Current & Upcoming Events
No events are scheduled.Past Events
LibQual Survey: Evaluate the Library, Register to Win
Please take our 10-minute survey to let us know how we're meeting your needs and what we could do better. The LibQual survey is a nationwide survey of library satisfaction that provides us with data that we can use to compare our resources and services with our peer institutions, make goals to improve, and foster an atmosphere of greater responsiveness and excellence.
See the poster: LibQual 2009
Now for the fun stuff: if you take our survey, you could win one of our fabulous prizes:
2 Wii consoles with sports games
5 Flip camcorders (records up to 60 minutes)
5 $100 gift certificates to Barnes and Noble.
Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale
Need some recession-proof fun? Make plans to shop the Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale, Saturday and Sunday, April 18th and 19th, from 12pm to 8pm. Follow the signs to the library basement to browse 24,000 items: mostly books, but also CDs, DVDs, curriculum materials, and other "et cetera."
Are you a Friend of the Library? You can shop on Friday, April 17th, from noon to 8pm. Not a Friend? You can join and shop early with the other members!
2009 Book Sale Prices:
Hardback books: $2.00
Paperback books: 50¢
Cassettes: 25¢
Magazines: 25¢
Children's books (large): $1.00
Children's books (small): 10¢
DVDs: $3.00
VHS tapes: 50¢
CDs: $1.00
Kits (large): $4.00
Kits (small): $2.00
Materials Grants from Friends of the Library
The Friends of the Library awards two $1,000 grants for the purchase of library materials each year. UCO faculty members and librarians are eligible to apply. The major criteria for funding is a clear, demonstrated need for additional materials in the chosen subject, described in a short essay.
Entries must be submitted by April 10, 2009.
Book Collecting Contest
Do you collect books, DVDs, CDs?
Enter our contest to tell us about your passion for collecting information sources whether it be books, CDs, DVDs, comic books, etc on a particular theme or field of interest, such as Star Wars, sports biographies, cookbooks, sheet music...
What is required?
At least 10 of the entries on the list must be annotated by describing the volume and its importance to the collection and/or the collector. Write a short essay about the scope and purpose (see an example here) Include a cover sheet with your name and contact information.
*Submit entries electronically as a Word document to gdobbs@uco.edu
*Entries must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2009
*Collections should contain at least 20 information items and be owned by the student alone.
*Contest is open to all currently enrolled UCO students. The principal criteria for the judging of each collection will be the extent to which it represents a well-defined theme or field of interest.
Questions? Contact Gwen Dobbs, 974-2877 or gdobbs@uco.edu
See the flyer
March Membership Drive for Friends of the Library
Friends of the Library help enrich the resources and services of the library, such as public programs, readings by authors, and special purchases and collection building.
One of the best perks of being a Friend is that members can shop the Annual Book Sale on the Friday before the public sale. This year, the members sale day is April 17, from noon to 8pm.
See the Friends brochure | Give by credit card
Steps for giving through payroll deduction
Login to UCONNECT and click on the following tabs:
School Services > Broncho Central Services > Employee > Benefits & Deductions > Open Enrollment Miscellaneous > Friends of the Library
Enter the amount you want deducted per paycheck, and the total amount you want deducted for the year. (The same amount if making a one-time donation.)
Click on the following tabs:
Add Choice > Open Enrollment > Complete
Faculty/Librarian Collaboration Lunch and Demo - February 18
Water Resources Workshop, November 17, 2008
Join Jeri Fleming of the Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute and Clif Broadworth and Steve Beleu of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries to discuss revisions to Oklahoma's Comprehensive Water Plan currently under consideration, and learn how to search statutes and databases for water laws and legislation.
See the poster for more details
Banned Books Week: September 27 - October 4, 2008
According to the American Library Association, "Books usually are challenged with the best intentions—to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information. See Censorship and Challenges and Notable First Amendment Cases."
Also: "Although they were the targets of attempted bannings, most of the books featured during BBW were not banned, thanks to the efforts of librarians to maintain them in their collections. Imagine how many more books might be challenged—and possibly banned or restricted—if librarians, teachers, and booksellers across the country did not use Banned Books Week each year to teach the importance of our First Amendment rights and the power of literature, and to draw attention to the danger that exists when restraints are imposed on the availability of information in a free society."
Here are some of the classics that have been the target of attempted censorship over the years:
- Lee: To Kill a Mockingbird
- Walker: The Color Purple
- Twain: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- Allende: The House of the Spirits
- King: The Shining
- Faulkner: As I Lay Dying
- Shakespeare: Twelfth Night
- Pullman: The Golden Compass
- Cormier: The Chocolate War
- Morrison: Beloved
So whether you're more likely to see Expelled or read The Assault on Reason, celebrate your right to see, to listen, to read, and to think!
