Have you ever thought that your favourite book could be banned due to racism, sexism, or any other offense that you might not even be aware of? Take part in Freedom to Read week, taking place from February 23rd to 29th, 2020. Freedom to Read week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm what they are reading to intellectual freedom. The Freedom of Expression Committee of the Book and Periodical Council organizes it.

Why is it Banned?

You may be wondering, what is it that determines if a book should be banned or not? Here are a few things to look out for:

• Racism
• Sexism
• Offensive language
• Violence
• Being anti-family
• Promoting a certain religious viewpoint
• Promoting the occult or Satanism
• Nudity
• Sexual education
• Being unsuited for a certain age group

Children’s Books That Have Been Banned

Here is a list of some childhood books that you may love and cherish that you probably do not even know have been banned:

• The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
• If I Ran The Zoo by Dr. Seuss
• And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson
• The Bridge To Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Learn more >>

If you would like to learn more about Freedom to Read week, visit www.freedomtoread.ca.

Window display at NDC Library

Banned books, discussions of banned books, human rights and more. Check out the window display at NDC Library and borrow a book to read freely.

Freedom to Read Week Window Display at NDC Library

Questions or Comments?

Please feel free to drop by one of our service desks or contact us.

Thursday, February 6, 2020
3pm – 8pm
Notre Dame Campus Library
FREE!

Come to the NDC Library to work on that big paper, study for your test, get help with your math challenges, or learn strategies to balance College and personal life.

Library staff and tutors will be available to support your research and coursework.

Food, self-care activities, and much more!

Schedule

3pm-8pm
Library Research Help Desk

3pm-8pm
IT Help Desk

3pm-8pm
Art Therapy

3pm-7pm
Writing Skills/Communication Help Desk

3pm-7pm
Math Help Desk

3pm-6pm
Biological Science Help Desk

4pm-6pm
Job Search Help Desk
Student Employment Services staff will help with resume and cover letter writing, job search and application strategies, preparing for interviews and other questions you may have related to employment.

4pm-7pm
Trades Math and Science Desk

3:30pm-4pm
Coaching Corner – Verbal Communication Skills

4:00pm
Coaching Corner – Managing your Time

5pm-5:30pm
Coaching Corner – Writing an Academic Paper

6:00pm
Coaching Corner – Active Learning Strategies

Register

Please pre-register at www.rrc.ca/LNAP

Contact the Library for more information.

Thursday, February 6, 2020
3pm – 8pm
Notre Dame Campus Library
FREE!

Come to the NDC Library to work on that big paper, study for your test, get help with your math challenges, or learn strategies to balance College and personal life.

Library staff and tutors will be available to support your research and coursework.

Food, self-care activities, and much more!

Schedule

3pm-8pm
Library Research Help Desk

3pm-8pm
IT Help Desk

3pm-8pm
Art Therapy

3pm-7pm
Writing Skills/Communication Help Desk

3pm-7pm
Math Help Desk

3pm-6pm
Biological Science Help Desk

4pm-6pm
Job Search Help Desk
Student Employment Services staff will help with resume and cover letter writing, job search and application strategies, preparing for interviews and other questions you may have related to employment.

4pm-7pm
Trades Math and Science Desk

3:30pm-4pm
Coaching Corner – Verbal Communication Skills

4:00pm
Coaching Corner – Managing your Time

5pm-5:30pm
Coaching Corner – Writing an Academic Paper

6:00pm
Coaching Corner – Active Learning Strategies

Register

Please pre-register at www.rrc.ca/LNAP

Contact the Library for more information.

Take a break at 10:00 am on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 and join us in the NDC Library for storytelling with Cliff Cardinal.

Cliff Cardinal, award-winning playwright, actor, and musician, stunned Winnipeg crowds a few years back with his one-person play Huff. He’s working now on a new novel, a few new scripts, and a bunch of songs with his band, The Skylarks. His visit to Red River College is part of Voices in the Circle: Indigenous Writing in Canada, an initiative of the Winnipeg International Writers Festival. Find out more at thinairwinnipeg.ca.

Thank you to Charlene Diehl, Director, Winnipeg International Writers Festival, for helping us coordinate Cliff’s visit to Red River College.

Thrive Week intends to provide an opportunity to develop skills and mindset to flourish and be healthy – socially, physically, spiritually, and mentally. Building a sense of belonging and connectedness, with strong empathetic relationships, is essential.

To support your Thrive journey, Library Services has curated a short playlist of LinkedIn Learning courses that can help you:

• develop a positive mindset for life success
• understand one’s own personal values
• build personal confidence and resilience
• enhance listening skills

Check out these free resources by signing in to LinkedIn Learning!

Video: Six anti-success habits with Chris Croft

Take a short break and learn six anti-success habits that can create a barrier to success if you don’t become aware of them and avoid them.

Duration: 4m 14s

Course: Cultivating a Growth Mindset with Gemma Leigh Roberts

Mindset is a choice. Learn how to cultivate a growth mindset in order to achieve your true potential.

