Water Supply Crisis

In response to San Diego’s mounting water crisis, the summer semester library display will focus on water conservation. Looking for tips and strategies for being a smarter water user? Come see the live plant exhibit that showcases Cuyamaca College’s Ornamental Horticulture Nursery’s low maintenance, drought resistant plants. Pick up some handy brochures and tip sheets for drought-friendly gardening and wise water consumption. Check out the library displays to learn more about local and international water shortage issues and solutions such as Southern California’s 20 Gallon Challenge.

Display items and information were generously donated by the Cuyamaca College Water Conservation Garden, the Cuyamaca College Ornamental Horticulture Program, and the City of San Diego Water Department.

LTRC Staff Members Create a "Globally Green" Basket for Cuyamaca Foundation Auction

What’s better than being Green? Being Globally Green! The Cuyamaca College LTRC has collected a set of delightful, hand-wrought gifts made from recycled materials by international artisans hosted by SERRV International. This basket will be auctioned off at the Cuyamaca College Foundation's Annual Fundraising Celebration, It's Good to Be Green! This event will be held in the Student Center on May 16 at 5:30 PM.

By supporting small-scale artisans from 75 under-developed and economically disadvantaged communities around the globe through the provision of tools, training and an alternative or fair trade market, SERRV seeks to “eradicate poverty wherever it resides.” Each purchase of the stunning jewelry, beautiful accessories and finely-crafted home décor items makes the whole world a better place.

Where in the Library is the Molcajete?

Visit our library display cases to learn more about Hispanic Heritage, and - while you are there - find the molcajete!

A molcajete is a mortar used in Mexican cuisine to grind spices and to prepare salsas and guacamole. Typically carved out of a single block of porous basalt volcanic rock, molcajetes are most often round or bowl-shaped and supported by three short legs. The matching pestle is called a tejolote.

Students who manage to track down this ancient relic have a chance of winning a beautiful pinata in a special drawing. To enter, you will need to answer the following question:

Where in the library is the molcajete?

Bring your submission to the circulation desk and a library staff member will enter your name in the contest. Only one entry per person will be allowed - and a valid student ID is required to participate. The winner will be chosen on Monday, June 1, 2009 (we will be contacting this person by phone or e-mail).

Win Two Tickets to the Da Vinci Experience in Balboa Park!

Leonardo Da Vinci was a painter, sculptor, architect designer, theorist, engineer and scientist—a genius and a genuine Renaissance Man. In honor of his life, the library is currently displaying books, posters and illustrations celebrating his brilliance and versatility. This display will be available through the end of April.

Students who visit the Cuyamaca College Library - and check out this library blog - have a chance to win two tickets to the Da Vinci Experience at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park (a $50 value). To enter, you will first need to answer the following question:

What replica of a Da Vinci concept is on display in the library?

Bring your answer, along with your student ID, to the circulation desk and a library staff member will enter your name in the contest. You may enter this drawing one time - and a valid student ID is required. The winner will be chosen on Monday, May 4, 2009 (we will be contacting this person by phone or e-mail).

March is Women's History Month!

The library has put together a Women and Work display in honor of Women's History Month. Library users will find books, e-books, and media on pay equity, work and employment opportunites for women (including information about specific ethnic groups), global outlook, and important dates in American History. The display also covers information on the historic Commission on the Status of Women, the formation and early beginnings of NOW (National Organization for Woman), as well as the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

And don't forget the Women’s History Forum, entitled Women Breaking Boundaries. On Wednesday, March 18, Cuyamaca College history instructors will be offering some scintillating talks on women and labor issues. The following panelists will appear:

· Jennifer Hernandez - Belle Baranceanu: An Artist’s Experience in the W.P.A.
· Juli Jones - Sarah Polk: First Lady as Political Partner
· Alazar Tesfumariam - Defying Authority: Women in the Abolition Movement
· Terry Valverde - Alice McGrath: In Search of Justice and Human Rights
· Tim Zelt - Ann Lee: Mother of all Shakers

After these presentations, Susan Haber, the History Department Chair, will conduct a question and answer session.

This event will be held at 6 pm in the Digital Theater. So make sure you attend in support of Women History Month. And don't forget to check out the display!

The library has traditionally put together a display in February for Black History Month on such topics as:

• the 50th Anniversary of the Brown vs. the Board of Education Supreme Court ruling
• Black History and the West
• Black Literary Award Winners
• History of Jazz
• Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s

The subject for this year’s library Black History Month display is a significant historic event: our nation’s first African-American President, Barack Obama.

Currently on display are materials and resources about President Obama--from his campaign to his inaugural--including posters of his presidential victory speech, as well as the entire text of his inaugural speech. Also included in the display are two books authored by Barack Obama, The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (President Obama won a Grammy for his narration of the audio book), and Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance. This display can be found on both floors of the library. Come by and check it out.

Healthy Eating Display

A display on healthy eating is currently on available in the library through the end of January. Library users will find books, e-books, DVDs, as well as posters on nutrition and healthy eating. Information on choices of good snacks, fat facts, and healthy foods are highlighted. The display can be found on both the first and second floors of the library. Come on by and take a look.

FYI: All Cuyamaca and Grossmont students are eligible to check out library materials. A current student ID is required at the time of check-out. Student IDs are available free of charge in the Counseling Office in the One-Stop Center. Students must complete the college registration process before an ID card can be issued.