Little Magazine, Big Journey!

 

From time to time, materials from the Armacost Library leave the library for a big adventure. Of course, our materials are toted around campus and the greater Redlands area for use by our community members. And others go even further afield to borrowers at other libraries through interlibrary loan. But one of our items recently went on a journey to remember. Though not so far in terms of distance, one of our magazines got its day in the spotlight at last, thanks to the University of California Irvine’s Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute & Museum of California Art (Langson IMCA). 

This magazine recently went on a big journey!

Last year, the Armacost Library received an inquiry from the Langson IMCA about one of the items listed on our catalog: a 1929 issue of Scribner’s Magazine, located among our bound periodicals. (Bound periodicals are historical journals, magazines, newspapers, and so on that are now bound in volume [book] format, rather than having each issue shelved individually.) After communicating more with the wonderful staff at the Langson IMCA, we learned that an upcoming exhibition of theirs titled Spiritual Geographies: Religion and Landscape Art in California, 1890 – 1930 would feature works of art as well as “rare theological books and archival materials that trace how landscape imagery operated within religious discourse” (Langson IMCA, 2024). Of these, the Langson IMCA hoped to include the poem “These Are My Friends” by Susan DeLancey published in the January 1929 issue of Scribner’s Magazine (volume 85, issue 1). Their question was, would the Armacost Library be willing and able to lend our copy to the Langson IMCA for the exhibition? After some internal discussions about logistics, we were delighted to say yes! 

"They Are My Friends" by Susan DeLancey

We packaged the Scribner’s edition up carefully and sent it out in February 2024. It arrived at the Langson IMCA in nearby Irvine ahead of the exhibition’s March 2, 2024 opening date. For three months, our little (well—not-so-little, given the periodical’s larger size) magazine was featured alongside the spectacular artwork, rare books, and other rare archival materials on display. Together, these items asked guests to explore how various religious ideas and movements influenced and informed landscape painting in California from 1890-1930. (Check out the Langson IMCA’s Instagram and website for a closer look at what was featured in the exhibition. Can you spot our Scribner’s?)

After too short a time, the exhibition ended on June 8, 2024. Though our 95-year-old Scribner’s has returned safely to its home at the Armacost Library, we're sure it’ll never forget its grand adventure supporting this amazing exhibition--and neither will we!

Much thanks to Michaëla Mohrmann and Chanelle Mandell at the Langson IMCA for reaching out, and many thanks to Naila Popat, Elizabeth Flater, and Lindsay Call for helping to facilitate the sharing and display of our materials!

Save the Date

 

This March 19, consider donating to the Armacost Library Fund. This year, our interim director will give $1,000 if 100 people choose to donate to the Armacost Library Fund by Giving Day. 

One way that the Armacost Library supports students is by supporting their academic success. In addition to our print and digital collections, Armacost librarians help students navigate our modern and dynamic world of information through class instruction, individual consultations, and our annual Armacost Library Undergraduate Research Awards (ALURA). Armacost Library is also looking to enhance our Archives and Special Collections to facilitate more original student research.

Save the date: March 19. 

All donations are welcome, from big to small, from huge to teeny tiny. Can't wait? Early donations are always welcome. 

Grab a Game at the Library to Celebrate International Games Month

 November is International Games Month 

November 20th thru 26th is National Games & Puzzles Week 

 

What we did this summer!! Library staff spent part of their summer gathering data and doing research to choose board & card games to add to the library’s collections. An interest survey during May Term helped us start a list of games that students were interested in - thank you to everyone who participated!  

 

“There’s more to life than increasing its speed, sometimes you need to slow down and play a board game.” 

-Unknown  
 
In June a group of us took a fun shopping trip to two local stores, Board Game Paradise and Jack’s Toy Store. Utilizing our initial list, our own favorites, as well as online reviews, and with some expert guidance from store staff, we chose over 50 board and card games to build the collection. 

 

“A good game is like a good conversation – engaging, challenging, and surprising.” 

-Unknown 

 

The rest of the summer was spent cataloging, processing and re-packaging the games and choosing a location to house them. And the rest is history – the Game Nook was born – game boxes shelved in a convenient location right inside our front doors and a giant table with different seating options where you can play a game.  

 

“Games are the playgrounds of the mind.” 

-Unknown 

 

Typically, board games can be checked out for three days at a time but there is a special extension if you choose to check them out over Thanksgiving Break. Peruse the shelves, pick a box and bring it up to the front desk with your student ID. You’ll receive all the game pieces in a convenient zippered pouch. And then HAVE FUN!! 

 

“Board games are the art of strategy and chance, wrapped in a world of imagination.” 

-Unknown 

 

 

Don’t want to travel home with a board game? Grab one of our “mystery envelopes” filled with paper games & puzzles and a pencil – all ready for you to put down your phone and have some fun while traveling or just during some downtime over break. 

 

“In the end, it’s not the games we play but the memories we make that truly matter.” 

-Unknown 

 

 

Our student employees have started playing and reviewing games as well – check out our Instagram page to see those reviews. As a reminder, any member of our University community – students, staff & faculty – can check out games! 

 

Here is just a partial list of some of the games we currently have in our collection: 

Bananagrams 

Boggle 

Cards Against Humanity 

Catan 

Checkers 

Chess 

Clue 

Codigo Secreto Duo 

Connect Four 

Dungeons & Dragons 

Exploding Kittens 

Jenga 

Loose Caboose 

Monopoly 

One Night Werewolf 

Operation 

Perfection 

Scrabble 

Sequence 

Sushi Go 

Uno 

Unstable Unicorns 

Yahtzee