Merrill Library Friends Newsletter

Merrill Library Friends Newsletter — January 10, 2025

In this issue:

Save the date for (Hybrid) Tea with the Dean
Milton Bradley: Maine native, game designer, and education champion
New Arrivals in Fiction at Merrill Library
New from Special Collections and Projects: Maine Peace Action Committee

Image advertising Tea with the Dean event

Save the date for (Hybrid) Tea with the Dean

UMaine Libraries Hybrid Tea with the Dean and Open Access Publishing Resources Showcase with Head of Collection Services Deb Rollins and Open Scholarship Librarian Casey Koons will take place on Thursday, March 27, at 3 p.m.

Deborah Rollins will talk about open access collections and costs, as well as library support of University of Maine authors through open access publishing fee waivers.

Casey Koons will discuss key aspects of his role in advancing open access publication. He will outline the introduction of a new DOI-minting service, designed to provide persistent identifiers that enhance the accessibility and discoverability of scholarly and creative work. Koons will also highlight the role of institutional repositories in supporting Open Access initiatives, ensuring broader dissemination and long-term preservation of research outputs. Additionally, he will share updates on efforts to improve the functionality and usability of repository platforms, focusing on transitioning to more automated, modern systems that are intuitive and easy to navigate for both researchers and administrators.

Image of Milton Bradley and sketch of one of the games he invented

Milton Bradley: Maine native, game designer, and education champion

Fogler Library is celebrating the life of famed board game designer and Maine native Milton Bradley with both a physical display in the 2nd floor Jones Room and an online display. Learn about his humble beginnings in Vienna, Maine, his professional setbacks before his game design success, and his tireless devotion to the promotion of the Kindergarten Movement in 19th-century America. We invite you to learn more about this Maine native who transformed play into a lifelong learning experience.

New arrivals in fiction at Merrill Library!

Looking for your next great read? Merrill Library has just added a fantastic selection of new fiction titles to our collection. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the latest arrivals:

The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami – A tale of love and adventure, a tribute to books and the libraries that cherish them, and a profound reflection on the complexities of our modern world.
All Fours by Miranda July – A compelling novel that delves into themes of personal freedom, sexuality, and the transformative journey of midlife reinvention.
My Friends by Hisham Matar – A deeply moving tale of friendship, loss, and the enduring power of memory.
James by Percival Everett – A masterful and action-packed retelling of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, offering a harrowing yet darkly humorous perspective through the eyes of the enslaved Jim.
Come and Get It by Kiley Reid – An engaging novel about a resident assistant navigating a chaotic entanglement with a professor and three rebellious students.
My Favorite Thing is Monsters, Book 2 by Emil Ferris – The highly anticipated continuation of Ferris’s acclaimed graphic novel series.

Visit Merrill Library to explore these exciting new titles—whether you're seeking inspiration, learning, or leisure, we’re here to support your reading journey.

New from Special Collections and Projects: Maine Peace Action Committee

University Archivist Matthew Revitt recently met with Professor Emeritus of Philosophy Doug Allen to discuss archiving his invaluable papers in the University Archive. Among these materials are significant documents related to the Maine Peace Action Committee (MPAC) and Professor Allen's pivotal role in the University of Maine’s divestment from corporations and banks involved in apartheid South Africa. This groundbreaking effort made UMaine one of the first U.S. universities to fully divest—marking a proud chapter in our history of social justice.

Pictured below: An MPAC anti-apartheid poster kindly donated by Professor Allen, now on display in the Center Hallway on Level 1 of Fogler Library. This poster was originally displayed 30 years ago during MPAC’s 20th anniversary reunion and programs in the 1994–1995 academic year.

Past Newsletters

Fogler Plus Newsletters

Give to Merrill Library

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5703 Alumni Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).