Library News

Book Sale - Now Featuring Literature, English, & Writing

First Floor of Oboler Library

All proceeds support the University Libraries' Dean's Excellence Fund. Your support helps the Library maintain quality collections for students, faculty, and researchers.

If you would like to show your support with a monetary donation, please donate through the ISU foundation using this online form.

Censorship by the Numbers - Banned Books Week 2021

See our Banned Books display on the first floor of Oboler Library!

Click here to learn more.

Reading List: Poetry

A brief reading list of poetry:

Father's Day by Matthew Zapruder

Call Number: PS3626 .A67 A6 2019, Main Book Collection (2nd Floor)

ISBN: 9781556595783

Publication Date: 2019-09-03

"Poetically confident and personally uneasy, these clear, musical poems bring forth the events and inner questions that shape the life of a new father, a husband, a citizen attempting to think clearly as a nation convulses and changes. The title refers not just to our nuclear families, but to our problematic, limited, founding fathers. Heroes and would-be villains are named and unnamed—called into conversation—as old norms are questioned. Public enemies are condemned then kissed on their dry, hateful lips. In the lucid dream life of these poems, the personal and political intertwine, and illuminate each other. Self-deprecating yet with characteristic directness, Father's Day calls out to the privileged collective, urging us to remember that 'the children sleeping / alone in some / detention center / don’t need / our brilliant sincerity.' The poems urge us to leave behind our self-delusions, in the hopes of actual, meaningful change. In 'Late Humanism,' a prose afterword, Zapruder continues his exploration of the purpose of poetry, and reveals relevant biographical information about his experiences as a parent and political being in the twenty-first century" --Provided by publisher.

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African American Poetry: 250 Years of Struggle and Song (LOA #333) by Kevin Young (Editor)

Call Number: PS591.N4 A37 2020, Main Book Collection (2nd Floor)

ISBN: 9781598536669

Publication Date: 2020-10-20

Across a turbulent history, Black poets created a rich and multifaceted tradition that has been both a reckoning with American realities and an imaginative response to them. One of the great American art forms, African American poetry encompasses many kinds of verse: formal, experimental, vernacular, lyric, and protest. The anthology opens with moving testaments to the power of poetry as a means of self-assertion, as enslaved people voice their passionate resistance to slavery. This volume captures the power and beauty of this diverse tradition and its challenge to American poetry and culture. Here are all the significant movements and currents: the nineteenth-century Francophone poets known as Les Cenelles, the Chicago Renaissance that flourished around Gwendolyn Brooks, the early 1960s Umbra group, and the more recent work of writers affiliated with Cave Canem and the Dark Noise Collective. Here too are poems of singular, hard-to-classify figures: the enslaved potter David Drake, the allusive modernist Melvin B. Tolson, the Cleveland-based experimentalist Russell Atkins. The volume also features biographies of each poet and notes that illuminate cultural references and allusions to historical events-- adapted from dust jacket. Selected poems to consider enjoying The Bones of My Father, Washing the car with My Father, My Father's Love Letters, Poem for My Father, Goldsboro Narrative #4: My father's Viet Nam tour near over, and My Father's Kites.

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 The Return (Pulitzer Prize Winner) by Hisham Matar

Call Number: PR6113.A87 Z46 2016, Main Book Collection (2nd Floor)

ISBN: 9780812994827

Publication Date: 2016-07-05

"In 2012, after the overthrow of Qaddafi, the acclaimed novelist Hisham Matar journeys to his native Libya after an absence of thirty years. When he was twelve, Matar and his family went into political exile. Eight years later Matar's father, a former diplomat and military man turned brave political dissident, was kidnapped from the streets of Cairo by the Libyan government and is believed to have been held in the regime's most notorious prison. Now, the prisons are empty and little hope remains that Jaballah Matar will be found alive. Yet, as the author writes, hope is "persistent and cunning." This book is a profoundly moving family memoir, a brilliant and affecting portrait of a country and a people on the cusp of immense change, and a disturbing and timeless depiction of the monstrous nature of absolute power"-- Provided by publisher. 

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My Father Was a Toltec by Ana Castillo

Call Number: PS3553.A88557 M9 1988,  Main Book Collection (2nd Floor)

ISBN: 9781400034994

Publication Date: 1998

Mixing the lyrical with the colloquial, the tender with the tough, Ana Castillo has a deserved reputation as one of the country’s most powerful and entrancing novelists, but she began her literary career as a poet of uncompromising commitment and passion. My Father Was a Toltec is the sassy and street-wise collection of poems that established and secured Castillo's place in the popular canon. It is included here in its entirety along with the best of her early poems. Ana Castillo’s poetry speaks—in English and Spanish—to every reader who has felt the pangs of exile, the uninterrupted joy of love, and the deep despair of love lost.

