The art of Ramona Quimby : sixty-five years of illustrations from Beverly Cleary’s beloved books
by Anna Katz
New Arrivals, 2nd Floor NC975.5.C54 K38 2020
From the book jacket:
“Towards a form of aggressive nonviolence.
Judith Butler’s new book shows how an ethic of nonviolence must be connected to a broader political struggle for social equality. Further, it argues that nonviolence is often misunderstood as a passive practice that emanates from a calm region of the soul, or as an individualist ethical relation to existing forms of power. But, in fact, nonviolence is an ethical position found in the midst of the political field. An aggressive form of nonviolence accepts that hostility is part of our psychic constitution, but values ambivalence as a way of checking the conversion of aggression into violence. One contemporary challenge to a politics of nonviolence points out that there is a difference of opinion on what counts as violence and nonviolence. The distinction between them can be mobilised in the service of ratifying the state’s monopoly on violence.
Considering nonviolence as an ethical problem within a political philosophy requires a critique of individualism as well as an understanding of the psychosocial dimensions of violence. Butler draws upon Foucault, Fanon, Freud, and Benjamin to consider how the interdiction against violence fails to include lives regarded as ungrievable. By considering how ‘racial phantasms’ inform justifications of state and administrative violence, Butler tracks how violence is often attributed to those who are most severely exposed to its lethal effects. The struggle for nonviolence is found in movements for social transformation that reframe the grievability of lives in light of social equality and whose ethical claims follow from an insight into the interdependency of life as the basis of social and political equality.”
Posted innew stuff tuesdays|Comments Off on The Force of Nonviolence (New Stuff Tuesdays)
Many current and former students at UW-Whitewater have been curious about some of the legends of Whitewater related to witches, and these tales have often been associated with the spiritualism institute that existed in Whitewater from about 1889-1939. Carol Cartwright of the Whitewater Historical Society presented a local history program on Spiritualism and the Morris Pratt Institute online on Oct. 21, 2020, on the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library’s Facebook account. One of the few upsides of COVID is that interesting and educational programs like can be enjoyed after the fact if you weren’t able to attend live. Click below to view the presentation via YouTube!
For assistance with finding additional resources, such as articles or additional books, please ask a librarian (visit or contact staff at the Reference Desk, email, chat, or make an appointment).
Usually my New Stuff selections gravitate toward science. But this month, the physics book that intrigued me was way out of my league. So I settled on a title that sounded interesting, accessible, and socially significant. Besides, who can’t relate to second chances — at least getting them, if not giving them?!
After an unsuccessful stint as a high school teacher and then earning a creative writing MFA, the author began his law enforcement career as a probation and parole officer in New Orleans. His book tells the story of seven of his “clients” (aka, offenders). As he tells their stories, he shows how improving probationers and parolees chances at housing, health care, drug treatment, and a steady income can help them get on their feet and stay out of jail.
Incidentally, the author’s journey to law enforcement started with a late-night internet research session on mass incarceration. If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, Research@UWW is a great way to begin looking for articles and books.
The Second Chance Club: Hardship and Hope After Prison by Jason Hardy New Arrivals, 2nd Floor HV9305 .L8 H37 2020
Erin Toohey, Wildlife in Need Center (WINC)’s Education Coordinator, will present this program on Bats of Wisconsin on Wed., Oct. 28th, at 4 p.m. via Zoom. Learn about WINC, Wisconsin’s bats species, why they’re important, and how you can help them! Register with your email address to attend: https://forms.gle/hKUXFS1vkoZxgkhs7.
For assistance with finding additional resources, such as articles or additional books, please ask a librarian (visit or contact staff at the Reference Desk, email, chat, or make an appointment).
Katniss Everdeen is the main protagonist and the narrator of The Hunger Games trilogy. After her younger sister, Primrose, was reaped to participate in the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss volunteered to take her place as the female tribute from District 12. This action set in motion the events of the entire series. Now flashback 64 years before that time and imagine the 10th Hunger Games when Coriolanus Snow, the dictatorial president of the fictional nation of Panem, was only 18.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes captures Coriolanus’ coming of age story 64 years prior to the Katniss Everdeen’s entry into the games. The story unfolds the beginnings of Coriolanus striving and surviving in lean times after the ravages of the war between the Capital and the other districts. It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the 10th Annual Hunger Games. In the Capital, Coriolanus Snow, as a mentor in the games, is preparing for a shot at redemption and the saving of the House of Snow’s pride and dignity. The once-mighty Snow name was severely damaged after the death of Coriolanus’ father in the war and the house has fallen on hard times. The Snow legacy is hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to out charm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.
