UGL Fall Services

Welcome back students!  This Fall has brought many changes to student life, but the UGL is still here to help you be successful.  Libraries across campus have updated their services and facilities to address the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide resources to help on- and off-campus students access our collections and instructional services.  In this blog post, we’ll provide details on some of our physical building access updates, as well as ways to connect with us for students who will not be able to visit in person.

Most library services and resources will be offered primarily online.  Research help and many of our collections can be accessed through our website, for both on- and off-campus students (see below).  The Undergraduate Library will also be offering select in-person services on a limited basis in Fall 2020, including individual study space (starting September 14th), media production studios, and loanable technology access. All services are for single individuals; we will have no spaces in the building which can be accessed by groups.

Health and safety for students and staff are prioritized in the delivery of all of our services.  Please see the Library COVID-19 FAQ for information on mandated face coverings, space usage, social distancing, cleaning, and other requirements for access to any UGL spaces and services. 

All in person services require prior booking; there will be no same-day or walk-up services available.

Building Hours:

The UGL begin opening for services August 24th.  The library will be open Sunday thru Friday, and closed on Saturdays.  Building hours are:

  • Monday-Thursday 11am-9pm 
  • Friday 11am-5pm 
  • Saturday – Closed 
  • Sunday 3pm-9pm 

Building Guidelines:

  • No one will be admitted without face coverings which meet campus requirements.
  • An Approved status on the Safer Illinois App is required for building entry
  • There will be no same-day services offered.  All services must be booked in advance.  Entrance doors will be locked at all times, and there will be no access to the building without a prior appointment.
  • All appointments require adherence to campus health and safety protocols for face coverings and social distancing.  Please see the Library COVID-19 FAQ for information on requirements. 
  • Please contact us at undergrad@library.illinois.edu or call (217)333-3477 with any questions about access to UGL resources. 

Services available: 

Collections 

  • Books, Journals, and Media Items – The Library is pursuing a digital-first access strategy for most collections, particularly books and journal articles.  The Media collection of DVDs and Video Games can be requested through the library catalog. Students can start with the Easy Search tool on our homepage to identify materials which are in our collections., and then place a request to get a digital copy.   Please see the Library COVID-19 FAQ for more details on access to books and the media collection. 
  • Loanable Technology  This collection can be reserved online for pick-up in the lobby entrance of the UGL.  We have extended the loan time for all items to help patrons meet their media creation needs.  Details on what is available, and how to make a booking, are available on the Media Commons Website.

Audio and Video Studios 

  • The Media Commons is providing individuals with media creation studio access, with limited booking times available.  Details on what is available, and how to make a booking, are available on the Media Commons Website. 

Study Spaces 

  • The UGL will provide access to individual study spaces beginning September 14th.  Following campus health and safety guidelines, 36 study spaces are available. 
  • Study spaces must be booked online There is no walk-up access to study spaces; all study spaces must be booked at least one day in advance. 
  • There is no group study space available in any Library space, including the UGL. 

Research and Writing Consultations 

  • Ask-a-Librarian online chat is available online for most research questions. 
  • Beginning September 20th, Research and Writing consultations conducted with the Writers Workshop will be available for either chat or Zoom appointments.  See our Research and Writing Consultations page for more details and to sign up for a consultation. 

We wish you all the best with your semester, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to the UGL if you have questions about services this semester.  Email us at undergrad@library.illinois.edu

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

The Undergraduate Library 50th anniversary flyer for the Graphic Design Competition. Create the official UGL @50 design! 1st place receives 100 dollars. 2nd place receives 50 dollars. 3rd place receives 25 dollars. Submission deadline is April 10, 2019. Text is on a yellowish orange block on a white background.

The UGL@50 Design Contest!

This year marks the 50th 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 50th 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 20th.
  • 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

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Banned Book Week 2018!

Hash Tag Banned Books Week banner

    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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Summer Reads & Films

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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National Mental Health Awareness Week

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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Find Uggles Spring 2018

Where is Uggles the UGL cat? Find her and win a prize! 

A photo of Uggles the cat with a headset on

Find Uggles!

The “Find Uggles” contest is back by popular demand! For 14 Mondays beginning January 22 (excluding Spring Break), a photo of Uggles the UGL cat will be hiding in a location around campus. A clue of her hiding place will be posted to our Instagram account each Monday morning at 9 am. Locate her to win $10 cash from the UGL. The winner each week will also have the option to be honored on our Instagram account as the week’s victor!

For clues as to where Uggles is hiding each Monday, follow the UGL on Instagram (@askundergrad). Happy searching!

