Author Archives: mdilwort

Author Archives: mdilwort

Cicada Broods and Beyond: Navigating Scientific Journals for Rare Natural Wonders

Cicada Broods and Beyond: Navigating Scientific Journals for Rare Natural Wonders

On April 8, 2024, a large swath of Indiana was treated to a total solar eclipse, a rare event that last happened in 1869. And in May, parts of Indiana are experiencing another rare occurrence in nature – the emergence of two different cicada broods. In the north and southwest counties of Indiana there is the emergence of Brood XIII (17-year brood) and Brood XIX (13-year brood), a happening last took place in 1803. It will be another 221 years before these two broods sync again (Burga). Over a trillion red-eyed cicadas across the Midwest will emerge from underground burrows, where four U.S. cicada species live for 13 years and three U.S. species live for 17 years. They will spend … Continued
McClure’s Magazine and the birth of investigative journalism

McClure’s Magazine and the birth of investigative journalism

It’s 1893, and the United States is in the middle of an economic panic.  People are rushing to the banks, eager to take out all their money before it becomes worthless.  The national unemployment rate hovers near 18%, and hundreds of companies and banks go out of business.  Into this inauspicious moment, a new magazine eager to forge a new idea of American letters prints its first issue.  For thirteen years, the irrepressible Samuel S. McClure helmed an enormously talented staff whose work helped bring forth a new era of journalism. Samuel McClure (the middle name Sidney was added later) was born in Ireland on February 17, 1857.  His family became impoverished with the death of his father when he … Continued
Database Discoveries – Journey through Library Resources

Database Discoveries – Journey through Library Resources

Discover a treasure trove of reliable resources to support your research! Please share your enthusiasm by tapping that ‘Like’ button on the IU East Campus Library Facebook page. Stay updated with the latest highlights from our A-Z index – here are a few of our recent favorites… Business Interested in the daily British newspaper Financial Times, which covers topics such as global finance, economics, industry, energy, and international politics? For access, email liblearn@iu.edu. Access information on whole industries such as aerospace, telecom, IT, finance, and consumer goods industries with Marketline Advantage. Explore 4 million+ reports from 100,000+ companies. Diversity Discover the inspiring voices of Native Americans, African Americans, women, the LGBTQ community, and other historically underrepresented groups in American history … Continued
Exploring the History of Comics

Exploring the History of Comics

Comics, whether in strip or book form, have long been a mainstay of childhood and young adult reading.  The unique style of storytelling through sequential art, usually mixed with text, can facilitate any genre or idea, with an unlimited ‘special effects budget’ that would be unwieldy in any other medium.  Over the decades, they have grown from being a purely child-oriented type of entertainment to one that also caters to adults, with more literary stories including ‘graphic novels’.  Two days relevant to comics are coming up – Free Comic Book Day is on Saturday May 4th, where people can get a variety of free comic books.  Locally, Comic Relief Comics, located at 411 N. 8th Street, Unit#104 in the Depot … Continued
Public Health and Climate Change

Public Health and Climate Change

Earlier this semester, students from the Animals and Earth Club at IU East and faculty from the Sustainability Council, including Assistant Librarian of Access Services Beth South, had the opportunity to attend the Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference (ISRC) on February 9th at IU Indianapolis. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about sustainability efforts happening in Indiana and regionally from presenters that included architects, city planners, engineers, non-profit organizers, state park employees, social workers, business leaders, public policy advocates, and educators. It’s impossible to attend every session, but a common theme that emerged from many of the presentations, including from keynote speaker Michelle Moore, CEO of Groundswell, and former White House official during the Obama administration, is that … Continued