Author Archives: slindenb

Celebrate Pride Month with Some Awesome Films!

Posted by slindenb on June 5, 2019 No comments

With Pride Month upon us and summer just around the corner, it’s a great time to catch up on some films. If you’re looking for recommendations, Kanopy has put together a collection of LGBTQ-centric films.

Kanopy is proudly celebrating Pride Month and honoring the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising by highlighting some of the incredible, award-winning LGBTQ cinema available to stream right now. From moving and groundbreaking narratives to eye-opening documentaries about the historical and ongoing struggles that the community has endured, we’re thrilled to showcase some of the most unique, compelling, and essential voices in filmmaking. Browse our picks below and discover more essential LGBTQ films on Kanopy.

As we frequently remind our readers, Kanopy is like Netflix for foreign, independent, documentary, and classic films, and is free for all Illinois Wesleyan faculty, staff, and students. You can watch off-campus, too—just make sure to log in via proxy. (Hint: Go to the A-Z Resources tab on our main page and find Kanopy there.)

Secrets of the Librarians: Free Black Women’s Library

Posted by slindenb on June 3, 2019 No comments

If you’re looking for a great new read, Book Marks has started a weekly series called Secrets of the Librarians. Every week, they interview a librarian (“be they Academic, Public, School, or Special”) about “their inspirations, most-recommended titles, thoughts on the role of the library in contemporary society, favorite fictional librarians, and more.”

In mid-May, they interviewed OlaRonke Akinmowo, who is the founder of a social-justice initiative called the Free Black Women’s Library.

Says Akinmowo:

I have to say that I do not have a master’s degree in Library Sciences or any official training and did not go to school to become a librarian, I started the Free Black Women’s Library as a social art project to because I wanted to do something that smashed together the things I am passionate about: books, black womanhood, and community. I wanted to explore the idea of using books by black women to build community, create change, educate, heal, inspire spread joy. I wanted to do something that centered black women but in a way that didn’t feel tragic, traumatic or pathological, something that showed our brilliance, imagination, strength and diversity. I love books and I love libraries, they feel like one of the few safe places on earth (depending on who is running the space).

Akinmowo recommends readers check out Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde, and The Sun is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon. Though the Free Black Women’s Library is in Brooklyn, NY, you can can a head start on this recommended reading by checking out Sister Outsider from The Ames Library! We have both a physical copy and an e-book. There are also several books by black women writers in our free lending Social Justice & Diversity Room collection on the main floor.

15th Annual Illinois Emerging Writers Competition Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award

Posted by slindenb on May 23, 2019 No comments

If you’re a poet interested in getting your work out there, you might consider submitting the Illinois Center for the Book’s annual Emerging Writers Competition. The submission fee is $20 and the deadline for submission is June 30th, 2019. The first-place winner will receive $500, the second-place winner $300, and the third-place winner $100.

Thank You, Karen

Posted by slindenb on May 17, 2019 No comments

On Wednesday, The Ames Library and Illinois Wesleyan celebrated 12 remarkable years with University Librarian Karen Schmidt, who retires this year. We honored her with donations of children’s and young-adult books to the Book Bike. Thank you for the many positive differences you’ve made to this campus and in the lives of countless students, Karen!

Welcome, Scott Walter!

Posted by slindenb on May 8, 2019 No comments

The Ames Library invites Illinois Wesleyan to join us in welcoming new University Librarian Scott Walter to campus on his official first day.

Welcome, Scott! We couldn’t be more excited to have you!

Miniature Therapy Horses

Posted by slindenb on April 22, 2019 No comments

Don’t forget that the therapy horses of Heartland Mini Hoofs will be making a special visit to The Ames Library from 11:30AM to 1:30PM on Tuesday, April 23rd. If the end of the semester has you panicked, this is a guaranteed way to lower your blood pressure!

Before Dr. Vandana Shiva’s Stevenson Address, Watch This Film!

Posted by slindenb on April 10, 2019 No comments

On Monday, April 15th, author and activist Dr. Vandana Shiva will present a talk “The Future of Food” as part of the Adlai E. Stevenson Memorial Lecture Series. We wanted to make you aware that the 2016 Collective Eye film SEED: The Untold Story, which features Shiva, is available for through our streaming video service Kanopy.

Says Kanopy:

Few things on Earth are as miraculous and vital as seeds, worshiped and treasured since the dawn of humankind. SEED: The Untold Story follows passionate seed keepers protecting our 12,000 year-old food legacy. In the last century, 94% of our seed varieties have disappeared. As biotech chemical companies control the majority of our seeds, farmers, scientists, lawyers, and indigenous seed keepers fight a David and Goliath battle to defend the future of our food. In a harrowing and heartening story, these heroes rekindle a lost connection to our most treasured resource and revive a culture connected to seeds.

Check it out here and be sure not to miss Dr. Shiva’s talk next Monday!

Miniature Therapy Horses at the Library for Finals

Posted by slindenb on April 3, 2019 2 comments

Nothing cures finals stress better than therapy dogs–except for maybe therapy horses!

You heard right. On April 23rd from 11:30AM to 2:30PM, The Ames Library is hosting Heartland Mini Hoofs. Take a break from studying to meet their miniature therapy horses on the Ames Plaza; the event is free and open to the campus community. We hope to see you there!