       RULES & ELIGIBILITY:

  1. Eligible participants are undergraduate UIUC students who are enrolled during Spring 2018.
  2. In order to win, participants must bring the photo of Uggles into the Undergraduate Library and present it to staff at the front desk.
  3. Each week, the winner will receive $10.
  4. Winners will need to claim their prize in person and present proof of eligibility (i-card).
  5. Students are only eligible to win a cash prize once for the duration of the competition.
  6. If a prize remains unclaimed by Sunday at 1pm, it will not be awarded for that week.
Photo of person dressed in a cat costume in a hallway

Uggles is Hiding!

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January Reader’s Advisory

Ten Books to Get You “Out There” when You’re Snowed In

Come snow, come rain, come sleet, hail, and wind, the winter in Illinois can bring about the winter blues and leave you stuck inside. What better time than to cozy up with a good read that can transport you out of the four walls of your dorm or apartment? The UGL is here to help with some recommended reads that incite adventure, wanderlust, and your inner-travel bug. See the list below for several book and audio book options you can check out over winter break to “check in” to an amazing adventure. Click on the titles to be linked to the item in the University of Illinois Library catalog.

Cover art for the novel, Don Quixote

Don Quixote

Don Quixote – (fiction) This classic takes you with Don Quixote on his exploration of the Spanish countryside. Accompanied with his steadfast companion Sancho Panza, they attempt to find their inner chivalry and bravery after reading of the deeds of medieval knights. In this journey, Quixote becomes a knight, mistakes an inn for a castle, and falls for a “princess” he meets along the way. This classic ends on a cliffhanger, but is a classic for a reason: full of folly, quick wit, and dense characters, this one will not disappoint.

Call Number: PQ6329 .A2 1930

Cover art for the novel, Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Where’d You Go, Bernadette

Where’d You Go, Bernadette (fiction) – If warm places aren’t your thing, you’ll love this story where penguins make an appearance. When Bee’s agoraphobic mom goes missing before the family is set to go to Antarctica, Bee’s dream vacation destination, Bee learns that the ship ride isn’t so great, but the people that you meet along the way are. This is a quick read told from Bee’s viewpoint and several of her diary entries that will have you laughing out loud and feeling her every emotion along the way—sans the cold!

Call Number: PS3619.E495 W54 2012

 

Cover art for the The Best American Travel Writing (2004)

The Best American Travel Writing

The Best American Travel Writing 2004 (fiction) – Perhaps you don’t want to leave the United States over winter break or you simply can’t and are looking for some local inspiration. This compendium contains 32 fictional short stories about characters who traveled across America. If you read this and still find that you’re a sucker for more short stories about travel, “The Best American _______ Writing” series is published each and every year in a variety of different genres!

Call Number: PS648.T73 B48 2004

 

Cover art for the novel, A Walk in the Woods

A Walk in the Woods

A Walk in the Woods (nonfiction) – Don’t you love the sound of winter? Everything is so quiet and peaceful–you can almost hear the snowflakes falling from the sky. This best-selling recount of one man’s travels through the Appalachian Trail will have you thinking about setting up hiking plans for Spring Break 2018. Bill Bryson recounts his journey on the Appalachian Trail starting in Georgia all the way through Maine. You’ll want to get back in touch with the winter silence in your nearest woods once you read his account of every rock, insect, bear (and human) he met along the way.

Call Number: F106.B92 1998

 

Cover art for the novel, The Island at the Center of the World

The Island at the Center of the World

The Island at the Center of the World (fiction audio book) – If nature isn’t for you and you’d rather be whisked away to an urban setting, this book is for you. This work examines the influences of the Dutch in establishing New York City as it is known today. Based on recent archival finds and research, the story follows several influential figures and their lives as they come to find themselves settling in America.

Call Number: CDISC F128.4 .S56 2004

 

Cover art for the novel, The Journeyer

The Journeyer

The Journeyer (fiction) – We all know his name from a famous game, but many of us don’t know his story. If you like reading about the fictional adventures of very real people—in this case, Marco Polo—this book is for you. After being falsely accused of murdering his lover’s husband, he is banished from Venice. This work of fiction then recounts his famed journey through the Orient and how Marco Polo defeated all the odds despite his “criminal” record to become one of the richest men in Italy.

Call Number: PS3560.E518 J6 1984

Cover art for the novel, The Great Railway Bazaar

The Great Railway Bazaar

The Great Railway Bazaar: By Train through Asia (nonfiction) – If you’re taking the Amtrak this winter, why not read the original travelogue inspired by train travel? In 1973 Paul Theroux traveled across Europe, the Middle East, Eurasia, and Asia by train and back again. While it may not be the Amtrak, Theroux did take famed train lines like the Orient Express and the Trans-Siberian Express on his trans-continental tour.

Book Call Number: DS10 .T43 1975

Audio Book Access available online through the U of I Catalog

 

Cover art for the novel, Istanbul: Memories and the City

Istanbul: Memories and the City

Istanbul: Memories and the City (nonfiction) – This translated work is a memoir that documents the political and cultural climate of Turkey in the early 2000s. As a perspective piece, we recommend it. Settle down with some tissues in addition to the hot cocoa though, as this story can get melancholy and serious.

