Short Stacks from the University of Minnesota Libraries

The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) stepped up to serve during World War I. When the United States declared war on Germany April 6, 1917, John Mott, the General Secretary of the American YMCA, immediately volunteered the organization's services. Those in the YMCA began to work with the troops in accord with the YMCA's philosophy of equally developing Body, Mind, and Spirit.

“Humanities on the Front Lines: Public Partnerships and Transforming the University” was the title of the Jan. 27, 2022 presentation for A Feast of Words, an annual event presented by the Friends of the University of Minnesota Libraries and the Campus Club. Professor Jigna Desai and Associate Professor Tracey Deutsch discussed the important work of Minnesota Transform, a higher education initiative funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation that addresses decolonial and racial justice in the University, Twin Cities, and state through public humanities projects.

“You can't be what you can't see,” said Larry McKenzie, award-winning coach, speaker, and author, during the Nov. 18 Friends of the Libraries event Amplifying Black Narratives: The Creation of Black Narratives. Among the important resources for creating Black narratives are people who serve as “mirrors” that reflect possibilities yet may be scarce in the community. McKenzie was joined by Sheletta Brundidge, Sagirah Shahid, and Dara Beevas.

Tim Johnson reviewed "Charles Lindbergh: A Religious Biography of America's Most Infamous Pilot" by Christopher Gehrz on this installment of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries. He's joined by host Lisa Von Drasek.

The Friends of the University of Minnesota Libraries hosted an online panel discussion on Oct. 28, 2021, which featured Mélina Mangal, Rekhet Si-Asar, Dionne Sims, and panel moderator Kate McCready. The panel discussed the challenges faced by black authors, librarians, independent publishers, and bookstore owners in getting books by black authors on the shelves and ultimately in the hands of readers.

Jokeda (JoJo) Bell, Tia-Simone Gardner, and Catherine Squires joined moderator Cecily Marcus for a conversation about the preservation of Black art and culture in community-based archives and the University collections. Please watch this lively conversation with experts who share a passion for keeping historical archives not only accessible, but alive.

From learning about databases and special collections to being introduced to popular reading selections and Breakerspace activities, incoming students jumped on the fast track to powering curiosity, discovery, and connection through the Libraries at the Campus Exploration Fair.

Megan Kocher and Lisa Von Drasek discussed cookbooks they liked the most for cooking and baking during the pandemic, on this installment of "Read This Book!" from the University of Minnesota Libraries.

The 12th annual Pankake Poetry reading features poet Deborah Keenan, the author of 10 collections of poetry. Her book, “Willow Room, Green Door: New and Selected Poems,” received the Minnesota Book Award for Poetry. Following the reading, there will be a discussion with Keenan led by James Lenfestey.

Lacie McMillin discusses Yaa Gyasi's Transcendent Kingdom, with Lisa von Drasek, on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries. Transcendent Kingdom us a novel about faith, science, religion, and love, centered on a family of Ghanaian immigrants ravaged by depression and addiction and grief. It's Gyasi's followup to her acclaimed national best seller Homegoing. 

In the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, the Mapping Prejudice project has attracted media attention from across the globe. What began here has exploded into the largest protest in American history. The whole world was watching as our community was ripped apart, partly as a consequence of decades of unjust and discriminatory housing practices. Learn how community researchers are mapping the hidden histories of race and privilege in your neighborhood — and how you can join them.

Please join the University of Minnesota Libraries for an international virtual book launch for “The Selected Letters of John Berryman,” edited by Philip Coleman (Trinity College Dublin) and Calista McRae (New Jersey Institute of Technology). The editors and invited guests — including Eve Cobain, Henri Cole, Ray Gonzalez, Patricia Hampl, and Richard J. Kelly — will read from Berryman’s letters and consider his legacy in a discussion moderated by poet and critic Peter Campion. Bringing together scholars and poets from both sides of the Atlantic, the launch will explore how the letters shed light on Berryman’s life and work.

Emeritus Professor Dr. John S. Wright discusses his intellectual forebearers and the African American renaissance men and women who inspire his work. Dr. Wright will be joined by Cecily Marcus, Curator of the University Libraries’ Givens Collection of African American Literature, the Performing Art Archives, and the Upper Midwest Literary Archives.

The landscape of news media has changed and to navigate it, news consumers need to be savvy, journalism students need to be curious, and reporters need to be ethical. These were aspects of the news discussed at the Oct. 21 event, “Behind the Headlines: Reporters and news consumers in a 24/7 media world,” sponsored by Friends of the Libraries.