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I by Toi Derricotte

Call Number: PS3554 .E73 A6 2019, Main Book Collection (2nd Floor)

ISBN: 9780822945666

Publication Date: 2019-03-26

"The story of Toi Derricotte is a hero's odyssey. It is the journey of a poetic voice that in each book earns her way to home, to her own commanding powers. "I": New and Selected Poems shows the reader both the closeness of the enemy and the poet's inherent courage, inventiveness, and joy. It is a record of one woman's response to the repressive and fracturing forces around the subjects of race, class, color, gender, and sexuality. Each poet is an act of victory as they find their way through the repressive forces to speak with both beauty and truth. This collection features more than thirty new poems as well as selections from five of Derricotte's previously published books of poetry" -- From dust jacket. Selected poems: My father in old age, My father still sleeping after surgery, When my father was beating me, I see my father after his death, My dad & sardines

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Contact us for reading recommendations and assistance locating sources on any topic of interest.

 

 

Reading List: Race, Diversity & Inclusion

"No one becomes “not racist,” despite a tendency by Americans to identify themselves that way. We can only strive to be “antiracist” on a daily basis, to continually rededicate ourselves to the lifelong task of overcoming our country’s racist heritage." 
                                                                  - Ibram X. Kendi

Waiting 'Til the Midnight Hour by Peniel E. Joseph

Call Number: E185.615 .J68 2006

ISBN: 9780805075397

Publication Date: 2006-07-25

 

 

Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde; Cheryl Clarke (Foreword by)

Call Number: PN49 .D44 2000

ISBN: 9781580911863

Publication Date: 1984

 

 

The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X; Alex Haley; Betty Shabazz (Contribution by); M. S. Handler (Introduction by); Sam Sloan (Introduction by); Ossie Davis (Contribution by)

Call Number: E185.97.L5 A3

ISBN: 9784871877626

Publication Date: 2015-11-26

Fatal Invention: How Science, Politics, and Big Business Re-create Race in the Twenty-first Century by Dorothy Roberts

Call Number: GN269 .R64 2011

ISBN: 9781595584953 

Publication Date: 2011-07-05

 

 

 

Locking up Our Own by James Forman

Call Number: HV9950 .F67 2018

ISBN: 9780374537449

Publication Date: 2018-02-06

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Call Number: E185.615 .C6335 2015

ISBN: 9780812993547

Publication Date: 2015-07-14

 

The Half Has Never Been Told by Edward E. Baptist

Call Number: E441 .B337 2014

ISBN: 9780465002962

Publication Date: 2014-09-09

Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877 by Eric Foner

Call Number: E668 .F66 1988

ISBN: 006091453X

Publication Date: 1989-03-08

The Condemnation of Blackness by Khalil Gibran Muhammad

Call Number: HV6197.U6 M85 2010

ISBN: 9780674035973

Publication Date: 2010-02-15

 

 

The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein

Call Number: E185.61 .R8185 2017

ISBN: 9781631492853

Publication Date: 2017-05-02

 

 

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

Call Number: E185.6 .W685 2010

ISBN: 9780679444329

Publication Date: 2010-09-07

 

 

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou,

Call Number: PS3551.N464 Z466

Publication Date: 1970

 * This list of books does not represent all the books available on this topic in the collections of Idaho State University Libraries. 

 

A Selection of Holiday Books for Winter Reading

Holiday Books

The Folklore of American Holidays
               Ref. Col.  GT4803 .F65 1999

Holiday Symbols and Customs
               Ref. Col.  GT3930 .T48 2003

The Christmas Menorahs : How a Town Fought Hate

              Juv. Lit.  F739.B5 C64 1995

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
               Juv. Lit.   PZ8.3.G276 Hq

Miracle on 34th Street
               Juv. Lit.   PZ7.D2848 Mi 1984

The Polar Express
               Juv. Lit.  PZ7.V266 Po 1985

A Christmas Treasury
               Main Col.  PN6071.C6 C57

The Hanukkah Book
               Main Col.  TT900.H34 R6

The New Oxford Book of Carols
               Main Col.  M2065 .N48 1998

Find more books using the "Catalog" tab on our library's homepage, and please ask at the Reference Desk for additional help finding great holiday books.

