News & Events
Cocoa By The Fire:
Save the Date! Our annual "Cocoa By The Fire" event will be held in our lobby on Wednesday, December 6 at 11:30am. Stop by for a delicious cup of hot chocolate and some yummy baked goods. See you there!
No Homework Book Club:
You're invited to join the Library's exciting new "No Homework Book Club"! What is this Club? It's a discussion group for people who like to read and talk about books but don't want to do assigned reading. It's for people who are looking for their next great read. It's for everyone, whether you finished a book last night or last month! Each meeting will feature a discussion topic to get the conversation started and you don't need to read anything ahead of time. Just join us for a fun discussion about books and reading!
The Club will meet during the Fall Semester on September 20, October 18 and November 15 from 12:30p-1:30p in Library room UM14. Register for one of these dates here. Hope to see you there!
Workshop Wednesdays:
They're back! Sessions on RAMSearch and Zotero will be held beginning September 27, in-person in Library room 114 and online, on Wednesdays during the Fall Semester. To learn more and reserve your spot, go to our blog and calendar.
RAMSearch:
As of August 16, 2023, RAMSearch is sporting a new look and feel. Learn more about it in our blog.
Welcome RAMs!
We're so excited to welcome new and returning RAMs for the Fall 2023 Semester. There have been a few changes in the Library that we know you'll be excited about: bookable study rooms (individual and group), portable power banks and an improved reading nook near our first-floor fireplace which features a brand-new couch, graphic novels and magazines! We hope you'll stop by and enjoy the RAMs Renew Space on the Upper Mezzanine level and the exercise bike desk on the Lower Mezzanine level - and we still have board games and popular books in our McNaughton Collection that are all available to borrow. We've also improved directional signage throughout the Library. Check out this video from Library Dean Millie Gonzalez for more information!
Primary Source:Don't miss an issue of the Library's Campus Newsletter!
Issues:
Rams Renew!
With gratitude for the generous donation by alum Joan Murtaugh, the Whittemore Library is thrilled to announce a new multipurpose room to support mental health wellness and reflection. The RAMS Renew Space is a quiet, private room for students, faculty and staff to devote time towards:
- mental health wellness to ease anxiety or stress
- reflection, meditation, or prayer
- calmness from sensory overload
The Library consulted Pam Lehmberg from the Wellness Center to create an ideal relaxation space based on what has worked well at the Wellness Center. The Library Graduate Intern, Yoshio, created a guide with information about the room and resources on wellness and meditation. The RAMS Renew Space has a massage chair, a chair for meditation, a yoga mat, fidget toys, coloring books, a light therapy lamp, Bluetooth speakers, cozy blankets, and more.
Reserve time online on our reservation site. You deserve it! Once you reserve a time, go to the library front desk, show your reservation email, and get the key (and prayer rug if need it).
Remember: one person per session, no food, and tidy up after your visit.
If you have any questions, feedback, recommendations for the room, please do not hesitate to reach out to Interim Dean of the Library Millie Gonzalez at vgonzalez@framingham.edu.
Henry Whittemore Library Strives to be an Anti-Racist LibraryThe Whittemore Library is committed to be an anti-racist, welcoming and supportive library. We condemn the persistent systemic racism and violence toward Black people and all People of Color. We stand in solidarity with FSU’s Black students, colleagues, and neighbors.
As allies, we acknowledge that in order to move forward to build an inclusive community, we must take action. Our Library pledges to commit to the following actions:
- Ensure our physical and virtual environments are inclusive and welcoming.
- Review our policies and procedures through an equity lens.
- Prioritize the purchase of books and materials authored by and about the experiences of people of color.
- Engage in diversity, inclusion training offered by the Center for Inclusive Excellence and Human Resource departments.
- Maintain our anti-racism, equity, diversity, and social justice research guides that include curated books, articles, videos and podcasts.
- Create more social justice online exhibits (such as the Black Live Matter teach-in, Napkins Against Hate, and Day of Protest 2017.)
- Promote and support the activities of the Library Diversity Committee (LDAC).
- Host inclusive events at library such as racial healing circles and inclusive book groups.
- Support our students, faculty and staff in the effort to create an inclusive, equitable, anti-racist community.
We know we have work to do. We must listen and educate ourselves about the experiences of people of color. Our responsibility as librarians and library staff is to treat each other with dignity and respect not only during times of crisis, but every day. This is our covenant to each other.
Please review our online research guides (Libguides) on diversity, anti-racist resources, LGBTQ+ resources and DACA resources:
Black Lives Matter Movement Libguide
Additional Resources Regarding the Whittemore Library