The odds are against Coriolanus. He has been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird, the lowest of the low. District 12 is the most impoverished and has limited resources, and to have a female tribute makes the odds more problematic, especially for a person like Lucy Gray who is more of an entertainer than a warrior. Regardless, Coriolanus and Lucy’s fates are now completely intertwined. The choices Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive, no matter what it takes.
As I read this book, I was captivated once again by the visual language of Stephanie Collins. She is a literary genius as she transports you into a dystopian world of sights, sounds, and tastes. The reader becomes captivated by the pageantry, technology, and horror of the workings of the Capital and the spectacle of the Hunger Games. When I first read The Hunger Games and the other two books in the trilogy – Catching Fire and Mockingjay, I remembered the giddy fascination of sensory overload and the bewitching allure of the arena while gasping at the cunning, strategies, and wickedness of the tributes. I picked up this book hungry for the taste of The Hunger Games and the succulence of Collin’s visualizations and storytelling.
Alas, the 10th Annual Hunger Games is far different from the pageantry and valor of the 75th Hunger Games. The 10th games are stark, gritty, and animalistic. The tributes are kept in cages in the zoo, given no respect, and the games are barely watched or televised in the districts besides Reaping Day when the tributes are selected. The tributes are not prized and betted on as champions, but are dismissed as simply sacrifices — spoils of war. In this version of the Hunger Games, the reader recognizes that humanity is unforgiving and regular people can easily transcend into monstrous, murderous beasts simply for food and survival. The hard questions are what kind of future do humans want and what are they willing to do to get it?
If the reader is a fan of young adult dystopian literature, then be prepared to be fascinated with this origin story. But if a fan of the Hunger Games series, the reader might think this prequel is a bit lackluster and too long. The book does end in a mystery that baits the reader to await the next chapter that leads to the 74th Hunger Games that started the original trilogy. This was a very entertaining read which took me back to my love of children’s and young adult literature.
A note from the Education Librarian:
Explore the ways in which The Hunger Games has found its way into literature criticism, social analysis, and other disciplines.
Come to the library on Wednesday and Thursday before, Oct. 28th and 29th, to get in the spooky spirit! 11a.m. to 4p.m. both days.
All activities will be come-and-go throughout the time, to allow for social distancing. Come to check out:
The haunted book, and other spooky relics that contribute to Whitewater’s reputation as the “Second Salem” of the Midwest.
Decorate a face mask in the spirit of the season — spiders and spiderwebs, autumn leaves, or bring your own idea! Some masks provided, or bring a solid-color mask of your own that you want to spiff up.
Trick or treat candy around the library.
And if you’re wondering, yes, the kiddos still can trick-or-treat around Whitewater, following the safety guidelines recommended by the Parks and Rec department.
The UW-Whitewater yearbook, The Minneiska, was published from 1909- 1991. These books contain photographs of students as well as campus events and activities. They present a picture of life on campus throughout the decades and provide a wealth of historic information. The Archives & Area Research Center has committed to digitize the entire series of books. In celebration of Homecoming week, the 1970, 1980, and 1990 yearbooks are one display online. Other editions are available in the Archives or on the 3rd floor of Andersen Library.
The Minneiska
by UW-Whitewater
Special Collections, 1st floor LD6160.W45
Dale Chihuly is a master glass blower and artist who has created stunning works of blown glass which can be seen in airports, arenas, hospitals, museums, homes, and other environs. From his foray into glass in 1961, he studied at UW-Madison and received an MS in sculpture focusing on glass in 1967, but his studies didn’t end there. In 1968 he received an MFA (in ceramics) from the Rhode Island School of Design. Shortly thereafter he took off to Murano, Italy, bastion of all things glass to learn from more master artisans. Between 1977 and 1988 he made his five most well-known series: Baskets, Seaforms, Macchia, Persians, and Venetians. He didn’t stop there though, he’s gone on to a wildly successful career creating brightly colored amorphous glass works of art. During his career he’s moved glass from being considered “merely” decorative and practical to being sculptural works of art.
