Library News
Fall book sale! Wednesday, Sept. 16th
Posted on September 10th, 2026
Booth Library will host its Fall Book Sale from 9am-4pm on Wednesday, September 16th. Due to the expected weather, the sale will take place inside the library in the West Reading Room on the main (3000) level.
A large selection of books in all subject areas and hundreds of paperback fiction titles will be available for purchase, along with media items. No patrons will be allowed to browse or purchase items prior to the 9am start time. Paperbacks are $1, and Hardbacks are $2.
All items have been donated by the campus and local communities. The proceeds from the sale are used to enhance library programs and services.
For the latest information, check the library website, www.library.eiu.edu, or find Booth Library on Facebook or Instagram.
EIU Writing Center Relocates to Booth Library
Posted on August 17th, 2026
The Writing Center is pleased to announce its move to the Collaboration Commons on the third floor of Booth Library! The move to Booth will increase the flow of traffic to the Writing Center. More importantly, in our location directly across from the reference desk, we will be better able to collaborate with reference librarians to help students on assignments that stretch across the research lifecycle. We have also identified new opportunities for collaboration between the library and the Writing Center. First up: Rachael Ryerson and Amy Odwarka will be hosting a research writing series this fall for graduate students and advanced undergraduates.
Join us for the ribbon cutting celebration (with cake!) on Tuesday, August 25 at 3 pm in the Collaboration Commons. The center will open for in-person and online service on Wednesday, August 26. Although our hours change slightly each semester, we are generally open for in-person service weekdays 10 am–5 pm and some evenings 5–9 pm. Online service will be available weekdays and evenings, including Sundays. Each semester’s schedule will be posted at the reference and circulation desks.
We would like to thank generous library donors, and all the librarians and library staff for their help in putting together our new space. We love it!
New library acquisitions in July
Posted on August 4th, 2026
Booth Library has been continuing to add new resources to our collection. In July, the library added 73 physical items (books, DVDs, government documents, archival resources, and more) and 5041 electronic resources (including ebooks, ejournals, digital audiobooks, EIU student theses, and streaming videos). Please find the lists of new items at the links below. 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.
Over 5000 items added to Booth’s catalog in June
Posted on July 2nd, 2026
In June 2026, Booth Library acquired and cataloged 75 physical items (books, DVDs, government documents, archival resources, and more) and 4979 electronic resources (including ebooks, ejournals, digital audiobooks, EIU student theses, and streaming videos). Please find the lists of new items at the links below. 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.
New library acquisitions in May
Posted on June 5th, 2026
Last month, Booth Library acquired and cataloged 176 physical items (books, DVDs, government documents, archival resources, and more) and 1835 electronic resources (including ebooks, ejournals, digital audiobooks, EIU student theses, and streaming videos). Please find the lists of new items at the links below. 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.
Over 2300 items added to Booth’s collections during April
Posted on May 7th, 2026
In April 2026, Booth Library acquired and cataloged 62 physical items (books, DVDs, government documents, archival resources, and more) and 2313 electronic resources (including ebooks, ejournals, digital audiobooks, EIU student theses, and streaming videos). Please find the lists of new items at the links below. 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.
Booth Library hosts Finals Week Activities May 4-8
Posted on April 28th, 2026
Booth Library offers a series of Finals Week activities to provide opportunities for you to relax and enjoy yourself during the end of this semester! We hope you’ll join us for our fun-filled week:
- Snack Break & Study Tables, May 4, 5 to 7 p.m. on the Atrium Bridge & Collaboration Commons
Enjoy a lemonade bar and birthday snacks (Happy 75th Birthday, Miss Booth!) and join a group study session in the adjacent Collaboration Commons. Grab a snack and a study spot to recharge your laser focus on finishing the semester strong!
- Therapy Dogs, May 4 & 5, 1 to 3 p.m. in the library’s South Lobby
If you need a nuzzle, stop by Booth’s south entry on Monday and Tuesday, May 4 and 5 between 1 and 3 p.m. to cuddle a canine and let your stress melt away.
- Zero Balancing Sessions by appointment, May 4, 9 to 11:30 a.m. & May 5, 10 a.m. to noon in the Edgar Reading Room
Misty Rhoads, Ph.D., CZB will be offering FREE, brief Zero Balancing sessions by appointment. Zero Balancing produces an experience of deep relaxation while helping reduce stress, promoting structural alignment, and enhancing energy flow. While fully clothed and lying face-up on a massage table, Dr. Rhoads will work with pressure points in your body to help relieve body aches and boost well-being. Treat yourself to fifteen minutes of deep relaxation and stress relief!
