April is such a wonderful month in the library world because it’s full of celebrations. From National Library Week to the early celebration of May’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month – there is plenty happening and so many great ways to get engaged!
National Library Week
Taking place April 3-9 this year, National Library week “is a time to celebrate our nation’s libraries, library workers’ contributions and promote library use and support” (ALA, 2013). The Mary and Jeff Bell Library has presented various ways of celebrating this week and have received lots of love from our amazing Islanders. This year, we’re spreading the love by featuring two library fan favorite events: the Escape Room and the Outstanding Faculty Speaker event.
Escape Room
Centered around a Star Wars theme, this year’s Escape Room is back in person and coming to your library April 4-8! This live-action, co-op video game (at least that’s how I see it) is back with new puzzles and challenges. Build your team of 4 participants and sign up today to explore planet Endor, using your Force sensitivity, critical thinking skills, and communication abilities to collect the Kyber Crystal and return to your Rebel base. Can you make it in time before the Empire has you in its grasp?
Sound fun? Yay, we think so too! Sign up your team today: https://volunteersignup.org/P97F9.
Outstanding Faculty Speaker
On Monday, April 4, the library will host our Outstanding Faculty Speaker for the spring semester. This semester’s speaker is Alexandria Canchola, Assistant Professor in the Graphic Design program and her presentation is entitled “Visualizing Latinx Issues Through Visual Communication.” Visit Canchola’s website for more information about her work! It should be a great event. See you at the second floor of the Bell Library or in Zoom for this hybrid event! For more information and the Zoom link, visit our Outstanding Faculty Speaker guide!
National Poetry Month
This month-long celebration “reminds the public that poets have an integral role to play in our culture and that poetry matters” (Poets.org, 2022).
Poetry Karaoke
Be on the lookout for announcements (check the Bell Library’s Calendar of Events) about the Poetry Karaoke sessions! This multi-day event taking place during the 2nd and 3rd full weeks of April, will be located on the second floor of the library in the I-Create Lab’s new One Button Studio. Bring your favorite poem or browse our catalog of poems and read it live for the library’s Instagram story!
Social Media Celebration
During this celebratory month, we will be celebrating with poems and challenges, and more on our social media. If you don’t follow the library yet, be sure to check us out on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter (@TAMUCCLibrary).
Poetry Book Display
Also, for National Poetry Month, we will have a display of books of poetry near the Circulation Desk on the first floor of the library. Stop by and grab some Poetry-To-Go!
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Normally celebrated in May, on campus we celebrate this cultural month partially in April to maximize engagement before school wraps up for the semester. “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a celebration of the culture, traditions, and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States” (Islander Cultural Alliance, 2022).
Be on the lookout for some of the amazing events, in-person and digital, offered by the university. The Bell Library will join the celebration in a variety of ways. Learn more about the month, Asian American and Pacific Islander resources, and how to get involved through the library’s Racial Justice Resources: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders guide. Keep an eye on our social media channels for engaging content with a chance to win prizes. Lastly, keep an eye out for a panel discussion taking place in the Bell Library! More details coming soon.
Lisa Louis and Trisha Hernandez
