The Undergraduate Library Announces the UGL 50th Anniversary Design Competition!

Posted on February 11, 2019 by Zander Miller

The UGL@50 Design Contest!

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the Undergraduate Library at the University of Illinois! As we prepare to turn as golden as the corn in the Morrow Plots, we’re eagerly planning for an awesome celebration in Fall of 2019. No UGL celebration would be complete without incorporating student creative voices, though, so we’re launching a special competition for aspiring graphic designers. The UGL is inviting submissions for a commemorative graphic design which represents the look and theme for the UGL@50 celebration, and encapsulates the many roles the library serves in students’ lives.

Prizes will be awarded to the designers of the top three designs. The first-place design will become an enduring part of the UGL’s digital identity and it will be printed on multiple forms of commemorative items including t-shirts, mugs, and other swag! In addition, the first-place logo designer will receive $100, free UGL swag with their design printed on it, and a special invitation to the 50^th anniversary celebration taking place in Fall 2019. The second and third-place designs will receive $50 and $25 prizes.

All submissions should reflect a relevant representation of the University of Illinois undergraduate student body, and should embody what the UGL experience means to you and your classmates. The design should celebrate elements from the past, present, and/or future of the UGL, should there be a future UGL. Designers should ask themselves how the UGL has affected their student experience and provide a design representative of their personal association with the library. Most of all, we want you to celebrate the longstanding of our underground gem!

Here are the contest guidelines:

The deadline for all submissions is April 10, 2019. Winners will be notified by April 20^th.
Only current undergraduate students are eligible to compete.
Any design shape is permitted, but should scale easily for a variety of formats – including print, digital, and physical items like t-shirt and coffee cups.
Designers wishing to incorporate the official University of Illinois colors or ‘Block I’ into their design should refer to the University of Illinois brand guidelines.
Only one submission permitted per artist.
All entries must be submitted as PDF, PNG, TIFF, or JPEG images with high resolution. Designers are highly encouraged to save the original format.
Submitting your artwork will provide the UGL with the right to use your work in promotional materials. You will receive credit and ownership as the content creator. For full contest and ownership details, see the content submission form.
Read the full list of contest rules.

Need help getting started? Check out the following resources for some information and inspiration!

Please contact undergrad@library.illinois.edu with any questions.

Written by Annabel

Edited by Zander

Illinois students’ artwork brings creative flair to the UGL’s Student Art Gallery

Posted on January 29, 2019 by Zander Miller

The first display case of The Undergraduate Library Student Art Gallery with the current set of artwork.

The Student Art Gallery’s first display case

For the past couple of months, artwork created by a handful of Illinois’ creative undergraduate students have filled the UGL’s Student Art Gallery after a call for student submissions during the Fall semester. The artistic works, ranging from collages to photography and paintings, have drawn the eyes of thousands of students, faculty and staff, community members, and all who visit the UGL.

Undergraduate Library graduate assistant, Stephen, was able to ask the artists a few questions about what inspired their featured work, their creativity in general, where we can see more of their work, and more.

Stephen: What was the inspiration behind your featured art? What inspires your art in general?

Yi Zhuang: Life is hard in college and will become even harder after graduation. I want to convey a sense of hope and light to encourage myself—maybe other people as well, if that’s possible. Some inexpressible words can be blended into a painting.

Taylor Chism: My inspiration for the pieces I put in the show and for much of the work I create is thinking about how much technology, media, big data, etc. is advancing and how we all interact with it on a daily basis. Much of technology we use today was nonexistent 30, 50 years ago, and it now influences our lives in huge ways. I also think about my work as another perspective of reality—in the way that the majority of society live their lives online—and seeing that as like its own digital world hidden within reality. I find it all fascinating, so I express this through my form of art. #DigitalChaos

A painting that references images of the a ride home on the 130s Silver Bus.

Grace Han’s “MTD Ride Home”

Stephen: What was the process like creating your submission?

