The Diversity Action Committee invites you to a presentation in conjunction with November’s theme of Native American Heritage Month. Dr. Dennis Kelley, Assistant Professor with the Department of Religious Studies, will talk about storytelling, mythmaking, and modernization aspects of North American Native Americans. Dr. Kelley’s biographical information can be reviewed at http://religiousstudies.missouri.edu/people/kelley.html.

The presentation will take place Thursday, Nov. 18, from 11-12, room 4F51-A Ellis Library. Release time is available with supervisor approval.

Banned Books Week – Celebrating the Freedom to Read – is observed during the last week of September each year.  Observed since 1982, the annual event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. For 2010, Banned Books Week will be observed September 25 – October 2.

The MU Libraries’ Diversity Action Committee will promote Banned Books Week by the following activities:
1) Provide pamphlets at public service desks with information on Banned Books Week.
2) Sponsor an information link on the library’s main web page to promote the Week to patrons.
3) Sponsor an information link on the library’s other e-resources, Twitter, Facebook.

Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the American Library Association(ALA), the Association of American Publishers, the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the National Association of College Stores. The Library of Congress Center for the Book endorses it.

To learn more about Banned Books Week, see the following links:

The difference between a banned and a challenged book:

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/aboutbannedbooks/index.cfm.

Statistics on the number of book challenges over time: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengesbytype/index.cfm.

Banned and Challenged Classics: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedclassics/index.cfm.

Library Bill of Rights: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/index.cfm.

The library’s DAC is sponsoring a display case this month that features books and materials from our collections. These materials reflect some of the non-English languages spoken at MU. The display is housed in the freestanding, east display case. One of the goals of the display is to help provide a welcoming environment to our international students and scholars. In addition, the DAC will place a few ‘Welcome’ signs among the libraries, also reflecting other languages.

The MU Libraries’ Diversity Action Committee invites you to participate in the Second Annual Diversity Luncheon on July 22 that will feature ethnic food. Here are the details in Q&A format:

• When/where will it be held? July 22, 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.
• 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 microwave will be on hand in the room.

• 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.
• Can I attend the event even if I don’t bring food to share? Yes! This is open to all library employees.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 celebrated its 45th year of enactment in 2009. Come hear three MU faculty members discuss the Act from three perspectives:

Dr. Charles Sampson, Truman School of Public Affairs, will talk about the political/social context in which the Act was debated and passed and the extent to which current events reflect lasting change within the civil rights policy arena.

Dr. Michael Middleton, Deputy Chancellor & Professor of Law, will provide an assessment of the impact of the Act for early years following its passage, including changes in enforcement through different administrations.

Dr. Jacquelyn Litt, Chair, Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, will discuss civil rights within the context of Hurricane Katrina and response/relief efforts.

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

Date: March 23, 2010
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Place: Jesse Wrench Auditorium

The Diversity Action Committee and MULSA invite you to participate in a gathering on March 11 to enjoy a variety of international teas and snacks. The event will take place from 3:00 – 4:00 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:
Japanese Green Tea, Oolong Tea, Thai milk tea, Irish breakfast tea, Fruit Tea Sampler (5 flavors), coffee.

Chinese Crispy Egg roll, Italian Biscotti, Chinese Almond Cookies, Korean Wafer Stick (Chocolate), Sesame Ball, Dutch Honey cake, Rice crackers, Turkish Delight, Mixed nuts, Fortune Cookies, Wasabi Peas, Japanese Sweet Big popcorn, Roasted soy nuts, Danish wedding cookies, flaky egg rolls, and shortbread cookies.

Milk (organic), honey, Splenda, Sweet-n-Low; Stirrers, Sugar, etc.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 celebrated its 45th year of enactment in 2009. Come hear three MU faculty members discuss the Act from three perspectives:

Dr. Charles Sampson, Truman School of Public Affairs, will talk about the political/social context in which the Act was debated and passed and the extent to which current events reflect lasting change within the civil rights policy arena.

Dr. Michael Middleton, Deputy Chancellor & Professor of Law, will provide an assessment of the impact of the Act for early years following its passage, including changes in enforcement through different administrations.

Dr. Jacquelyn Litt, Chair, Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, will discuss civil rights within the context of Hurricane Katrina and response/relief efforts.

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

Date: March 23, 2010
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Place: Jesse Wrench Auditorium

The Diversity Action Committee invites you to participate in a gathering on March 11 to enjoy a variety of international teas and snacks. The event will take place from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Ellis Library Staff Lounge. Menu options include but are not limited to: Green tea, Oolong tea, Jasmine tea, Irish breakfast tea, rice crackers, Danish wedding cookies, shortbread cookies and flaky egg rolls. Tea bags will be utilized to make sampling the flavors that much easier (we’ll have a pot of coffee for non-tea drinkers).

DAC will provide most of the food items. 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.