The Last Call Number, a Murder Mystery at Oboler Library

• This game is a self-paced scavenger hunt.
• You have until Oct. 31 to find the killer. 
• You may work on solving the puzzles over multiple days.
• Solve each puzzle/riddle in every location to receive your next clue. Several steps are required for completion. (Several items are in each location.)
• You may choose to use your own paper and pen.
• Your goal is to find Suspect, Location, and Weapon cards AND use the process of elimination.
• The cards/items are to be viewed, NOT collected.
• Please DO NOT remove any items from the area you find them, and please DO NOT damage any items: this will result in immediate disqualification.
• Boundaries include 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors, excluding offices.
• Submit your answer by scanning the QR Code by 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 31.
• The 1st person to submit the correct answer wins a prize; the winner will be notified by email and announced on social media.

Fall 2019 COMM 1101 Workshop Series at Oboler Library

Find out more and register at COMM 1101 Workshops.

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to email us at libinst@isu.edu.

Tuesday, October 8
1:00pm – 2:30pm

Wednesday, October 9
12:00pm – 1:30pm

Thursday, October 10
1:00pm – 2:30pm

Friday, October 11
12:00– 1:30pm

Friday, October 11
3:00pm – 4:30pm

Celebrate your freedom to read during Banned Books Week

This Tuesday, Darcie Hancock – who works in the circulation department at the library – found an inscription note dated Aug. 2, 1974 inside a book titled, “The fear of the word: Censorship and sex” that states:

“To the ISU Library,
where, I hope, the only word
to be afraid of is censorship –“

Eli M. Oboler, University Librarian, ISU

The State Board of Education renamed the Idaho State University Library on the campus in Pocatello to “Eli M. Oboler Library” to honor head librarian Eli Martin Oboler (1915-1983) for his scholarly achievements in intellectual freedom and visionary leadership in the construction of the library building.  The Idaho State University Libraries have a proud heritage of supporting research and intellectual freedom, pioneered by the prolific work of Mr. Oboler. He is internationally renowned for his tenacious voice against censorship and, during his lifetime, published over 200 books, articles, essays, columns, letters and poems. Mr. Oboler actively engaged with the Idaho Library Association, the Pacific Northwest Library Association, and the American Library Association (ALA). In honor of Mr. Oboler, the ALA’s Intellectual Freedom Round Table created the Eli M. Oboler Award, a biennial award for an outstanding publication regarding intellectual freedom (Who? 2019).

Banning or challenging the access to books, library materials and services remains prevalent in the United States, typically initiated by well-meaning parents or community members who may feel that specific content is inappropriate or unorthodox for readers (McMahon). In 2018, 483 book challenges and 347 challenges to materials and services were recorded by the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom.

There are benefits to reading banned books. Readers find characters that they can relate to in books of all kinds. Readers vicariously experience situations that can help them emotionally navigate elements of their own lives. Reading banned books is a terrific way to begin conversations about controversial topics (McMahon, 2019). The diversity of ideas and their expressions helps the development of analytical thinking and learning through discovery.

The expression of ideas and the freedom to seek out information is crucial to academic success and the infrastructure of intellectual freedom. During the last week of September each year, librarians, educators, authors, publishers and readers take part in supporting Banned Books Week, an annual event spearheaded by the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. "Censorship leaves us in the dark: Keep the light on" is this year's Banned Books Week theme, which Mr. Oboler would have undoubtedly promoted!

From September 22 – 28, 2019, libraries, schools and universities across the nation are taking part in Banned Books Week activities to raise awareness about the practice of censorship. We invite you to celebrate your freedom to read and the legacy of Mr. Oboler by reading banned books, investigating the causes of censorship, and learning about the history of Banned Books Week. You can also show your support by visiting Eli M. Oboler Library and perusing some of his works displayed by the front entrance. If you would like additional help finding books and article, please ask any of our library staff or faculty members. We are here for you! Students and the community of Idaho State University are our number one focus.

For fun, enter our Banned Books Week challenge! Pick up a coloring page at the Eli M. Oboler Library or download it (PDF) and hand it back in to the front desk, where proudly displayed is a portrait of Mr. Oboler.  Enter the contest and visit the library’s Facebook page for your chance to vote! Amazon gift cards will be awarded for the top three entries. 