Sammy Al-Asmar: Both of these were made on Photoshop. For the first one, I really had to push what I knew about my own design. I nearly made the green one look just like another artwork of mine and I got really sad. But I found out a way to make it different from something I have ever made before. For the second one, that came about as I was making a different graphic. I was taking a break because I was not enjoying it, and I then started to look at this photograph I took over the summer and just pushed it until I was tired of it. That was a good experience for me as it took me a short time to work on it, but I still knew how to exhaust myself in a shorter time to make something fulfilling for me rather than working a whole week straight and doubting myself.

A green background with Mais printed three times. Over the top is a black quarter with gold outlined text and rims with the heads side showing. The eyes are X'd out and 3 red lines go down from the eyes.

Sammy Al-Asmar’s “Beggars in Buenos Aires”

Ji Hyun Han: My paintings that are displayed in the Student Art Gallery were works from my painting classes. They vary work time from 2 to 3 weeks. For my 130 Silver bus painting, I used oil paint and for my “Battlefields” painting, I used acrylic to paint and other medium to make the surface three-dimensional. My bus painting was made with a reference photograph that I took myself. I carried a DSLR camera and walked around campus trying to capture some photographs for this project. On my way back home on the 130S Silver bus, I tried taking shots at random things like the pole with the stop button or the trash can. I was doing what I had to do, but everyone on that bus probably thought of me weirdly.

Stephen: Is there anything you’d want students and all of the U of I community to know about your featured art?

Emma Sielaff: I don’t really know… My art doesn’t really have a purpose—nor do I think most art does. I make art because it’s what I want to do, and because it’s what I feel is fun. I may be selfish in that way, but all art is.

Taylor Chism: Just to view it with an open mind and almost reflect on yourself about how much you spend attached to your devices or to think about how much your life may be influenced by technology and media

–

A huge thanks to the artists for contributing to both this blog post and adding beauty and unique sparks of creativity to the UGL’s Student Art Gallery. A full list of all artists currently featured in the Student Art Gallery and where you can find more of their work is below.

The second display case of the Undergraduate Student Art Gallery.

The Student Art Gallery’s second display case

Taylor Chism (TV Head, Digital Bus). Find more of their work at their Instagram or Facebook @majestic_platypus.

Grace Han (Battlefield, MTD Ride Home). Find more of their work at www.jihyungracehan.com.

Sammy Al-Asmar (Born Slippy, Beggars in Buenos Aires). Sammy’s work will soon be featured on the cover of The Collective Magazine. Their work can also be seen on their Instagram (@ibn.said) or at www.sammyalasmar.com.

Allison Garetto (Alma).

Yi Zhuang (Untitled).

Holly Situ (Untitled).

Emma Sielaff (In Wonderland, In Wonderland Part 2, & Land, Sky and Space).

–

Interview and blog post conducted and written by Stephen-Margelony-Lajoie

Edited by Zander

DON’T DISTRESS, DE-STRESS AT THE UGL DE-STRESS FEST!

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Zander Miller

As the semester winds down, the intensity always ramps up. Don’t worry, the UGL has you covered. On Reading Day, Thursday December 13^th, we have programming to help curb your stress with our semesterly De-Stress Fest! Choose your own adventure by looking at the categories of programming we have below. For a concise hourly schedule, see the image at the bottom, but be sure you stick around for 8:00p.m.…because you never know what Uggles has up her sleeves—er, paws.

Flyer for Destress Fest. Image shows a very distressed student.

It’s time to Destress!

Tackling that Final Research Paper or Project?

Starting at 12:00p.m. you can join the Writers Workshop in their “Long Night Against Procrastination” to fight the monsters that are your final writing projects. Research consultations will also have extended hours starting at 2:00p.m. until 10:00p.m. in the consultation corner. The Writers Workshop will close at 11:00p.m..

The Writers Workshop will also host several activities throughout the day in the UGL lobby for you word-nerds and grammar geeks (don’t worry, everyone at the library is one too!)

Need to take a break?

