local information

local information

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
A brief history of Gennett Records

A brief history of Gennett Records

, , , outreach
The empty tower that looms over Whitewater Gorge in Richmond, Indiana is the last vestige of what was once a highly influential American recording label.  While never very profitable, Gennett Records holds a number of distinctions important to the development of American music.  It was here, in Richmond, that some of the first jazz recordings were made, and a series of other important performers, from Wilbur Sweatman to Guy Lombardo to Gene Autry, waxed their music in the cramped, overheated studio built just off the railroad tracks. Gennett Records was founded in 1917 and named after Henry Gennett, then the president of the Starr Piano Company.  In 1915, Starr Piano started building phonograph machines to compete with models such as … Continued
Black History at Home

Black History at Home

, Library Resources, Matt Dilworth
When we contemplate Black History Month, the names of historic giants come to mind – inventors and businesspeople, ministers and activists, musicians and politicians – the kind of people who redirect the flow of history and inspire millions.  The people that have the most influence, though, are often the nearest – local people who tirelessly build up their communities, mentor others, and give younger people their first role models. This local community has been fortunate to have many nearby heroes who have improved and shaped the city and county to the betterment of all.  And this has been true from the very beginning.  For example, Rev. James M. Townsend, born in 1841, became an ordained minister by the age of … Continued
Climate Change and Sustainability: Where to Learn More and Engage Locally

Climate Change and Sustainability: Where to Learn More and Engage Locally

, , , Library Resources
Global warming is steadily accelerating, and it is increasingly apparent as this year alone we’ve had deadly flash floods, wildfires, and persistent heatwaves and drought throughout the world. Recently, more than 200 climate scientists met to finalize a report “summarizing how the Earth’s climate has already changed and what humans can expect for the rest of the century” (Hersher, 2021). This report, released August 9, 2021, is the 6th edition. Climate science research has progressed significantly since the last report came out in 2013 and this new report is the most detailed and accurate picture of the global climate to date, as the computer models and the data scientists use to predict future climate patterns has advanced. A major goal … Continued
Flying near and far: Birds in your backyard and beyond

Flying near and far: Birds in your backyard and beyond

, , , Frances Yates, Library Resources, outreach
Whether you want to enjoy bird activities locally or online, identity birds and their songs from around the world, or take actions to help birds, check out these ornithological opportunities. In addition to local parks and your neighborhood, the Whitewater Memorial State Park in Liberty is designated by the National Audubon Society as an “important bird area” that supports “one of the most significant assemblages of migrant and nesting avian species in eastern Indiana,” including waterfowl, a diversity of neotropical passerines, and endangered raptors. At the Hayes Arboretum in Richmond, you can use the Bird Watching Room or several different trails to see a variety of birds. Options include exploring independently, participating in a variety of nature activities, including the … Continued