KT Lowe

KT Lowe

A few of my favorite things

A few of my favorite things

, Research
Raindrops on roses, warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages… these are somebody’s favorite things for sure. But for me, one thing’s for certain: there’s nothing I like more than learning as much as I can about my own favorite things. With the resources here on campus, I have plenty of opportunity to learn as much as I can. Favorite things: Cats! Who doesn’t love our feline overlords? According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are roughly 71 million pet cats in the United States alone – the most preferred (pre-furred?) pet in the country. For all their fuzzy charm, however, these popular, beloved, adorable animals are still something of an enigma to most people. For centuries, cats have been … Continued
A trip to China

A trip to China

, , Library Resources
Recently, the IU East Campus Library gained access to a marvelous set of historical databases covering cultures from all over the world. The Adam Mathew databases, powered by university collections and state institutions such as the British Library, cover historical documents from Central and South America, Asia and Africa. From missionary bulletins printed in Hong Kong to detailed reports from the East India Company, lots of surprises dwell within these amazing resources. Today, we’ll focus on China. The China: Trade Politics and Culture database spans 1793-1980 and covers everything from biographies and sales records to Chinese Christmas cards. The church bulletins are fascinating mostly for their diary-like entries on life in China in the 19th century and book reviews about … Continued
Chocolate: Food of the Gods

Chocolate: Food of the Gods

, Library Resources, Programs
In honor of Halloween, we’re going to profile the world’s favorite sweet. Yes, we’re going to talk about chocolate. The cacao tree, which grows cacao, the raw material for chocolate, is native to Brazil and spread to what is now Ecuador, Guatemala and parts of Mexico at an unspecified time before 2000 BCE. It grows in the tropics, favors partial shade and needs both good soil and a consistent water source. For roughly 4000 years, people have enjoyed this complex substance – it possesses over 500 volatile and nonvolatile compounds, and its genome was mapped in 2000. Chocolate is more than a fun treat, however. Its history is inextricably linked to empire, conquest, trade and luxury. Its origins in Mesoamerica … Continued
My Quest on Heritage Quest

My Quest on Heritage Quest

, , Library Resources, Research
This year’s One Book selection, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf, traces both the life of Khadra Shamy and that of her family, going back two generations. A key moment in the book covers Khadra’s visit to Syria, where she meets with her aunt Teta and learns more about her family history. Here on campus, we can help you with the same research. All IU East students, faculty and staff have access to Heritage Quest, a rich resource full of census records, city directories, family trees and other related genealogical materials. Heritage Quest, powered by ProQuest and Ancestry.com, can help you discover your background – even the stories that your family has held true for generations. I decided to check … Continued
The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf: An introduction

The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf: An introduction

, outreach, Programs
This year’s One Book selection, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf, first came to IU East as one of the books that the library acquired as a result of the Next Indiana Bookshelf. The Next Indiana Bookshelf was a Bicentennial Legacy project from 2015 that gave Indiana-themed books to selected libraries throughout the state as a means to promote state history and pride. This selection was chosen because of its strong ties to Indiana, its theme and its connection with other on-campus theme activities. The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf layers multiple issues into one fulfilling, ultimately uplifting narrative. This book follows the life of Khadra Shamy, whose parents and brother immigrated to the United States from Syria when she … Continued