Greetings,

Randall Library’s 80,000-SF expansion is nearing completion!  The new building, just west of the existing Randall, will be finished in late spring and renovations to the existing building will be completed in summer.  Both buildings will be ready for students arriving in Fall 2024!

While we pride ourselves on a wide variety of technology-rich spaces and a growing collection tailored to the needs of students, faculty and staff, Randall Library is more than the building and the collections it houses. Randall faculty and staff continue to develop new services and expertise that will move teaching, research, and scholarship forward so that Randall will truly be the intellectual heart of the campus.

As part of Like No Other: The Campaign for UNCW, your annual gift will contribute to these new services, spaces, and resources, allowing the library to respond quickly to the changing needs of our students and faculty. We hope that you will consider a gift for #Giving Tuesday or any other day - it will truly make a Randall a library like no other!

To give a gift, visit:https://uncw.edu/givingtuesday

Thank you for your support.

Lucy Holman
Associate Provost and Dean of the Library

The Randall Library Digital Makerspace is offering a new program in the Spring to provide faculty with the opportunity to learn a variety of new skills and how to include what you have learned in a project based learning assignment. Get hands on knowledge and consultation support from a team of experts. You will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of offerings and training will be scheduled when you are available.

Sign up today to participate in the program in the Spring 2024 semester. https://lib.uncw.edu/DMSfaculty

Topics include:

• Laser Cutting/Engraving
• Podcasting
• Virtual Reality
• 3D modeling
• 3D printing
• Vinyl Cutting
• Crafting
• 3D scanning
• Adobe AI
• 360 Video
• Video Editing

Finding information when a single Google search pulls up billions of results is easier than it has ever been, but determining whether that information is the right information has only gotten harder. With malicious disinformation and accidental inaccuracies everywhere, what skills do we need in order to find answers we can trust? This course is a deep dive into all the skills that make up “information literacy,” including: analyzing issues of censorship, access to information, and freedom of speech; creating effective search strategies; evaluating and observing your own knowledge base and incorporating the perspectives of other researchers and information seekers; and critically evaluating information sources themselves, including a project to create  a “fake news” website and then to debunk other groups’ disinformation using fact-checking techniques.

KICK OFF The Bear: Reading and Author Talk with Andrew Krivak

November 6, 2023, 7 PM, UNCW Lumina Theater

As part of the NEA Big Read: Cape Fear, UNCW’s Office of the Arts and Randall Library are hosting a collaborative, year-long effort to promote literacy in Wilmington and the broader Cape Fear region. Programming for the NEA Big Read: Cape Fear spans three counties and includes community book reads, discussions, family-friendly events, book clubs, teacher training, performances, story times, and art festivals that focus their efforts on Andrew Krivaks's The Bear and other companion titles.  

NEA Big Read is a National Endowment for the Arts program in partnership with Arts Midwest. The NEA Big Read: Cape Fear is sponsored by the Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County, the Brunswick Arts Council, and Cape Fear's Going Green.

For more information, contact Cara Marsicano (marsicanoc@uncw.edu)

Como parte del programa NEA Big Read: Cape Fear y la Oficina de Arte & la Biblioteca Randall de UNCW están organizando una colaboración de un año con el objetivo de promover la alfabetización en nuestra comunidad y la región de Cape Fear. La programación de NEA Big Read: Cape Fear, será parte de tres condados e incluye lectura de libros, debates, eventos familiares, clubs de lecturas, capacitaciones para maestros, presentaciones, cuentos y festivales artísticos centrados en el libro The Bear de Andrew Krivak y otros títulos complementarios.

NEA Big Read es un programa del Fondo Nacional de las Artes en asociación con Artes del Medio Oeste. El NEA Big Read: Cape Fear está patrocinado por el Consejo de las Artes de Wilmington & New Hanover y el Consejo de las Artes de Brunswick.

2023-24 NEA Big Read Featured Title The Bear

National Book Award finalist Andrew Krivak’s third novel, is a “beautiful and elegant … gem” (Publishers Weekly) that explores a world at the end of humanity.

The last two humans on Earth—a father and daughter—live off the land at the foot of a mountain, learning to live alongside the rhythms of a world reclaimed by nature. Then one day, the girl is alone: left only with the lessons her father taught her and the companionship of the vast wilderness.

"Krivak folds the deep past and the far future into a remarkable fable about our inheritance as humanity makes a harmonic return to the spirit and animal worlds," writes Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Adam Johnson.

Krivak’s descriptions are “so loving and vivid that you can feel the lake water and smell the sea” (Slate). “This tender story is endowed with such fullness of meaning that you have to assign this short, touching book its category: the post-apocalypse utopia” (Wall Street Journal).

The "Flower and Pearls | The Narrative Behind the Art" exhibition, running from October 26 to December 15, delves into the research and storytelling that shaped the initial creation of the artist's shell art. This interactive exhibit allows visitors to use a smart device to uncover facts about Shell Island, the artist, and supplemental resources.

Work by CLR LVN was previously featured in the Ann Boseman Gallery in the Fisher University Union from July 14 to September 15. The "Flowers and Pearls Collection" exhibition beautifully captured the changing seasons, immersing viewers in nature's mesmerizing cycle through vibrant paintings and sculptures. Through this collection, the artist shared his narrative of how he overcame life's adversity.