The graduate assistants hear you and we want to get crafty! Come procraftinate with us all day long from 12:00p.m. to 4:00p.m. and 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. in the new books section of the UGL. We will have coloring pages, pet rock painting, and button making. If you don’t have time to craft, pick up a de-stress bag full of word puzzles and brain teasers that you can use to take a break between flash cards, math problems, or book chapters!

Feeling competitive?

Come to room 289 to participate in a variety of board games, party games, and an Illini trivia session. If you can pin the tail on Uggles or beat a team of friends/strangers at trivia, you can win a small piece of sugary motivation. (Candy, the motivation is candy.) You can also play one of the board games out of the UGL board game collection!

If you’re into video games, we have that too. From 8:00p.m. to 10:00p.m. in the gaming center, come test your gamer skills on vintage games with classics like Mario Kart, Dr. Mario-Tetris, Street Fighter, and more!

Need to vent or manage your stress?

The Integrative Health and Wellness Team will be in the UGL front lobby from 12:00p.m. to 2:00p.m. and the McKinley Stress Management Peers will have stress balls available for free from 2:00p.m. to 4:00p.m.

Want to escape the real world for a while?

We hear you, and we have just the people to help! Several members of the Pathfinder Society who know how to play the popular Dungeons & Dragons Pathfinder game will be around to answer your Pathfinder related questions from 4:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. in the UGL front lobby. Then you have a chance to use your new knowledge to play a beginners scenario in UGL Group Room 11 from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m.

See our full schedule below!

The Destress Fest Full Schedule. The schedule in the image is the following. From noon to ten p.m., Trivia and Board Games in Room 289. From Noon until two p.m., Integrative Health and Wellness Team will be at the Front Tables. From Noon to four p.m. and five p.m. to eight p.m., Pet Rocks, Button Making, and Crafts in the new books area. From two p.m. to ten p.m., Research and Writing Consultations outside the Writer's Workshop. From two p.m. to four p.m., McKinley Stress Management Peers at the Front Tables. From four p.m. to six p.m., Creating your own revision vision board at the front tables. From six p.m. to eight p.m., Pathfinder Beginners Scenario in Group Room eleven and Word Games and Writing Handouts at the Front tables. At eight p.m. there is a surprise, and from eight p.m. to ten p.m. there is vintage video gaming in the Gaming Center.

The Schedule of events

Written by Paige

Edited by Zander

Undergraduate Library Finals Hours

Posted on December 7, 2018 by Zander Miller

Finals are upon us but the UGL has got you covered. We are extending our hours! Starting December 9th, the Undergraduate Library will be open 24/7 until December 20^th at 7pm. Leave your snoring roommate behind and take advantage of the extra time to get ready for Finals.

Two images in one. The first image is a picture of a very angry cat with the text "When Finals Are Coming." The second is the same image as the first but deep fried with filters and laser eyes. The text reads "When the UGL Is Open 24 Hours For Finals"

Uggles is ready to nap overnight

While the library spaces and printers will be open, not all services will be offered during our extended hours. Below is a list of our service hours.

Circulation Desk – Open 24/7

Book check out
Expo Markers
Movies and Video Games
Course Reserves
Tabletop Games
Cash Printing

Loanable Tech Desk – Normal Hours

Sunday: 11:30am – 1:30a.m.
Monday-Thursday: 9:30a.m. – 1:30a.m.
Friday: 9:30a.m. – 8:30p.m.
Saturday: 11:30a.m. – 8:30p.m.

This includes but is not limited to

Charging Cables
Headphones
Laptops
HDMI cords

Espresso Royale – Various Hour Changes

Sunday, December 9th: 11:00a.m. – 12:00a.m.
Thursday, December 13th: 7:00a.m. – 12:00a.m.
Saturday, December 15th: 8:00a.m. – 12:00a.m.
Sunday December 16th: 8a.m. – 12:00a.m.
Thursday, December 20th: 8a.m. – 6:00p.m.
Friday, December 21st: 8a.m. – 1:00p.m.