- Outreach Committee | Social Media Team
  University Libraries
  Idaho State University

References

Banned Books Week (September 22-28, 2019): Advocacy, legislation and issues. (2019). American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/banned

Eli. M. Oboler Memorial Award. (2019). American Library Association. Retrieved from: http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=Awards17&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=33573

McMahon, R. (2019, August 8). Why your kid should read banned books? Common Sense Media. Retrieved from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/why-your-kid-should-read-banned-books

Who was Eli M. Oboler? (2019). Eli M Oboler: LibGuides at Idaho State University Libraries.. Retrieved from http://isu.libguides.com/elimoboler

Coloring Contest at Oboler for Banned Books Week, Sept. 22-28

The coloring page are available on the first floor in the new books area or downloaded (PDF).
Please hand in your finished page to Oboler Library's front desk to take part in the contest!

Top colored pages will be selected for an online polling vote via the library's FaceBook page. We encourage all Idaho State University students, staff, faculty and friends to join us in celebrating the freedom to read!

Writing this Summer?

Check out a book and follow your passion!

Breaking Open the Box by Nancy Dafoe

Call Number: PE1404 .D34 2013

ISBN: 9781475802740

Publication Date: 2013-02-12

Philip Roth - Why Write? by Philip Roth

Call Number: PS3568.O855 A6 2017

ISBN: 9781598535402

Publication Date: 2017-09-12

Creative Writer's Style Guide by Christopher T. Leland

Call Number: PE1408 .L4124 2002

ISBN: 9781884910555

Publication Date: 2002-10-10

The Making of a Story by Alice LaPlante

Call Number: PE1408 .L31887 2007

ISBN: 9780393061642

Publication Date: 2007-08-17

The Creative Writer's Survival Guide by John McNally

Call Number: PN147 .M478 2010

ISBN: 9781587299209

Publication Date: 2010-09-28

On Writing by Stephen King

Call Number: PS3561.I483 Z475 2010

ISBN: 9781439156810

Publication Date: 2010-07-06

The Cambridge Companion to Creative Writing by David Morley (Editor); Philip Neilsen (Editor)

Call Number: PN189 .C29 2012

ISBN: 9780521145367

Publication Date: 2012-02-02

Shut up and Write! by Judy Bridges

Call Number: PN153 .B75 2011

ISBN: 9780976474272

Publication Date: 2011-01-01

 

 

For more help locating books, see the Reference Desk on the first floor of Eli M. Oboler Library, Ask a Librarian, or call (208) 282-3250.

Featured Resource: NoveList Plus

When you finally have time to read for pleasure but are not sure what to choose, NoveList Plus is the resource for you. It provides reading recommendations for any age, for both fiction and nonfiction.

• Search by author, title, or series; or browse by genre, appeal, or award winners.  Book entries include a description of the book, genre and appeal categories, and reviews from reliable sources like Booklist, Kirkus, and Library Journal.
• Read-alike recommendations (“if you liked this, you might like …”) are available for books and authors. Other features include lists and articles, book discussion guides, and books that have been made into movies.
• You can even use it to identify a book for which you can’t recall the title or author. Give NoveList a try! It’s the next best thing to getting book suggestions from your friends and librarians. 
• Find it under the Databases tab on the Library webpage. 

- Cheryl Sebold, Reference Librarian

Exhibit Reception, JAN 17: "Seeing Frankenstein: Two Centuries of Imagining Mary Shelley's Novel"

Oboler Library will host a reception to launch the exhibit "Seeing Frankenstein: Two Centuries of Imagining Mary Shelley's Novel" on Wednesday, January 17 at 5 PM. The reception is free and open to the public.

Since its publication in January 1818, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein has captivated readers with its eloquence, its terrors, and its exploration of the promises and perils of human knowledge and inquiry. It has also inspired a range of responses, interpretations, and adaptations in theater, film, comics, and television. This exhibit focuses on some key contributions to the ongoing reception of Shelley's work.

Exhibit designers Jeffrey Howard (PhD in English, Idaho State University) and Matthew VanWinkle (assistant professor of English, Idaho State University) will speak briefly at the reception, providing background and context for the exhibit.

"Seeing Frankenstein" will be on display through the end of February. For more information, contact ISU's Department of English and Philosophy at vanwmatt@isu.edu.

Kristi Austin, Head of Research Services

Featured Database : Science Citation Index Expanded

 - Cheryl Sebold, Reference Librarian

Did you know we have an online literary criticism and language guide?

Original photo and handwritten script by ISU graduate student Anupama Dhamala.

• Visit the Reference Desk at Oboler Library
• Call (208) 282-3152
• Ask a Librarian
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