Category Archives: Focus on a Topic

Body Parts: Microhistories of the Physical Self

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Unlike many of our health science folks, I was academically an English major (and then an education major and then a library science major), so my formal education surrounding anatomy and physiology is lacking. Maybe that’s why I love books about the human body so much, especially microhistories that dig deep into particular anatomical aspects.

Or maybe I remember The Magic School Bus and then the Futurama tribute episode fondly, both of which were inspired by the 1966 science fiction classic film The Fantastic Voyage.

Ms. Frizzle and Liz, the class chameleon, winking at each other from the animated children's television show The Magic School Bus

Maybe this is your genre, too? If so, check out some of our collection of books about body parts and systems and learn more about your insides and outside, too!

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Space! At the Library!

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Have you seen the new images of space from the James Webb Telescope?

Stephen's Quintet image from Webb, NASA 2022
Stephan’s Quintet, which consists of a group of five galaxies ranging between 40 and 290 million light years away from Earth

We have and we’re excited!

In addition to birds, octopuses, dinosaurs, plants, chess, cats, football, real estate, kelp, swimming, astrology, funny internet graphics, The Beatles, and art (to name a few of our department’s enthusiastic specific interests), we also like space!

Keep reading for some resources to learn more about space and even a little fiction to expand your imagination.

Lego man gif yelling "Spaceship!"
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Pride in Our Collection

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June is LGBTQIA+ PRIDE Month!

Pride library display at the Main Campus-- Check it out at the front of the Main Campus Library!
Pride display at the Main Campus Library

As President Joe Biden states in this year’s Pride month proclamation:

This month, we honor the resilience of LGBTQI+ people, who are fighting to live authentically and freely. We reaffirm our belief that LGBTQI+ rights are human rights.

As we celebrate and honor members of the LGBTQIA+ community and the work of activists, we recognize the hard-fought achievements of the past and the urgency of supporting LGBTQIA+ rights today.

Read on to learn more about Pride and check out our Pride recommendations.

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Get Your Hamilton Fix

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You say–

The price of a ticket to NYC is not a price that you’re willing to pay.

Good news!

The Library’s here to cure your post-Hamilton blues.

Don’t be sad;

Remember that books and streaming theater can be digitally had!

Now you’re glad!

Remember that even though it’s summer, we’re here for you.

Character of King George from the musical Hamilton doing a little shoulder shimmy

Da-da-da, dat-da, dat, da-da-da, da-ya-da

Da-da, dat, dat, da-ya-da

Da-da-da, dat-da, dat, da-da-da, da-ya-da

Da-da, dat, dat, da-ya*

With Hamilton‘s recent run at DPAC, if you scored tickets, you may be left wanting more.

While we don’t have access to the streaming musical itself (Disney+ has a monopoly on that), we do have some books and movies that you can immerse yourself in to keep the historical magic alive.

Keep reading!

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Caring for Yourself and Being There for Others

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month. With an on-going pandemic, global conflict, and then the rigors of everyday life, the past few years have been a lot.

Be Well at Durham Tech provides students with a 24/7, 365 free mental health support line with licensed counselors as well as free telehealth or off campus face-to-face counseling sessions.

Students are able to receive services regardless of their location– in-state or internationally.

Health insurance is not required for services.

To access the free 24/7 mental health support line, call 833-434-1217. Speak with a counselor or make an appointment.

If you have questions, contact Karen Mosley-Lyon at mosleylyonk@durhamtech.edu.

Are you a Durham Tech student who wants to speak to a licensed mental health professional? Counseling Services is here for you during regular campus hours.

Are you a Durham Tech employee who wants to speak with a licensed mental health professional? Remember that you have access to the Employee Assistance Program. It’s free and confidential. 

If you’re struggling right now or know someone who is, sometimes it’s hard to know how to feel better. While we can’t fix everything immediately for ourselves or others, we can look for help ourselves or find ways to support others.

