All Aboard!

Another Friday, another Agora Unleashed. Today's topic? Make It Train: Trainspotting and the Agony and Ecstasy of Hobbies, led by Uni Junior Jacob, aka MJ.

Perfectly timed with tomorrow's train show at Lincoln Square in Urbana, Jacob's talk focused on his lifelong long of trains and pursuit of the perfect train sighting. Who knew that trainspotting could improve your photography chops, bolster your driving skills, and put you in frequent contact with the authorities?

Thanks for an interesting and informative session, Jacob-- now, full-steam ahead!

The joy.

The beauty.

The police.

The Dragon v. The Birds and the Bees

The latest "Ask the Dragon" query posed quite the challenge for our winged friend:

Dear Dragon,

Why does sex have such emotional connotations in our society?

Sincerely,
Why-Curious

Never one to shy away from delicate subject matter, Dragon had quite the response. If you, too, are curious (and who wouldn't be?), check out the answer on the library board! 

Mind the Gap

Like many Uni students, Brigitte D. has forged her own path. Opting to take a gap year in Hungary, she is deeply immersed in another culture, building knowledge, understanding, and, of course, character. She was kind enough to share her perspective on her year abroad with us via Skype today in the library. Thanks, Brigitte, and enjoy!

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."