Banned Book Week 2018!

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    Banned Book Week

It’s Banned Book Week! This week, we celebrate our freedom to read and our freedom of speech.The University of Illinois is a champion of free speech on all issues no matter how controversial. Want to join along? The libraries will be celebrating all week with various displays, events and pictures.

Why Free Speech Matters

Where: Undergraduate Library

When: September 27th

The Undergraduate Library is celebrating Banned Books by hosting a table where you can show off why free speech matters to you. Join us on the upper level of the UGL to make a quick sign saying how free speech matters to you!

Literature and Languages Library Display

Cover to Toni Morrison's book, Beloved

    Beloved, a commonly challenged or banned book

Where: The Reading Room in the Main Library building

When: September 24th and throughout the week

The Literature and Languages Library is setting up a display! Matthew Roberts, the Literature and Languages Librarian has this to say about Banned Books Week:

Championed by the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community to support the freedom to seek and to express ideas. Consequently, members of the the University of Illinois’ Literatures and Languages Library created a book display, which highlights important moments in America’s history of book banning and censorship, and underscores a variety of international authors who, in more recent history, have either been imprisoned or exiled due to their literary work. While the display is in no way representative of the entire history of book banning, we hope that it represents the University of Illinois’ commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and to its mission to pioneer innovative research that addresses global problems and expands the human experience.

Some of the authors featured in the display include: Harriet Beecher Stowe, Toni Morrison, Lui Xiabo, Shahrnush Parsipur, Aslı Erdoğan, and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. The display also contains an excerpt from the The United States v. One Book Called Ulysses decision, an original copy of which belongs to the Rare Books and Manuscripts Library.

Want to join the library in our battle against censorship? Grab your favorite banned book and use the hashtag #IlliniSpeakOut on social media!

Written and edited by Zander

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Welcome (Back) to the UGL!

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The start of the Fall 2018 semester is almost here, and the UGL is excited to welcome new and returning students to campus! We’ve been busy this summer planning events and improving our services for the fall semester. Read on for details, and be sure to follow us on Twitter (@askundergrad), Instagram (askundergrad), and Facebook (@UndergradLibrary) to stay updated on all things UGL throughout the year!

UGL Tabletop Gaming  and Pathfinder Event

Did you know that the UGL has a large collection of tabletop games? Did you know that we host regular Pathfinder Roleplaying Game events during the academic year? Play some old favorites, or learn a new game, at our event this upcoming Saturday.

Date: Saturday, August 25

Time: 1-4 p.m.

Location: Upper Level of the UGL

Details

  • Tabletop Games: Bring your i-card to play games from the UGL’s tabletop collection. Featured games include Chess, Monopoly, Ticket to Ride, Go, Checkers, Dominoes, and much more!
  • Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: New and old players are welcome to play Pathfinder Beginner Box quests (1-4 p.m.), or you can join the Pathfinder Society for the Heroes for Highdelve module (1:30 p.m.).

Book It

You can reserve all of the UGL’s unique services in advance, and this summer we made the task even easier by bringing together all of our bookable services in one place. Introducing, Book It.

Free use of loanable technology, audio and video production studios, group study rooms, and research and writing consultations are just a click away!

Service Desk Updates

Image of the new Loanable Tech Desk location

The view from the new Loanable Tech Desk

To better serve you and expedite the checkout process, the UGL has new homes for our two service desks. The Circulation desk remains adjacent to the Upper Level entrance of the UGL, and the Loanable Technology desk has moved to the Media Commons space on the North side of the Upper Level.

New Hours

Starting Tuesday, September 4, the UGL’s new hours are:

  • Monday-Thursday 7:30 am-2:30 am
  • Friday 7:30 am- 9 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-9 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-2:30 am

We will remain open 24 hours the week of final exams each semester, and beginning September 10th, Grainger will once again operate 24/5 if you need a 24 hour study space.

Written by Kirsten

Edited by Zander

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Summer Reads & Films

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We’re just about two months into our summer break and less than a month into the official summer season. It’s hard to admit, but sometimes we need something to break up the countless hours at the beach, playing video games, and all the other stuff that fewer classes and warmer weather allow us to do. Why not pick up or watch one of these newly released or upcoming books and films to pass the time until you’re ready to hit the waves or pick up a controller again?

