Notes & Quotes

Library Events

by Mary Beth Parkinson, Information Literacy Librarian

This past fall, the Brendlinger Library continued to host programs of interest to students, faculty, and staff. In November, English Professor Kathy Shaw once again held a book discussion to coordinate with the Writers Conference special guest speaker, John Updike. Those who attended participated in a lively discussion of Updike's 1970 novel, Rabbit Run . Before launching into the discussion, Kathy provided background information on Updike's life and literary career, preparing the group and getting them very excited about his visit to the College.

The Library also welcomed back Professor Peter Scheponik's Contemporary American Poetry class in December for a poetry coffee house. Each student read a poem they had written (one student even sang her poem) as well as one or two by a favorite poet. The students, whose poems were at times humorous, sad, autobiographical, and often poignant, seemed very pleased to have an audience. All those in attendance greatly enjoyed this celebration of poetry with enthusiastic and talented students. To see a slide show of the event, click on: Poetry Reading. Photos were taken by student, Gary P. Rizzo.

This semester, the Brendlinger Library, for the second year, hosted the African American Read-In on Monday, February 7 th in the Library's upstairs lounge. Moderated by Professor Sam Whyte, the event invited students, faculty, and staff to listen to or read a favorite poem or prose passage by an African American writer. The Read-In, a national event honoring Black History Month, was held for the 16 th consecutive year and was observed by schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, and community and professional organizations across the country. Initiated by the National Council of Teachers of English and endorsed by the International Reading Association, the goal of the Read-In is to make the celebration of African American literature a part of Black History Month activities. A sample of the books authored by African Americans and owned by the Brendlinger Library are on display on the main floor opposite the stairway in the book display area under the 'Check These Out' flag. We encourage our students, faculty, and staff to continue to celebrate Black History Month with these books.

Ephraim Dingle

All special programs hosted by the Library are held in the upstairs lounge of the Brendlinger Library. Refreshments are always served at these events. For dates and times of future events, watch for GroupWise announcements and check Blogos, the Library's web log, which is accessible from the Library Web Page.

Korinne Pina

Story Time in the Library

Last summer, the Library collaborated with the Children's Center to offer weekly story time sessions for the children. The children, aged three to five , really enjoy coming each Friday morning for the half-hour sessions, and the Library is so pleased to have them. Readers include librarians and library staff, students enrolled in the Children's Literature class of the Early Childhood Education program, as well as special guest readers - including College President, Karen Stout; Vice President and Provost John Flynn; Associate Vice President, Joan Brookshire; Humanities Division Dean, Laurie Chesley; and Vice President for Information Technology, Celeste Schwartz. We invite our faculty and staff to contact Mary Beth Parkinson (x7480) to participate in this program. And, for a slide show of previous story time sessions, please click on: Story Time Photos.

Exhibits in the Library

For the past several years, the Brendlinger Library has installed several displays to promote diversity or coordinate with a special event on campus. We have also displayed items from the special collections of our faculty and staff. This semester, the Brendlinger Library will be displaying a sample of President Karen Stout's Baltimore Orioles baseball memorabilia as part of the "Baseball and the American Tradition" theme for the College's Scholar-In-Residence program for the spring semester. This program, sponsored by the Scholar-in-Residence Committee in cooperation with the Honors Colloquium and Phi Theta Kappa, will examine the cultural influences of baseball and feature several guest speakers who will address the role that baseball has played in American life. Dr. Stout and English Professor, Don Block, will be team-teaching an Honors Colloquium on the topic of "Baseball and the American Tradition."

So, visit the Brendlinger Library, enjoy Dr. Stout's collection of Orioles memorabilia, and get ready for an exciting semester celebrating the great American game of baseball! You may also click on: http://www.mc3.edu/sa/lib/baseball.htm for baseball materials available in the MCCC library collections, a bibliography of baseball materials, and a baseball display slideshow.