Library News
Booth Library celebrates Authors@EIU
Posted on February 8th, 2024
Booth Library invites the campus and community to join us for the launch of a new speaker series this Spring semester, Authors@EIU. Six authors will be featured in three Spring 2024 Authors@EIU events to celebrate the research, scholarship and creative success of EIU faculty who have recently achieved publication of a book.
The library recognizes and celebrates the diverse, robust community of EIU teaching faculty who are contributing to scholarship or popular learning, through this series and has added the featured publications to the library’s collection.
Please mark your calendars to attend Authors@EIU, 5 p.m. in Booth Library’s West Reading Room:
February 28: Scott Meiners, Ph.D., Biological Sciences
Tree by Tree: Saving North America’s Eastern Forests, by Scott Meiners
Cornell University Press, 2023
Alexis L. Jones, Ph.D., Teaching, Learning and Foundations
Teaching is a Human Interaction: How Thoughtful Educators Respond, are Responsive, and Take Responsibility, by Alexis L. Jones
Information Age Publishing, 2023
March 13: Julie D. Campbell, Ph.D.,
English Women, Entertainment, and Precursors of the French Salon, 1532-1615, by Julie D. Campbell Amsterdam University Press, 2023
Bob Klein, Ph.D., Teaching, Learning and Foundations
The Middle of Somewhere: Rural Education Partnerships and Innovation, ed. by Sara L. Hartman and Bob Klein Harvard
Education Press, 2023
April 11: Stephen Eskilson, Ph.D., Art & Design
Digital Design: A History by Stephen Eskilson
Princeton University Press, 2023
Ryan Burge, Ph.D., Political Science
The Nones, Second Edition: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going by Ryan Burge
Fortress Press, 2023
Events will include a shared reception at 5 p.m. Presentations will begin at 5:30 with introductory remarks, followed by presentations and question & answer sessions for each author.
All members of the Charleston and EIU communities are welcome, including students. Please join your colleagues in recognizing these accomplishments and for stimulating dialogues.
Booth Library will host NEA Big Read: Reconsidering the American Dream
Posted on November 10th, 2023
Booth Library at Eastern Illinois University is once again hosting the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read. The theme, Reconsidering the American Dream, will be explored by reading and discussing two books: Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth by Sarah Smarsh, and Infinite Country by Patricia Engel. A limited number of free copies of the books are available at Booth Library. Discussion groups will be organized and plan to meet in January, February and March. Dates and details will be provided to participants in early January. Additionally, look for announcements of statewide public programs sponsored by Illinois Humanities. Further information about the Big Read can be found on the Illinois Humanities website.
- In support of The Big Read from the National Endowment from the Arts and Arts Midwest, LAB students will team with librarian David Bell to host a student led book club this spring. The theme, “Reconsidering the American Dream,” will be explored through the novel Infinite Country and the memoir Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth. Both books are available for checkout at Booth Library. Join members of the LAB at the following times:
- Thursday, February 1 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. for a kick-off book talk event to learn more about the titles, discussion groups and how to get a copy
- Thursday, February 29 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. for book discussion in Edgar Reading Room
- Thursday, March 28 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. for book discussion in Edgar Reading Room
- All events are open to students, faculty and staff. Questions? Contact David at dsbell@eiu.edu for more info
NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
Teams invited to break the code at Booth!
Posted on January 9th, 2023
Can you break your code before the other teams? Assemble your team of up to four students to compete in Booth Library’s CodeBreakers at 5 p.m. on Jan 25.
Your team will be in a race against the clock, and seven other teams, to decipher your code phrase. Teams will follow clues that lead them throughout the library. The fastest team to crack their code will win the grand prize!
This experience is limited to the first eight teams to sign up. Register your team here.
Activities offered for Finals Week
Posted on December 9th, 2021
As the end of the semester nears, Booth Library staff members are planning many activities to help students focus, relax and succeed.
On Monday and Tuesday, members of All Things Pawsitive will bring certified therapy dogs to greet students from 2-6 p.m. in the library’s South Lobby. At 5 p.m. Monday, free hot cocoa and snacks will be served to students while supplies last.
Mad-libs, coloring pages, dot-to-dot sheets and Sudoku puzzles are available to take and complete on your own. In addition, a jigsaw puzzle, Scrabble board and group coloring page are set up on the main floor.
While you’re at Booth, let your friends and families know how you’re preparing for final exams by sending them a “Don’t worry, I’m at Booth Library!” postcard. Students are encouraged to fill out and address a postcard, then place it in the mailbox. Your friends at Booth Library will mail it for you!
All activities and refreshments are free.