Summer Reads

Cover art for the book, Calypso

Calypso

Calypso by David Sedaris

Although this was released at the end of May, it’s still worth checking out as a summer read. From the author of Me talk pretty one day and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, Calypso brings back Sedaris’ cunning wit and relatability in yet another must-read collection of essays.

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Griffin

Fans of romantic comedies will instantly recognize Griffin from her hit Something Borrowed, which was adapted into a film starring Ginnifer Goodwin, Kade Hudson, John Krasinski, and Colin Egglesfield. Nina Browning’s life is going well. She’s successful financially and family-wise, her husband recently sold his business for a not-so-small fortune, and her son has been accepted into an Ivy League university. But single father Tom and a single photograph make her question everything in this drama-filled novel. Fans of romance do not want to miss out on this one!

Cover art for the book, Believe It

Believe It

Believe It by Nick Foles 

This humble memoir details how Foles overcame a torn ACL and other obstacles that led him to the Eagles’ first Super Bowl victory in 2017. Foles uses his storytelling to not just recount his own success but to also inspire his readers to be the best they can be. This is a must-read for sports lovers or anyone who needs some inspiration to overcome this upcoming academic year.

Summer Films

Art for the movie, Ant Man and the Wasp

Ant Man and the Wasp

Ant-Man and the Wasp 

Paul Rudd is back as Ant-Man in the sequel to the 2015 superhero blockbuster directed by Peyton Reed, this time joined by the Wasp, played by the returning Evangeline Lilly. Those starving for Marvel-related media after the insane ride that was Avengers: Infinity War will have a great time exploring the quantum realm with Rudd and Lilly.

BlacKkKlansman (Release Date: August 10, 2018)

This Spike Lee-directed comedy is about a black detective from Colorado who goes undercover to infiltrate and eventually lead a chapter of the KKK. Starring John David Washington, son of actor Denzel Washington, and Star Wars-famous Adam Driver, this comedy is set to release in major theaters on the one-year anniversary of the Charlottesville rally with Lee using his and his cast’s comedic talent to tackle very serious social issues.

Art for the movie, Slenderman

Slenderman

Slender Man (Release Date: August 24, 2018)

There’s about a month until this horror film comes out, so you have time to gather up some courage before watching this controversial but highly anticipated film. For those unfamiliar with the story of Slender Man, he’s an impossibly tall, dark, and murderous figure that was created on the online forum Something Awful. It inspired countless stories and memes as well as a real-life murder, sparking the controversy regarding this film’s release. We won’t blame you if you skip out on this one out of fear, but horror film buffs should be in for a treat.

If you’ve already read or seen these books and films, don’t forget to check out the UGL’s New Books section on the upper level and the Media Collection on the lower level. You can browse or use our online catalog. Feel free to ask a student assistant or staff member at the front desk if you need any assistance or recommendations!

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Pride Month: The Chicago Pride Parade

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It’s Pride Month Illini! The month of June is host to events celebrating LGBTQ people and the Stonewall Riots that occurred in 1969 and served as the tipping point for LGBTQ civil rights. While you can look forward to the Champaign-Urbana area celebrating Pride in September, the festivities are turning up this weekend in Chicago. Below, you’ll find brief facts about the Chicago Pride Parade and learn more about what’s coming this weekend!

  • This year marks the 49th year of the annual Chicago Pride Parade.
  • The first Chicago Pride Parade took place in 1970, commemorating the 1969 Stonewall Riots.
  • In Chicago, there used to be only a Pride Week. It was later expanded from Pride Week to Pride Month.
  • The Chicago Pride Parade historically occurs on the last Sunday of June.
  • Last year, around one million people attended the Chicago Pride Parade.
  • The first Chicago Pride Parades had less than three hundred people in attendance.
Image of Pride marchers holding ballons spelling PRIDE

Chicago Pride

The Chicago Pride Parade takes place on June 24th starting at 12 p.m. at the corner of Broadway and Montrose in Chicago. If you are able to go, remember to stay hydrated and use sunscreen! To learn more about the Chicago Pride Parade and Pride Month visit the Chicago Pride webpage.

