Library News
Hands-On Tech Experience: Center for Student Innovation Workshops in February
Posted on January 30th, 2026
Throughout February, the Center for Student Innovation at Booth Library will be hosting four events dedicated to helping you learn more about the growing world of technology! These events are open to people of all expertise; from beginners to experts, you are welcome to participate! Look through the list of events happening this February:
- Stressed out? Learn how to print fidget toys and other gadgets during the 3D Printing 101 workshop hosted on Wednesday, February 11th from 4-5 p.m.
- Up your photography game during the Green Screen 101 workshop hosted on Wednesday, February 11th from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Learn about the CSI’s Podcasting Studio in the Podcasting 101 workshop hosted on Tuesday, February 17th from 6-7 p.m.
- Design your own 3D models from 2D images during the Basic 3D Design learning lab hosted on Wednesday, February 18th from 4-5:30 p.m.
All events take place at the 1000 level of Booth Library in the Center for Student Innovation. Register to attend CSI workshops and learning labs through LibCal. For more information, please contact the CSI at csi@eiu.edu.
Eastern Illinois University Announces Shakir Islamic Perspectives Initiative at Booth Library
Posted on January 21st, 2026
Gift honors family legacy while expanding student learning, academic inquiry, and community dialogue.
Charleston, Ill. — Eastern Illinois University’s Mary J. Booth Library has announced the Shakir Islamic Perspectives Initiative, a new academic and cultural initiative made possible through a generous gift from Dr. Abdur Rahman Shakir. The initiative honors the legacy of his parents, Dr. Hassan and Zahida Shakir, by creating enduring opportunities for students, faculty, and the broader community to learn about Muslim communities and histories, while exploring shared values and common ground across cultures and religious traditions.
Centered in Booth Library, the Shakir Islamic Perspectives Initiative brings together a curated collection, visiting scholars, curricular partnerships, student events, and public programs that support understanding and student learning and faculty scholarship across disciplines.
“This initiative honors my parents’ lifelong commitment to education, service, and understanding across difference,” said Dr. Abdur Shakir. “By placing these resources within the library, we are creating a living space for learning one that invites students to explore Islamic perspectives thoughtfully, ask meaningful questions, and engage with ideas that connect cultures rather than divide them.”
A Living Learning Resource
At the heart of the initiative is the Dr. Hassan and Zahida Shakir Collection, a growing library collection developed collaboratively with faculty, students, and librarians. The collection supports teaching and research in religious studies, history, philosophy, and related fields, while its bibliographic focus is designed to evolve over time to include additional perspectives on the roles and contributions of Islam and Muslim communities, including areas such as art, science, and family life. Intentionally, the collection invites exploration by students and community members beyond the classroom.
The initiative has been shaped intentionally through a participatory and interdisciplinary approach, incorporating input from the Muslim Student Association and faculty in multiple departments. This collaborative model reflects the initiative’s broader goal: to foster learning grounded in dialogue, curiosity, and shared inquiry.
“Abdur Shakir’s vision-driven gift has allowed us to think not only about what we acquire, but also about how we steward ideas, relationships, and opportunities for learning,” said Brian W. Keith, Dean of Booth Library. “The library is always delighted to connect students and faculty through scholarship and shared contributions to community and belonging, and this initiative exemplifies that role.”
Visiting Scholars and Campus Engagement
A key component of the Shakir Islamic Perspectives Initiative is a visiting scholar program designed to bring leading voices in Islamic studies and public scholarship to campus. The inaugural visiting scholar, Dr. Mohammad Hassan Khalil, Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Muslim Studies Program at Michigan State University, will visit EIU during the Spring semester.
Dr. Khalil’s visit will include a public lecture hosted at Booth Library, classroom engagement with students, and conversations with faculty and student organizations. His scholarship and public-facing work reflect the initiative’s emphasis on connecting academic study with lived experience and contemporary dialogue. His talk will focus on the long and rich history of Muslim people in the Midwest.
