Category Archives: Themed Displays

Celebrate Banned Books Week Sept. 24-30

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Banned Books Week is an annual event which celebrates the freedom to read and highlights the importance of open access to information for all. Banned Books Week brings awareness to issues of censorship in libraries and schools.

Banned Books Week poster

Image from ALA: American Library Association

According to the American Library Association, “A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. As such, they are a threat to freedom of speech and choice.”

To see a list of the most frequently challenged, books visit: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks

Visit our banned books display on the lower level of the library and pick up a bookmark at the library’s desk to celebrate the power of words and the freedom to read.

banned books display

Constitution Day and Durham Reads Together

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The Library and Student Government Association are pleased to host a Constitution Day event on Monday as part of Durham Reads Together.

Durham Reads Together logoEvent Details:
Mon. Sept. 18, 2017  10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Constitution Day Read-in with students, faculty, administration, and staff.

US Constitution book coverPick up a free copy of the US Constitution, register to vote, color at the craft table, win cupcakes at our trivia contest, and learn about the Constitution on the Main Campus plaza.  Our rain location is the ERC Auditorium in Building 5.

Durham Reads Together is a biennial celebration of reading. The Durham community reads the same book, attends programs around its theme, and discusses important issues together.

For more information, videos of community members talking about the US Constitution, and a list of all Durham Reads Together community events, visit:

https://durhamreadstogether.org/

Also of note, is an exciting free event with Sarah Vowell, the New York Times’ bestselling author of six nonfiction books on American history and culture: Monday, October 9, 2017, 7:00 pm Carolina Theatre, Durham.  The library has copies of some of Sarah’s Vowell’s books available for checkout.

 

Lafayette book coverWordy shipmates book cover

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit our display window outside the library for books, DVDs, and other materials related to the Constitution.

Solar Eclipse Viewing Party Mon. August 21

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The Library and Durham Tech’s Student Government Association are excited to host a Solar Eclipse viewing party on the Main campus plaza next Monday, Aug. 21 from 2:00-3:00 pm.

solar eclipse images

The total solar eclipse of November 14, 2012, as seen in the South Pacific. Photo by Rick Fienberg / TravelQuest International / Wilderness Travel

For the first time in nearly 40 years, a total eclipse of the sun will be visible in the continental United States, which makes this a special and rare phenomenon for us to witness.  A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon covers the face of the sun as seen from earth.  It’s extremely important to view the eclipse safely.  The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through solar filters, such as eclipse glasses.  Eclipse glasses will be provided at our event as well as refreshments. Glasses will also be available at the Orange County Campus.  Please join us for this fun celestial celebration!  Also visit our display in the library window for books and materials related to astronomy and space.

Durham Tech Solar Eclipse Event Poster

To learn more about the eclipse visit these sites:

NASA
https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/faq

American Astronomical Society
https://eclipse.aas.org/

The “All-American” Eclipse guide for libraries:
http://www.starnetlibraries.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2017-Eclipe-Guide-WEB-033117.pdf

Sky and Telescope magazine
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/total-solar-eclipse-august-2017/#observe

 

Celebrating LGBT authors and experiences

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LGBT Book Month image

Image from ALA, American Library Association

This month the library has been celebrating the authors and writings that reflect the lives and experiences of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.  We have a display of books on the lower level of the library that we will keep up through the end of July.

Explore the library’s guide to LGBTQ resources for books, ebooks, DVDs, streaming video, and recommended websites: http://durhamtech.libguides.com/LGBTQ

Pick up a bookmark at the reference desk to join the celebration!

