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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is widely celebrated for his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. His commitment to equality, however, extended beyond simply race; it was a radical vision of interconnectedness and mutuality among all people. This broad perspective is evident in his 1961 commencement speech at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, where he focused on the foundational ideals of the United States stated in the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal” and “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.” For King this was the American dream, and it had yet to be realized.

King argued that the only way to make this dream a reality was to develop a “world perspective,” reject the false doctrine of white supremacy, and embrace non-violence. Humanity must recognized their shared destiny and interconnectedness. There must be a collective commitment to creating a world of unity and mutual respect. The technological and scientific developments of the time demonstrated how small the world really is. As King stated:

Through our scientific genius we have made of the  world a neighborhood, and now through our moral and ethical commitment we must make  of it a brotherhood. We must all learn to live together as brothers, or we will all perish together as fools. It simply means that every nation must be concerned about every other nation. Every individual must be concerned about every other individual. 

This idea of interconnectedness was central to King’s philosophy. He articulated this in what he called an “inescapable network of mutuality” and a “single garment of destiny,” asserting that the well-being of one person or group is tied to the well-being of all:

“Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. As long as there is extreme poverty in this world, no man can be totally rich even if he has a billion dollars. As long as diseases are rampant and millions of people cannot expect to live more than 28 or 30 years, no one can be totally healthy, even if he just got a checkup in the finest clinic in the nation.

King’s words compel us to reflect on our shared responsibilities and confront systemic issues such as poverty, inequality, and disease, not as distant problems but as urgent matters that touch all of humanity. Yet, for King this mutuality and interconnectedness goes beyond economic stability, racial equity, and physical well-being. It is ultimately about the purpose of human life:

Strangely enough, I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. And you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the way the world is made. This the interrelated structure of reality.”

To learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. please check out the book display on the Library’s fourth floor. You can listen to the full version of King’s “American Dream” speech here.

Poverty remains a persistent challenge in the world, affecting not only the material well-being of individuals but also their access to education, healthcare, and opportunities for advancement. In fact, according to the World Bank the global reduction in poverty is at a standstill. Millions of people in the United States continue to live below the poverty line, with children and marginalized communities disproportionately affected. Globally, poverty’s impact is even more staggering, leaving billions without access to clean water, nutritious food, and safe shelter.

Poverty is caused by a series of interconnected issues. These include economic conditions like income inequality, unemployment, inflation, and unstable markets. Additionally, events such as natural disasters, armed conflicts, and disease outbreaks create new economic vulnerabilities resulting in food insecurity and resource scarcity. Historical inequalities, such as racism or gender-based discrimination, further perpetuate poverty in marginalized communities. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and exacerbated these issues, introducing unprecedented challenges for global economies and widening income inequality. Climate change too disproportionately affects the poorest and most vulnerable. 

Breaking the cycle of poverty requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both immediate needs and systemic barriers. Improving the climate can mitigate energy insecurity, protect vulnerable communities, and reduce hardships linked to poverty, such as inadequate housing along with water and food insecurity. Supporting affordable homeownership enhances health outcomes and provides financial stability. Advancing food security through assistance programs and building grocery stores in underserved areas can alleviate food deserts. Additionally, implementing supportive government policies, such as social safety nets and income support, can play a crucial role in alleviating poverty and promoting economic mobility. 

During this Poverty Awareness Month we are called to reflect, learn, and act. Whether through volunteering, donating to local shelters, or advocating for policies that address inequality, each action can make a difference. By fostering awareness and compassion, we can work toward sustainable solutions that uplift those in need and pave the way for a future where poverty no longer defines lives. For more information please check out the book display on the third floor of the Library. 

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, served from 1977 to 1981. His presidency included several notable achievements, including brokering peace between Egypt and Israel through the Camp David Accords, transferring control of the Panama Canal to Panama via the Panama Canal Treaty, reaching a strategic arms agreement with the Soviet Union, and establishing formal diplomatic relations with China. Carter also worked to make the government more inclusive, appointing more women, African Americans, and Jewish Americans to official positions and judgeships than all previous presidents combined. Additionally, he created the Departments of Education and Energy and prioritized environmental protection. A staunch advocate for human rights, Carter placed them at the center of U.S. foreign policy. Despite these accomplishments, his presidency faced significant challenges, including the Iran hostage crisis and a struggling economy.  Likewise, as a political outsider, Carter took pride in prioritizing principle over political maneuvering, but this approach often made it difficult for him to achieve legislative goals in Washington.  

