Category Archives: Events

Crafternoon: Pop-Up Valentine’s Day Cards

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Can you believe that February 14th is right around the corner? It’s like it popped up out of nowhere! 

(See what I did there?)

The Student Government Association and the Library are giving out pretty scrapbook paper for you to create your own pop-up cards. If you would like some, email us at library@durhamtech.edu and we’ll schedule a time for you to pick it up.

What kind of pop-up cards, you ask? Well, there are so many choices!

Check out these delightful options below, and keep scrolling to see my own creation!

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It’s Election Day!

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Happy Election Day 2020! 

Today is the last day to cast your vote! Join your Durham Tech community and cast your vote if you’re eligible and haven’t already! 

Durham Tech Early Voting pictures and Selfies, including some pens, thumbs up, and celebratory shoes. We voted!

In order to vote today, you’ll need to go to your assigned polling place and can vote until 7:30 p.m.– if you’re in line at 7:30 p.m., no matter how long the line may be, you can cast your ballot. Learn more from the NC State Board of Elections about what to expect when voting on Election Day, including links to download a sample ballot.

No ID is required. 

As a voter, you have rights! Here’s a concise list from Democracy NC about your Voter’s Bill of Rights. (Also available in Spanish.) Remember that voter intimidation is against both state and federal law. Report any instances of voter intimidation to the election official at your polling place 

If you’d like to drop off your Vote-by-Mail/Absentee Ballot in person, you can do so on Election Day at your county’s Board of Elections office by 5:00 p.m. All ballots sent through the mail must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 12. 

Unfortunately, if you have not registered to vote, you can no longer do so, but if you have registered and your name is not found at your polling place, you have the right to complete a provisional ballot. 

Out Loud in the Library: A Durham Tech Library Podcast

The second episode of the Durham Tech Library podcast, Out Loud in the Library is out today! Check out Episode 2: Action Plan with Angela Davis about Durham Tech’s Action Plan for Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity.

Your Vote, Your Voice: Early voting ends this week in NC

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Your vote, your voice. Be heard. Vote by November 3.

Need some info on your ballot, your rights, and other information about voting early (by Sat., Oct. 31) or on Election Day (Tues., Nov. 3) in NC?

Check out our first Library podcast episode: Out Loud in the Library– Early Voting with Erin Riney with your host Courtney Bippley

You can also check out the Library blog’s Informed Voter Resources post. 

Various "We Voted" pictures from Library staff

Hey, Durham Tech faculty, staff, and students! Have you already voted? Send me (Meredith Lewis– lewisma @ durhamtech . edu) your voting selfie and we’ll post a Durham Tech group “picture” on Election Day! 

Indigenous People’s Day

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In 2017, the state of North Carolina proclaimed the second Monday in October as Indigenous People’s Day. 

What is Indigenous People’s Day? 

An alternative to Columbus Day, Indigenous People’s Day is “a celebration … to bring acknowledgment to the Native population”  and remove the focus from Columbus, a man who caused harm to Native populations. 

Want to learn more about Indigenous people’s history and culture? Here’s a very small selection of the books available through the Durham Tech library.

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Make 2020 Your Year of Civic Engagement: Informed Voter Resources

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If you’ve decided that you’re going to be a more informed voter, now is the time. Elections are coming up soon, and if you’re eligible to vote and want to learn more about your choices and the issues on your ballot and how to actually cast that vote, here are some resources that you might find useful.

North Carolina state image above VOTE in a red and blue button image
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Make 2020 Your Year of Civic Engagement: National Voter Registration Day

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Today (Sept. 22) is National Voter Registration Day. Get #VoteReady

It’s National Voter Registration Day! Today we encourage everyone to check their voter registration to make sure it’s up-to-date or, if you haven’t already registered, fill out that voter registration form! 

Have you checked your NC voter registration yet? Registered in another state? Each state makes its own rules, so check out the different rules and regulations (including deadlines). 

If you’re a registered NC DMV customer, you can even register to vote online (new this year)! You can also print and mail your voter registration form (stop into the Durham Tech Main Campus Library for a form if you need a printed copy). 

The deadline to register to vote for North Carolina’s 2020 election is October 9. If you miss the registration deadline, you can still register to vote and cast a ballot using same-day voter registration at any early voting site in your county from October 15-31. (NOTE: Same-day registration is not available on Election Day, Nov. 3).

