“For things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our views about them” – Thich Nhat Hanh
In celebration of Diversity Month, we invite you to explore the rich cultural and personal experiences represented in our collections. Not sure where to start? Check out our featured book guide.
Books Unite Us: Censorship Divides Us
If you’ve ever read a book, chances are good that you have read a banned book. Books are banned for many reasons of often for multiple reasons; check out the list below and see if any of your favorites have been pulled from shelves and why. Or enjoy being a rebel and choose your next read!
Presence of Witchcraft
The Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum
Dorothy travels to the land of Oz via tornado where she befriends a tin man, a scarecrow, and a lion.
The Witches by Roald Dahl
A young boy and his Norwegian grandmother, who is an expert on witches, together foil a witches’ plot to destroy the world’s children by turning them into mice.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter discovers his magical heritage on his eleventh birthday when he receives an acceptance letter to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Offensive Language
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Jay Gatsby orders his life in an attempt to capture the past.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Teen Holden Caulfield searches for truth after being expelled from school.
The Color Purple by Alice Waker
Teenaged Celie narrates her life as she is raised in an abusive rural home in Georgia.
Sexual Content
The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
Collection of short stories written in the 14th century continues to draw controversy for its language, sexual content, and religious commentary.
The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Follows the tale of a boy who moves to an all white high school from a Spokane Indian Reservation School.
Sometimes the best friend you can have seems more like an enemy at first glance. Have you cursed APA, MLA, or Chicago style as you are struggling to finish up a big paper? Find out why, once you get to know them a little better, style guides can make the research and writing process so much easier! For more information visit our Research Tips Thursday Guide
Tired of getting puppy-sized search results when you really need enough resources to satisfy a great dane? check out this week’s Research Tips Thursday for tips on broadening your searches. Image by: Brent Thomas (CC-BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Join UCF Libraries as we celebrate diverse voices in the Knight community. A series of events, virtual and in-person, are being offered during the month of October 2021. Register to attend with the links in the event titles.
Diversity in Comics – virtual discussion
October 12, 2:00-3:00pm
Join us as we review various forms of comics and discuss the importance of representation in comics and graphic novels.
Crochet with Gaby – virtual craft workshop
October 14, 2:00-3:30pm
Learn about crochet and get started on a beginner’s project with UCF Libraries’ Gaby Gomez. Don’t forget to pick up your crochet pack at the circulation desk at the John C. Hitt Library, Curriculum Materials Center, or Downtown campus library October 4 – 14 after you register (while supplies last).
Open Heart, Open Mic – virtual
October 19, 6:00-7:15pm
Experience the creative works of Knights and friends around the world sharing what the Knight community means to them. Walk-in presentations are welcome!
Color Your Story bookend decorating
October 21, 10:00-11:30am
outside John C. Hitt entrance and the Downtown Library lobby
Join UCF Libraries at 2 locations to decorate bookends using paint pens, permanent markers, and decoupage as a way to illustrate your truth and lived experiences. Plus you get a great decoration to take home!
On Main Campus: outside the new Student Union facing entrance of the John C. Hitt Library.
On Downtown Campus: in the lobby of the Dr. Philips Academic Commons.
In the event that in-person activities are not suggested for health and safety reasons, we will have craft packs for bookend decorating available for pick up the week of the event at the Circulation desks in the John C. Hitt Library, Curriculum Materials Center, and Downtown Campus Library (while supplies last).
Graphic Novel Book Club – Butler’s Kindred, virtual discussion
October 26, 6:00-7:00pm
Join UCF Libraries in an engaging discussion about the graphic novelization of Octavia Butler’s Kindred. Don’t forget to read the book first! A link to the UCF Libraries’ electronic version will be available in your registration confirmation.
For full details and registration links: guides.ucf.edu/diversityweek