Mariam Nizami, Secretary of EIU’s Muslim Student Association, said, “having the opportunity for other professors to come to EIU gives a great reputation for small RSOs that are not well-known, like the Muslim Student Association. It is great that more Muslim professors from big colleges who have done amazing things related to our culture can come here and give other students an opportunity to be exposed to the Islamic culture.”
In addition to the visiting scholar program, Spring programming associated with the initiative includes a film screening, interfaith discussions, and hands-on learning opportunities developed in collaboration with campus partners. While these events mark an important moment for the initiative, they are part of a broader, evolving framework that will continue to grow in future years.
Looking Ahead
The Shakir Islamic Perspectives Initiative is envisioned as a sustained investment in education, dialogue, and community engagement. Future programming will explore additional themes and scholarly perspectives, building on the foundation established through the collection and early collaborations.
Jay Gatrell, President of Eastern Illinois University, noted, “The support of amazing donors makes it possible for our students and community to have access to world class scholars and resources at EIU and Booth Library. I am truly grateful to Dr. Shakir’s leadership and commitment to our community.”
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Diane Highland, Booth Library
dehighland@eiu.edu
217-581-6061
Eastern Illinois University to Host Traveling Holocaust Exhibit in Honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Posted on January 14th, 2026
News originally submitted by the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation, dated December 30, 2025
*NOTE UPDATED TIMES BELOW AS OF JANUARY 9, 2026*
(Champaign, IL) — The Auschwitz Experience in the Art of Prisoners, a traveling exhibit about the Holocaust, will be displayed in the West Reading Room at the iconic Booth Library on the Eastern Illinois Campus, located at 600 Lincoln Ave in Charleston, IL from January 11th to January 29th, 2026.
The exhibit, created by the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Poland, features artwork by 12 Holocaust survivors who documented their experiences in the Auschwitz Concentration Camp, the largest German Concentration and extermination camp during WWII. Visitors will be able to see these profound pieces of art, which include 60 paintings and drawings displayed thematically on 24-panels, in docent-led small groups or independently.
This will mark the second year that the Booth Library has partnered with the CUJF Holocaust Education Center to host a traveling Holocaust exhibit surrounding International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27th. The two organizations hope to continue this partnership as an annual tradition, seeking to expand Holocaust education opportunities and develop an atmosphere of tolerance and community amongst Central Illinois students.
Students have the amazing opportunity to serve as volunteer docents at the exhibit – no prior experience is needed! This experience gives students a chance to complete service hours while sharing deeply meaningful content with the community. Volunteer docent training will be held virtually prior to the exhibit. Click HERE for the docent sign up link.
The exhibit will be open to the public during the following days and times:
- Sunday: 2 to 6 p.m.
- Monday through Thursday: Noon to 6 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: Noon to 5 p.m.
We invite you to attend these accompanying events, with more events to be announced next month.
- Sunday, January 11th at 2 p.m. – Exhibit officially opens to the public with Dr. Brian Kahn.
- Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 at 1:00 PM – International Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony with remarks from EIU President Jay Gatrell. Press are encouraged to attend.
This exhibition is in partnership with the CUJF Holocaust Education Center (HEC) and the Booth Library at Eastern Illinois University. Group and classroom tours may be arranged by contacting the HEC by email at hec@cujf.org or by phone at 217-367-9872. For more information, visit www.cujf.org/hec
Over 4900 items added to Booth’s collections in December
Posted on January 5th, 2026
Booth Library’s collections are constantly growing to meet the research and information needs of the EIU community. In December 2025, Booth Library acquired and cataloged 383 physical items (books, DVDs, government documents, archival resources, and more) and 4519 electronic resources (including ebooks, ejournals, digital audiobooks, EIU student theses, and streaming videos). Individual issues of current periodicals are excluded. All items are discoverable through the library’s online catalog.
New acquisitions include items selected for purchase by Booth’s subject librarians, donations, re-cataloged library items, freely available government publications, and consortium-wide purchases.
Please contact your subject librarian with any questions.