Remember, after 10:00p.m., you will need your i-card to access the building. If you would like more information on our available services during these hours, please see our Service Hours.

Written by Zander

Study Spaces On Campus

Posted on December 4, 2018 by Lauren Camarillo

Pick one of these movies, and we’ll tell you where to study!

Zombieland

Zombieland Movie Cover

UGL

What can we say? This time of year, we’re dead inside, but we’re still fun. You can come to the UGL on Reading Day for fun crafts and games, but also see the zombie-like shells of your fellow students studying for finals. We are here to help you feel as alive as possible when finals have you feeling less than human.

Character from Zombieland shrugging in agreement

Apollo 13

Apollo 13 Movie Cover

Grainger

If you like this movie, you’ll love the Grainger aesthetic. As the Engineering library on campus, it has plenty of computers and study spaces for you to do some serious studying. There is also a virtual reality lounge and a 3D printer if you stop by the IDEA lab! Lovers of Apollo 13 will feel inspired to overcome their study woes. If Tom Hanks can get back to earth, you can conquer this final.

A gif of an Apollo 13 character giving thumbs up and saying good job

Man giving thumbs up and saying good job

Pride & Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice Movie Cover

Literature and Languages Library

You are obviously a sophisticated studier. The tall ceilings and beautiful bookshelves at the Literature and Languages Library will compliment your classy style. Work on your finals while surrounded by beautiful books. If you finish, you can check one out! As Mr. Bingley says, “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!”

A gif of a Pride and Prejudice character happily reading a book

Pride and Prejudice character reading a book

A Quiet Place

A Quiet Place movie cover

At Home

If you like this movie, you like the comfort of your own home—away from any intense noises that could get you eaten by an alien. Want to know how to guarantee a quite study space? Stay within the comfort of your own room. Sometimes finals are meant to be defeated in silence.

Character from A Quiet Place putting finger to lips to shush other characters

BEFORE YOU GO:

Did you know you can get all of these movies at the UGL? Stop by and grab them, or another one from our collection, to get a break from the study marathon.

~authored by Andrea

~Edited by Lauren

The UGL’s Guide to Fall Break

Posted on November 15, 2018 by Amy Spitz

Who’s ready for fall break?

Image of Uggles laying on top of a fruit and vegetable basket

Uggles is allowed on the dining table

Whether you’re staying in the Champaign-Urbana area or traveling away, here are some UGL-approved ideas of how to spend your week of freedom before the final exam crunch begins!

Reading for FUN

Plenty to read is available for you and your cat

Missing the good old days of summer when you could read what you wanted, not what your professor assigned? Before you head out of town, stop by the UGL to check out popular novels, graphic novels, and more.

Find out more about our Fiction collection, or browse our genre binders on the lower level.
If you have a specific book in mind, try searching the Library Catalog to see where to find it.
If you’re more of an e-book kind of person, check out our Finding Ebooks guide and find the book for you.

eAudio Books

Screenshot of the rb Digital library for Ebooks

The rb Digital ebook library

The library has an eAudio collection with thousands of audiobooks you can access to make tedious chores or long car rides less boring. Head to the link above for a guide to using this collection, or go straight to the library catalog listing. Once you click “Online Access,” you’ll be brought to a site called rb digital where you can browse or search for books.

Explore C-U

Whether you’re stuck on campus over break or just happen to have family in the area, check out Explore C-U, a University Library developed project that has stories and self-guided tour routes to learn more about the arts, culture, and history of Champaign-Urbana. Examples of tour include:

School Stuff

Maybe you’ve been putting off that research paper, or maybe you just really love your classes. Whatever the reason, know that you still have access to the library’s databases and resources when you’re out of town and off-campus!

Digital access to all of the library’s resources

Start from the library’s home page and find whatever database or journal you need. You’ll be prompted to log in with your NetID and password, then you are good to go. If this doesn’t work, pop in the Ask A Librarian chat on the library’s website for help or check out our guide on accessing databases off campus for other ways you can connect.

Take a little cat nap!