After leaving office, Carter and his beloved wife Rosalyn, his partner throughout his political and public service career, embarked on a journey of humanitarian and peacemaking efforts that would define his legacy. In 1982, they founded The Carter Center, a nongovernmental organization dedicated to “waging peace,” promoting human rights, and alleviating human suffering. The Center has been instrumental in advancing health initiatives, notably contributing to the near-eradication of Guinea worm disease.

Carter's commitment to peace extended to diplomatic missions worldwide. He played a pivotal role in mediating conflicts and promoting fair elections in various countries. His efforts in North Korea in 1994 led to a temporary freeze of the country's nuclear program. Additionally, Carter's work in the Middle East, particularly his advocacy for Palestinian rights, showcased his dedication to finding peaceful solutions to complex international issues. 

Carter's humanitarian work was also exemplified through his involvement with Habitat for Humanity. He and Rosalynn began volunteering with Habitat in 1984, actively participated in building and repairing homes for those in need. This commitment led to the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, an annual home building blitz organized by Habitat and its affiliates. It generally takes place in the United States one year, and an international location the next. Since its inception, the Carter Work Project has built 4,447 homes in 14 countries and involved over 108,000 volunteers.  

Carter's post-presidential work earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, for “his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” For Carter, though, his dedication to service was not about receiving accolades but simply a way to live out his faith. He stated, “I have one life and one chance to make it count for something. I’m free to choose that something. That something—the something that I’ve chosen—is my faith. My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I can, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have, to try to make a difference.”

To learn more, please visit our book display on the main floor of the library. 

Eleanor Roosevelt, was the longest serving First Lady of the United States as wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt, but through her advocacy for human rights she also became known as “First Lady of the World.” Throughout her husband’s political career, she advocated for expanded rights of marginalized populations, whether African Americans and Asian Americans, poor laborers, or women. Following the death of President Roosevelt, Eleanor continued her activism, especially in her role as a United States delegate to the United Nations General Assembly.

At the first meeting of the UN General Assembly, Roosevelt was asked to join a small commission tasked with recommending the structure and function of a permanent Human Rights Commission. Roosevelt was elected chair of the commission and remained chair when it became the permanent United Nations Commission on Human Rights. One of the central recommendations of the commission was that the Human Rights Commission’s first project should be the preparation of “an international bill of rights.” As Roosevelt stated, “Many of us thought that lack of standards for human rights the world over was one of the greatest causes of friction among the nations, and that recognition of human rights might become one of the cornerstones upon which peace could eventually be based.”

The Universal Declaration on Human Rights  was drafted between 1946 and 1948 by the Commission. The Commission began its work on the declaration of human rights by sending questionnaires to scholars and leaders throughout the world. The responses resulted in a diverse range of religious, philosophical, and legal perspectives but also a number of commonalities on which the Commission could build. A drafting committee was selected, initially consisting of Roosevelt along with Vice-Chairman P.C. Chang of the Republic of China and  Committee Rapporteur Charles Malik of Lebanon, and Canadian lawyer John Humphrey of the UN Human Rights Division. The drafting committee was soon  expanded to provide greater diversity. 

 Multiple sessions were required first by the Drafting Committee and then by the Commission to develop the Declaration. Roosevelt, as Chair of the Commission and the Drafting Committee, played a central role, using her diplomatic skills to bridge ideological divides and rally support for the Declaration. When presenting it to the UN General Assembly, Roosevelt proclaimed: “We stand today at the threshold of a great event both in the life of the United Nations and in the life of mankind. This declaration may well become the international Magna Carta for all men everywhere.”

On December 10, 1948, the UN General Assembly voted to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The final document consists of thirty articles outlining the basic rights and individual freedoms of all persons, and it built on the declaration that “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.” 

Roosevelt remained in the UN until 1952 and continued to promote the Universal Declaration as well as advocate for the rights of women. After that she traveled both the US and world to continue her advocacy for adherence to the principles of the Universal Declaration. While her actions were admired by many, others were deeply critical. There were attacks on her character but also her life. The Ku Klux Klan placed a bounty on her head and there were multiple assassination attempts increased. Still she persisted. 

In 1958 Roosevelt wrote: “Where do human rights begin? In small places, close to home, so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person -- the neighborhood he lives in, the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning  anywhere.”

To learn more about Eleanor Roosevelt and human rights check out our book display on the fourth floor and these e-books from our collection.

