Category Archives: Featured resources

Celebrate LGBT+ History month 

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University of Reading LGBT+ icon and text; purple text on a bright blue background with a heartshaped rainbow This month is LGBT+ History month, an opportunity to learn about lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and non-binary history, and we wanted to share some resources with you all… 

LGBT+ Guide 

LGBT+ is an area of research that covers a wide range of academic disciplines so we would like to highlight the  online guide to support research into LGBT+-related topics. 

Taking the same format as our  subject guides  this guide focuses on the range of materials available from the Library and Special Collections relating to LGBT+ topics. 

It is one of a series of cross-disciplinary research guides we have developed to support research in areas such as  disability and inclusion, gender, and race and ethnicity. 

It has been created, in consultation with staff and student representatives, to help you find some of the key resources the Library can provide in this area, as well as point you towards other useful online resources, libraries and archives. 

We’d love to hear your feedback on the guide, so  let us know what you think! 

LGBT+2023 logo made up of the rainbow colours with white text on a black clapper board.

Have you explored our collection of LGBT+ film resources?

Suggest resources to help diversify our collections 

You can also help us to continue to diversify the Library’s collections by putting forward your  suggestions. 

If you would like to suggest other items for the Library, please complete our regular  book suggestion form. 

You can see all the Diversity fund titles purchased in current and previous academic years on our dedicated  Library Diversity fund reading lists. 

 

Tim Chapman,

Library Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Introducing the University’s Wellbeing book collection

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Letters on a board spelling 'Don't panic' in white capital letters on a pink background.

Our wellbeing collection may be able to help

Thanks to a generous donation from the Alumni and Supporter Engagement Team, the University Library has been developing a collection of books and e-books that fall under the general wellbeing category. We hope this will be of benefit to as many students and staff as possible – and be used in conjunction with all the other support services available at the University.

A stack of brightly coloured books

We have a wide range of books about wellbeing to choose from

Students and staff have been providing recommendations for this collection throughout 2022, helping us to make it as broad as possible. We have bought 100s of items on topics from mindfulness and mental health to student life and resilience. From stress and anxiety to autism and ADHD.

Take a look at the list of everything we’ve purchased so far –  Wellbeing books 2022.

 

It is a living and growing collection so if you spot an area that you think is missing, or can recommend a book that has helped you, it’s not too late to add to the collection. Simply fill in the book details on this suggestion form.

 

You may find a useful gem that could inspire you or help you get back on track. There are so many fantastic books that can provide all sorts of help, but don’t forget our brilliant Counselling and Wellbeing service based in the Carrington building on Whiteknights campus. They work throughout the year to help with a wide range of issues. The service offers support including one-to-one (either face to face, on the phone or over Teams), groups, workshops, online guidance and onward referrals to other support services, and is open to all registered students (undergraduate or postgraduate) at the University, free of charge.

Counselling and Wellbeing service – A guide to accessing the service.

 

Tim Chapman

Diversity and Inclusion Lead

University of Reading Library, September 2022.

Library staff recommend some diverse reads!

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The long, wintry days provide an ideal opportunity for some recreational reading so Library staff have provided some personal recommendations for some of the books purchased recently using the Library’s Diversity fund:

Rainbow Milk, by Paul Mendez

Cover of "Rainbow Milk"

Chosen by Sharon Hill, Collections Services

The story of Jesse McCarthy; a young, black Jehovah’s Witness from Wolverhampton.  Jesse is also gay; a total no-no in his religion.  After being cast out from his faith and a pariah in his family home, he travels to London in search of a new life, a new community and a new purpose.

Sharon says: I was very moved by this book. Despite his conflicting feelings, Jesse’s irrepressible spirit shines through and he finds self-acceptance and joy against the odds.

 

 

 

A Room Called Earth, by Madeline Ryan Cover of "A Room Called Earth"                        

Chosen by Sue Crawford, Library User Services

A neurodiverse young woman’s experience of a party.  Minutely attuned to those around her, she alternates between profound connection, alienation and being overwhelmed.

Sue says:  “Touchingly written insight into the highs and lows of compulsive attention as the main character gets ready for a party and the experience of it when she gets there. Her back story is revealed along the way.”