If you’re really struggling, it’s important to reach out and ask for help. You are important. You matter. You deserve to get help.

The Durham Tech Main Campus, Orange County Campus, and Dogwood Digital Library collections have lots of books available to help you learn more about your mental health and promote positive habits. Click through for what we’ve got available.

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New Graduates & Starting Summer Session

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ConGRADulations to our 2022 Durham Tech graduates!

Over 350 people earned their degrees, diplomas, and certificates during Durham Tech’s 60th Commencement Ceremony at the Durham Bull’s Athletic Park last Wednesday, May 18.

2021 MacArthur Fellow and 2002 Durham Tech alumnus Ibrahim Cissé delivered the commencement speech (embedded below; link to YouTube video).

Keep reading for some Durham Tech resources from the College to help you make your next moves and to support you if you’re still working towards your goals at Durham Tech!

As always, the Durham Tech Library has many books available for you. Stop in and see us or check out many of our ebook and audiobook resources through Dogwood Digital Library.

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2022 Durham Tech Library Poetry Month Bookmarks!

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2-sided bookmarks with image on one side and poem on other side. Poems are "Characteristics of Life" by Camille T. Dungy, "Small Kindnesses" by Danusha Laméris, "Rain" by Raymond Carver, "for grandma" by NC Poet Laureate Jackie Shelton Green, and "I Pick Up My Footprints" by Vasyl Holoborodko, translated from Ukrainian by Svetlana Lavochkina, illustrated by our own Reference Librarian Sasha Deyneka, adapted from the works of Maria Prymachenko
Click on the image to go to the 2022 Durham Tech Library Poetry Bookmark pdf file.

This year’s poetry month bookmarks have “Characteristics of Life” by Camille T. Dungy, “Small Kindnesses” by Danusha Laméris, “Rain” by Raymond Carver, “for grandma” by NC Poet Laureate Jackie Shelton Green, and “I Pick Up My Footprints” by Vasyl Holoborodko, translated from Ukrainian by Svetlana Lavochkina, illustrated by our own Reference Librarian Sasha Deyneka, adapted from the works of Maria Prymachenko.

The file is a pdf, so you can print your own (and color them in, if that’s your thing). Print 2-sided, short edge. Cardstock is recommended.

Bookmarks and bookmark sheets will be available for pick up at the Main Campus Library by Thursday (we’re having some technical difficulties with the copier) and are currently available at the Orange County Campus Library.

Click through to download Durham Tech Library Poetry Month bookmarks from 2021, 2019, and 2017, which include poems from Amanda Gorman, Terrance Hayes, Mary Oliver, Kay Ryan, Danez Smith, Rita Dove, Ellen Bass, and many more!

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New Poetry for National Poetry Month, April 2022

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This poster was designed by eleventh grader Lara L. from Saunders Trades and Technical High School in Yonkers, New York, who was the winner of the 2022 National Poetry Month Poster Contest, and features a line by 2021 Presidential Inaugural Poet and 2017 National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman.

This poster was designed by eleventh grader Lara L. from Saunders Trades and Technical High School in Yonkers, New York, who was the winner of the 2022 National Poetry Month Poster Contest, and features a line by 2021 Presidential Inaugural Poet and 2017 National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman.

To celebrate Poetry Month, the Durham Tech Library and Student Engagement Departments are thrilled to announce the return of the Poetry Fox!

poetry fox at typewriter in main campus library

Join us Tuesday, April 26 from 11:30-1:30 p.m. outside of the Main Campus Library (ERC, Building 5) to get a custom poem written on the spot by The Poetry Fox! (If the weather gets weird, this event will move into the Main Campus Library in the downstairs collaborative study area.)

One word for a custom poem on his typewriter!

This event is for students, faculty, and staff.

Main Campus Library has many new poetry anthologies, poet biographies and memoirs, and books about poetry for you to enjoy. Keep reading for a selection of some of our new titles.

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