At a time when immigration is at the forefront of national news, we hear the singular voice of Wang Ping, a poet, writer, photographer, multimedia artist, and activist reading from her new book “My Name Is Immigrant.” Drawing from her own experiences and those of the immigrants she has met along the way, her poignant renderings are both moving and inspiring. Following the reading, there was a discussion with Wang Ping led by Cecily Marcus, curator of the Upper Midwest Literary Archives.

On September 17, 2019, award-winning broadcaster, journalist, and author Cokie Roberts passed away at the age of 75. In her memory, on this episode, we’ll share a recording of the speech that Roberts gave at the University of Minnesota Law School Commencement Exercises, held on Saturday, May 9, 1992 at Northrop Auditorium.

Carissa Tomlinson joins host Lisa Von Drasek to discuss Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool by Emily Oster, on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.

Libraries staff have been managing through many changes in the last six months, the most recent being the re-opening of our four main University of Minnesota Libraries — Wilson, Walter, Health Sciences, and Magrath. Now, some staff no longer work from home, yet others continue to do so — while providing critical online services for students and faculty.

Rick Riordan's The Lightning Thief is discussed by Jessica Abbazio and Lisa Von Drasek on Read This Book, from the University of Minnesota Libraries.

During our buildings closure, the Libraries’ patrons cannot come in. Yet, the Libraries “are a very social place; they are the heart of the campus,” says Kate McCready, Interim Associate University Librarian for Content & Collections. “So to not have our users here? The next best thing is getting us out to them.”

"Slayer" and "Chosen" are the two books, by New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White, reviewed on this installment of Read This Book by Lisa Von Drasek, Curator of the  University of Minnesota Children's Literature Research Collections. 

Dean of Libraries Lisa German joins Lisa Von Drasek to review "The Color Kittens" on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries. "The Color Kittens" is a children's book by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen, and published, as part of the Little Golden Books series, in 1949.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Kristen Mastel has chosen three books to highlight the environment and the world around us. They are: "Braided Sweetgrass," by Robin Wall Kimmerer, "Onigamiising: Seasons of an Ojibwe Year" by Linda LeGarde Grover, and "Climate Justice" by Mary Robinson.

Tim Johnson recommends two annotated books — Sherlock Holmes and the Sandman — in this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.

With schools closed and libraries shuttered due to COVID-19, children find themselves sequestered at home — many without enough books or activities to appease their curiosity. Enter Lisa Von Drasek, the energetic curator of the University of Minnesota’s Children’s Literature Research Collections, who has created a social media campaign called #OperationReadAloud as a way to reach children and families.

KUOM radio's Minnesota School of the Air series People Worth Hearing About first aired in 1969 with programs that featured biographies of prominent African Americans. In 1971, the program broadcast an interview with Dr. Joyce Jackson, the newly appointed Principal of Central High School in Minneapolis.

Lisa Von Drasek discusses Making Comics by Scott McCloud, Making Comics by Lynda Barry, and Comics: Easy as ABC by Ivan Brunetti in this episode of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.

Jessica Abbazio, the University of Minnesota music librarian, reviews "The Lunar Chronicles" by Melissa Meyers on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries. The Lunar Chronicles is a series of young adult science fiction novels that are futuristic retellings of classic fairy tales.

Throughout her career, Wendy Pradt Lougee has been at the forefront nationally — developing programs, initiatives, and policies that have revolutionized academic librarianship. Lougee is retiring February 27, 2020, after more than 17 years as University Librarian and Dean of Libraries at the University of Minnesota. In this video, several of Lougee's colleagues pay tribute to her contributions to the library profession and to the University of Minnesota.

Zach Miller reviews A Shark Going Inland Is My Chief on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.

See a video preview of the Libraries' current exhibit, "A Woman's Place: Women and Work," at the Elmer L. Andersen Library at the University of Minnesota. The exhibit runs through March 6.

Cody Hennesy gave a thumbs up to Artificial Unintelligence: How Computers Misunderstand the World by Meredith Broussard in the latest installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries. In the book, Broussard argues that our collective enthusiasm for applying computer technology to every aspect of life has resulted in a tremendous amount of poorly designed systems.

The Mapping Prejudice Project at the University of Minnesota’s John R. Borchert Map Library taps into a growing community interest to confront painful legacies of racism and to work towards a more equitable future.

Megan Kocher recommended two books on holiday baking in this episode of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.