See the library display on Banned Books | Visit the ALA website
Student Involvement Fair
Look for the library booth at the Student Involvement Fair on Wednesday, August 20th, by Broncho Lake. The event, part of Stampede Week, is a way of getting to know each other and seeing what the library has to offer.
Come by and get the essential food of all students - we're giving packets of Ramen noodles with the message "Use your noodle at the library!"
Beyond Books: An Evening at the UCO Library
Friends of The Library Awards Reception
April 24, 2008 - 3:00pm, New Books Area on First Floor
Please join us at to our Awards Reception to honor the winners of the "Libraries and You" essay contest, and the recipients of the Faculty Materials Grants.
“Libraries and You” Student Essay Contest Winners
Abha Eli Phoboo learned to love libraries in Kathmandu, Nepal. Dawn Brotherton discovered her favorite escape as a child on the campus of the Central Michigan University. Benjamin Davis is the library outlaw...and unrepentant. These three students are the winners of this year's "Libraries and You" contest. Benjamin Davis, an English major, won the first prize of $200; Dawn Brotherton, Math Education, won $100, and Abha Eli Phoboo, Creative Studies, won $50.
Excerpt from the essay of Benjamin Davis: "As I scanned a certain title caught my eye: "Notes of a Dirty Old Man" by Charles Bukowski. It was the grittiest, nastiest, sexiest most moxie-driven stuff I had ever read. He blew the old masters out of the water. I had discovered truly great 'literature.'"
Read the essay
Excerpt from the essay of Dawn Brotherton: "One day, a sign caught my eye. 'Children’s library - downstairs.' My eyes popped out of my head. There were rows and rows of children's books; but I was too scared to even walk in...afraid that someone would notice me and make me leave. One day a librarian noticed me."
Read the essay
Excerpt from the essay of Abha Eli Phoboo: "The minute I arrived at UCO...I visited the library and was astounded by the vastness...it is much bigger than the little library where I first learned to love books in Kathmandu."
Read the essay
Faculty Materials Grants Recipients:
Dr. Margaret Musgrove, Department of Humanities & Philosophy
Area Funded: Classical Studies (Greek and Latin languages and literatures and the history and culture of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds), $1000
Dr. LaDonna Atkins, Department of Human Environmental Sciences
Area funded: Early Childhood Education - Reggio Emilia Philosophy, $1000
Eighth Annual Friends of The Library Book Sale
April 18, 19, 20, 2008 - noon to 8:00pm
Friday, April 18 will be a pre-sale event for members of Friends of the Library. Saturday and Sunday, April 19 and 20, will be open to the public.
The 2008 Book Sale prices are:
$2 - Hard backs
50¢ - Paper backs, cassettes, magazines (2), large children's books
$3 - Media (CDs, DVDs)
$1 - LPs
$5 - LP sets
$6 - Kits (large)
$4 - Kits (small)
Donate to the Book Sale!
The Friends of the Library need your underloved and gently used books, CDs, and DVDs.
You may drop them off in the Target shopping carts in the library atrium, or in the Communications, Liberal Arts, or Math & Science buildings. If you want us to pick them up, give Gwen Dobbs a call at 974-2877 or email gdobbs@uco.edu
We need you to help make this a great year for our book sale!
March Membership Drive
Join through online payroll deduction during the month of March only. Choose to pay one time, or spread your membership dues out in twelve installments.
Enrollment Steps for Membership through Payroll Deduction (UCO Employees Only)
Online Enrollment Steps for Friends of the Library of UCO
1. Login to your account on UCONNECT
2. Click on the following tabs: SCHOOL SERVICES > BRONCHO CENTRAL SERVICES > EMPLOYEE > BENEFITS & DEDUCTIONS > OPEN ENROLLMENT > MISCELLANEOUS > FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY.
3. Enter the amount to be deducted per paycheck, and the total amount to be deducted for the year (the same amount if making a one-time donation). Existing payroll deductions will continue at the same level unless faculty/staff stop or change the donation amount online in the month of March or by paper form available from Employee Services the rest of the year.
4. Click on the following tabs: ADD CHOICE > OPEN ENROLLMENT > COMPLETE.
If you have problems with the enrollment process, please contact the Technical Support Help desk (974-2255), 8am - 5pm. For other questions, contact Gwen Dobbs at 974-2877 or gdobbs@uco.edu
"Libraries and You" Essay Contest
Deadline for Submissions: March 31, 2008
- First Prize - $200
- Second Prize - $100
- Third prize - $50
Write a short personal essay detailing how a library has positively impacted your life. Prizes will be awarded with publication/presentation opportunities. Submit a essay of approximately 500 words in MS Word format to gdobbs@uco.edu
For more information, contact Gwen Dobbs at 974-2877, or email gdobbs@uco.edu
Sponsored by the Friends of the Library
eBay Auction of Card Catalog Cases
Ten of our obsolete, sturdy catalog cases were auctioned on eBay for a total of approximately $4,600. Some proceeds of the sale will buy comfortable, upholstered couches and chairs for the library.