- Retro Gaming, May 4-6 in the 4000 Lounge
Vintage video games, a massive video screen, and comfy chairs: perfect for a quick break from your academic endeavors! Visit our Library Technology Services desk on the 4000 level to get started.
- Send a Postcard Home, all week on the 3000 concourse
Let your family and friends at home know you’re working hard and will see them soon. You provide the message; we’ll provide the postage.
- Games & Puzzles, all week on the 3000 concourse
Help complete a puzzle on the 3000-level corridor! While you’re there, grab some coloring sheets or puzzles on paper to tuck into your backpack for later.
All of these events are free and open to the EIU community. Work hard, practice self-care, and finish strong! Booth Librarians are on standby to help you. You’ve got this!
Celebrate National Library Week at Booth Library April 20-23
Posted on April 17th, 2026
National Library Week is an annual celebration of the contributions libraries provide for scholarship and community connection. From April 20th-23rd, find your library joy during Booth Library’s fun-filled events and activities! Join us as we celebrate intellectual freedom and uplift our community of library patrons and workers.
Monday, April 20th
- Right to Read Day: Defend our right to read! Use today to take action to protect the freedom to read and fight back against censorship. Learn more about Right to Read Day online.
- Button-Making with the LAB: Stop by the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union from 11 AM-1 PM to make your own button and visit with the LAB members!
- University Archives Open House: Check out our Mary J. Booth display and our collection of EIU artifacts in the south entry of Booth Library from 1-3 PM.
- Exhibit Opening/Artists’ Talk: Celebrate the artistic talents of EIU students and engage in discussion with the 75th Anniversary Student Art Contest finalists in the West Reading Room at 5 PM.
Tuesday, April 21st
- National Library Workers Day: Libraries work because we do! Now is the time to celebrate the hard work put in by our library workers. We encourage EIU faculty and staff to send a shout out to a library worker online.
- 17th Annual Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Works: Join us in the West Reading Room from 4 PM-5:30 PM to celebrate our award recipients.
Wednesday, April 22nd
- EIU Giving Day: Step up for Booth Library and uphold the future of EIU!
Thursday, April 23rd
- Take Actions for Libraries Day: Advocate for libraries across the country! Look to ALA for ways to campaign against book bans and voice your support for libraries.
- Documentary Watch Party: Discover how librarians fight against book banning in the United States during our screening of the documentary film The Librarians (2025) in the West Reading Room from 6-8 PM.
All events are free and open to the public. For the latest information, follow Booth Library on Facebook and Instagram.
It’s MEDIA MAYHEM at Booth Library’s spring media sale April 15
Posted on April 10th, 2026
No worries about inclement weather this time!
Booth Library Spring Annual Book Sale will be in the library’s Atrium from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at the center of the library’s main level, regardless of weather conditions outdoors! To find the Media Sale in the library’s Atrium, enter the building at the north or south entry, and take the 3000 level concourse to the central elevator or Atrium stairs, then proceed downstairs to the 1000 level.
Take note, we’re spinning a different tune this time, and hosting a Book Sale without the BOOKS.
Instead, we’re rolling out the VINYL and other media collections that don’t tolerate heat, moisture and outdoor conditions at our traditional sale events! Look forward to browsing classical, jazz, and popular music:
- More than 800 LPs
- More than 700 DVDs
- More than 2000 CDs
- Audiobooks
- Sheet music, too!
No reading required. Just press play. Browse our Vinyl, DVDs, CDs, including audio books, all at bargain basement prices! Pre-sale browsing, holds and purchases will not be permitted. All items have been donated by the campus and local communities. The proceeds from the sale are used to enhance library programs and services. For the latest information, check the library website, www.eiu.edu/booth/booksale, or find Booth Library on Facebook or Instagram.
Dynamic Data Exploration: JMP Data Analysis Workshop April 14
Posted on April 3rd, 2026
Booth Library’s Center for Student Innovation invites the EIU community to attend the JMP Data Analysis Workshop on Tuesday, April 14 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Kevin Potcner, a professional statistician from JMP Software, will demonstrate analyzing data using a no-code interactive statistics software during this introductory workshop. Participants will learn the best practices and thought processes in exploring data through visualizations to transform raw data into meaningful features. These methods will be presented using examples across many disciplines, including business, engineering, health sciences, and others. Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptop to work with.
This workshop will be held at the 1000 level of Booth Library in the Center for Student Innovation. Register to attend the JMP Data Analysis Workshop through LibCal. For more information, please contact the CSI at csi@eiu.edu.
