Author

Author

The Sinking of Saint Mary

The Sinking of Saint Mary

, Library Resources, Matt Dilworth
In 1453, Christian-controlled Constantinople (now called Istanbul) fell to the Ottoman Empire, and the major trade routes to India and China were closed to Europe.  Demand for Eastern goods like silk and spices did not decrease, though, and explorers looked for alternate routes.  In 1492, one of those explorers, Christopher Columbus, convinced the government of Spain to sponsor his attempt to find a Western route, across the Atlantic Ocean.  Instead, on October 12th, he encountered the Caribbean, mistaking it for the East Indies, and met the indigenous Taíno people. Columbus initially traded for gold, spices, and slaves (called ‘naborías’ by the Taíno); but found no silks or any other expected Chinese or Indian luxury goods.  His first voyage concluded towards … Continued
The Peoples of the First Thanksgiving

The Peoples of the First Thanksgiving

, Library Resources, Matt Dilworth, Uncategorized
Thanksgiving commemorates one of the most durable early alliances crafted between indigenous American tribes and European settlers.  Intertribal Chief Massasoit of the Wampanoag (Pokanoket) and Governor William Bradford of the Plymouth settlers adopted this historic peace treaty in 1621.  By 1620, Massasoit’s confederation was imperiled by the larger and stronger Narragansett tribe; and had suffered significant losses from an unknown disease (almost certainly Smallpox).  At the same time, the Plymouth colony had lost half of their members due to starvation and new diseases, as well.  Both consulted their religious advisors, interpreting the deaths as a supernatural punishment, but neither saw clear spiritual signs as to a course of action. Massasoit sent Samoset to feel out the intentions of the pilgrims, … Continued
Exploring Library Databases

Exploring Library Databases

, Jesse Whitton, Library Resources
Excited to explore an array of trusted resources and dependable databases? Be sure to hit that ‘Like’ button on the IU East Campus Library’s Facebook page! We regularly feature highlights from our A-Z index, and here are some of our recent favorites. In search of comprehensive reports on current and trending issues? Look no further than the CQ Researcher database, providing in-depth analyses across a wide spectrum of topics, from impartial coverage of health and social trends to criminal justice, international affairs, education, technology, the economy, and more. Additionally, Ebook Central provides access to a vast library of over 220,000 ebooks across 50 subject areas, including health & medicine, history & political science, religion & philosophy, social sciences, and science … Continued
Breaking the Silence: Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Breaking the Silence: Domestic Violence Awareness Month

, , , Jesse Whitton, outreach
Domestic Violence Awareness Month, observed every October, serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address one of society’s less talked about issues. This month-long campaign promotes awareness about domestic violence, providing a platform for survivors, advocates, and communities to come together and raise their voices against abuse. The IU East Campus Library has many resources, including the Domestic & Sexual Assault Violence Resource Guide to help you learn about domestic and sexual assault and resources available to help those who have been affected. Domestic violence has no boundaries when it comes to age, race, gender, and socioeconomic status. It can happen to anyone. “Nearly 3 in 10 women and 1 in 10 men in the US have … Continued
Look, Up In the Sky

Look, Up In the Sky

, , Library Resources, Matt Dilworth
This year, eclipses are major news.  On October 14th there will be an annular eclipse (that is, one where the moon is too far away to completely block out the sun, and you can still see the outer ring of it). On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be happening. For about four minutes, the sun will be completely blotted out of the sky, and only the solar corona will be visible. Many events are being planned locally around the eclipses, and special filtered glasses that allow people to look directly at them without damaging their eyes will be available from several organizations in our region, including IU East and the Morrisson-Reeves Public Library. Eclipses are academically important … Continued