UWSP Libraries

 “ Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us , ” is the theme of this year’s Banned Books Week, Sept. 18 - 24. It is a telling theme as the American Library Association (ALA) reported that there were 681 documented attempts to ban or restrict library resources in schools, universities, and public libraries this year, one of the highest documented reports of challenges in over 20 years. Banned Books Week began over 40 years ago to spotlight books that were under attack from attempts to censor them in libraries and schools. Librarians, teachers, booksellers, publishers, readers, and journalists rallied in support of free expression, and upheld the ALA’s Bill of Rights . The director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, Deborah Caldwell-Stone, said “readers, and particularly students, are losing access to critical information, and librarians and teachers are under attack for doing their jobs.” In response to these recent attempts to ban or restrict resources, the University Libra...

March is Women’s History Month and is celebrated in libraries across the nation with lectures, events, displays, and films.  The theme for Women's History Month in 2021 captures the spirit of these challenging times. Since many of the women's suffrage centennial celebrations originally scheduled for 2020 were curtailed, the National Women's History Alliance is extending the annual theme for 2021 to  "Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced."    The theme honors "the brave women who fought to win suffrage rights for women, and for the women who continue to fight for the voting rights of others." Please check out the display in the Library when you have a moment to see some of the titles we have related to this theme.  A nationally recognized celebration throughout March,  Women’s History Month originated in 1981   when Congress authorized and requested President Ronald Reagan to proclaim a Women’s History Week. The week selected in March for...

The national theme of the 2021 Black History Month is  The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.  It is a time of recognition, reflection, learning, and appreciation. The UWSP Libraries has dedicated a display in recognition of Black History Month reflecting the  Black Family with resources from our library for you to explore on the topic.  While in-person events are still not possible, a wonderful array of virtual events are being held nationally, and many are free. One bright spot of this pandemic is more and more organizations and individuals are sharing their knowledge and expertise through virtual events. Please take a look at this meta-list compiled by Eventbrite that are open to the public, and many are free with information on how to register:  https://www.eventbrite.com/c/black-history-month-virtual-events-cwyhygw/ The theme for this year is described here by the  Association for the Study of African-American Life and History :...

The University Library  Celebrates Women’s History Month “Visionary Women: Champions of Peace & Nonviolence” The Library invites you to view our display inspired by “visionary women” located in the lobby of Albertson Hall. This year’s national theme honors women who have “led efforts to end war, violence, and injustice and pioneered the use of nonviolence to change society. These Honorees embraced the fact that the means determine the ends and so developed nonviolent methods to ensure just and peaceful results. For generations, women have resolved conflicts in their homes, schools, and communities. They have rejected violence as counterproductive and stressed the need to restore respect, establish justice, and reduce the causes of conflict as the surest way to peace. From legal defense and public education to direct action and civil disobedience, women have expanded the American tradition of using inclusive, democratic and active means to reduce violence,...

October 2019 will be the 125 th anniversary of UW-Stevens Point. The University Library and the campus Historic Preservation Committee has items on display highlighting Pointers from the past. We hope you have a chance to visit the lobby display to see some of these wonderful artifacts. Mildred Davis  came to UWSP in 1928 as a French professor. She was a campus fixture for 56 years who sketched the photo of Old Main on diploma covers and used her calligraphy skills for the names of graduates. Davis loved art and was known for sketching dress designs. Three of these unique sketch books that she had given her mother are now housed in the UWSP University Archives. Four of her “chip carving” pieces are currently on display.   John Anderson  was director of the UW-Stevens Point News and Publications Office. He arrived in Stevens Point in 1967 and was considered UWSP’s “unofficial historian.” He published a weekly faculty & staff newsletter as well a bi-annual ...

This year’s theme is “African Americans in Times of War.”  Dr. Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, the president of the  Association for the Study of African American Life, said  " Times of war inevitably provide the framework for many stories related to African American soldiers, veterans and civilians. This year’s Black History Month theme is filled with paradoxes of valor and defeat, of civil rights opportunities and setbacks, of struggles abroad and at home, and of catastrophic loss of life and the righteous hope for peace. Black History Month is our time to focus national attention on the significant events and achievements of African Americans who advanced freedom and democracy,”  Stop by the Library Lobby to see our display of books and photos of African Americans in Times of War.  Also, in keeping with custom and tradition for the past several years, the Deputy Postmaster General of the United States Ronald Stroman revealed the 2018 Black Heritage F...

Check out some of the cool library-themed things that can be made (aka "Makerspace") for those who have a creativity knack!

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read.  The week brings together librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types –- in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular. Support Censored Comics   The ALA's  Office for Intellectual Freedom  (OIF) receives reports from libraries, schools, and the media on attempts to ban books in communities across the country. We compile lists of challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship efforts that affect libraries and schools.  The top ten most frequently challenged books of 2014 include: 1)       The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian , by Sherman Alexie Reasons: anti-family, cultural insensitivity, drugs/alcohol/smoking, gambling, offensive language, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group, violence. Ad...

The University Library is pleased to announce the installation of Prof. Susan Morrison’s student art work on the 5 th  floor based on the game of chess. Beginning drawing students from ART 103 sections worked with acrylics, paint, charcoal and ink to design 40 chess-like boards that  cover the wall.  Congrats to all of the students for their creative work!  Come check it out on your next visit to the Library.

    The University Library is happy to announce a new student art display in the LRC atrium.  Professor Susan Morrison's (Art Dept.), 3-D art class, created two large-scale birds made of organza, which are now on display  in the Lobby. Stop by and look up!      

Enchanted Toys Display The University Library currently has a wonderful display, Enchanted Toys, located in the lobby. Perfect for this time of year.   Andy Pech, Circulation Supervisor, created the display of historic toys and games.   The display includes old board games, such as "Clue," and "Candyland," a 1950s Gilbert Chemistry Set, Celebrity Dolls (including the Spice Girls), Nintendo from 1983, Inuit dolls from the early 19th century, a 1959 Barbie and Ken doll, the "Chatty Cathy" doll, tea sets, TinkerToy, and more.   'Tis the season to check it out!         1950s Chemistry Set CandyLand! Celebrity Dolls  

The University Library has had a number of interested spectators of the popular Zeppelin display located in the Lobby. The Zeppelin airship display includes materials from various sources and formats, including videos, old books, photos, magazines, and pamphlets. Many of the items in the display are from the collection of Rudolf Schmetzke, the father of Axel Schmetzke. Axel is a librarian at the University Library and is the Coordinator of Instruction.   Rudolf Schmetzke was born in Berlin in 1907 and was the son of a merchant. Fascinated by the emerging aviation technologies, he enthusiastically took to the air himself -- first in balloons, later in gliders, and finally in small engine-powered planes. He studied business and actuary science, and he worked in the insurance industry until WW II broke out. Drafted into the German air force (Luftwaffe), he spent six years in logistics, planning and setting up air fields in German occupied territories. After the war, ...