Call Number: DR723 .P36 2006

 

Cover art for the novel, Shantaram

Shantaram

Shantaram (fiction) – If you’re feeling like you want to break out of your dorm or house due to cabin fever, the journey of two criminals fleeing prison to Bombay may pique your interest. This story begins in Australia but ends in Bombay, India. In this fast-paced story, heartbreak, betrayal, mafia wars, and drug crimes are abundant, but Lin, the protagonist, simply wants to find a place where he can blend in, find love, and settle down.

Call Number: PR9619.4.R625 S53 2004

 

Cover art for the novel, The Alchemist

The Alchemist

The Alchemist (fiction) – Winter is the season for dreamers, wishers, and miracle makers. Undeniably the most famous fictional travel piece, The Alchemist follows Andalusian, a young Egyptian sheep herder, as he travels through Egypt in search of a place he was once called to in his dreams. He’s in search of treasure, hope, and ultimately himself. Sometimes the greatest adventure is the one of self-discovery.

Call Number: PQ9698.13.O3546 A4513 1993

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Star Pet-ential

Having a ruff day? Semester got you going mutts? Take a paws and check out these photos of our staff’s pets to help you get through your day and read on for details for an op-purr-tunity to share pictures of your pet!

Photo of Addie

Addie

Name: Addie
Breed: Maltese Yorkshire Terrier AKA Morkie!
Age: 2
Fun Fact: He likes to perch on the back of the couch and put his head on your shoulder and watch TV with you.

Photo of Louie

Louie

Name: Louie
Breed: Domestic Longhair
Age: 11.5
Fun Fact: Louie is a shelter rescue and loves to eat plastic bags, so they have to be hidden from him!

Photo of Parker

Parker

Name: Parker (after Peter Parker)
Breed: 4
Age: Tabby
Fun Fact: Her hobbies include drinking water directly from the sink faucet, chirping at birds out the window, eating pumpkin spice yogurt, and visiting her Meowma and Purrpa.

Photo of Max

Max

Name: Max
Breed: American Brittany
Age: 6.5
Fun Fact: Max enjoys daily runs, snuggling, and stealing food, so you can never turn your back on a plate of food if you plan on eating it!

Photo of Raven

Raven

Name: Raven
Breed: Shorthair Mixed
Age: 7
Fun Fact: Loves to play fetch. Yes, you read that right.

Photo of Ollie and Fin

Ollie and Fin

Name: Ollie and Fin
Breed: Miniature soft-coated Wheaton terrier poodle mixes AKA whoodles
Age: 6
Fun Fact: Their favorite place in the world is the vet’s office. When they escape the yard and run away, we find them at the vet!

Photo of Skitter

Skitter

Name: Skitter
Age: 16
Breed: American Shorthair/Siamese
Fun Fact: As his name may suggest, Skitter is scared of literally everything. He once got stuck in the loop of a plastic bag and ran around for ten minutes to try and get away from it, to no avail.

Photo of Riggins

Riggins

Name: Tim Riggins
Breed: Goldendoodle
Age: 7
Fun Fact: Likes dressing up in people clothes and taking glamor shots.

Photo of Misty

Misty

Name: Misty
Breed: Seal Point Siamese
Age: 14
Fun Fact: Frequently spotted plotting world domination with squirrels.

Photo of Rumi

Rumi

Name: Rumi
Breed: Tabby
Age: 3
Fun Fact: Has a foot fetish.

Now it’s your turn! Submit pictures of your pets through this form for a chance to have your furry friend featured in our Student Art Gallery on the first floor of the UGL!

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From the TV to the Table: Table Top Games to Check Out Based on Your Favorite TV shows

Is your school work starting to weigh you down? Do you need something to do besides binge watch your favorite TV shows? Good News! The UGL has a collection of table top games that you can check out to help you destress. If you need help picking one, here are some recommendations based on some of your favorite TV shows!

Do you love Game of Thrones? Try playing Risk!

Risk board game

Risk

Are you missing Jon Snow, Daenerys, and all your favorite conquers from Westeros? While you wait for the final season, you can come check out Risk at the UGL Circulation Desk. The objective of this game is to conquer all the territory on the board’s map with your political savvy, attacking strategies, and defensive techniques. You can form alliances with your friends and come up with schemes to sabotage your enemies. In the Game of Thrones, you either win or you die. In the game of Risk, you either win, or you lose and don’t get stabbed in the stomach. Leave the swordplay to Arya—check out this game and enjoy all the power with none of the northern frostbite. Also, If you want to watch Game of Thrones, you can check seasons 1-6 out here at the UGL when you come pick up the game!