Kimberly Clarke reviews a fantasy novel, "Written in Red," by Anne Bishop in this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.

Tim Johnson recommends two books: "The Devil's Due" by Bonnie MacBird — a Sherlock Holmes Adventure — and "Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger" by Rebecca Traister.

The Secret Life of Libraries was a smash hit to a crowded room of Libraries friends on Monday, December 9 at Coffman Memorial Union Theater. It truly was an evening of radio antics with A Prairie Home Companion veterans, Sue Scott, Tim Russell, and Richard Dworsky, who wrote the radio play based on the collections and the intrigue at the University of Minnesota Libraries.

The Secret Life of Libraries was a smash hit to a crowded room of Libraries friends on Monday, December 9 at Coffman Memorial Union Theater. Watch it now on YouTube! It truly was an evening of radio antics with A Prairie Home Companion veterans, Sue Scott, Tim Russell, and Richard Dworsky, who wrote the radio play based on the collections and the intrigue at the University of Minnesota Libraries.

Our Music Librarian Jessica Abbazio reviews "A Wild Ride Through the Night" by Walter Moers for this installment of Read This Book from the University Libraries. "A Wild Ride through the Night" describes the exhilarating and comic adventures of his twelve-year-old protagonist Gustave, a boy who aspires one day to be a great artist. 

Librarian Kristen Mastel recommends two nature books — 'Into Nature' and 'The Hidden Life of Trees' — on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries, hosted by Lisa Von Drasek.

Librarian Alicia Kubas reviews "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor — a New York Times bestseller and Michael L. Printz honor book, which is an epic fantasy about a mythic lost city and its dark past.

The biggest incoming class in 46 years toured the Libraries August 30 as part of Welcome Week 2019. The Class of 2023 learned about our 24/7 chat support, free online course materials, makerspaces, 3D-printing, and more!

Two books by Amy Krouse Rosenthal were featured in this episode of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries. Danya Leebaw and Host Lisa Von Drasek discussed Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life and Little Pea — two of Leebaw's favorite books by Rosenthal.

Meet Your Peer Research Consultants (PRCs) at the University of Minnesota Libraries! PRCs can help undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota with their research papers, including help with finding scholarly or academic articles, narrowing down your paper topics, creating research questions, navigating the Libraries' website and databases, choosing keywords for searching, and evaluating articles and websites.

The Libraries' Sherlock Holmes expert, Tim Johnson, recommends three Holmes books for your August reading list on this episode of Read This Book! from the University Libraries, hosted by Lisa Von Drasek. The three are: "Sherlock Holmes: A Biography" by William S. Baring-Gould, "The Whole Art of Detection: Lost Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes" by Lindsay Faye, and "Medical Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" by Carl Heifetz.

Lisa Von Drasek recommends a number of books about the moon — in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing on July 20, 1969. It's all part of the latest episode of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries. Books included: Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca, A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin, A Kite for Moon by Jane Yolen, Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Matt Phelan, Sun! One in a Billion and Moon! Earth's Best Friend by Stacy McAnulty, Planetarium by Raman Prinja, and The Moon by Hannah Pang.

Librarian Jan Fransen recommends Circe by Madeline Miller as her choice for 2019 Summer Reading in this episode of Read This Book! Set in the world of ancient Greek mythology, Circe is the fantastical tale of a fierce young woman — half titan, half nymph — who dares to challenge the gods.

Publishing Services Librarian Emma Molls recommends two books for summer reading: "Her Body and Other Parties" and "Paper Girls." Molls discussed the books with Host Lisa Von Drasek on this installment of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries. 

Watch or listen to "Truth, Tweets, and Tomorrows" — featuring Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero in conversation with journalist Tom Weber. This event, held May 17, 2019 at the University of Minnesota, was sponsored by the Friends of the University of Minnesota Libraries.

Four 8th-graders from Salk Middle School in Elk River talk about their History Day projects and the importance of Wilson Library to their research. Hear from Abi Kotila, Emma McCauley, Ben Stout, Kayla Vang, Salk social studies teacher Ron Hustvedt, and Minitex librarian Elizabeth Staats as they prepare for History Day 2019. 

Teaching poetry while in prison, being present at an airport bomb explosion, and traveling internationally have shaped Jim Moore as a writer and pivotal figure on Minnesota’s poetry scene for more than four decades. Moore read from his works at the 2019 Pankake Poetry event, held April 3 at the University of Minnesota.