If you’re in the Champaign area and still want to know how libraries were involved in the Gay liberation movement, visit the Marshall Gallery in the Main Library building to see the exhibit, Out of the Closet & Onto the Shelves: Librarians and the Oldest Gay Professional Organization in the U.S. This display will be up until June 30th!

One Display of the library exhibit, Out of the Closet and Onto the Shelves

Out of the Closet & Onto the Shelves

 

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Champaign-Urbana in the Summer

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Image of Carle Park

Carle Park

If you are sticking around for a Champaign-Urbana summer, you’ll have no shortage of festivals and events. We have the scoop on the most popular festivals you won’t want to miss, plus a few cool tips for summer in CU.

Homer Krazee Daze – August 23 to August 25th

Homer Krazee Daze infographic. August 23-25, Homer, Illinois

Homer Krazee Daze

Taste the rainbow at the Homer Krazee Daze! While you’re tasting dozens of pop flavors you never knew existed, like Americana Huckleberry or Prickly Pear, enjoy music, art, carnival rides, food, and more! Grab a friend with a car and head out to Downtown Homer for this classic annual event!

StreetFest – Saturday, July 14th from 7:00p.m. to Midnight

Head to downtown Champaign for StreetFest! StreetFest is an annual free music and food festival featuring local bands and food. So why is it called StreetFest? Yup, it’s on the street! So join your friends on the corner of Neil & Main or Walnut & University to listen to bands that call CU home.

Champaign County Fair – July 21st to July 28th

Image for the 2018 Champaign County Fair

The 2018 Champaign County Fair

Indulge in country fun and attend the Demolition Derby, ride carnival rides, attend a rodeo, watch a tractor pull, and eat all the best fair food at the Champaign County Fair! Admission is $5 with an additional fee for some events.

Prairie Crossroads Blues Fest – August 11th

Prairie Crossroads Blues Fest 2018 logo

Prairie Crossroads Blues Fest

This all-new festival promises great blues, food, and drink! Check back on their Facebook page for more details as they develop!

Taste of Champaign-Urbana logo

Taste of Champaign-Urbana

Taste of Champaign-Urbana is an annual opportunity to celebrate local restaurants, art, beer, and music in West Side Park. Entrance to the festival is free, but purchase tickets to spend at food vendors. The entertainment list will be out in July! If you’re a runner, you can also join in on the Pie Run in West Side Park, then reward yourself with a good meal.

None of these are your jam? Looking for something else? There’s always something to do in CU! Check out the Champaign Farmers Market Tuesdays 3:30-6:30 or Urbana’s Market at the Square on Saturdays 7am-noon.

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De-Stress Fest Spring 2018!

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Feeling the pressure of finals? We sure are! Come spend Reading Day on May 3rd at the UGL and blow off some steam. Check out our schedule of the day’s events!

All Day

An orange UGL lanyard with homemade buttons of an avocado, tatiana maslany, a dog in a field, Uggles, BB-8, and tina fey

Make buttons of the things you love like avocados and Tatiana Maslany!

What: Crafts, origami, and button-making
Where: Upper level, front of the library
Spend your day making crafts with paper, pipecleaners, and pet rocks! Make a button for your backpack, lanyard, or jean jacket with the UGL’s button-maker!

What: Long Night Against Procrastination
Where: Writers Workshop
Join the Writers Workshop in the Long Night Against Procrastination. Get help from writing tutors all day long until midnight!

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

A photo of Altgeld hall with the text "Illinois - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign counseling center" overlaid in white text

The Counseling Center is here to help!

What: Counseling Center
Where: Upper Level, front of the library
Feeling the stress of finals season? The counseling center is there for you! Get help and resources from the Counseling Center all afternoon!

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

What: Research and Writing Consultations
Where: Outside patio tables
If you’re still powering through those final research papers, the UGL is here to help! Bask in the sun and spend some time with a one-on-one research consultation at one of our outdoor research consultations.

What: Bubbles, games, and sidewalk chalk
Where: Outside the UGL
If you just need a break from the library, come outside and play games! Sidewalk chalk, board games, and bubbles will be outside the UGL on the patio all afternoon!