Gif of two very cuddly and very sleep cats yawning

A few extra cat naps over break will be welcome

Whatever you choose, we hope you enjoy the time off and come back refreshed and ready to tackle all of your end-of-semester projects and final exams.

~authored by Amy

~Edited by Zander

University of Illinois Urban Legends

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Lauren Camarillo

Hello Illini! In the spooky spirit of Halloween, we have adapted a (small) list of urban legends unique to the University of Illinois campus! Since the University of Illinois was founded in 1867, many urban legends have developed. In this post, we wanted to highlight the long, rich history of the University. A huge thanks to Center for Children’s Books and Annette Lesak for providing us with great information!

Hope you enjoy!

English Building in winter.

The Ghost in the English Building:

A popular legend on campus, it is said that when the English Building was a women’s dormitory, a young woman drowned in the indoor swimming pool. It is still unknown as to how or why this happened, but legend has it that she haunts the building to this day. It is unknown whether or not she has malicious intent in her haunting.

Main Library at the University of Illinois in early fall.

The University Library Main Stacks:

It is not a surprise that there is an urban legend about the Main Stacks! Legend says that several students have gotten lost and perished while hopelessly wandering around and looking for books. As a result, there are supposed to be ghosts appearing to visitors, especially around Halloween! (Don’t worry, all recent visitors have made it out alive!!)

University of Illinois Quad with Foellinger Auditorium.

Quad Underground Tunnels:

The Undergraduate Library and Main Library have a very convenient underground tunnel connecting them, but it is said that there is a network of underground tunnels underneath the Quad (we’ll be on the lookout for secret tunnel doors come winter time)! Supposedly, they were previously used during winter time, but have been closed off.

Enjoy your spooky season! Also, if you would like to read about more University of Illinois urban legends, check out this Illinois Alumni blog post!

Authored and edited by Lauren.

Sleep and Relaxation help coming to the UGL: Mindful Mondays!

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Zander Miller

In light of recent research into the need for good sleep hygiene, the Undergraduate Library is partnering with the McKinley Health Center to provide relaxation workshops and sleep packs for students.

Mindful Mondays

Dates: Monday, October 29th; Monday, November 26th; and Monday, December 10th

Time: 15 minute sessions between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Location: Outside of the Writers Workshop on the south side of the first floor at the Undergraduate Library

McKinley staff will be available from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and hold 15-minute sessions which will include guided meditation and muscle relaxation exercises. The McKinley staff are also available to speak with students about techniques for dealing with stress. When the UGL closes at 2:30 a.m. on the Sunday nights before these days, we will be handing out sleep packs filled with an eye mask, earplugs, chamomile tea, and other useful tools for a restful night.

Sleep for your health

A recent article from the New York Times ties together a variety of studies involving college students, sleep, stress, and campus response to these issues. A 2010 study of 1,125 college students found that “feeling stressed was the main reason for poor student sleep, while consumption of alcohol and caffeine were not significant predictors of sleep quality.” Another study published in Nature notes that brain function begins to decline after 16 hours awake. After 20 hours, “you perform as if legally drunk.”

The McKinley Wellness app available for you

Although lack of sleep is a strong concern among students–as well as one with serious consequences–few campus health centers have structured programs around tackling this issue. In addition to Mindful Mondays, the McKinley Health Center works to connect with students through the McKinley Wellness App. The app includes a calming memory game, a mood meter, as well as helpful tips for general wellness. To address concerns about good sleep hygiene, the Get Sleep page provides definitions and guidance regarding the issue, as well as a quick link to schedule an appointment with an expert from McKinley.

Stop by one of the Mindful Monday events throughout the rest of the semester to learn more!

Written by Jacqueline

Edited by Zander

Fall Festivities in Champaign-Urbana

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Lauren Camarillo

After a long, hot summer in Champaign-Urbana, we are very excited to get in the spirit of the Fall season with these local events. With a range of spooky to sweet activities, you’ll see that there’s something for everyone!! Learn more below!