CLR LVN, also known as Chris Robinson, is not only a mixed-media artist but also the Outreach and Engagement Librarian at Randall Library, overseeing Retreat at Randall. Drawing inspiration from his diverse community, global travels, and personal experiences, he intricately weaves compelling narratives into his art, offering a unique perspective that deeply resonates with his audience. Join us in exploring this remarkable blend of storytelling, design, and mindfulness.

During this Open Access Week, we invite you to join President Niko Pfund of Oxford University Press for a discussion on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the scholarly publishing landscape. This engaging event is scheduled for Monday, October 23rd, at 4 PM and will be hosted in the auditorium at Randall Library. We look forward to you joining us! The event is co-sponsored by the library and Research & Innovation. For more Open Access Week events and activities, visit libguides.uncw.edu/oaweek

Congratulations to our selected readers for the First Drafts event on October 19th! These authors will be sharing pieces of their works in progress at a 6:30 pm gathering and reception in the Sherman Hayes Gallery. Please join us to celebrate them and enjoy their work: 

Readers (in alphabetical order):

• Camille Bliss
• Lara Boyle
• Kennedy Cole
• Dr. Michelle Donahue
• Sarah Yasmin Osman
• Justine Payton
• Heather Roughton
• Chris Schmader
• Rhonda Waterhouse

Please join Randall Library and the Creative Writing Department at First Drafts on October 19th! First Drafts is a celebration of the writing process, and our readers will be sharing selections from some of their work in progress. Come enjoy hearty refreshments, an intriguing selection of prose and poetry, and the company of fellow writers and creatives at 6:30 pm in the Sherman Hayes Gallery in Randall Library.

Join us for the TLLS Fall 2023 Virtual Coffee Hour exploring "AI's Impact on Higher Education." Our panelists, Tom Dorgan (ITS), Dr. Rick Olsen (Communication Studies), Karen Thompson (Distance Education and eLearning), and Sam Zelick (Randall Library), will provide insights into generative AI's influence in higher education. Don't miss it on October 18 from 1:30 to 2:30 pm, where you can discover how these experts are addressing AI submissions and more! REGISTER: https://lib.uncw.edu/tlls_virtual_coffee_hour

This series is a unique journey into the world of mindfulness, centered around the concept of grounding. Grounding is a practice that helps individuals stay rooted in the present moment, fostering a sense of inner calm and self-awareness. It serves as an anchor to prevent drifting into anxious thoughts about the future or dwelling on the past. This series is a journey of self-discovery and relaxation, equipping individuals with valuable mindfulness practices for daily life. Space is limited. Reservation required. All sessions will occur in Retreat at Randall, RL 2016. Open to students, faculty, and staff.

Sound Meditation | Oct 26 | 3PM | RL 2016 - SESSION IS FULL

Discover the serenity of sound! Join us for an immersive experience in the world of sound meditation and unlock its incredible benefits. In this mindfulness session, you will embark on a journey of self-discovery and relaxation through the power of sound. Reserve your spot today and prepare to harmonize your body, mind, and spirit.

Shell Painting | Nov 2 | 3PM | RL 2016 - SESSION IS FULL

Embark on a journey of mindful creation! Join us for an enriching experience in the world of mindful artistry as we explore the profound connection between creativity and mindfulness. In this mindfulness session, you'll have the opportunity to dive deep into the art of mindful shell painting, where the process itself becomes the focal point. Reserve your spot today and prepare to harmonize your body, mind, and spirit.

Crocheting | Nov 9 | 3PM | RL 2016 - SESSION IS FULL

Unwind your mind with mindful crocheting! Join us for a captivating journey into the world of mindful crocheting, where the art of creation meets the practice of mindfulness. In this mindfulness session, you'll explore the profound connection between crocheting and inner peace. Reserve your spot today and prepare to harmonize your body, mind, and spirit.

Mindful Tea | Nov 16 | 12PM | RL 2016 - SESSION IS FULL

Sip, savor, and discover mindfulness! Join us for an enchanting journey into the world of mindful tea tasting, where every cup becomes a gateway to inner calm and self-discovery. In this mindfulness session, we'll explore the art of mindful tea consumption, its rich origins, and the profound purpose it holds. Reserve your spot today and prepare to harmonize your body, mind, and spirit.

Horror fans, filmmakers, and creatives, now is your time!

Randall Library is partnering with the Association for Campus Entertainment to bring you our second annual 48 Hour Horror Film Competition!

Teams of up to five students (or just one, if you work better solo) will have exactly 48 hours to create a short horror film between 5 and 8 minutes long. All films will be screened at a showing in Lumina Theatre on Tuesday, October 24th, where a panel of Film Studies professors and students will select three teams to receive prizes—and lifelong g(l)ory.

Prizes for first, second, and third place will be $100, $50, and $25 per team, respectively, along with a unique trophy made in our own Digital Makerspace. All are invited to enjoy the films, the horror trivia, and movie snacks!

To enter the competition, please fill out the form here: https://lib.uncw.edu/48hourfilm

You must register via this form no later than 5:45 pm on Friday, October 20th, to enter the competition.

For your film to be included in the competition and eligible for prizes, you must upload your film no later than 6 pm on October 22nd. (48 hours after being getting the prompt)