The PSC Library is open M-W 8am-8pm and Th-F 8am-4:30pm. PSC Librarians are available through the "Chat Now" button or via email at librarians@prairiestate.edu.
World Autism Awareness Acceptance Day Book Display
Throughout April in the library
Since 2007, World Autism Awareness Day has been celebrated annually on April 2nd by the United Nations member states. As you could have gathered from the title, the day is dedicated to raising awareness about autism. However, we have changed the words to center acceptance rather than awareness.
The Autism Rights or Acceptance Movement is a social justice movement that believes autism is a natural variation in the way people perceive the world, rather than a disorder to be cured. Advocacy emphasizes that autism is part of neurodiversity. Individuals have the autonomy to decide if they are part of this community. They advocate for equitable access, inclusion, justice, and accommodations.
Throughout April, the library will feature a book display of autistic writers and books on autism. This display will be located by Parker’s Den, our sensory-inclusive room.
Earth Month Book Club: Octavia E. Butler's Parable of the Sower
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
12:30 - 1:30 PM
Library Classroom
The library is hosting an Earth Month book club on Tuesday, April 22nd, from 12:30 - 1:30 PM in the library classroom. Join us in reading Octavia E. Butler’s The Parable of the Sower. “A New York Times Notable Book: In 2025, with the world descending into madness and anarchy, one woman begins a fateful journey toward a better future.” We’ll meet to discuss the story and themes as it relates to our world today. The library has an audiobook, graphic novel, ebook, and a print copy. This event is free and open to all.
by Thane Montaner, Collection Management Librarian/Professor
We have enabled automatic renewals for books and other items in the PSC Library. This does not include items borrowed through interlibrary loan. What this means is that loans for students, faculty, and staff automatically renew after their initial loan period ends. The loan is extended for another term unless someone else has placed a hold on the item or if they have reached the maximum loan period for the item (112 days for books, 28 days for DVDs, and other AV items).
Items that cannot be renewed like computers and calculators are unaffected by this change. Patrons who owe too many fines, who have an inactive status, or whose account expiration date is not far enough into the future are not able to renew automatically.
Patrons whose items automatically renew will receive an email with their new due date.
I-Share items do not automatically renew at this time. However, the I-Share Resource Sharing Committee is actively discussing whether this might be possible.
by CJ Raich, Library Technical Assistant
Our library collection has a dedicated place for music books, which are located in the nonfiction section, under the call numbers starting with M. Until recently music scores, musical theatre scripts, songbooks, and books about music were all shelved by their Library of Congress Call number. (Music scores show the actual music notation of pieces rather than describing them in words.) Our music scores tend to be miniature scores meant for studying instead of performing, so they are small in size and tend to get lost among bigger books. This meant finding items was difficult.
To address this challenge, we have put the scores in bins for easy access and browsing. All songbooks will be shelved together. Books about music will remain in call number order. We did this to make everything easier for you and so all items can be better accessed and enjoyed. If you love classical music, the library also has a massive free collection of streaming music in the Naxos database. Happy listening!
by Valerie Moore, Outreach and Engagement Librarian/Professor
The internet is awash with health misinformation. A large part of a librarian’s job is teaching others how to find information and sort credible information from misinformation, and the sometimes gray area in between. As such, I would like to share our favorite places to find health information.
A disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and will only share where to find information. I will not give medical advice. Nothing below is meant to replace the advice of actual medical professionals.
To track respiratory viruses:
City of Chicago's Respiratory Disease Dashboard
This is the respiratory disease dashboard from the Chicago Department of Public Health. It tracks flu, Covid-19, and RSV. The data is measured in three ways: hospitalizations, test positivity rates, and wastewater data.
Cook County Public Health Communicable Disease Data and Reports
This page has weekly reports you can download. These reports track flu, Covid-19, and RSV over time. The data looks at hospitalizations and ICU admissions as well as wastewater. One drawback is that these reports are PDFs, which are not accessible to everyone.
Illinois Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard
This page comes to you from the Illinois Department of Public Health. It includes the most common circulating respiratory viruses, what age groups are most impacted, where outbreaks are occurring, ICU admissions, and mortalities.
As of this writing, (3/26/25), this website is still active. Much like the Chicago and Illinois tracker, this channel tracks instances of flu, Covid-19, and RSV. It tracks data on the national and state level.
Databases:
Medline Ultimate “brings together authoritative information from the National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), other government agencies, and health-related organizations” This is one of the library’s newest subscription databases for scholarly publications by medical professionals.
Medline Plus also comes to you from the National Library of Medicine. It is a publicly available database (available with a Google Search) of plain language entries on drugs and supplements, a medical encyclopedia, medical tests, and much, much more. This website is government-funded, meaning that it may be subject to cuts from DOGE.
The PSC Library’s own Library Search function can give you high-quality sources, but if you want some that are more specific, take a look at the databases listed in this guide.
The National Library of Medicine “comprises more than 38 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books.” Go to MedlinePlus for plain language, but PubMed for scholarly publications. This website may be subject to cuts from DOGE.
Websites:
Black Doctor is a medical resource specifically for African Americans. They can also help you find a culturally sensitive doctor.
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network, or ASAN, is a not-for-profit that “seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. ASAN believes that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in which autistic people enjoy equal access, rights, and opportunities.” Their resources page has lots of information for autistic individuals, and allies.
This is an online magazine brought to you by a not-for-profit by the same name. It’s written by women for other women on health information.
This resource is aimed at finding safe healthcare fr the LGBTQ+ community. Look at this directory to find an affirming provider for any type of healthcare from primary care, specialists, dentists, and mental health.
Sponsored by the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, this symptom checker to see what is causing your discomfort. There are also a conditions library and online support groups.
World Health Organization, Health Topics
This comes to you from the WHO, and can provide further information on health topics.
Content Creators I Trust:
American Medical Association’s YouTube Channel
This channel was originally made by physicians for other physicians; however, anyone can watch and the language is accessible to a wider audience. Come here for current medical information.
Dr. Meghan Martin is a pediatric emergency room physician. She discusses topics related to pediatric health such as safe sleep, accident prevention, poison control, and vaccinations.
Located in Oak Brook, Illinois, Dr. Rubin speaks in plain language, communicating complex medical concepts about infectious diseases, (especially avian flu and the measles outbreak) for the rest of us.
Finally, in addition to your doctor, many hospital systems have a nurse call line. This can be helpful to see whether you should stay in bed, make an appointment, go to urgent care, or the ER. Your pharmacist can also be a good source of information, especially if you have never taken a certain drug or are picking up an over-the-counter product.
Here’s to your health, PSC!
I mentioned earlier that we’ll have an April book display featuring autistic authors. In addition, we will have a display dedicated to Earth Month, created in collaboration with Biology Professor Angela Hung. This display will showcase print books, eBooks, and documentaries. Please enjoy an eBook preview below, or visit the library to see the full display.
 Waste Not, Want Not CookbookCinda Chavich |
 Renewable EnergyT. J. Hammons |
 What Has Nature Ever Done for Us?Tony Juniper |
 Animal, Vegetable, MiracleBarbara Kingsolver |
 Long Hard RoadCharles J. Murray |
 The OverstoryRichard Powers |
 Sustainable GardeningVincent Simeone |
 The JungleUpton Sinclair |
 HeidiJohanna Spyri |
 Thirst for PowerMichael E. Webber |
Lastly, the library is here for you; reach out with any questions at Ask a Librarian!
