The Mizzou Reads book selection for summer 2011 is Zeitoun, by Dave Eggers.  A Brown Bag discussion about this book will be held on August 10, 12-1pm in 4F51-A Ellis Library for any interested library staff.  The discussion will be moderated by a facilitator from Student Life, with a focus on diversity issues.

Mizzou Reads is a program sponsored by Student Life at Mizzou.  All incoming freshmen are asked to read the same book before they arrive on campus for fall semester.  Students participate in small group discussions about the book during Fall Welcome on August 18.  The discussions are a way to foster community among the new students.

This program is now in its 8^th year and Student Life considers it a success.  For more information on this program, visit http://bit.ly/pLP7Np.

While staff do not generally participate in the Mizzou Reads program, the MU Libraries Diversity Action Committee thought that this book would provide a good discussion for interested library staff, especially on the topic of diversity issues.

Zeitoun was published in 2009 and tells the story of a Syrian-American man and his family living in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The events take place before, during, and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  Here is a link to the book on WorldCat: http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/332257182.  The book is also discounted at the MU Bookstore.

Attendance to the book discussion is voluntary and open to all library employees, per supervisor approval.  Bring your lunch.  RSVPs are requested for head count purposes only.

DAC also intends to do a book discussion for the Columbia One Read book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot.  This will be held in September at the same time as other area One Read events.  For more information about this program, visit http://oneread.dbrl.org/.

The MU Libraries’ Diversity Action Committee and MULSA invite you to participate in the Third Annual Diversity Luncheon on June 21 that will feature ethnic food. Here are the details in Q&A format:

• Where will it be held? In the Ellis Library Staff Lounge; lunch runs 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Who is providing the food? You, if you are willing to do so.
• What type of food should I bring? Anything that represents any part of your heritage.
• If possible, bring your own plates and flatware for a green and diverse lunch.
• Can I attend the event even if I don’t bring food to share? Yes! This is open to all library employees.
• See News Notes from May 26, 2011, for more details: http://mulibraries.missouri.edu/newsnotes/?p=3498.

If you know what you are bringing, please e-mail me with the information (AgnewL@missouri.edu). Thanks.

Leo

The MU Libraries’ Diversity Action Committee and MULSA invite you to participate in the Third Annual Diversity Luncheon on June 21 that will feature ethnic food. Here are the details in Q&A format:

• When/where will it be held? June 21, in the Ellis Library Staff Lounge; lunch runs 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Who is providing the food? You, if you are willing to do so.
• What type of food should I bring? Anything that represents any part of your heritage.
• Can I attend the event even if I don’t bring food to share? Yes! This is open to all library employees, including students.
• How much food should I bring? That is up to you.
• Should I let DAC know if I’m bringing food? Yes, please contact Leo at AgnewL@missouri.edu and provide the name or type of dish and the estimated number of people it will serve.
• Where will the luncheon take place? In the Ellis Library Staff Lounge. There are plenty of outlets for slow cookers and a couple of microwave ovens.

• Do I need to do anything after I drop off my dish? Yes. We ask that you take responsibility for setting up the dish prior to the lunch period.
• Would it be okay for me to talk about my dish as people pass through the food line? Absolutely. In fact, we encourage it for anyone so inclined.
• Is this a legitimate DAC activity? Yes. One goal is to highlight the cultural diversity embodied by library employees.
• Does attendance during lunch count as release time? No, since this is a volunteer luncheon versus a workshop or program.
• But what about the food prep time? Yes, with supervisor approval.
• If possible, bring your own plates and flatware for a green and diverse lunch.

Thursday, April 21; 6pm
Hillel Center, 1107 University Avenue

The Passover Seder is a Jewish tradition honoring the Exodus liberation story. Our Social Justice Seder celebrates different struggles for freedom. Interfaith and inclusive, this Seder is free of charge, open to all, interactive, Kosher for Passover, and vegetarian. Come learn about social justice issues and enjoy a delicious free meal! Come alone or bring a group.