Thank you to everyone who bid, and a special thanks to the winning bidders!
Presentation on Pre-Columbian Artifacts
Wednesday, September 12, 1:00pm - first floor of library
In a program sponsored by Passport UCO and Friends of the Library, Dr. Bill Hommel will present "People of the Serpent and Jaguar: A Look at the Symbolic Links in the Art of Pre-Columbian Cultures from Mexico to Peru." Pre-Columbian artifacts from 900-1300 C.E. will be on display in the library this semester in support of the UCO Passport Program's emphasis on Central America. Refreshments will be served and the public is welcome.
Friends of The Library Book Sale
April 20, 21, 22, 2007 - noon to 8:00pm
Friday, April 20 will be a pre-sale event for members of Friends of the Library. Saturday and Sunday, April 21 and 22, will be open to the public.
The 2007 Book Sale prices are:
$2 - Hard backs
.50 - Paper backs, cassettes, magazines (2), large children's books
$1 - LPs
$5 - LP sets
$3 - Media
$6 - Kits (large)
$4 - Kits (small)
Friends of the Library Book Collecting Contest
Have a passion for collecting? UCO students, faculty and staff may enter the Friends of the Library Book Collecting Contest for the best collection of books on one topic.
Prizes of $200, $100, and $50 will go to the winners,
determined by how well the collection represents a theme, creativity, thoughtfulness, and dedication evident in the defining
and creating of the collection.
Submit an entry
Calvert Collection Viewing and Reception
Please join us on Wednesday, April 18, at 3:00pm on the 1st floor of the library as we celebrate the work of Oklahoma artist George Calvert, whose works are on display in Archives & Special Collections. The artworks were donated to the UCO Library by the Melton Art Reference Library. The collection includes watercolors, acrylics and a variety of print mediums depicting Oklahoma and San Miguel.
An Evening with Bob Burke
Bob Burke, author of 25 books on Oklahoma people, history and themes, will give a public presentation entitled "Oklahoma's First Century" from 6:00-7:30pm on Friday, March 2nd on the first floor of Chambers Library.
The event is co-sponsored by Friends of the Library, American Democracy Project, and Leadership Central.
See Bob Burke's books
See the event poster
UCO Faculty Author Reception
Chambers Library is celebrating the scholarship and creative activities of the UCO faculty with a Faculty Author Reception in the library atrium on Friday, November 3rd, at 3:00pm.
Faculty publications in Chambers Library have a specially designed bookplate and a note in the library catalog. A list of all faculty publications in the library catalog can be retrieved with a keyword search on "UCO Faculty Author"
Read more about the Faculty Author Book Plate Program and See a list of faculty authors
Friends of the Library Board Meeting
The Friends of the Library will hold their Governing Board Meeting on November 14, 2006, at 6pm. The meeting is open to the public and the Friends encourage members and prospective members to attend.
"Libraries and You" Essay Contest
Deadline for Submissions: March 31
- First Prize - $200
- Second Prize - $100
- Third prize - 06/07 UCO Parking Permit
Write a short personal essay detailing how a library has positively impacted your life. Prizes will be awarded with publication/presentation opportunities. Submit
a essay of approximately 500 words in MS Word format to gdobbs@uco.edu
For more information, contact Gwen Dobbs at 974-2877, or email gdobbs@uco.edu
Sponsored by the Friends of the Library
5th Annual Friends of The Library Book Sale
April 6, 7, 8 - noon to 8:00pm
Friday, April 6 will be a pre-sale event for members of Friends of the Library. Saturday and Sunday, April 7 and 8, will be open to the public.
The 2006 Book Sale prices are:
$2 - Hard backs
.50 - Paper backs, cassettes, magazines (2), large children's books
$1 - LPs
$5 - LP sets
$3 - Media
$6 - Kits (large)
$4 - Kits (small)
The Last Viking
At 7:00pm on Friday, April 14, the Friends of the Library and the Sons of Norway will present "The Last Viking," a discussion of the Arctic explorations of Roald Amundsen. The evening's scholar will be Dr. T. H. Baughman, UCO faculty member and noted historian of polar regions. The event will take place on the library's second floor gallery area.
Friends of the Library Writer's Workshop
On October 26, 2002, a group of writers gathered in the library conference room at the University of Central Oklahoma to talk about writing, art and the intersection of the two. They wrote poems in response to the Murrah artworks that were displayed on first floor in the library.
Visit the Murrah Poetry Project
For more information on any event, contact Gwen Dobbs at 974-2877 or email gdobbs@uco.edu