Author Archives: Courtney Bippley

About Courtney Bippley

Courtney is a Reference Librarian at the Main Campus Library. Her favorite genres are fantasy and science fiction. She loves dogs, coffee, and dancing.

Out Loud in the Library: Equity Action Plan Update with Angela Davis

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Remember Durham Tech’s Equity Action Plan from 2020? We’re getting an update on how we are doing from Vice President Dr. Angela Davis. Learn about Durham Tech’s community partnerships, equity scorecard, and some challenges we’ve faced along the way.

If you have any comments, questions, or concerns you can contact Dr. Davis at Davisa@durhamtech.edu. 

Take a look at Durham Tech’s Equity Scorecard. 

Find out more about the Durham Living Wage Project. 

Dr. Davis read What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith, available at the Durham Tech Main Campus Library.

Reading Circle Guides (under construction) can be found on our website. 

Find the 2022 Read Great Things Challenge on the Library Blog (and don’t forget to subscribe). 

Context for the Parks and Recreation quote that was censored can be found here.

Follow the library on Facebook and Instagram. Contact me, Courtney Bippley, at bippleyc@durhamtech.edu. Contact the Durham Tech Library at library@durhamtech.edu. 

Music for this podcast was made by Robert Isaacs. 

Out Loud in the Library-The Thomas Jaynes Art Gallery with Liz McFarlane

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There is a new art gallery on campus! Learn all about it from Liz McFarlane, Director of Development for the Durham Tech Foundation. Who is the gallery named for? How was it created? Who gets to decide what art goes into it? Find out all this and more!

Learn more about our new Recording Room and our Tech Tools on our website. Use the ‘Reserve Our Recording Room’ form to reserve the Recording Room up to six weeks in advance. 

Liz read Waste: One Woman’s Fight Against America’s Dirty Secret by Catherine Coleman Flowers (available through interlibrary loan), A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle (available through interlibrary loan), and My Name is Anton.

Check out our Black History Month collection in the Dogwood Digital Library. E-books and Audiobooks for everyone!

Find the 2022 Read Great Things Challenge on the Library Blog (and don’t forget to subscribe). 

Follow the library on Facebook and Instagram. Contact me, Courtney Bippley, at bippleyc@durhamtech.edu. Contact the Durham Tech Library at library@durhamtech.edu. 

Music for this podcast was made by Robert Isaacs. 

E-Books and Audiobooks for Black History Month

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Having a hard time choosing what books to read during Black History Month? We’ve got your back!

Black History Month books. Featuring Will, A Promised Land, The 1619 Project, and Caste.

We created a Black History Month collection in our Dogwood Digital Library for you to browse through. We have new and popular titles like Will by Will Smith, The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones, and The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee. Use your Durham Tech username and password to log in and check out books!

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Out Loud in the Library: Comics and Graphic Novels with Patrick Morris

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I know you’ve been missing the library podcast. But the good news is that we’re back! Ready fill your ears with library content in 2022.

Learn about comics and graphic novels from English instructor Patrick Morris. He joined us to answer explain what the difference between comics and graphic novels is. And, makes recommendations to people who haven’t read any before. He has passion and knowledge to share!

Learn more about our new Recording Room and our Tech Tools on our website. Use the ‘Reserve Our Recording Room’ form to reserve the Recording Room up to six weeks in advance. 

Patrick Morris read Y: The Last Man (available through interlibrary loan) and The Nickel Boys (available at the Main Campus Library and as an audiobook in the Dogwood Digital Library). We also discussed Ms. Marvel and Hyperbole and a Half. Find them through the library!

Find the 2022 Read Great Things Challenge on the Library Blog (and don’t forget to subscribe). 

Follow the library on Facebook and Instagram. Contact me, Courtney Bippley, at bippleyc@durhamtech.edu. Contact the Durham Tech Library at library@durhamtech.edu. 

Music for this podcast was made by Robert Isaacs. 

All We Can Save Reading Circle

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Do you ever get down after reading the news?

 
Ever feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the climate crisis? 


Ever feel alone in worrying about the future?


Do you feel left out of conversations around sustainability and eco-consciousness? 


Join our reading circle!


In the spring 2022 semester, the Durham Tech Library will be hosting a reading circle for the book All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis, an anthology edited by Dr. Ayana Johnson and Dr. Katherine Wilkinson about truth, courage, and climate solutions. The book tackles history, society, community, technology, intersectional feminism, climate change, climate solutions, and more. 

All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis. Edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson.

What is a reading circle?

It’s like a book club, but just for this book. We will be following guidance from the All We Can Save Project, a nonprofit working to build a feminist climate resistance. 

The All We Can Save Project logo

How long will it take?

10 weeks, with a meeting once a week. We will read essays and poems before each meeting and discuss them. The selections build on each other, so we highly suggest making it to at least 8-10 meetings. 


When does it start?

It will start at the end of January and run through March.


Why are you doing a reading circle for this book?

Because I think it’s an amazing book that can foster community, increase knowledge, and renew hope. Read more of my thoughts about the book on the Durham Tech Library Blog.


Does the Durham Tech Library have copies of the book?

Yes! We have print copies and an audiobook available. If we run out of copies, we can get more through interlibrary loan.


Who can participate?

Anyone! This is not limited to Durham Tech employees only. Students, family members, and members of the public are also invited. All ethnicities, gender identities, and ages are encouraged to attend. 


I’m interested! What next?

Fill out this interest form for more communication about the All We Can Save Circle. 


If you have any other questions or concerns, please reach out to me at bippleyc@durhamtech.edu. I hope to hear from you soon!

What We’re Reading: Pumpkinheads

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Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks
Available as an ebook through Dogwood Digital Library

Josiah and Deja work at the Pumpkin Patch, a seasonal fair with food, animals, and a corn maze. It’s their last night of the season and next year they’ll be at college unable to work at The Patch. Will Josiah finally talk to the girl he’s been pining over for years? Deja is going to make sure of it!

A cute fall romance with tons of atmosphere and adorable illustrations.

This book was read by Courtney Bippley, Main Campus Reference Librarian. 

Title: Pumpkinheads

Author: Rainbow Rowell and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks

Genre: Graphic novel

Read Great Things 2021 Categories: A short book; A book with pictures; Choose your own book category: A seasonal book; A book suggested by a Durham Tech Library staff member

Continue Reading →

Out Loud in the Library: Meet Our New Librarians!

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Have you met our two new librarians yet? No?

Well, we have a podcast episode for you! Meet our two new librarians, Sasha Deyneka and Kyle Minton, and hear about what the library has going on. A special coming soon announcement is in this one for an All We Can Save circle in the spring 2022 semester. Read my review of the book on the library blog!

Sasha read Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong. Find it in print at the library or read the ebook through our Dogwood Digital Library. 

Don’t miss pumpkin painting at our next Crafternoon! Check the schedule and put it on your calendar.

There is still time to complete the Read Great Things Challenge, and the reading sprint we’re doing this semester. Learn more on the Library Blog!

Follow the library on Facebook and Instagram. Contact me, Courtney Bippley, at bippleyc@durhamtech.edu. Contact the Durham Tech Library at library@durhamtech.edu. 

Music for this podcast was made by Robert Isaacs.