mdilwort | Library Blog - Indiana University East

Author Archives: mdilwort

Join the Banned!

banned books week, KT Lowe July 10, 2023 books mdilwort

In 2022, a historic number of book challenges were made across the country, targeting school, community and university libraries. In Florida alone, where over 500 books have been banned or challenged since 2021, authors ranging from inaugural poet Amanda Gorman to contemporary novelist Kurt Vonnegut have been the subject of targeted removal from classrooms and libraries. Yet according to the Washington Post, most book challenges are made by only a handful of individuals, often bonding together via social media. That means a very small number of people have attempted to create an outsized impact on the reading material allowed to a significant portion of the country. Libraries maintain collections for the benefit of heir communities, and communities are comprised of … Continued

The Reading Academy 2023: Highlights and Reflections

children, community engagement, outreach, reading academy, third grade academy July 3, 2023 Frances Yates, outreach mdilwort

Library time The Campus Library has been actively involved with The Reading Academy (TRA) since 2010. This year IU East hosted 120 students in grades 2 and 3. They received intensive reading enrichment from teachers and learning assistants from the Richmond Community Schools, and participated in numerous special activities offered by IU East staff, faculty and students. This engaging reading program is funded and administered by Every Child Can Read. Perhaps the best part of TRA for the library team is – no surprise – their library visits to select books. So many students rushed to the juvenile bookstacks, eager to browse and discover books that interested them. There was lots of reading independently and also many eager to share … Continued

Get Loud, Get Proud with these LGBTQ+ Resources!

holidays, lgbtqs June 26, 2023 Jesse Whitton, Library Resources, outreach mdilwort

Pride Month, a significant cultural and social event that is celebrated in June, serves as a powerful testament to the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights and recognition. We at the IU East Campus Library support all members of the LGBTQ+ community and offer resources on LGBTQ+ issues and topics. The IU East Library LGBTQ resource guide provides informative resources for LGBTQ students, families, and allies through links to various education-based, youth-specific, and political organizations resources. This guide also includes links to local resources on the IU East campus, including counseling services, resources on sexual discrimination and violence, and health. Three years before the Stonewall Riots, an early moment in the gay liberation movement occurred on April 21, 1966, in New … Continued

Slavery Still in the Shadows

freedom, holidays, juneteenth, slavery June 16, 2023 Library Resources, Matt Dilworth, outreach mdilwort

Juneteenth is a momentous day, commemorating American slave emancipation in 1865. It was made a national holiday in 2021, although many states observed it before that. As a ‘second Independence day’, Juneteenth is often celebrated with food and festivals, rodeos and reenactments, and voter registration drives. In the century and a half since the first Juneteenth, slavery has become illegal in every country of the world. Many countries are part of international treaties dedicated to criminalizing and ferreting out slavery wherever it appears. But despite all that, it still happens in the shadows. Estimates vary widely, but there are tens of millions of people enslaved around the globe today. Modern slavery can take many forms, and is not always about … Continued

The Power of Pollinators

Elizabeth South, environment June 12, 2023 outreach mdilwort

As we enter the summer season, pollination of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and trees is still occurring. We often think of spring being the season of planting and pollinating, but summer plays an important role too. June is National Pollinator Month and in 2023 we celebrate National Pollinator Week from June 19th-25th. This is an annual event held on the third week of June that highlights the wildlife responsible for helping our food grow and promotes the importance of pollinator health and ways humans can help. Who are our pollinators? Lots of animals and insects pollinate, not just bees and butterflies. Some examples: Birds! Did you know that over 900 species of birds pollinate? Especially hummingbirds, who are essential pollinators … Continued