4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

What: Word Games with the Writers Workshop
Where: Writers Workshop
Exercise your brain and have fun with Bananagrams and other word games at the Writers Workshop!

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Roll for Initiative!

What: Pathfinder Character Creation
Where: Undergrad Library, Group Room 11
Take your RPG playing to the next level and create your own custom character with the help of the UGL’s Game Masters in Residence!

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

What: Research and Writing Consultations
Where: Consultation Corner

Cram in some last minute research and writing help at the Consultation Corner!

8:00 pm

SURPRISE! Show up at the UGL at 8 pm for a sweet surprise!

8:00 pm – Midnight

Yes, you can still play Street Fighter 2

What: Vintage Video Games
Where: UGL Gaming Center
Missing your old school video games? Come play with the UGL’s RetroN, a 10-system console capable of running SEGA, Game Boy, NES, Genesis, SNES and more!

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Poems for April!

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April has indeed been cruel–

Nary a blossom, not a dang bloom.

We’ve ratcheted between spring and winter

Like a merry-go-round with a stutter.

But April is also national poetry month!

A time to remember language has worth;

It bears meaning and can strive for Truth

No matter what twitter tells you.

And though verse may seem too hard and tragic

Remember that the world does match it.

The key to meaning in both’s to see

There are plenty of people with the same feeling.

If finding them remains a pain in the neck

The UGL has always got your back.

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Here’s just a few of our recent poetry titles! Click on the titles to find them in the Catalog!

Nancy Takacs’ The Worrier:

Erica Lewis’ Mary Wants to be a Superwoman

Kevin Coval’s A People’s History of Chicago (with a forward by Chance the Rapper):

Rita Mae Reese’s The Book of Hulga

And if you still just don’t know what the big deal is with poetry, here’s T.S. Eliot’s On Poetry and Poets to break it down

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National Mental Health Awareness Week

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Self-care is an important part of your mental health. For National Mental Health Awareness Week (April 23-27), we are highlighting resources and events around campus to help you #finishstrong and be healthy!

The Counseling Center

An oldie but a goodie, talking to someone when you’re feeling stressed, anxious or depressed is always a good option. McKinley Health Center has counselors who are here to help you! Schedule an appointment by phone at 217-333-3704 and check out more info on the counseling center website.

A gif of a yarn gnome sewing a yarn heart

There’s always someone who will listen

Take a Night Off

The Illini Union Rec Room has bowling, billiards, arcade games, and more! Take a night off from homework and stress to hang out with your friends and have fun!

A gif of a cat trying to bowl but knocking down the pins with its body

Strike!

Go for a Walk

Getting outside and walking can be an easy way for a mood boost. The arboretum has a trail that passes by the Japan House, a pond, and plenty of beautiful flowers.  If you need to study, you can bring a friend and some flashcards for an active study session!

Massage at the ARC

Did you know you can get a massage from a licensed massage therapist at the ARC? Rates and more information can be found here on their information page.

A gif of a cat massaging a cat that is relaxed

Licensed cat massage therapists not available

Krannert Art Museum

Krannert Art Museum, apart from having a beautiful collection, also throws fun events! You can grab some Cookies n’ Cold Brew on the 26th, or get zen with Yoga at the Museum on the 27th!

A gif of Spongebob enjoying cookies and milk

As delicious as it looks and sounds

Finally, there’s nothing like a good old fashioned movie night. The UGL has tons of classic or current movies and TV shows!

A gif reading "And now.... It's Show Time" over a background drive-in theatre screen.

Note: The UGL is not a drive-in theater

If you’re having a hard time, it’s ok to reach out for help

UIUC Crisis Line:   217-359-4141 (TTY: 217-352-4217)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or chat

Trevor Project Hotline: 1-866-488-7386

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

 

 

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Retro Gaming at the Playful by Design Spring Symposium!

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On Friday, April 6th, the UGL is teaming up with Playful by Design to bring gaming to the Spring Symposium! The main events will take place in the new Armory Innovation Spaces at the Armory building. In this post, you’ll find a schedule of events for that Friday and a preview of some of the retro games we’ll be bringing that you will be able to play!