International Volunteer Day, December 5, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985. This day honors the spirit of volunteerism and its crucial role in addressing the world’s challenges. For 2024, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program focuses on the vital role of volunteers in fostering sustainable development, highlighting community-driven solutions to global issues like climate change, inequality, and conflict.

Volunteerism is a powerful tool for transforming societies. Each month, 862.4 million working-age (age 15 and over) volunteers dedicate their time and skills globally. About 6.5% of volunteers do so formally through organizations, while 14.3% do so informally, often initiated between individuals. Formal volunteers are more often men, whereas informal volunteers are more likely to be women. A significant number of people are involved in multiple types of volunteer work.

Volunteerism fosters attitudes and behaviors that drive social, environmental, and economic change. It empowers individuals to become actors in local, national, and international development. By embodying values such as equity, compassion, solidarity, and respect, volunteers create meaningful impacts. Their contributions advance the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring inclusive growth and peace. The UNV program amplifies these efforts by collaborating with volunteers worldwide, emphasizing that lasting transformation begins with people-led initiatives.

Celebrate International Volunteer Day by recognizing the commitment of volunteers everywhere. You can share volunteer stories on social media using #IVD2024. If you would like to find volunteer opportunities, you can contact Spiritual Life or Volunteer Dubuque. To learn more about volunteerism, check out the book display on the third floor. 

Red Planet Day, November 28, commemorates the anniversary of  the launch of NASA's Mariner 4 spacecraft in 1964. This mission achieved a successful flyby of Mars, giving humanity its first close-up images of another planet. But long before this, Mars has held a fascination for humanity. As the closest planet to Earth, it can be viewed with the naked eye, appearing distinctly reddish in color due to the iron oxide dust covering its surface. Early records of Mars date back thousands of years to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Babylonian astronomers, who documented its motions and developed methods to predict its position. All this was based on observations with the unaided eye. However in 1610, Galileo Galilei made the first telescopic observation of Mars, marking a significant advancement in its study.

Improved telescopes in the 19th century enabled mapping of Mars, with the first map published in 1840 and more refined ones following in 1877. The idea of life on Mars became widely popular in the late 19th century, primarily due to the work of astronomer Percival Lowell who observed linear features that he speculated were a network of canals built by intelligent life. These turned out to be optical illusions, but the search for signs of life has remained. Since the 1960s, robotic spacecraft have explored Mars from orbit and its surface, while instruments across the electromagnetic spectrum continue to observe it. Martian meteorites found on Earth provide valuable insights into the planet's chemical conditions through laboratory analysis.

Mars is a world of extremes. Its surface consists of vast deserts, massive volcanoes like Olympus Mons (the tallest in the solar system), and an enormous canyon system, Valles Marineris, roughly 10 times longer, 20 times wider, and 5 times deeper, than the Earth’s Grand Canyon. Its surface temperature is incredibly cold, with average temperatures of -80 degrees Fahrenheit. The planet's atmosphere is very thin, containing more than 95% carbon dioxide and much less than 1% oxygen. It experiences wind and dust storms, ranging from small tornado-like storms to massive planet-wide events visible from Earth. Mars has significantly less mass than Earth, and so about one-third the gravity. A person who weighs 100 pounds on Earth would only weigh about 38 pounds on Mars. Despite these harsh conditions, evidence of ancient riverbeds, lake systems, and polar ice caps suggests that billions of years ago, the planet had conditions favorable for life.

NASA is currently exploring Mars with three orbiters studying the planet’s climate, surface features, radiation, and minerals. On the surface, the Curiosity rover, active since 2012, investigates the terrain. In 2021, the Perseverance rover arrived with advanced tools, including a system to produce oxygen from Mars’ carbon dioxide and a helicopter named Ingenuity to test powered flight. The ultimate goal is to send humans to explore Mars. The robotic missions serve to prepare for this, researching habitats, food production, and the effects of space living. 

To learn more about Mars check out these books and the display on the third floor.   

National Aviation Month is a time to celebrate pioneers who helped shape this field. Among these is Amelia Earhart, a trailblazing pilot, whose adventurous spirit and numerous achievements continue to inspire people around the world. Earhart not only set numerous flying records but also paved the way for women in a male-dominated field. Her legacy remains one of courage, determination, and advocacy for equality.

Earhart’s interest in flying began in 1920, at the age of 23, when she had her first airplane ride while living in California. This inspired her to take flying lessons and within two years she had her pilot’s license and owned her own small plane. She then moved to Massachusetts where she worked as a social worker with immigrants in Boston while continuing to pursue her flying career. 

