Celebrating Jazz

Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) is celebrated every April in the United States. JAM was created by Smithsonian Jazz at the National Museum of American History in 2001 “to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz. JAM is intended to stimulate and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz – to study the music, attend concerts, listen to jazz on radio and recordings, read books about jazz, and more.” Jazz is considered by many to be “uniquely American music” and in 1987, Congress actually passed a resolution designating jazz an American treasure!

Join us in paying tribute to an influential art form with cultural influences from around the world and check out some of the jazz-related titles available in the Hatfield Library on our WU Reads Reading Guide.


The Importance of Being Crafty

threadCreating things with our hands is an important part of the human experience. Creative activities such as baking, woodworking, quilting, beading, knitting, scrapbooking and more, bring pleasure and satisfaction to people young and old across America. According to the Association for Creative Industries “crafting can reduce stress, build self-esteem and increase physical dexterity.” Happily, March is National Craft Month so now is the perfect time to explore your creative side and get crafting!

In recognition of National Craft Month, check out some of the craft-related titles available in the Hatfield Library on our WU Reads Reading Guide.


American Heart Month

heart imageLyndon B. Johnson proclaimed February as American Heart Month back in 1963…over 50 years later, we are still recognizing this important month.  For many, February is all about flowers, candy, cupid, and Valentine’s Day but American Heart Month is intended to draw attention to the seriousness of heart health.  According to the American Heart Association, “cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, remains the leading global cause of death with more than 17.3 million deaths each year.”  So this February, increase your awareness of heart disease and encourage those you love to think about the importance of making healthy choices.  To find out more about heart health, go to the American Heart Association.

In recognition of American Heart Month, check out some of the heart-related books available in the Hatfield Library on our WU Reads Reading Guide.

 


Tribute to Wolves

Many different cultures and peoples have referred to January as the Wolf Month including the Anglo-Saxons and Native Americans; the first full moon of the year is traditionally known as the Wolf Moon as well.  Wolves are particularly vocal during breeding season, which falls during the first months of the year…this may be the reason for the association between the month of January and wolves.  Humans have long been fascinated by wolves and with good reason.  Wolves are amazingly loyal and a male and female pair who mate, usually stay together for life.  They are dedicated and affectionate parents and the entire pack takes care of wolf pups.  Besides barking and howling, wolves communicate through facial expressions as well.  They can run up to 35 miles an hour, smell animals from over a mile away, can hear as far as 6 to 10 miles away, and have great vision.  In honor of Wolf Month, check out some of the wolf-related books available in the Hatfield Library on our WU Reads Reading Guide.


Preparing for Semester’s End

December brings to mind hot chocolate, warm sweaters, snowflakes, holidays, winter break….ahhh! But another perhaps less pleasant word springs to mind when thinking about December…finals! Before you can completely relax by the fire sipping the hot beverage of your choice, you need to triumph over final papers and exams. Holiday Get Together Good strategies for coping with this time of the semester include figuring out smart ways to study, practicing mindfulness, avoiding procrastination, coping with anxiety, managing time wisely, etc. To help you through this particular challenge, take a look at some of the materials on these topics available through the library on our WU Reads Reading Guide.


Celebrating National Aviation Month

People dreamt about the miracle of flight long before the American aviation pioneers, the Wright brothers, were born…remember the sketches of Leonardo da Vinci’s famed flying machine?  It is fascinating to think back to a time when airplanes were only vague dreams and to consider the hard work, ingenuity, creativity, intelligence, determination, and courage of the men and women who made aviation more than a flight of fancy!  November is National Aviation Month, which gives us an opportunity to celebrate and explore the history of aeronautics.

In recognition of National Aviation Month, we have listed a few of the aviation-related books available in the Hatfield Library on our WU Reads Reading Guide.  Enjoy!

You haven’t seen a tree until you’ve seen its shadow from the sky.–Amelia Earhart

(Image based off of NASA National Aviation Day Poster)


Harvest Time!

Autumn is upon us and with it comes thoughts of cooler temperatures, colorful fall leaves, shorter days, Ocktoberfest, Halloween, and pumpkin everything! In the northwest, the fall is a wonderful time to hit the hiking trail, go for a bike ride, and relish every moment of sunshine before the rains set in. It is a time to bake cookies, pull out your comfy sweaters, fix a cup of tea, and enjoy a good book. Autumn also brings to mind the harvest…a period of time when we gather in crops and prepare for winter. To find out more about harvest events in the Mid-Willamette Valley, have a look at the Travel Oregon site.

In honor of the harvest, we’re highlighting some harvest-related books on our WU Reads Reading Guide. Check it out!


Take Good Care of Yourself

The start of the academic year is here with all of its excitement, energy, and fun. Along with the thrill of new classes, new subjects, and new ideas comes hard work, long hours, not enough sleep, and stress. Practicing good self-care becomes essential in these hectic times. So in the months ahead remember to take a walk in the park, savor a cup of tea, read a fun book, play Monopoly, breath deeply and do whatever you need to do to take care of yourself…take time to smell the roses!

The library has a variety of books in our collection that offer good ideas on self-care so be sure and have a look at our WU Reads Reading Guide.

“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.” – Jean Shinoda Bolen


First Year of College

The beginning of the new academic year is here. That means we are enjoying the arrival of a whole new litter of Bearcats. It is an exciting time for all but particularly for our first year students. Many will be living away from their families for the first time, meeting lots of new people, establishing new routines, transitioning from high school student to college student, etc. It is enough to make your head whirl just thinking about all the changes! The library is always here to help with this adjustment and in anticipation of the fall, why not check out a book dealing with first year students or college in general?

Have a look at our WU Reads Reading Guide.


To Market, To Market…

Over the last several years, the number of farmers’ markets has been growing steadily across the country. It seems like every city and town has some sort of market and Salem is no exception! Outdoor farmers’ markets are open three days a week at three different locations during the summer/fall and a small indoor Saturday market is open year round.  The markets offer a bounty of fresh, healthy produce, a variety of fabulous food carts, interesting crafts,Produce and a great opportunity to support the local economy.  To find out more about farmers’ markets in Oregon, check out the Oregon Farmers Market Association.

As a tribute to farmers’ markets everywhere, we’re highlighting a selection of books related to the markets on our WU Reads Reading Guide.  Take a look!