Duration: 58m 57s

Course: Developing Self-Awareness with Gemma Leigh Roberts

Learn how to become more self-aware in order to develop yourself personally and enhance career progression.

Duration: 1h 0m

Course: Enhancing Resilience with Gemma Leigh Roberts

Being resilient will not only help you overcome challenges—it will help you thrive. Learn how to create a proactive plan to build your resilience, maintain it in the face of challenges, and track your progress over time.

Duration: 53m 29s

Course: Developing your Emotional Intelligence with Gemma Leigh Roberts

Align your intentions and your impact so that you can build strong and collaborative relationships.

Duration: 1h 10m

Course: Effective Listening with Brenda Bailey-Hughes and Tatiana Kolovou

Assess your current listening skills, understand the challenges to effective listening (such as distractions!), and develop behaviors that will allow you to become a better listener.

Duration: 1h 8m

For more information about these resources, you can contact Nora Sobel (Diversity Initiatives Coordinator) at nsobel@rrc.ca or 204.632.2404.

For information on how to use your LinkedIn Learning account, click here.

–Posted by Nora Sobel, Library Services

Image by croisy from Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/images/id-2175404/)

Laughter: A Natural Remedy for Stress

According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter is one of the BEST ways to relieve stress. The article Stress relief from laughter? It’s no joke explains the short- and long-term benefits of laughter on the human body and mind. It can help you cope, boost your immune system, stimulate organs, soothe tension, and improve your mood.

Even a fake smile or laugh is good for us. In her article Sixteen Stress Busters: Positive Changes to Take Stress Away, Lauren Parsons says that it can “often lead to real laughter, which lifts our mood and releases chemicals in the body that make us feel great, all while combating stress.”

Laura McShane, who works for the Grand River Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association believes in the power of laughter as well. In Laughter’s healing powers focus of Mental Health Week, she describes laughter’s physical benefits:

“It helps the liver better process the stress hormone adrenalin, decreases blood pressure, increases oxygen intake and circulation, stimulates the immune system and releases endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemical… Laughter can help people cope better and boost resilience for when they hit a rough patch… There are many little and free ways to bring more joy and humour into life.”

Are you looking for “little and free ways” to enjoy some laughter? For a free dose of laugh therapy, and information about THRIVE Week activities, read on.

Laugh Therapy, Courtesy of NFB

In honour of THRIVE Week (November 4-8), RRC Library would like to get you in the laughing mood. We have a line-up of hilarious award-winning animation selected from the Library’s  NFB Campus collection. Click on the thumbnail image then log in with your College ID when prompted. Hope you have a great laugh!

The Big Snit

This poignant and hilarious animated film perfectly captures the intersection of a domestic quarrel and a global nuclear war. Enjoyed by millions of fans, this film is a classic example of Richard Condie’s off-the-wall humour.

Bob’s Birthday

A witty, offbeat animated portrait of a frustrated dentist wrestling with the fundamental issues of life proves that birthdays (and surprise parties) can be very tricky indeed.

The Danish Poet

Kasper, a poet whose creative well has run dry, is on a holiday in Norway in search of inspiration. As his quest unfolds, a spell of bad weather, an angry dog, slippery barn planks, a careless postman, hungry goats and other seemingly unrelated factors end up playing roles in the big scheme of things.

Strange Invaders

An animated short about a new addition to the family. Part science-fiction, part autobiography, Strange Invaders is another irrepressible comedy by Cordell Barker.

The Cat Came Back

This hilarious animation is based on the century-old folk song of the same name. Old Mr. Johnson makes increasingly manic attempts to rid himself of a little yellow cat that just won’t stay away…

Runaway

Set to the rousing music of Ben Charest (Triplets of Belleville), this animated short takes you on a journey that is both funny and disastrous.

You may also like:

>> NFB’s Animation Channel 

>> The Shortest Day Playlist on NFB 

How to THRIVE at the Library…

Light Therapy

RRC Library hosts wellness activities year-round. As part of a joint program between Healthy Minds Healthy College, we offer light therapy to soothe winter blues. A permanent station is set up at the EDC and NDC Libraries. We also have portable “happy lights” that you may borrow for one-hour periods at a time.

>> Read more about light therapy: Light Therapy – Mayo Clinic

Puzzle and Colouring Therapy

Other wellness activities include “Puzzle Therapy” and “Colouring Therapy” at the NDC library. Come visit us any time you need to take a break from the grind.

Library Collection

In collaboration with Healthy Minds Healthy College, RRC Library has curated a selection of Wellness resources for you. Visit the Healthy Minds Healthy College Library Guide and the Healthy Minds Healthy College Library Collection for more information.

College-wide THRIVE Week Activities (Nov 4-8)

THRIVE Week is filled with free self-care events. Healthy Minds Healthy College has planned several THRIVE Week activities. With therapy dog visits, paint night, a lunch hour comedy show and much more, there’s something for everyone.

More information:

>> Thrive Week Activities – NDC

>> Thrive Week Activities – EDC

Happy THRIVE Week, everyone!