Jon Snow gif I'm Ready

If you liked The Handmaid’s Tale, give Scrabble a try.

The Handmaid's Tale A Hulu Original Cover

The Handmaid’s Tale

Looking for a way to relieve your stress and show off your wit? Do what Offred does, and play a game of Scrabble. This game is made up of 225 squares, and the objective is to accumulate the most points with your vocabulary (you can also reach for goals like longest word or most triple letter words). If you find yourself in need of some intellectually stimulating entertainment, come check this game out. You can also do one better than Offred, and play the game with someone who isn’t keeping you prisoner. Praise be! You can find Scrabble at the UGL Circulation Desk, and you can stream The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu. In the mean time, read up and build that vocabulary!

Offred reading gif

Are you a Parks and Recreation fan? Honor Ben Wyatt and play Settlers of Catan.

The Settlers of Catan game board

Settlers of Catan

Have you ever wanted to play Ben Wyatt’s original table top game, The Cones of Dunshire? Well, it isn’t actually a real game yet (still hoping for the Kickstarter). Instead, you can play one of Ben’s personal favorites: Setters of Catan. The goal of this game is to create a civilization that surpasses all the other players’ settlements on the fictional island, Catan. If you do check this out, be sure to find a good group of friends (like Ben’s) to play with you. Also, if you want to enjoy some Parks and Recreation while you play, you can pick up seasons 1-7 in the UGL’s media collections here.

Ben Wyatt celebrating

If you’re missing Stranger Things, you might find solace in a Pathfinder session.

Stranger Things Season 1 cover image

Stranger Things

Do you find yourself in need of some adventuring? Do what Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Will do: play a fantasy role-playing game. At the UGL, we have Pathfinder. You can check out the Core Rulebook or a Beginner’s Box to help you start designing an adventure for you and your friends. You can even stream Stranger Things on Netflix to help you get prepared. In addition to that, you can come to the UGL for short sessions run by our Graduate Assistants! Stay tuned and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to find out when these sessions will take place. Either way, come ready to fight dragons, goblins, and trolls—and if the lights start to flicker, you might want to grab a baseball bat and run.

The boys from stranger things slay the demogorgon

One last piece of good news: these games are just the beginning! Check out our full list of table top games at the UGL! Have an idea of something we should add?  Reach out to us on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages, and give us your suggestions!

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Pride On: LGBTQ+ Campus Resources

This June marks the 48th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn riots, a series of demonstrations in response to a police raid at a Manhattan gay club. The riots are considered a pivotal turning point in the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. Ever since the Stonewall Inn Riots, Pride Month has been a means for people to celebrate non-normative gender and sexual identities. Although, Pride Month is officially celebrated during the month of September in Champaign-Urbana, we can still commemorate locally by taking a moment to look back and retrace LGBTQ+ history at our campus.

In 1971, the Gay Liberation Front at U of I was formed. In 1976 the Gay Switchboard as well as the Gay Illini Resource Center opened. The following year, Champaign approved the Human Rights Ordinance, a historic win for the community. In 1986, the Chancellor conducted a campus-wide taskforce on Sexual Orientation, producing a report on campus climate. In 1987, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexuality. You can check out the full timeline on the LGBT Resource Center webpage.

You can also look through issues of our school’s newspaper, the Daily Illini for primary source information. Entire issues have been digitized up to the year of 1975 and are available to browse online. Select articles have been highlighted below to portray the historic realities of the campus atmosphere during the early 1970s, soon after the Stonewall Inn riots.

Please note that when reviewing these or other primary sources, they are historical documents that may potentially contain content and/or language that today is considered offensive. The opinions and views expressed within these articles are solely those of the respective authors and/or their interview subjects.

Silhouette outline of two men holding hands

Published in the Daily Illini, October 1971

Daily illini article: Gay liberation trying to break down barriers

Published in the Daily Illini, October 1971

Daily illini article: gay rights act necessary

Published in the Daily Illini, November 1972

Daily Illini article: gay illini discuss concerns on weekly basis

Published in the Daily Illini, October 1975

Daily Illini article: gay illini discuss concerns on weekly basis

Published in the Daily Illini, October 1975

If you are interested in digging deeper into LGBTQ+ history in Champaign-Urbana, be sure to explore the LGBTQ+ Articles Archive.

The library also has a lot of resources to both meet your research needs and to feed your general interest. For more information, be sure to check out the UGL’s Gender and Sexual Identity subject guide.

The Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library (SSHEL) has a collection of resources in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender studies. This guide includes detailed suggestions for databases, journals, websites for statistics and data, and other general information, including research tips.

Looking for more resources? The Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations’ LGBT Resource Center and the University YMCA’s Uniting Pride Center  are great community centers for LGBTQ+ resources.

Happy Pride!

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