Featured

Inquiring minds wanted to know more about author Zakiya Dalila Harris and her writing process at the recent Archie Givens Jr. NOMMO African American Speakers event, made possible by a grant from the Minneapolis Foundation. The more than 175 people in the audience, who had heard her read selections from her best-selling book, “The Other Black Girl,” wanted to know: How long did the book take to write? Did she feel exposed to the world, as much of the book is based upon her personal experiences in the New York publishing arena? What books would she recommend?

An overcast sky did not put a damper on an afternoon of music and dancing. On Friday, April 29, the Libraries hosted a vibrant celebration of the art exhibit, ”Living Masquerades: Blue Lady and the Art of Revelry.” Music by several local groups — Pan Dimensions, Free Range Orchestra and Choir, Heart and Soul Drum Academy, and Batucada Do Norte — was a delight for our attendees, young and not-so-young alike.

“It’s kind of delightful to see someone make something different” with materials from the John R. Borchert Map Library, says Ryan Mattke. Artist Gudrun...

The inaugural Student Advisory Board wrapped up its first year with a "picnic" on April 20, which was moved inside Walter Library due to inclement weather. They had plenty to celebrate and much to reflect upon.

While we await the true spring, let’s take a trip into the commemorations that happen during April. Did you know that this is not only National Poetry Month, April also is Jazz Appreciation Month, and Arab-American Heritage Month (just designated by President Biden in 2022). That’s a lot to unpack — but we have more than a week left in April to appreciate, listen, learn, and read (aloud, preferably).

Jody Gray, Evangela Q. Oates, Ph.D., and L. Angie Ohler soon will be joining the University of Minnesota Libraries leadership team as Associate University Librarians (AULs). Lisa German, University Librarian and Dean of Libraries at the University of Minnesota, made the announcement, saying:  “I’m excited to have this leadership team together as we move forward to Power Curiosity, Discovery, and Connection at the University of Minnesota.”

Undergraduate researchers displayed their techniques, knowledge, and connections to the Libraries’ website and expertise on April 13 in the Great Hall.

For many History Day students, the resources of Wilson Library at the University of Minnesota are invaluable to their research. “Thank you so much for helping us have this fantastic experience. Your guidance was helpful and made it so much less stressful!” said one History Day student from North Lakes Academy. Each year, the University Libraries hosts hundreds of History Day students and many of them receive advance instruction from librarians at Minitex, a program housed at the University Libraries.

As David Mura stood behind the podium in Elmer L. Andersen Library, he remembered that it was not far from there that he had his first public reading, as a student poet. That 1976 reading took place in an art gallery — and, it was noted, Andersen Library had not yet been built on the West Bank. This afternoon, Mura was standing inside Andersen Library delivering the 13th annual Pankake Poetry reading.

The Borchert Map Library has an amazing collection of maps — flat, bound, and digital — are part of the legacy of  Regents Professor John Borchert, a professor of geography who passed away March 30, 2001.

More than 230 attended a recent Data Management Bootcamp for early-stage graduate students conducting a major research project for the first time. The course — led by Libraries staff — helps these students understand the foundations of managing data for a research project. One goal is to promote the perspective that managing data can be interesting, stimulating, and, sometimes, even fun.

Call him Dr. McKinnell, if you like, or Dr. Bob, if you know him well. Or, if you are Japanese, you could call him ロバート G. マッキンネル (pronounced Robāto G. Makkinneru in spoken Japanese). That’s the name on the award plaque behind him, which he received from a member of the Japanese Imperial Family, His Imperial Highness Prince Masahito. His character, commitment, and caring foster deep feelings among colleagues.

Local Minneapolis artist, Jeanie Ockuly, a.k.a. Blue Lady, invites us to parade in costumes made of sequins, jewels, paint, or mud to mock and/or revel in all of life that is beautiful and atrocious in order to let go, celebrate and heal. See the exhibit that runs through May 28, 2022 at Wilson Library.

Tim Johnson, E.W. McDiarmid Curator for the University of Minnesota Sherlock Holmes Collections, was invited to become a member of the Baker Street Irregulars. He received his investiture from Michael Kean in New York last month. "I celebrated as each name was read, but somewhere along the way my ears started to hum. I lost all track of my surroundings as the room erupted when my name was read."

Credit the pandemic, perhaps, or a prescription for escaping cabin fever, or heeding Cupid’s arrow rather than preparing for mid-terms — Blind Dates with Books were big in 2022.

In August 2021, Business Reference Librarian Maggie Parra participated in a workshop that offered comprehensive instruction for librarians on their role in assisting with systematic reviews. She quickly put her new skills to practice, working on a research project with faculty and graduate students from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.