Smith College Libraries

Flashback Friday to 1894, 130 years ago: Alumnae Gym then — and now!

How are Black women reproductive justice advocates continuing to lead intellectual, storytelling, and policy change today in ways that center the experiences of some of the most vulnerable populations? What is the importance of policy advocacy for advancing reproductive justice in this highly contested moment? These and other questions will be considered by leaders in the Black women’s reproductive justice movement at “From the Margins to the Center: How Black Women Advance Reproductive Justice Policy,” taking place Wednesday, October 16. Co-sponsored by Smith College Special Collections, the event will feature opening remarks by Smith College President Willie-LeBreton, moderation by Professor of Africana Studies Crystal Fleming, and panelists: - Marcela Howell, Founder, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda - Sapna Khatri, Director, Reproductive Justice Unit, Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office - Regina Davis Moss, President & CEO, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eF5kn98V

It's Mountain Day! Mountain Day offers a surprise and joyful break from classes, signaled by the ringing of the college bells on a crisp autumn day. Smithies take this time to honor a cherished tradition—enjoying fall activities, like hiking or apple picking, or just lounging on campus. Wherever you are—whatever your view—we hope this day, this tradition, reminds you of the deep bonds that connect you to this remarkable college and to other Smithies around the world!

Check out the Libraries during the Turn Up the Languages Festival, taking place across Smith campus September 30-October 7! Whether you are staff, faculty, or student, everyone is invited to join in this campus-wide, multilingual conversation. The Libraries will host a series of events and exhibits during the week, including: 🗣 An International Graphic Novel Pop-Up Display at Neilson Library 🗣 "Turn Up the IPA," A selection of resources regarding the International Phonetic Alphabet at Josten Library 🗣 "Translations: Art that Makes Language Visible," an exhibit that includes an array of different works at Hillyer Library 🗣 “Language City: The Fight to Preserve Endangered Mother Tongues” featuring Ross Perlin in the Neilson Browsing Room The Libraries also provide a wealth of language resources year round— Find language dictionaries, translation resources, and even software to help you learn a new language! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dVy4wRe5

Library Research Mentors are back for the fall semester! LRMs work in Neilson's Learning Commons to provide research support to peers, helping other students to find books on specific topics, locate peer-reviewed articles, format citations, get set up with Zotero, and more. This year’s cohort of students have majors, minors and concentrations that span across many areas of study at Smith College. While they enjoy supporting students in their own areas of study, they are all trained to support research across the college's disciplines. Learn more about the ways Library Research Mentors can assist: https://lnkd.in/dKZvsRdw

It's Banned Books Week! Launched in 1982, this now annual event addresses the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools, and aims to highlight the value of free and open access to information. This year is particularly exciting, as Smith's own first-year student Julia Garnett has been named youth honorary chair of Banned Books Week 2024! Julia has worked with the National Coalition Against Censorship as a Student Advocates for Speech leader to educate her peers on the importance of speaking out against censorship. In October of 2023, Julia was honored for her work at the White House by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. She also worked with The Trevor Project to share her story as a queer advocate for diverse material as part of the organization’s Pride in Action campaign. Congratulations, Julia! Learn more about Julia: https://lnkd.in/g-KYCRMw Learn more about upcoming Banned Books Week events: https://lnkd.in/eKzXerrp

Congrats to Head of Special Collections Technical Services Kit Messick, who, along with other members of the National Best Practices for Archival Accessioning Working Group, received the Exemplary Service Award from the Society of American Archivists! The working group, which includes archivists from across the United States, was formed in 2021 to create a set of best practices to encourage the development of archival accessioning programs at institutions of all sizes. According to Messick, “good accessioning provides a strong foundation for responsible and sustainable archival practices, and demonstrates an institution's commitment to the ongoing stewardship of their unique materials.” Great work, Kit! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eancie2A

Welcome to the fall semester at Smith College! The libraries have a wealth of resources available to help students get situated and navigate their first days on campus. Learn more about the workshops, presentations and other activities offered: https://lnkd.in/eW8WNt-y

Happy International Cat Day! 😻 Smith College Libraries and the Five Colleges are home to some purrrfect feline photos and artifacts: Image 1: Warren and Sylvia Plath holding Mitzi the cat on the front porch of their house in Winthrop, Massachusetts, 1941. From the Helle collection of Plath family photographs, Mortimer Rare Book Collection. Image 2: Cat framed by hearts and peonies, 1910. From Valentines Collections, Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections . Image 3: Julia Child with cat in market, November 1963. From Smith College Archives. Image 4: J. J. Grandville, “The cat and two sparrows.” From Fables de La Fontaine (Paris, 1838). Mortimer Rare Book Collection. Image 5: A Cat Under A Plant, 1919. From Mary Matthews Papers, Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections.

What are the different kinds, mechanisms, and theories surrounding fatigue? What are researchers looking at to discover the implications of fatigue-inducing conditions? In her latest edition of "What am I Reading in ScholarWorks?", Scholarly Communications Librarian Jessica Ryan explores Neuroscience Professor Mary Harrington's paper, “Beyond the Symptom: The Biology of Fatigue.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/eiSAci4q