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Small Things

Small Things

, , Ann Tobin 0 Comments
Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think there are no little things. ~ Bruce Barton  What’s smaller than a dwarf, tends to be a “cautious homebody”(unless there is some Tookish blood), wears bright colors but seldom wears shoes over furry feet, likes to laugh and eat (six meals a day), and loves to give and receive gifts?  A Hobbit, of course, and the perfect improbable protagonist for J.R.R. Tolkien’s heroic quest. Bilbo Baggins, the Hobbit, battles trolls, goblins, evil wolves, giant spiders, and a Gollum to help Thorin and his band of dwarves recapture the treasure of his ancestors, long ago stolen by the ferocious dragon, Old Smaug. Bilbo had help … Continued
LGBTQ Youth Literature

LGBTQ Youth Literature

, books, Jesse Whitton 0 Comments
Choosing a topic for my end of semester L390 Children’s Literature paper was a process of exploration. I chose to compare and contrast picture books with a common theme. I wanted a theme that dealt with current events so I focused on the 2012 elections.  With 3 additional States and the District of Columbia legalizing Gay Marriage (for a total of 9 states, http://gaymarriage.procon.org), I decided to examine children’s books that feature children with gay parents. So I turned to the IU East Library children’s book collection.  I located four books that were stories about gay parents: Daddy’s Roommate, Heather has Two Mommies, Gloria goes to Gay Pride, and And Tango Makes Three. A librarian also directed me to an … Continued
Native American Heritage

Native American Heritage

, Library Resources, Matt Dilworth
November is Native American Heritage Month, founded in 1990 by Public Law 101-343.  It’s a great time to learn about the rich and incredibly diverse history of our continent’s first citizens.   The first and foremost of our resources are databases.  These include American Indian History Online, which lets you search by region, tribe, person, event, or topic, and includes maps, pictures, documentary videos, and primary sources. Another is Early Encounters in North America: Peoples, Cultures, and the Environment which covers written accounts of interactions between Europeans and Native Americans (fifteenth to nineteenth century). It can be searched by year, location, personal and cultural event, nationality and kinship, flora and fauna, images, or environmental features.   And, of course, we’ve got … Continued
Veterans Day

Veterans Day

, Library Resources, Matt Dilworth
On this Veterans Day, IU East joins the nation in pausing to thank our brave soldiers, from generations past and present, for their service and courage under fire.  But of course, we are especially proud of those students and employees of our own university who have defended us.  And we want to give back to you – whether it’s through the Student Veterans Organization or striving to be classed as a Military Friendly School, IU East hopes to pay back a portion of what you’ve given us.   But perhaps there is no better way to honor someone than to understand them.  Perhaps you’ll want to write a term paper on a military conflict.  Perhaps you’ll want to learn about … Continued
It’s Not too Late!

It’s Not too Late!

Ann Tobin 0 Comments
It’s not too late to be an informed voter! And, if you are reading this after 6:00 p.m. on November 6, you will be plenty early for the next election!   Why do I vote? Even if people tell me that my vote doesn’t really matter, I know that my voting does. I vote, primarily, because my parents always exercised this right, staying abreast of local and national issues by reading newspapers and news magazines, and discussing political issues in family conversations. As a parent, I try to continue these civic-minded practices. Secondly, I learned at a fairly young age, that many other countries did not have democratic forms of government or the right to free speech. I also learned … Continued