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#LibraryNews

04/24/2023
profile-icon Garrett Hohmann

Earth Day (April 22nd) was first celebrated in 1970 and has since become a global event with over 190 countries participating. The focus of Earth Day is to address the environmental challenges we face, such as climate change, pollution, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting our planet and the natural resources that sustain us. We can’t exist without it!

Here’s some things we can do to make a positive impact on the environment:

Support environmentally friendly policies and organizations that work to protect the environment, by voting for candidates who prioritize environmental protection and sustainable policies.

Make sure to research the candidates and their stances on environmental issues before you cast your vote. Look for candidates who support renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, protecting natural resources, and promoting sustainable practices.

It's also important to vote in local elections, not just national ones, as local officials can have a significant impact on the environment in your community. For example, local officials may make decisions about zoning and land use, transportation, and waste management that can affect air and water quality, public health, and the overall sustainability of your community.

Reduce your carbon footprint: Use public transportation, walk or bike when possible, and reduce your energy consumption by turning off lights and electronics when not in use.

Support local farmers: Buying locally grown produce helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with shipping food long distances. It also supports local farmers and helps preserve farmland.

Start a compost pile: Composting reduces waste and creates nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Plus, it’s a great way to recycle food scraps and other organic matter.

Plant a tree or start a garden to help absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Use eco-friendly products, such as reusable bags, containers, and water bottles.

Plant native species: Planting native plants in your garden helps support local wildlife and promotes biodiversity.

By taking small steps to reduce our impact on the environment, we can all make a positive difference in the world. Check out our Earth Day display on the 3rd Floor of the library!

04/18/2023
profile-icon Mary Anderson

Although originating in Japan, the poetic form haiku has a special place at Loras College. Loras’ most well-known haikuist is Father Raymond Roseliep ’39, who taught from 1946 to 1966. However, the tradition of haiku at Loras was continued by Roseliep’s student and friend, Bill Pauly. Pauly, who died February 2021, was a dedicated teacher and haikuist in his own right, winning numerous awards and recognition for his poetry. Pauly published two early books of haiku – Wind the Clock by Bittersweet (1977) and Time from His Bones (1978) – but his later work appeared primarily in haiku journals. A collection spanning his life’s work, Walking Uneven Ground, came out in 2021.

unapproachably

beautiful

thistle  (Cicada 1.4, 1977)

Pauly’s Loras roots were strong. He grew up in Dubuque and attended both Loras Academy and College. Following his graduation in 1964, he entered the Peace Corps and taught for two years in Sierra Leone. He then returned to the States where he earned an MA from University of Notre Dame. His teaching career brought him back to Loras College in 1977 where he taught Poetry Writing, Haiku Writing, and composition courses until 2004. He once wrote, “I have always been and will always be a teacher, however and whenever and wherever possible.”

The teacher was also a poet at heart. He began writing poetry as a teenager and did not stop until the last few years of his life. He was known especially as a poet of haiku and senryu. Traditionally haiku is a three-line poem with seventeen syllables, written in a 5/7/5 pattern. As it developed, however, haikuist diverted from this strict form but continued to focus on provocative and vivid imagery ending with a sense of enlightenment. Senryu is similar to haiku but instead of focusing on the natural world, they typically address human nature.

the deaf man

at his windowpane

touching thunder (Modern Haiku 10.3, 1979)

For Pauly, "A good haiku will reward repeated readings. Like most poetry, it's a matter of feeling. It's an emotional vehicle. And, it invites the reader to participate in that experience." For those wanting to become writers of haiku he recommended reading a lot of good haiku and writing lots of haiku.

His last published poem is also the source of the title of his collection.

walking uneven ground

to tend her grave…

Remembrance Day (Mayfly 70, 2021)

During this National Poetry Month, take Pauly’s advice and read a lot of good haiku. You can start by checking out what we have in our Library collection. Then, experiment a bit and write a few of your own.

