April 8, 2022
View of Library lobby at Âé¶¹´«Ã½
The lobby of the Learning Commons Library at Âé¶¹´«Ã½

As we approach the end of spring semester, keep in mind the Âé¶¹´«Ã½ Learning Commons Library “ your place to study, discuss topics with friends, and seek help from library staff. Schedule a half-hour research consultation to help with your final! Email us at [email protected] or call us: 603-230-4028.Ìý

Sexual Assault Awareness MonthÌý Ìý

April is devoted to raising awareness about sexual violence, how to prevent it, and how to support those affected by it.Ìý This year™s theme is Building Safe Online Spaces Together. According to the :ÌýÌý“Sexual harassment, assault, and abuse can happen anywhere, including in online spaces. For too long harassment, cyberbullying, and sexual abuse and exploitation have come to be expected as typical and unavoidable behaviors online. Building Safe Online Spaces Together is possible when we practice digital consent, intervene when we see harmful content and behaviors, and promote online communities that value respect, inclusion, and safety.”Ìý

Explore our Anti-Violence Toolkit for information on domestic violence, bystander apathy, and gender identity and sexual orientation.ÌýYou can also reach out to New Hampshire™s 24-hour statewide helpline, at 1-866-644-3574.Ìý

National Poetry Month and Other Library Events

While Russia™s war against Ukraine has raged, many Ukrainian artists have continued their work, a sign of defiant hope in the face of violence.Ìý This National Poetry Month, read .ÌýÌýÌýÌý

And for more on poetry, join us on April 14 from 4-5:30 p.m. for our next Wings of Knowledge presentation: “Bearing Witness ” The Endurance of Voice.”Ìý For more information, visit here.¯ÌýShanta Lee Gander joins us to celebrate the life of Lucy Terry Prince, author of “Bars Fight,” the oldest known poem in the U.S. written by an African American in 1796. Prince was born in Africa, where she was kidnapped by slave traders and transported to Rhode Island. Prince later regained her freedom and moved to Vermont with her husband. She fought for her family’s land rights all the way to the highest court in Vermont. In this presentation, Shanta Lee Gander, a poet herself, illustrates Prince’s importance as a poet, orator, and one unafraid to fight for her rights. Gander will also perform Lucy’s only surviving poem, “Bars Fight.”Ìý Ìý

And be sure to look out for our Wings of Knowledge blogs, published soon after the events.Ìý Check out our two recent blogs: Roots and Culture of the Middle East and The Abolitionists of Noyes Academy.ÌýÌý

Also in April, don™t miss an evening of poetry with Hannah Larrabee, UNH grad and poet selected by NASA to write poetry for the James Webb Space Telescope program. Participate in a contest for space/science/nature writing by attending the writing workshop. Cash prizes of up to $100 will be awarded. Email [email protected] for details. Larrabee won the Airlie Press Poetry Prize and was shortlisted for a Massachusetts Book Award. For an excerpt of her poem œExtraterrestrial,� visit . Ìý

Earth Day, April 22

This year™s theme is .ÌýRead about the origins of Earth Day, first celebrated in 1970, . Fun N.H. fact: Senator Thomas McIntyre, who delivered 14 speeches in his home state of New Hampshire, set the record for the greatest number of speeches given by one person on that first Earth Day. (Lewis TT. Earth Day. Salem Press Encyclopedia. 2020. Accessed March 18, 2022. )Ìý

Social MediaÌý

Have you checked out the Learning Commons Library on and ? Find updates on scheduling changes and all sorts of timely and interesting items. We devote days of the week to particular themes:Ìý

  • On Media Mondays, LCL coordinator Christie Cho highlights a media item or collection from the library™s extensive digital collections.
  • On Throwback Thursdays, archivist Megan Mullins tests your knowledge of Âé¶¹´«Ã½ history.
  • On Fantastic Friday, circulation supervisor Tim Fisher posts his newest sci-fi picks. ÌýÌý

Foolish FindingsÌý

Why is April 1 also known as April Fools™ Day?Ìý It™s a bit of a , as this poem describes, published in 1760 in Poor Robin™s Almanac:ÌýÌý

The first of April, some do say,
Is set apart for All Fools’ Day.
But why the people call it so,
Nor I, nor they themselves do know.
But on this day are people sent
On purpose for pure merriment.Ìý

(œApril Fools™ Day.� Salem Press Encyclopedia, 2020. )Ìý