Halloween photoshoots offered in the CSI
Posted on October 21st, 2021
Students: Have you ever dreamed of being in the cast of your favorite movie or TV show? Are you creating your spooky and imaginative costumes for Halloween? Stop by the Center for Student Innovation for a photoshoot!
Students who visit the CSI in costume can pose in front of a green screen for a photoshoot, and then share their photos on social media with #CSIHalloween. We’ll even provide instructions on how to use Photoshop to drop your photo into a background that you choose.
Dressing as a spooky ghoul? Insert your image into a frightening background. Appearing as your favorite cast member of “Squid Game”? Place your image right into a scene from the show. We will show you how!
Photoshoots will be offered from Oct. 24-31. Just stop by the Booth Library CSI (first floor) from 2-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday or 2-4:40 p.m. Friday. Or, stop by the Thomas Hall CSI (first floor) from 4-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
For more information, contact the CSI staff at csi@eiu.edu or 217-581-6073. Follow the CSI on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
‘The Hungarian Revolution at 65: An Exhibit’ now on display
Posted on October 5th, 2021
Sixty-five years ago, thousands of determined Hungarians — mostly young people — swarmed into the streets of Budapest to demand change. A brutal, corrupt communist government dominated their country since the end of World War II, and they had enough.
Eventually, hundreds of thousands participated. October 1956 heralded both great hopes and great dangers. In the end, Soviet troops poured into Hungary and drove all resistance into the ground.
“The Hungarian Revolution at 65: An Exhibit” at Booth Library showcases real artifacts from the revolt and honors the brave civilians who risked everything. Some of the protesters retreated into exile, some even coming to central Illinois. Among them was Dr. Bela Szigethy, who later settled and practiced medicine in Oblong, Illinois, and for whom this exhibit is dedicated.
The exhibit runs through November on the 3000 level of Booth Library. The public is invited to the exhibit opening at 5 p.m. on Oct. 11 in the Marvin Foyer of Booth Library.
For more information contact: Edmund Wehrle at efwehrle@eiu.edu.
Fall Book Sale will be Sept. 15
Posted on August 19th, 2021
Booth Library will host its Fall Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 15 outside the south entrance of the library.
A large selection of books in all subject areas and hundreds of paperback fiction titles will be available for purchase. No patrons will be allowed to browse or purchase items prior to the 9 a.m. start time.
All items have been donated by the campus and local communities. The proceeds from the sale are used to enhance library programs and services.
In case of inclement weather, the sale will be postponed. For the latest information on scheduling, check this website or find Booth Library on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Celebrate National Poetry Month in April
Posted on April 2nd, 2021
Established in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, National Poetry Month is a chance to explore the importance of poetry in our culture.
Booth Library has co-sponsored many programs related to poetry during the 2020-2021 year through our #NEABigRead programming series. Our Big Read programs were related to “An American Sunrise,” by U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. To learn more about Harjo and her many literary works, visit this guide created by librarian Janice Derr. Harjo, a writer and musician, was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
How else can you celebrate National Poetry Month? Read a favorite poem or discover a new poet! Here’s a helpful guide to get you started.
Happy National Poetry Month!
Edible Book Festival winners to be announced on Friday
Posted on March 9th, 2021
Booth Library is sponsoring its 11th annual Edible Book Festival as part of National Library Week. For the second year, this year’s festival is a weeklong virtual event.
Fourteen edible book creations have been entered for judging. Online voting will open at noon on Monday, April 5, and close at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 8. Winners will be announced on Friday, April 9.
Vote online for your top three favorites. Or, you may view photos of the entries in the library’s Marvin Foyer and then vote either online or via a paper ballot. The three entries that receive the most votes will win prizes.
Questions about the Edible Book Festival may be directed to Beth Heldebrandt at emheldebrandt@eiu.edu.
Finals Week stress? Booth Library has you covered!
Posted on December 7th, 2020
Although classes are online, your friends at Booth Library are here for our students preparing for Finals Week! A series of activities is planned to help students de-stress at the end of the semester.
Would you like to send words of encouragement to a student or send a special message to your friends and family at home? Fill out this online application with your personalized message, and your friends at Booth Library will mail a postcard on your behalf! There’s no charge to participate. We have you covered!
https://www.eiu.edu/booth/sendcard/
Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 9, take a photo of yourself wearing a mask in Booth Library and post it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. All participants will be entered into a drawing to win an Amazon gift card. Be sure to tag Booth Library with #BoothLibrary. The deadline to enter is noon on Thursday, Dec. 17.
Beginning Thursday, Dec. 10, stop by the library to pick up free puzzles, coloring pages and relaxation tools such as stress balls, ear plugs and journals. These items were provided by Booth Library and through a Redden grant received by the library and the Public Health Department. Get yours while supplies last!
Watch for other special messages and activities on the Booth Library social media platforms, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