World Oceans Day

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Today, June 8th, is World Oceans Day, which encourages protection and conservation of the oceans.  “World Oceans Day is a global day of ocean celebration and collaboration for a better future.”  For resources and information visit the World Oceans Day website coordinated by The Ocean Project and sponsored by many aquariums and organizations around the world. You can join their mailing list, participate in actions and events, and join their social media campaign.

http://www.worldoceansday.org/

Have you visited any of the four amazing North Carolina Aquariums?  These can be great places to learn about ocean ecosystems, North Carolina marine life, and conservation.

http://www.ncaquariums.com/

You can also take a virtual dive!  Explore the oceans and national marine sanctuaries with NOAA’s (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) 360-degree panoramic images! These virtual reality tours highlight habitats found in our national marine sanctuaries.  Happy exploring.

http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/vr/

The library is featuring an ocean display in our front window this month.  You are welcome to borrow any of the books and DVDS on display.

library display windowLibrary display window

Here are a few books and DVDS from our collection:

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Fascinating Medical Memoirs

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Medical MemoirsThe library has a display on the lower level of medical memoirs written from the perspective of patients, nurses, doctors, and health care workers.  We also feature a few related DVDs as well.   A few of these titles are at the Orange County campus.  Just let us know if you want to have a title sent over to your campus.

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What We Read Wednesday: The Durham Tech Faculty & Staff Best Reads of 2016 Edition

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In a repeating series highlighting current and recent reads around Durham Tech, here are the best books that Durham Tech faculty and staff read in 2016—

Drinking Water: A History by James Salzman book cover
Every Little Step: My Story by Bobby Brown book cover
Fatherland by Robert Harris book cover
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater book cover
Sea Change by S.M. Wheeler book cover
If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name by Heather Lende book cover
Shaken: Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life's Storms by Tim Tebow book cover
In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware book cover
Hild by Nicola Griffith book cover
Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing up Iranian in America by Firoozeh Dumas book cover
The Russian Debutante's Handbook by Gary Shteyngart book cover
Bread, Wine, Chocolate: The Slow Loss of Foods We Love by Simran Sethi book cover
What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures by Malcolm Gladwell book cover
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese book cover
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi book cover
Fast into the Night: A Woman, Her Dogs, and Their Journey North on the Iditarod Trail by Debbie Moderow book cover
Modern Romance: An Investigation by Aziz Ansari & Eric Klinenberg book cover
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain book cover
Durham Tech Library Book Club Past Selection
Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart book cover
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield book cover
What is the What by Dave Eggers book cover
The Magnolia Story by Chip & Joanna Gaines book cover
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware book cover
The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro book cover
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty book cover
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote book cover
The Road to Character by David Brooks book cover
The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen book cover
Left Neglected by Lisa Genova book cover
Everybody's Food by Richard Russo book cover
Dear Mr. You by Mary-Louise Parker book cover
The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu book cover
The Martian by Andy Weir book cover
Durham Tech Library Book Club Past Selection
The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss by Anderson Cooper & Gloria Vanderbilt book cover
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir book cover
The Brothers K by David James Duncan book cover
The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner book cover
As You Wish: Inconcievable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes book cover
Shantytown U.S.A.: Forgotten Landscapes of the Working Poor by Lisa Goff book cover
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline book cover
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Frederik Backman book cover

For Durham Tech Library availability and more details about the 2016 Durham Tech faves, check out the pdf of the book list: Durham Tech 2016 Best Books

You can also check out (literally) the books from the downstairs library display of Durham Tech’s favorite books of 2016.

Is your department, club, campus, committee, or subgroup interested in participating in a What We’re Reading* blog post? The goal of the What We’re Reading* posts is to highlight books, professional literature, blogs, or any other things you might be currently reading or have recently finished. Contact OCC Librarian Meredith Lewis for more information.

*Could also be What We Read– recent reads also accepted (and encouraged).

Library Staff Favorites of 2016

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Durham Tech Library staff have compiled the best books we read and the best movies we watched this year.  We have featured some of these titles on a display on the lower level of the library.  Come check out a book or movie to reward yourself during finals week or to enjoy over winter break. Happy reading and watching!  best of the year ribbon

 

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Your voice, your vote

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As Early Voting begins today in North Carolina, the library has a display of resources about voting rights and history to remind us of the importance of casting our ballots.  There are also excellent ebooks in ebrary and streaming video in Films on Demand.  Visit the NC Voter Guide to locate early voting places, your polling location, and more.

Your voice, your vote

 

Here are some of the library’s books, ebooks, and DVDs about voting rights and history.

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