–Posted by Linda Fox, Library Services

As part of Media Literacy Week, the Library is excited to welcome Jacques Marcoux, a CBC News investigative reporter, for a discussion on misinformation in the media and what that means for both those who consume it and those who produce it.

Date: Friday, October 11th, 2019

Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Location: Lecture Theatre (A104), Exchange District Campus, 160 Princess Street

Seating: E-mail jzimmerly@rrc.ca to reserve your seat. Space is limited.

Jacques Marcoux is a CBC News investigative reporter specializing in data analysis. Previously he worked as a multiplatform reporter for the CBC’s French network Radio-Canada, as a public relations officer in the agricultural industry and worked in competitive intelligence gathering in the financial industry.

You can view recent stories from Jacques here.

Be sure to check out more Break the Fake tips and resources here.

Orange Shirt Day occurs annually on Sept 30th and recognizes the harms done to our Indigenous communities, friends and family by the Residential School System.

Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake, BC, Canada, in the spring of 2013. It grew out of Phyllis’ story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the Mission, and it has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually.

The date was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools, and because it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the coming school year. It also gives teachers time to plan events that will include children, as we want to ensure that we are passing the story and learning on to the next generations.

Orange Shirt Day is also an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.

Reference: http://www.orangeshirtday.org/ 

Residential Schools Guide

Prepared by Library staff member Joan Boersma the Residential Schools Guide places many “residential schools” resources at your fingertips.

In the guide you will find books about survivors, documentaries and videos, eBooks, survivors stories and links to resources such as the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation where the “Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission” may be viewed.

Residential Schools Guide:
library.rrc.ca/ResidentialSchools

Notre Dame Campus “Orange Shirt Day” Window Display

Red River College Library has recognized Orange Shirt Day with a window display outside the Notre Dame Campus Library. We have also placed a selection of books in the display. Come by and see what is available.

On Friday, December 7th from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm, the Lower Learning Commons at the Exchange District Campus Library will host the annual Graphic Design Student Print Show and Sale. This is part of First Fridays in the Exchange District and the Red River College Library is looking forward to providing space for this event.

Graphic Design Students will be selling prints of their fabulous artwork for only $15 each, or 3 prints for $40. The theme this year is famous quotes. This is a great opportunity to pick up some stunning works created by young, talented artists. There will also be a selection of framed prints for $50 each.

Check the Graphic Design page at https://www.rrc.ca/creativearts/2018/11/15/firstfriday/ for updates on the show, and to preview some of the designs as they become available. See you there!

Posted by Lynn Gibson, Coordinator Exchange District Campus

The Movember Foundation is a global charity committed to men living happier, healthier, longer lives. Since 2003, millions have joined the men’s health movement, raising $677 million and funding over 1,000 programs focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity.

Our fathers, partners, brothers and friends face a health crisis that isn’t being talked about. Men are dying too young. We can’t afford to stay silent. ~ Movember Foundation

The Movember Foundation is the leading charity changing the face of men’s health, and they’re addressing some of the biggest health issues faced by men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.

• They know what works for men, and how to find and fund the most innovative research to have both a global and local impact.
• They continuously challenge the status quo, and invest quickly in what works.
• In 15 years they’ve funded more than 1,200 men’s health projects around the world.
• By 2030, they claime they’ll reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25%.

Reference: https://ca.movember.com

Prostate cancer statistics

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers). It is the 3rd leading cause of death from cancer in men in Canada.

To provide the most current cancer statistics, researchers use statistical methods to estimate the number of new cancer cases and deaths until actual data become available.

Incidence and mortality

Incidence is the total number of new cases of cancer. Mortality is the number of deaths due to cancer.

In 2017, an estimated:

• 21,300 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. This represents 21% of all new cancer cases in men in 2017.
• 4,100 men died from prostate cancer. This represents 10% of all cancer deaths in men in 2017.
• On average, 58 Canadian men were diagnosed with prostate cancer every day.
• On average, 11 Canadian men died from prostate cancer every day.

Read more: http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/prostate/statistics/?region=mb

Healthier men, one moustache at a time

Adam Garone has an impressive moustache, and it’s for a good cause. A co-founder of Movember, Garone’s initiative to raise awareness for men’s health — by having men grow out their moustaches every November — began as a dare in a bar in 2003. Now, it’s a worldwide movement that raised $126 million for prostate cancer research last year.

Check out our “Movember” Guide

The Library has a “Movember” Guide designed to assist you in researching topics related to the Men’s Health fields. Here you will find information about finding books, ebooks, journals, databases, videos, websites, blogs and more about the Movember Movement and Men’s Health.

Link: https://library.rrc.ca/movember

Notre Dame Campus “Movember” Window Display

Look for a “Movember” display in the showcase window just outside the Notre Dame Campus Library. As well you can check out some related items in our Library Collection. We have placed several of these items in our Notre Dame Campus window display.

Posted by Mark Nelson – RRC Library