the UGL did not want to upset you this early on into the semester. We know how attached you were to our own personal tree herder. But alas, we did not want to go the way of parents buying a new goldfish to replace their child’s old, dead one. While that may have worked for a fish when you were 7, it probably would not have worked with a tree – mostly due to the size, but also because of its place in your hearts.

Photo courtesy of Stanley Zimny via Flickr

Photo courtesy of Stanley Zimny via Flickr

Fortunately, Treebeard was a more resilient tree than most. As you may have already noticed, there is a new and admittedly smaller tree located in the courtyard. Like a proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes, Treebeard returned as a beautiful, new type of tree. While Treebeard’s last form was that of a maple tree, Treebeard has been resurrected (with knowledge and wisdom intact) as an Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry. Like the seasons, Treebeard II will undergo changes throughout the year. In the spring Treebeard II will be congratulating the graduates with white flowers. During the summer months Treebeard II will be enjoying the break like the rest of us with purple, edible berries. Lastly, during the fall, Treebeard II will be saying goodbye to the summer and welcome a new school year with the beautiful red foliage that gives the type of tree its name.

Now some of you may be upset with the loss of shade that the original Treebeard gave to the courtyard, but rest assured that Treebeard II carries all the knowledge, comfort and potential for shade that the original Treebeard had. So as we welcome a new semester, and the sizable workload that comes with it, we also welcome Treebeard II: The Tree of Trees long may he reign!

Photo courtesy of Andrey Zharkikh via Flickr

Photo courtesy of Andrey Zharkikh via Flickr

If you have any further questions about Treebeard’s new form or anything else dealing with the Undergraduate Library please like us on Facebook (Undergraduate Library @ UIUC) or follow us on Twitter or Instagram (askundergrad).

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