Do any of the following apply to you: 

Have you recently moved?

Each year, an estimated 30+ million Americans move. Whether you have moved across the country or down the street, be sure to update your voter registration today!

Have you recently turned 18?

If you have recently turned 18 or will turn 18 by election day, register to vote ahead of the November election! 

Have you recently legally changed your name?

Married? Divorced? Updated any of your names recently? Update your voter registration! 

Have you recently become a citizen?

Are you a new or recent American citizen? Don’t forget to confirm your voter registration status so you can celebrate your new citizenship by casting your American election ballot!

Do you have a felony conviction? Check to see if you’re eligible to vote through Restore Your Vote. 

Are you an overseas or military voter? Check out the resources available on Overseas Vote. 

Be aware of your voting rights before you head to your early voting or voting site– Democracy NC also has a one-page NC Voters’ Bill of Rights. 

Since voting-in-person may be impacted this year, you can also vote by mail with an absentee ballot. 

Civic engagement with the voting process may also look like working as a poll worker, especially needed since many poll workers are retired individuals who are currently more at-risk for COVID-19. Contact your local county election board for more information. 

September Crafternoon: Decorate Your Own Mug

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We’ve had a few solid days of fall-like weather, which reminds me warm beverage weather. With that in mind, what better way to celebrate the beginning of fall weather than to decorate your own mug? 

white mug with paintbrush and four colors of paint: red, yellow, blue, and green (the components of the mug painting kit)

Durham Tech Student Life will mail or reserve for in-library pickup mugs for the first 30 students who submit the September Crafternoon Mug Request Form (link under previous text) between Tuesday, September 22 and Thursday, September 24. One mug per student and current student status is required (and will be checked prior to mailing). If the form is closed, all the spaces have already been reserved. An oven that can get to 360 degrees is needed for this project. 

A painted white mug with "Happiness in a cup" and the "u" in cup has illustrated flowers in it

Not a current student or want to get mugs for you and your family? We’re using Michael’s Ceramic Mug Kit by ArtMinds, available in stores and online.

Well, other than dumping a packet of [delicious] hot chocolate [preferably with those little dehydrated marshmallows] into your beautifully decorated mug, what else might you be able to do with it?

Two words: MUG CAKE

READ MORE FOR MUG CAKE RECIPES FOR YOUR MUG

August Crafternoon: Decorate Your Own Agenda or Notebook

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Crafternoons are a partnership between the Durham Tech Student Government Association and the Library. 

It’s back-to-school time, and usually we’d host a few Crafternoons so you can get organized and decorate your own planner/agenda or notebook. Since we’re 80% online this semester, we won’t be hosting face-to-face events, but we do have some opportunities for you to still get organized for the new semester with a fresh Durham Tech planner, begin your pandemic diary, or take notes for your new classes in a you-decorated Durham Tech notebook. 

notebook decorated with a piece of scrapbook paper with photos of grapefruits and washi tape stripes in the lower corner: polka dot natural color with gold and white polka dot on orange. The binding is duct tape.
Scrapbook paper with washi tape and a duct tape spine


Able to make a quick trip to campus and pick up a blank agenda or notebook to decorate at home? We have a few to-go packets available for students in the Main Campus Library that include the blank agenda or notebook, a few pieces of scrapbook paper, and some stickers. 
First come, first served. Check library hours for availability. Limit one packet per student.

Staying home and have a printer? Keep reading for files and instructions on how to print your own agenda and notebook. 

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Make 2020 Your Year of Civic Engagement

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2020 is both a US Census and election year.

Many of us are thinking about how we can make a meaningful impact in our community. Participating in both the Census and local and national elections can help us make those impacts. 

Click through to learn a little more about the Census, voting (especially in NC), and a few books to check off your civic engagement category on the Read Great Things 2020 Challenge. 

LEARN MORE

Can’t Go to the Art Museum? Check out our virtual student art show

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At the end of the spring semester, the Library and the Durham Tech Fine Arts classes come together to host a student art display. We look forward to this event each year. 

With the physical library closed, the annual art display was [obviously] cancelled, but we still wanted to find a way to highlight some of the wonderful art that Durham Tech students created this year, so we’ve created a virtual art show two ways.

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