 

 

In Black and White, by Alexandra Wilson

Cover of "In Black and White"

Chosen by Tim Chapman, Academic Liaison Librarian

Alexandra Wilson, a newly qualified barrister, gives a real and personal perspective on what it’s like being a mixed-race woman at the bar. It’s a fascinating read – compelling, worrying and surprising. Not all is right with our Criminal Justice System, but somehow Alexandra strikes the right note in making us understand that people like her can make a difference.

Tim says:  “Compelling writing that doesn’t get bogged down in legal jargon. If you want to know what life is really like for a young, mixed-race woman working in the law, go no further. I couldn’t put it down.”

Want to recommend a title to diversify our collections? Find the link under the Books tab of any of our Diversity LibGuides or contact your Academic Liaison Librarian.

Library Diversity & Inclusion Group

Black History Month 2021- Race & Ethnicity Libguide

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This October, we are launching a new guide. 

University of Reading Black History Month graphic, square box made up of black background with flashes of red, yellow and green, with white text. White clenched fist outline on yellow and black background.

Black History Month 2021– there’re lots of activities on offer at the University of Reading

The Race and Ethnicity Libguide covers a wide range of academic disciplines such as sociology, culture, languages, heritage, and many other subjects too.  

This guide will introduce you to some of key resources the Library can provide and will point you towards other relevant online resources and libraries. 

We have lots of new books for you to explore. Many of these titles are relevant to UK Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) experiences but there is also a wide selection relating to International experiences. Look at the Books tab to see newly published and seminal resources that are available from the Library to help you build on your knowledge and understanding of BAME dialogues.  

Books on shelves, purple pillar, grey carpet

What would you like to see on our shelves?

 

Have you heard about our fund to help to Diversify the collections? 

 

The section on ‘Diversifying our collections’ will help build your understanding of this movement- why it matters and what you can do to help. 

 

If you want help finding out more about BAME academics here at the University of Reading, have a look at the Further Resources tab to see a list of some of the recent research outputs by BAME staff. You can also search for publications about race and ethnicity in the research repository, centAUR. 

 

If you have an idea for a resource you’d like to see listed, please get in touch. We hope that you will find this guide useful.

 

Your Library Team

 

Black History Month 2021- Race & Ethnicity Libguide

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This October, we are launching a new guide. 

University of Reading Black History Month graphic, square box made up of black background with flashes of red, yellow and green, with white text. White clenched fist outline on yellow and black background.

Black History Month 2021– there’re lots of activities on offer at the University of Reading

The Race and Ethnicity Libguide covers a wide range of academic disciplines such as sociology, culture, languages, heritage, and many other subjects too.  

This guide will introduce you to some of key resources the Library can provide and will point you towards other relevant online resources and libraries. 

We have lots of new books for you to explore. Many of these titles are relevant to UK Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) experiences but there is also a wide selection relating to International experiences. Look at the Books tab to see newly published and seminal resources that are available from the Library to help you build on your knowledge and understanding of BAME dialogues.  

Books on shelves, purple pillar, grey carpet

What would you like to see on our shelves?

 

Have you heard about our fund to help to Diversify the collections? 

 

The section on ‘Diversifying our collections’ will help build your understanding of this movement- why it matters and what you can do to help. 

 

If you want help finding out more about BAME academics here at the University of Reading, have a look at the Further Resources tab to see a list of some of the recent research outputs by BAME staff. You can also search for publications about race and ethnicity in the research repository, centAUR. 

 

If you have an idea for a resource you’d like to see listed, please get in touch. We hope that you will find this guide useful.

 

Your Library Team

 

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

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May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia aka ‘IDAHOBIT’ Day.

Rainbow flag flapping in the wind with blue skies and the sun

The LGBT+ Libguide (Library resources for researching LGBT+ related topics) is a really great starting point to find out more about LGBT+ resources (https://libguides.reading.ac.uk/LGBT)!

Are you are interested in helping to continue to diversify the Library collections? If so, why not submit a resource suggestion?

The Library Diversity Fund, was created to help ensure increasing access to knowledge and resources about intersections and protected characteristics. This means that we can continue to build the collections, specifically in areas that are currently underrepresented in the Library.

Visit the official IDAHOBIT website today https://may17.org/ to find out more about how you can develop awareness and celebrate diversity.

 

Emma Allison, Library User Services