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04/10/2023
profile-icon Mary Anderson

The Day of Silence is observed each year on the second Friday in April, this year on April 14. It is a national student-led demonstration where LGBTQ+ students and allies take a vow of silence for the day to protest the harmful effects of harassment and bullying of LGBTQ+ students. It is a way of “pushing back against the silencing of LGBTQ+ youth and the erasure of their experiences.”*  

  • 82% of LGBTQ+ students experienced first-hand harassment or bullying in their school.
  • 71% of students reported that their classrooms did not include any LGBTQ+ topics.
  • More than 30% of LGBTQ+ students reported missing school because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable.
  • Over half of all LGBTQ+ students of color experienced in-person victimization based on race or ethnicity.

Many participants wear tape over their mouths or Xs on their hands to as part of their protest. Others carry small cards to hand out to people, explaining why they are not responding. Participants typically end the day with Breaking the Silence events to share their experiences and to advocate for the ways their schools could become more inclusive.

The day was first observed in 1996 in an event organized by students at the University of Virginia. The next year it was observed nationally with almost 100 colleges and universities participating. In 2002, following a student proposal, it became an official project of GLSEN (formerly the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network) and they have organized the day since. Today students at all levels participate and it has expanded into workplaces and community events as well. Thousands of institutions have registered, representing all fifty states and a number of other countries including Singapore and New Zealand. Millions of people are expected to take part this year.

To find out more about the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth and how you can support them, check out our book display on the fourth floor as well as these ebooks. Also, the Loras College Alliance is our student organization that strives to educate, advocate, and support the LGBTQ+ community on and off campus. Learn more on their Instagram page.  

 

* Much of the data and information on this blog comes from GLSEN.org.

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04/03/2023
profile-icon Mary Anderson

The statistics are appauling.* Over half of women and almost a third men in the United States will experience sexual violence during their lifetimes. A third of female and about a quarter of male suvivors experience assult for the first time between the ages of 11 and 17. Racial minorities, the disabled, and transgender, genderqueer, and nonconforming people experience a higher burden of sexual violence than others. Native Americans are at the greatest risk of sexual violence.

The trauma of sexual violence has wide-ranging consequences for survivors. They may involve physical injuries, sexually transmitted infections, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. The consequences also may become chronic, with survivors suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and experiencing recurring reproductive, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and sexual health issues. Sexual violence survivors also can turn to unhealthy behaviors in response to their trauma. They are more likely to smoke, abuse alcohol and drugs, and engage in risky sexual activity. Likewise, they may have trouble maintaining personal relationships and struggle in establishing new ones. Additionally, sexual violence has a significant financial impact on survivors with recent estimates putting the lifetime financial cost at $122,461 per survivor.

There are numerous resources available to assist survivors as well as advocates. Locally, the Riverview Center offers free and confidential services. They can provide advocacy, helping survivors with legal processes, medical appointments, and social service support. They offer therapy and counseling too. They also have resources for those wanting to support survivors, including education and trainings as well as volunteer opportunities. On the Loras campus, Counseling Center Services are another great resource. Here is contact information for those and other options:

  • Loras College Counseling Center Services: 563-588-7085
  • Riverview Center Hotline: 1-888-557-0310
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (directs the caller to a local rape crisis center)
  • Information for LGBTQ+ survivors: LGBTQ Survivors of Sexual Violence (RAINN)
  • Information about sexual assault and disabilities: Sexual Abuse of People with Disabilities (RAINN)

One of the most important ways to care for survivors of sexual assault is to be as supportive and non-judgemental as possible. Here are some specific phrases RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline recommends:

  • “I believe you. It took a lot of courage to tell me about this.” 
  • “It’s not your fault. You didn’t do anything to deserve this.” 
  • “You are not alone. I care about you and am here to listen or help in any way I can.”
  • “I’m sorry this happened. This shouldn’t have happened to you.”

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to honor survivors, raise awareness, and stand in solidarity with those affected by sexual assault. It is an opportunity to focus on encouraging bystander intervention and helping to build a culture of consent. It is a time to learn more about the issue, share your voice, and work towards a society free of sexual violence. Take time this month to educate yourself. Check out the books and other resources in our display on the main floor of the Library near the elevator. Also, show your support by participating in the Love Letter to Survivors Project. Write words of encouragement and support on a paper heart that will then be posted on the wall near the display. Only by coming together may we fully address the issue of  sexual violence.

 

*Statistics are primarily from the CDC.

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