Registration required. Please email Suzy Day at dayse@missouri.edu (include name and number in party) by April 14 to sign up.

The library’s Diverstiy Action Committee would like to promote participation in Women’s History Month activities. See http://www.nwhp.org/whm/index.php and http://wgst.missouri.edu/news-events/womenhistorymonth.html for information on events. Many activities take place after regular business hours, including “An Evening with Dr. Maya Angelou” on Thursday, April 14, 2011, 7pm,Jesse Auditorium, Jesse Hall. Tickets are $10 for the public.

The Diversity Action Committee and MULSA invite you to participate in a gathering on Feb. 15 to enjoy a variety of international teas and snacks. The event will take place from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. in the Ellis Library Staff Lounge.

DAC and MULSA will provide most of the food items; menu options are listed below. However, you are invited to contribute a tea flavor or snack that represents your cultural heritage. If interested in contributing an item, contact either Ivy Hui (HuiO@health.missouri.edu) or Yasuyo Knoll (KnollY@health.missouri.edu). Feel free to bring you own plates/spoons, too.

RSVP’s are not required. Release time is available with supervisor approval.

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Menu items to date:

Ginger tea; Milk tea; Green / Jasmine / Oolong tea; coffee.

Almond flavored agar with fruits; Rice cake with red beans; Sweet egg roll; Korean wafer stick; Hello Panda; Wasabi peas; Calbee BBQ corn; Belgian cream puff; Sesame pan cake (chips); Ah-Jiao honey red dates; chocolate cake; Black-eyed peas; Cinnamon rolls; Julegrot (Scandinavian rice pudding); Fried dumplings; Sugar cookies.

The Diversity Action Committee and MULSA invite you to participate in a gathering on Feb. 3 to enjoy a variety of international teas and snacks. The event will take place from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. in the Ellis Library Staff Lounge. RSVP’s are not required. Release time is available with supervisor approval.

Feb. 3 is the start of the Chinese New Year. As such, we thought it would be fun to have a theme of traditional New Year food and snacks. We invite library employees to contribute food associated with their New Year’s celebration (but any food items will be welcome).  If you choose to contribute food, please contact Leo at AgnewL@missouri.edu with your dish name and approximate number of servings.  DAC and MULSA will also contribute items to make sure we have enough.

MU’s celebration of Black History Month is underway with many events scheduled. The Black History Month list of current events is available at http://blackstudies.missouri.edu/news-announcements/. If you look closely in the middle of the page, you will see attached schedule which will take you to the full calendar. Most events are open to MU faculty, staff, and students as well as the general public, unless otherwise noted.

The Diversity Action Committee and MULSA invite you to participate in a gathering on Feb. 3 to enjoy a variety of international teas and snacks. The event will take place from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. in the Ellis Library Staff Lounge. RSVP’s are not required. Release time is available with supervisor approval.

Feb. 3 is the start of the Chinese New Year. As such, we thought it would be fun to have a theme of traditional New Year food and snacks. We invite library employees to contribute food associated with their New Year’s celebration (but any food items will be welcome).  If you choose to contribute food, please contact Leo at AgnewL@missouri.edu with your dish name and approximate number of servings.  DAC and MULSA will also contribute items to make sure we have enough.

The Diversity Action Committee and MULSA invite you to participate in a gathering on Feb. 3 to enjoy a variety of international teas and snacks. The event will take place from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. in the Ellis Library Staff Lounge. RSVP’s are not required. Release time is available with supervisor approval.

Feb. 3 is the start of the Chinese New Year. As such, we thought it would be fun to have a theme of traditional New Year food and snacks. We invite library employees to contribute food associated with their New Year’s celebration (but any food items will be welcome).  If you choose to contribute food, please contact Leo at AgnewL@missouri.edu with your dish name and approximate number of servings.  DAC and MULSA will also contribute items to make sure we have enough.