All-Day Events

We will be a part of the all-day events going from 10:30 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. in Armory room 182! Listed below are the events taking place all day.

GAME DESIGN OPEN HOUSE

Share your latest game designs or hear from others working on designing games!  This group will be lead by Victor Mouschovias.

VINTAGE TABLE TOP AND VIDEO GAMES

Vintages Games will be hosted by the Undergraduate Library! We have brought a variety of retro games for you to play. There will also be vintage table top games for you and your friends to play.

List of Retro Games

  • Tetris & Dr. Mario (SNES)
  • Super Mario All Stars (SNES)
  • Castlevania Bloodlines (Sega Genesis)
  • Kid Icarus (Nintendo Gameboy)
  • A Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)
  • Bust a Move 4 (Nintendo Gameboy)
  • Donkey Kong Country (SNES)
  • Star Fox (SNES)
  • Super Mario Kart (SNES)
  • Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Genesis)
  • Ninja Gaiden (NES)
  • Street Fighter 2 Turbo (SNES)

Self-Organized Networking & Design Sessions

Throughout the day there will be other speaking sessions and events! At any time, you can have impromptu workshops or continue discussing these topics by signing up to reserve space at the registration table.

Poster for the keynote speaker, Colleen Macklin

Keynote Speaker, Colleen Macklin, will give a speech titled “Gaming the System: How Games Make Meaning in a Mixed up World”

For a complete schedule including Thursday and Saturday events, you can check the event web-page.  Optionally, you can register for the event and say you’re going on the Facebook event page.

 

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Black Panther and black comic book characters in our collections

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Since it’s Black History Month and Black Panther has just hit theaters we couldn’t resist a post featuring comics! If you’ve entered comics by way of the Marvel movies it’s possible you don’t know that there are multiple incarnations of the Black Panther over the decades. Every few years Marvel reboots their favorite heroes to give new artists and authors a chance, and there have been some awesome plots for the Black Panther. We’re going to highlight the differences between the Black Panthers we own and our favorite black characters in comics.

Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Cover for Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet

Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet

This is the comic incarnation that Marvel resurrected after they put the movie Black Panther into production, so it should closely match the movie. T’Challa, the current king of Wakanda and their Black Panther, finds his authority challenged by a superpowered terrorist cell.

Location in the catalog.

Black Panther: Who Is Black Panther? by Reginald Hudlin

This version of Black Panther focuses on the rise of this superhero and the country of Wakanda. This is also the Black Panther who marries Storm of X-Men fame to become superpower royalty and serious relationship goals.

 Location in the catalog.

Jungle Action ft. The Black Panther by Don McGregor

Cover for Jungle Action

Jungle Action

This is the first Black Panther-centric storyline and the character’s first starring role, though he cropped up in some Avengers issues before this one. It’s a 1974 classic in superhero canon, and can be requested from Oak Street if you want to see where the story started.

Location in the catalog.

–

If you’re interested in more black superheroes than just Black Panther, here’s some you can find in the UGL!

Storm in X-Men

Cover for X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga

X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga

Before Halle Berry took on the role in the movies, Storm had a long history of protecting mutants and kicking ass. The Dark Phoenix arc is widely considered to be one of the greatest plotlines in the X-Men universe and Storm takes her powers to a whole new level to fight her friend-turned-foe.

Location in the catalog.

Alex Wilder in Runaways

Cover for Runaways

Runaways

This comic was picked up for a few seasons on Hulu, and they’ve stayed true to the diverse case of the books. What would you do if you discovered your parents were supervillains? After witnessing a dark ritual, these characters run away, band together, and forge deep friendships that are constantly tested as they’re forced to face off against their parents and decide where their loyalties lie.

Location in the catalog.

Luke Cage

 

Cover for Luke Cage

Luke Cage

The UGL has both the comic books and season one of the Netflix show! If you missed Luke Cage when it broke the internet in 2016 we highly recommend you check it out. The bulletproof superhero lives in Harlem, a highly charged allegory in our political climate.

The location of the comic in the catalog.

The location of the Netflix show in the catalog.

 

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