Poetry Practice

April is national poetry month, of course, but here at Uni High Library we're getting warmed up in advance, and we're hoping students will join us.  Our Poem of the Week display is literally packed to capacity with poetry selections, ranging from the roughly contemporary to the EXTREMELY contemporary:  We've got some poems published in the late 20th century, and we've got some poets who were *born* in the late 20th century--Three out of our seven featured poets were born after 1980, in fact.

As part of our Poetry Month warm-up, we hope everyone will participate in our special "Poem of the Whenever" matching game. Students are encouraged to read all the poems in the Poem of the Week poem pocket and to fill out the quick matching game sheet.  Don't worry, you don't have to be a Pablo Neruda Prize winner to successfully complete the quiz.

And, speaking of prize winners, did we mention that completing a POEM OF THE WHENEVER Matching Game sheet qualifies students for a small, yet fabulous, prize?   Well, it's true.  We hope you'll share this information and visit our Poem of the Week display--It's been waiting all along, but it now includes a special incentive to check it out.

Poetically yours,
paulkotheimer: )

P.S. Amy here: Paul is our Poem of the Whenever curator and Senior Library Specialist extraordinaire-- thanks, Paul!

Agora Madness!

Last week, the Uni community once again experienced the wonder of Agora Days. For those not in the know, Agora Days is a week-long schedule of special classes taught by students, teachers, and other members of the community. From ballroom dancing to cake decorating to the history of Motown, these classes offer something for everyone. The library had the honor of hosting three very different sessions: A Frank Zappa Odyssey; a Bollywood survey; and Story Skillz, a storytelling class focused on building narratives.

What looks like intensive writing is actually a spiral-drawing listening exercised inspired by Lynda Barry's Syllabus.

OMG-- Frank Z in the library!

Motorcycles, Bollywood style.

Cruising through Bollywood films.

Though not a relaxing week, per se, Agora provides an informative and exciting change of pace that is over all too soon. Thank goodness we have Agora Unleashed to tide us over until next year!

Everything is Awesome...in the Library

With the arrival of Singing Grams to celebrate Valentine's Day, how could we resist celebrating our favorite GA? Paul had the brilliant idea to make a special request for a little movie tune he knew Amanda would appreciate: Everything is Awesome from the Lego Movie. After all, if you don't have traveling minstrels sing tunes about teamwork, you're not living!

Hark! Who Singeth There?

Uni's lunch period is generally a loud, chaotic mass of teenagers, sandwiches, and chocolate pudding. This librarian generally takes shelter in her natural habitat until the storm has passed. Imagine my delighted surprise, then, when sweet, distinct harmonies penetrated the din outside the library doors. Tentatively peering through the window into the hallway, what should I see but a group of talented students serenading a certain sophomore girl with a Singing Gram. With Valentine's Day on the horizon, love is in the air-- and so, too, is "Call Me Maybe."

The Pack Yack

A touchdown dance is in order after today's Agora Unleashed session, where senior Isaak H. took the field to talk about sports and sport fandom-- namely in terms of his beloved Green Bay Packers. With plenty of talking points and a tote full of ephemera, Isaak made a great case for the Pack. He almost won over this Bear's fan. Almost.

Professor H. knows his stuff-- and his bow ties.

Mr. Rayburn gives the Kentucky perspective (which, btw, is not heart-warming, as it involves divorcing couples arguing over season tickets rather than child custody).

He's a natural!

Always Remember....

The new fashion trend?

Why yes, everyone is sporting the look!

OMG! Aaron Rodgers in the library! Can these 200+ pounds of muscle keep it quiet during Uni Period?

Pack the Library

Love football? Or futball? We have an Agora Unleashed* discussion for you! Tomorrow in the library, senior Isaak H. will present Why We Love Sports: The Green Bay Packers and Unconditional Fandom. So join us for a little Pack Yack, and feel free to bring the love for your own team.

Yeah, you could say he's a fan.

* Agora Unleashed is a new library discussion series centered on student interests. Agora Unleashed: Knowledge Off the Chain

Code Like a Girl

During last night's super bowl, this ad aired. Poignant and thought-provoking, it uncovers and challenges notions of what it means to do something "like a girl."

How apropos that we have our weekly Girls Who Code meeting today, this time featuring a very special guest! The Girls (and Friends of Girls) Who Code are learning from Yahoo programmer extraordinaire, Haley, who has shared her time and talents so we can know more about Python, strings, and careers in coding. Thanks, Haley-- what an inspiration to code "like a girl!"