Earhart gained notoriety in when she was chosen to be a passenger on a transatlantic flight piloted by Wilmer Stultz and Louis Gordon, making her  the first woman to cross the Atlantic in a plane. This was just the beginning of her aviation achievements. In 1931 she flew to the record-setting altitude of 18,415 feet. In 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. For this feat she was awarded, among other honors, the Army Air Corps Distinguished Flying Cross and an Honorary Membership in the British Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators. Later in 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo and nonstop across the United States. In 1935 she became the first person to fly solo across the Pacific and thus also the first person to fly over both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Earhart spoke extensively about her flying adventures and also wrote several books. 

Beyond her flying achievements, Earhart was an advocate for women’s equality. Recognizing the lack of support and resources for women pilots, she co-founded the Ninety-Nines, an organization dedicated to promoting women in aviation; she served as its first president. Additionally, as a visiting professor at Purdue University, she encouraged women to pursue careers in engineering and science, empowering them to envision new opportunities in traditionally male-dominated fields. 

By 1936, the one aviation achievement she had not yet achieved was flying around the world, so she began to make plans to do so. She stated, “I have a feeling that there is just about one more good flight left in my system, and I hope this trip is it. Anyway, when I have finished this job, I mean to give up long-distance ‘stunt’ flying.” Earhart began the 29,000-mile journey in 1937 with her navigator, Fred Noonan. 

They had covered nearly 22,000 miles when they reached New Guinea. Their next stop was Howland Island, but on the way she and Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean. The Itasca, a US Coast Guard cutter near Howland Island, received a radio transmission on July 2, “KHAQQ calling Itasca. We must be on you but cannot see you... gas is running low...” The Itasca eventually lost contact and began search operations. Despite an extensive search, the plane was never found. It is generally presumed they ran out of fuel, crashed into the ocean, and died near Howland Island. 

The mystery of Earhart’s disappearance continues to capture the imagination of explorers. In January, Deep Sea Vision, a South Carolina-based team, said it had captured a sonar image in the Pacific Ocean that “appears to be Earhart’s Lockheed 10-E Electra” aircraft. However, earlier this month the team was able to do more extensive scans and discovered what they found was a rock formation. So while the mystery of her death remains, the more important story is not how she died, but how she lived.

To learn more about Amelia Earhart and aviation history, please check out these books and visit the books display on the fourth floor. 

November is National Native American Heritage Month. For this week’s blog we welcome guest writer, Dr. Susan Stone, Professor of English. 

Indigenous people have lived in what we now call North America for over 20,000 years. Currently,  there are 574 federally recognized tribes, each with their own unique language and customs, and Native Americans made up 3% of the US population in the 2022 census. Although this number is significant, it could have been much larger if Europeans hadn’t arrived in the 15^th century. It is estimated that almost 95% of the millions of Indigenous people living in North America perished from diseases like smallpox and the measles as well as forced displacement and warfare, within the first few decades of contact. Despite the immense challenges they faced, Indigenous people preserved their histories and cultures through storytelling, passing down their heritage for generations. 

This was complicated, however, by the lack of written indigenous languages, which made recording history and sharing stories among tribes and with colonists difficult. Still in 1809, a Cherokee man named Sequoyah (George Guess) became the first Native American to begin working on a writing system for his nation’s language. He called this project the “Talking Leaves.” A monumental undertaking, especially considering that he couldn’t read or write, it took Sequoyah and his daughter Ayoka over a decade to complete the Cherokee Syllabary, an innovative syllable-based writing system still used today. Today, Cherokee and Navajo, which was used by the Code Talkers in WWII to help win the war, are the two most popular spoken and written native languages.  With written languages, the legacy of indigenous storytelling has taken on new dimensions.

Over the last two centuries, hundreds of Native American authors have shared stories orally and written prolifically and provocatively in English and in multiple classical genres—poetry, short fiction, novels, drama, etc. In the last 50 years or so as part of the Native American Renaissance first and second waves, they have woven decidedly Indigenous and tribal topics, themes, and forms into their story telling, creating hybrid works like Cherokee/Kiowa Pulitzer Prize winner N. Scott Momaday’s multi-voiced (tribal, academic, personal, and mythical) and hand-illustrated The Way to Rainy Mountain (1969) and Chippewa writer Louise Erdrich’s critically acclaimed, multigenerational Love Medicine (1984), a text that can be read either as a whole novel or a collection of, stand-alone short stories. Ceremony (1977), by Leslie Marmon Silko (Laguna Pueblo), places the oral traditions and ceremonial practices of the Navajo and Pueblo people at the center of her story, and Tommy Orange’s Pulitzer-nominated debut novel There There (2018) is a polyphonic, puzzle-like text that focuses on the lives of a dozen people—some Indigenous, some not—who are brought together at an urban pow-wow in Oakland, California. In this extremely popular work, Orange blends elements of his Cheyenne and Arapaho heritage with social, historical, and cultural issues that confront both urban Natives and those living on reservations. 