This book of essays is devoted to these five series and includes copious full color photos of the works of glass. For the neophyte Chihuly admirer to the devoted fan, this book is worth a perusal or two.
Chihuly:
On Color and Form
by Davira S. Taragin
New Arrivals, 2nd Floor NK5198.C5 T17 2019
Are you prepared for the election on November 3rd? Have you voted already? Do you know what to do? If not, read on, but please note that the information below is specific to Wisconsin and may be different if you intend to vote in another state (Warhawks Vote! has some information that may help you).
Who can vote in Wisconsin? United States citizens who are at least 18 years old on or before Nov. 3rd, who have lived in Wisconsin at least 28 days, and who are not serving a sentence for a felony conviction. Note: If you moved to a new address within Wisconsin less than 28 days prior to the election, you should vote from the polling place assigned to your prior address. You may do this using an absentee ballot.
Registration is required! In order to vote, you must register by submitting a Voter Registration Form, accompanied by proof of residency with current address, in one of four ways: Option 1 = Online (requires a Wisconsin driver’s license or state ID card) at myvote.wi.gov through October 14; option 2 = By mail to the municipal clerk’s office, but postmarked no later than Oct. 14; option 3 = In person at the clerk’s office through Oct. 30; or, option 4 = At the polls on Nov. 3rd. For options 2-4: The form is available online, so it can be printed and completed ahead of time. Also provided on the back of the form is a list of documents that may be used as proof of residency, so be sure to have one of these documents with you. If you aren’t sure whether you are already registered, you can check that at myvote.wi.gov.
Vote! You can do this ahead of time with an absentee ballot, or in person on Election Day (Nov. 3) at your assigned polling place. Either option requires a photo ID.
Absentee ballots must be requested online or with a paper form no later than Oct. 29. However, DO NOT WAIT. If you wait until the last minute, you risk receiving it too late to get it returned and counted! The application for an absentee ballot also requires a photo ID if not previously provided (see photo ID details at http://bringit.wi.gov/ or Warhawks Vote). Complete an absentee ballot following the instructions carefully. You will need a witness who observes while you complete your ballot, place it in the return envelope, and sign and date the envelope. The witness also signs the return envelope and provides his/her address on it. Missing any of the required information invalidates your ballot! The completed absentee ballot can be returned by mail (at least a week before Nov. 3!) or in person to the municipal clerk’s office, or delivered to the polling place on Nov. 3. In-person absentee ballot voting, with a photo ID, can be done at a municipal clerk’s office starting on Oct. 20, but specific dates and times for this vary by municipality. Information specific to Whitewater is online from the clerk’s office.
Voting on Election Day, Nov, 3, requires a photo ID. (see photo ID details at http://bringit.wi.gov/ or Warhawks Vote). You must go to your assigned polling place, which you can identify using myvote.wi.gov. Due to COVID, wear your face mask and maintain social distancing.
Resources:
myvote.wi.org (register or check registration status, request absentee ballot, find polling place or clerk’s office)
elections.wi.org (Wisconsin Electi0ns Commission: deadlines, forms for registration and absentee ballot requests, information about photo ID and proof of residency documents)
LWVWI.org (League of Women Voters of Wisconsin: information about voting, candidates, and issues)
No registration is required! Simply join by going to the URL http://bit.ly/ElectionProgramZoom. Passcode: 082754. Or, join by telephone: (312) 626-6799, Webinar ID: 958 8818 2881, Passcode: 082754. If you are unable to attend the event. a recording will be available to the public.
You also can read a Q&A with Courtney Kennedy, the Pew Research Center’s Director of Survey Research, from 2017 on “Political polls and the 2016 election.” The article links to a report on the 2016 political polls from the American Association for Public Opinion Research.
For assistance with finding additional resources, such as articles or additional books, please ask a librarian (visit or contact staff at the Reference Desk, email, chat, or make an appointment).
Registration is required! In order to vote, you must register by submitting a Voter Registration Form, accompanied by proof of residency with current address, in one of four ways: Option 1 = Online (requires a Wisconsin driver’s license or state ID card) at