by TLAS Staff
Feature
Valentine’s and Materials!
If you measure time through holidays, you may have noticed retail stores turning pink and red recently. In an incredible slight to Punxsutawney Phil, our nation’s favorite groundhog, as well as several actually important February celebrations, society seems to have skipped straight to Valentine’s Day.
Due to FOMO (fear of missing out), the Library is celebrating as well. However, before the calendar was commercialized, handmade missives were popular (especially in the 1840s). In addition, valentines were more about birds and poetry instead of Hallmark’s trademark hearts and angels that we see today. The Library is re-centering these handmade bird cards in an event we’re calling Alt-Valrentine’s, where you’ll get to make non-traditional cards celebrating your best friend, your favorite odd pairings, or your current hyperfixation. If you’d prefer something more modern, you can make you own stickers inspired by conversation heart candies (with candies provided for inspiration, of course) later in the week.
Alt-Valentines is part of a the Material Means workshop series, presented by the Ricker Library. Envisioned to promote the Ricker Materials Collection, a library of “things,” featuring samples of wood, metals, plastics, fabric, and more, the series provides hands-on experience with a variety of materials and processes. Each workshop will challenge you to think broadly about how materials are developed, used, and how products shape our larger understanding of society, self, and material culture. For more information, contact the Ricker Library of Architecture and Art.
The Alt-Valenties event is on Thursday, Feb. 8 from 4–6. The sticker conversation hearts event is on Monday, Feb. 12 from 1–3. Both will be in the Orange Room.
Did you Know?
Did you know that March 19th marks the Primary Election for key offices, including President, Congressional Representatives, Illinois State Senators and Representatives, County Officials, and County Board Members? Stay informed about voting details by visiting: lwvchampaigncounty.org/about-voting.html
Service
Research Consultations
The Library offers numerous avenues to support patrons needing research support, including email, text, chat, and phone. While in-person services are offered on a walk-in basis at the information desk, or by appointment with one of our subject specialists, our research consultation service combines those options to maximize convenience and support. If you’re in a introductory or general studies course, you can work one-on-one with a trained research consultant to recieve personalized support and guidance on your research paper. Consultations are held 3–7pm, Sunday–Thursday. They can be in-person or through zoom, and walk-ins are welcome as long as the consultant is not already booked. Consultations are located in the Orange Box of the Orange Room on the first floor of the Main Library.
Space
Feeling creative? The Scholarly Commons (Rm. 316 Main Library) Self-Use Media Booths are sound isolated, one-room booths designed for audio and video recording of up to two people at once. Record, produce, and even livestream content straight from a booth.
The rooms are versatile for a variety of class projects and career development needs. Practicing for a vocal performance? The spaces are sound-isolated, and private. Need to conduct an interview for a class? You can easily fit another companion in the space for your journalism class, oral history, or other creative project.
Creating your own podcast? High quality microphones and media editing software are available in each booth to write, record, edit, and produce a podcast to highlight your own unique voice.
Book a space now: https://www.library.illinois.edu/sc/spaces/self-use-media-studios
Events
FEBRUARY 14TH
NOON-2PM
Valentine’s Kits for Kids
Are you a student with little ones? Do you babysit? Stop by and grab a kit from the Volunteer Illini Projects RSO.
FEBRUARY 15TH
2:00PM-4:00PM
Tastes of Culture
Enjoy some international snacks and drinks with cross-cultural learning activities. Sponsored by International Education and the University Library
FEBRUARY 20TH
7:00PM-8:00PM
Nerudivergent Hangouts
Join RSO’s “Actually Neurodivergent” hangout in a hybrid, laid-back setting with passive activities and quiet stimming tools!
FEBRUARY 21ST
3:30PM-4:30PM
Coping with Presentation Anxiety (virtual)
The Speaking Center presents strategies and mindsets to help cope speech and presentation anxiety. Sign up at the URL above.