In addition to the above texts, there is a wonderful emergence of creative Native American authored and illustrated texts for children and young adults. Since 2006 the biennial American Indian Youth Literature Award celebrates the best in children's and young adult literature by and about Native Americans, showcasing authentic and engaging stories that reflect Indigenous experiences. Many of these award winners and honors can currently be found as part of the book display on the first floor of the Library including: Berry Song, written and Illustrated by Michaela Goade (Tlingit Nation); We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know by Traci Sorell (Cherokee); Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians); and Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee). 

Native American Heritage Month was created not only to commemorate a rich, multitribal ancestry and heritage but also to recognize the current achievements and goals of modern tribes and their diverse stories, traditions, identities, governments, and lives on and off reservations. Native Americans are a present tense, forward-looking people. Native American Heritage Month reminds us to honor the resilience, creativity, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous communities, whose voices continue to enrich and deepen our collective understanding. This November, let us celebrate by engaging with these stories that bridge past, present, and future.

American democracy is rooted in the principles of liberty, equality, and justice. Election Day is a cornerstone of this democracy, a day when citizens across the country exercise their right to vote and help shape the future of the nation. This day captures one of the most important principles of democracy – the belief that government should be responsive to the will of its people. 

Despite its foundational principles, they have not always been the reality for all Americans. Many groups have been excluded from the democratic process and denied the right to vote. It has taken decades for our democracy to expand, extending voting rights to people of color, women, and younger citizens. The ability of the nation to adapt, address inequalities, and include more voices speaks to the enduring strength of this democracy.

Voting is only one part of the democratic process, however. Civic engagement also includes engaging in activities that hold elected officials accountable and push for change on issues that matter to communities. This can mean attending public meetings, joining protests to advocate for justice or policy reform, and writing to elected representatives. Citizens can engage as well by organizing grassroots campaigns, raising awareness on social media, or volunteering for causes important to them. Running for office – whether  local, state, or national – is another option for those who want to take on a  more direct role.

A healthy democracy also requires informed and active citizens. Check out our  Elections & Voting guide for links to numerous resources to help you stay informed. Take advantage of our databases like US Newsstream and the New York Times Digital Edition for access to news. Finally, check out our Democracy book display on the main floor of the Library. 

October, Raptor Awareness Month, is a time to celebrate, learn about, and promote the protection of birds of prey. Raptors—such as hawks, eagles, falcons, owls, and vultures—are known for their keen eyesight, sharp talons, powerful beaks, and soaring flight. 

Raptors are vital to maintaining healthy ecosystems. As birds of prey they help with controlling populations of smaller animals like rodents, birds, and even insects, preventing overpopulation and resource depletion. They also can serve as indicators of ecosystem health, with declines in their numbers signaling environmental issues like pollution or habitat loss. Scavenging raptors, such as vultures, help clean up the environment by feeding on carrion, preventing the spread of disease and promoting faster decomposition. Other raptors can help farmers by naturally controlling rodent pest populations, reducing the need for harmful pesticides. Additionally, they hold cultural and spiritual significance for many.

Despite their importance, many raptor species are in danger due to various human-induced threats. Habitat loss from deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural expansion reduces their hunting and nesting areas. Pesticides, particularly those that accumulate in the food chain, can poison raptors, leading to health and reproductive issues and even death. Collisions with human-made structures like power lines, wind turbines, and vehicles also pose risks. Illegal hunting and the capture of raptors for the pet trade further endanger these birds. Climate change is another growing threat, altering habitats and affecting prey availability.

Raptor Awareness Month is an opportunity to take action and protect these vital birds. Conservation efforts, including habitat restoration, banning harmful pesticides, and supporting raptor rehabilitation centers, are essential to their survival. Educating the public about raptors’ ecological importance can foster greater appreciation and encourage responsible actions to safeguard their future. For more information on raptors, please visit the book display on the fourth floor of the Library.