Champaign Urbana Folk and Roots Festival logo banner

C-U Folk & Roots Festival

Downtown Urbana, IL

October 18-20

Don’t miss the tenth year anniversary of the Champaign-Urbana Folk and Roots Festival! This event is completely volunteer-run and brings together national, regional, and local artists and folk organizations to perform throughout downtown Urbana. The festival includes performances, dances, instructional sessions, jams, song-circles, family activities, storytelling, instrument-making, and more. For more information, visit the Folk and Roots Festival website!

Live Music at Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch

3902 S Duncan Rd, Champaign, IL

Ending October 28

Join in some toe-tapping live music most Saturdays and Sundays in October at the Oz Pavilion, located in the Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch. While you’re there, enjoy a homegrown array of pure-Fall-fun activities, including pumpkin and apple picking, or exploring the corn mazes. Don’t forget to pick up some of their famous, fresh apple cider donuts! Take a look at the band list, and find out more about events at the orchard. If you’d like more information, please visit the Curtis Orchard website!

Pumpkins with a Purpose!

701 E Florida Ave, Urbana IL

October 14-31

The Pumpkin Patch at Trinity Lutheran Church, Urbana, IL will be open October 14th-October 31st from noon until 6:00 p.m. daily, with a variety of pumpkins and decorative gourds available. Family Fun Day will be Saturday, October 20 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Come choose a pumpkin and have fun with face painting, inflatables, and pumpkin decorating! Each purchase supports the following charitable causes: Haiti Feeding Program, the Orphan Grain Train, Eastern Illinois Food Bank, and Operation Christmas Child. For more information, refer to the Pumpkins with a Purpose calendar event!

Dallas and Co Haunted Room Advertisement

Dallas & Co Haunted Room

Dallas & Company’s Haunted Room

101 E University Ave, Champaign, IL

Every weekend in October

Strange things happen in the Dallas and Company Haunted Room. Those who dare to enter are greeted with a talking ghost, witches, zombies, skeletons and what APPEARS to be lifeless bodies. The Haunted Room is only open for a few weekends in October, and participants can only go through once because we believe it’s all your heart can stand. Follow them on social media for exact opening times. If you’d like more information, visit the Dallas & Co. website!

Happy October!

Written by Morgan

Edited by Lauren, Zander and Kirsten

Call for Submissions for the UGL Student Art Gallery

Posted on September 28, 2018 by Zander Miller

Attention Undergraduate Students!

Do you doodle in the margins of your notes? Seeking a creative outlet? Do you make art in your free time? Have you been looking for the ideal spot to showcase your work? If you answered yes to any of these questions, read on!

The Undergraduate Library is inviting artists of all skill levels and majors to apply for the chance to exhibit your art in our art gallery. We are seeking works in either of two categories: those that match our 2018-2019 theme of “Imaginary Worlds,” or an open call for any work that addresses issues of concern to undergraduate students.

To apply:

You must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student
Create an awesome piece of art (or pick something you already have!)
Fill out an application form by October 29^th
Wait for email confirmation from the UGL with details
Selected artists will meet with the UGL gallery curator for installation guidelines, and must complete a permission form to display their artwork
Celebrate with friends – you’re a featured artist

Any major can apply. Each Student Art Gallery space is 176” wide, 85” tall, and 6.5” deep. Most 2D art forms will fit, as well as smaller objects such as jewelry, metalwork, and some sculpture and industrial design works. We also have a small standing display case for larger 3D works.

Questions? Email undergrad@library.illinois.edu

2018-2019 Theme

Our challenge to you this fall is to create a piece of any medium that is fitting with the theme ‘Imaginary Worlds.’ Take this as literally or as figuratively as you want. Some other concepts we want you to think about as you create your piece are: virtual and augmented reality, avatars, and artificial intelligence.

Be sure to be on the lookout for our bi-semester prompts! These will be advertised around campus and on our webpage. Please note, you do not have to submit artwork within our themes or following our prompts! These are meant to get you thinking if you are stumped.

Written by Annabel

Edited by Zander