Technical Difficulties: Please Resubscribe!

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We've been having some technical difficulties with our blog, but it seems like we're back up and running. Unfortunately, if you previously subscribed to the blog to get automatic notifications, you're no longer on our list (because there isn't a list anymore). Want to get notifications of new posts? Enter your email address in the box to the right and then confirm.

Pictures Books for Everyone!: A book with pictures

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Only 53 days left to complete both the 2021 Read Great Things Challenge and the 2021 Reading SPRINT! While your SPRINT books don't count towards your Read Great Things 2021 Challenge completion, you can definitely complete both challenges. Or just one. Or neither. Either way, you're still welcome to come join us in December for our bookish celebration. One of our favorite* categories in the 2021 Read Great Things Challenge is A book with pictures. Pictures are for everyone! Click through for

Do Your Own Research! (But how?)

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It's officially fall. There's a chill in the air and jackets are starting to be worn outside (and not just in overly air conditioned buildings). It's also research assignment season. Whether you're working towards your last research assignment of the semester, starting your first big research paper, or somewhere in between, we can help! Keep reading for some tips and tricks from your Durham Tech Librarians about researching and keeping your sources organized (which will make writing your paper

It's Election Day!

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Happy Election Day, y'all! It may not be a presidential election year, but municipal elections matter, too! In order to vote today, you'll need to go to your assigned polling place and can vote until 7:30 p.m.-- if you're in line at 7:30 p.m., no matter how long the line may be, you can cast your ballot. Learn more from the NC State Board of Elections about what to expect when voting on Election Day, including links to download a sample ballot. As a voter, you have rights! Here's a concise list

Open Educational Resources at Durham Tech (and a TLC Presentation on Nov. 3)

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Have you heard of Open Educational Resources (OER)? Maybe you've heard they're "free textbooks." Maybe you've heard that replacing commercial textbooks with open textbooks improves students' success and retention rates. Maybe you've heard that instructors can edit OER, mix them together, or otherwise modify them to align with your learning outcomes. Maybe you know someone right here at Durham Tech who is already teaching using OER. Expanding OER adoption can be an important tool in furthering

What We're Reading: Pumpkinheads

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Josiah and Deja work at the Pumpkin Patch, a seasonal fair with food, animals, and a corn maze. It's their last night of the season and next year they'll be at college unable to work at The Patch. Will Josiah finally talk to the girl he's been pining over for years? Deja is going to make sure of it! A cute fall romance with tons of atmosphere and adorable illustrations. This book was read by Courtney Bippley, Main Campus Reference Librarian. Title: Pumpkinheads Author: Rainbow Rowell and

Celebrating International Pronouns Day

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This year, Wednesday, Oct. 20 is International Pronouns Day. It seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace. https://youtu.be/qN65MSbjdOM Blair Imani. Smarter in Seconds: Pronouns, What are pronouns? (30 sec.) The language we use to speak to and about others matters. Using gender-inclusive language and a person’s correct name and pronouns demonstrates kindness, respect, and inclusivity. People can make assumptions based on a person’s name or appearance

Out Loud in the Library: Meet Our New Librarians!

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Have you met our two new librarians yet? No? Well, we have a podcast episode for you! Meet our two new librarians, Sasha Deyneka and Kyle Minton, and hear about what the library has going on. A special coming soon announcement is in this one for an All We Can Save circle in the spring 2022 semester. Read my review of the book on the library blog! Sasha read Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong. Find it in print at the library or read the ebook through our Dogwood

What We Read (and REALLY liked): Naomi Novik's Scholmance Series

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At 14, children with magic are transported from their homes into The Scholomance until they "graduate" at 17, but many will not make it out alive due to mal (magic creatures) attacks and other accidents (and a few murders). While some students display an affinity for languages or alchemy, El has an affinity for dark magic and mass destruction and is having enough trouble with the challenge of not going dark (no matter what her grandmother's prophecy says), but finding friends and a way out

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day by Learning More

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In 2017, the state of North Carolina proclaimed the second Monday in October as Indigenous People's Day and in 2021, the president of the United States acknowledged Indigenous Peoples' Day for the first time with an official proclamation. What is Indigenous Peoples' Day? An alternative to Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day is "a celebration ... to bring acknowledgment to the Native population" and remove the focus from Columbus, a man who caused great harm to Native populations. Instead, "It