Meet the (Virtual) Reference Books: Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History

Meet the Reference Books introduces noteworthy encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other reference materials in Carmichael Library's print and digital collections. Blog posts are contributed by Reference Student Assistants.  The first round of books this semester comes from our Virtual Reference Shelf.  

This post is written by Sara Frye, a senior Interdisciplinary Studies major.  You'll see Sara working all over the library--at the Circulation, Welcome, and Reference Desks!  Sara introduces The Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History.

The Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History, published in 2008, touts itself as the first volume of work which comprehensively covers women’s role in world history. The encyclopedia has entries on important women throughout history, as well as significant movements and historical events in which women played a part, such as Abolition and the Anti-Slavery Movement. This reference book is useful for anyone interested in women’s role in history or in women’s rights, and could be helpful for any classes or projects in many disciplines, such as history, English, art, sociology, political science, and likely many more, as it discusses women’s roles in almost every cultural subject.

By browsing this source I learned that while Mahatma Gandhi was involved in the anticolonial nationalist struggle, his secretary Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was strongly involved in the women’s movement and was an important figure in the Women’s Indian Association, the country’s first feminist association. I also learned that while Simone de Beauvoir was considered a key figure in the Second Wave feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s due to the success of her book The Second Sex, she rarely labeled herself a feminist. I encourage everyone to check out this book and discover some awesome women in history!

-Sara Frye

Bringing Day of the Dead to Life

For the eleventh time in 12 years, the library is partnering with Dr. Eric Vaccarella and his students to display their work commemorating Día de los Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead. It may sound macabre, but Day of the Dead is a time for the living to participate in a joyous celebration honoring loved ones who have passed away. To learn more about the observance, you may be interested in a recent report on the holiday on National Public Radio.

Dr. Vaccarella at work with his students

The library is currently hosting a showing of ceremonial altars (ofrendas) built by students of Dr. Vaccarella's Spanish Conversation class. This year's ofrendas honor three famous Mexicans:

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez (Tejano singer -- 1971-1995)

Francisco “Pancho” Villa (Revolutionary -- 1878-1923)

Frida Kahlo (Painter -- 1907-1954)

Detail of altar commemorating Selena

The public is invited when our students present their work at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 31st. The altars will be on display through Tuesday, November 5th. The library will serve refreshments and offer festive music after the presentations.

This program is sponsored in part by the IL|UMinate grant fund and the Office of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP.)

See more photos from this year's display on our Facebook Page.

Meet the (Virtual) Reference Books: Oxford Dictionary of Media and Communication

Meet the Reference Books introduces noteworthy encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other reference materials in Carmichael Library's print and digital collections.  Blog posts are contributed by Reference Student Assistants.  We're starting off the series this semester with titles from our Virtual Reference Shelf.  

This post is written by Kaitlee Daw, a Communications Studies major and PR minor.  Kaitlee introduces the Oxford Dictionary of Media and Communication. 

With the addition of the Public Relations minor on campus, students are likely to search far and wide for a resource about mass media and communication. Over 60 students have declared the PR minor, making it the largest on campus. With all these students studying Communications and Public Relations, a Virtual Reference Shelf source is a great asset.

The Oxford Dictionary of Media and Communication is perfect for students studying Mass Communication, Communication Studies, Public Relations or any combination of fields. This reference title has over 2,000 entries on relevant communication terms, including advertising concepts, communication theories, media production terms, and rhetorical concepts.

The Department of Communication encourages students to conduct research, intern and get hands-on experience though departmental projects. The Oxford Dictionary of Media and Communication gives students the resources they need to do that.

-Kaitlee Daw

Meet the (Virtual) Reference Books: Encyclopedia of African American History

Meet the Reference Books introduces noteworthy encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other reference materials in Carmichael Library's print and digital collections.  Blog posts are contributed by Reference Student Assistants.  This year, we're starting out with books from our Virtual Reference Shelf.  

Our first post comes from Astin Cole, a senior History and Political Science major.  Astin writes about the Encyclopedia of African American History, 1896 to Present.  This title is available digitally through the VRS, but we also hold it in print.  Additionally, there is a companion volume that covers from 1619 to 1896.  

I know what you’re thinking, “this is intimidating," but fear not! Yes, this set of encyclopedias depicts a serious focus in a specific aspect of American history, but that’s a good thing! In average American history encyclopedias, many interesting facts which promote a diversity of views and cultures are typically omitted or understated. Here, the scope is much narrower. It begins in 1896 during the height of Jim Crow, transitions into the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, covers the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s, and describes the overall enrichment of American culture through African Americans since. 

In terms of applicable use, the Encyclopedia of African American History 1896 to the Present can be a great source of reference for all social sciences. Through issues such as the bombing in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1920, to the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiments between 1932 and 1972, you can impress your professors with your knowledge of controversial events from different periods. Additionally, there is always something new to observe about different cultural movements such as the Jazz Age, Black Nationalism, and the Civil Rights Movement. An example would be the discussion of famous black athletes, musicians, politicians, activists, and writers who gained their recognition because of or in spite of their cultural environment.

The Encyclopedia of African American History 1896 to Present is an excellent source of information. By focusing on a particular group of people, a new outlook is created, depicting a rich heritage that exemplifies the strength of diversity in American society.

-Astin Cole

Accessing U.S. Census Data During the "Shutdown"

We're about a week into the government shutdown, and even though the House of Representatives has passed a bill to restore the lost wages of furloughed federal workers, we still do not have access to the U.S. Census database or many other government sources of data. It's almost certain that the House will not pass a bill to retroactively compensate people for their undue suffering when they lose access to SNAP benefits. Similarly, it is unlikely that the House vote to restore the lost learning opportunities the college students that have happened because of the shutdown. I digress.

Fortunately, we do have alternate sources of key U.S. Census data. The Carmichael Library has secured a month-long trial of Social Explorer. Social Exlorer, published by Oxford University Press, is an interactive data and mapping tool. Anyone can create an account, download data from historical censuses, and create visually attractive maps. If you're working on a project that requires you to find demographic or geographic data, this site should connect you with most (but not all) of the information you need.

Even if we did have access to American FactFinder, Social Explorer is a valuable tool to develop GIS projects. Consider this map I made about educational attainment in the U.S.

 This map explores the percentage of U.S. Citizens who have earned a Master's degree and expresses that in terms of a size bubble for each county in the United States. It's easy to annotate the maps you create, develop projects that feature sequences of maps, and share your maps with other people.

Take a look at Social Explorer. If you like it, please let us know by responding to our trial database survey form.

Government Shutdown and research

Government Shutdown Affects Some Library databases

• Ebsco ERIC vs. ERIC Department of Education site
  The library's subscription to Ebsco ERIC is working and available on the library web page.  Researchers may notice that the full text of some articles is not available.  Any full text articles housed on the government's server will not be available while the government is shutdown. No new content will be added to the Ebsco ERIC database while the government is shutdown.  The ERIC database housed on the US Department of Education website is not available.
  
  Please ask for assistance from a librarian when in doubt about the availability of full text.
• PUBMED
  The following message is posted on the PUBMED site:
  "Due to the lapse in government funding, PubMed is being maintained with minimal staffing. Information will be updated to the extent possible, and the agency will attempt to respond to urgent operational inquiries."
• AGRICOLA: U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Library
  The library's subscription to Ebsco AGRICOLA, is still available on the library web page but no new information will be added while the government is shut down.
• To learn more about the status of services during the government shutdown visit:
  USA.gov Government Shutdown