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.
Mardi Gras Unmasked
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Area in front of the Library Classroom
At every other college, it’s just Tuesday.
Join Drs. Pariseau and Anderson to discuss the history of Mardi Gras Indians and signature throws. Please join us at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in the library for a celebratory Lunch ‘n Learn: Mardi Gras Unmasked. Come for the history, stay for the king cake in the vestibule afterward. Classes are welcome to attend.
Earth Month Book Club: Octavia E. Butler's Parable of the Sower
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
12:30 - 1:30 PM
Library Classroom
Save the date for a reading of Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower. We have an audiobook, graphic novel, ebook, and a print copy coming soon.
In February, the library opened a sensory-inclusive room, Parker’s Den! The full story is in February’s student blog, which you can read through the hyperlink in this sentence..
We created Parker’s Den as a place for quiet and relaxation for students, faculty, and staff. The space has soft lighting and colors, fidget toys, and seating designed to move. Parker’s Den is open on a first-come, first-served basis whenever the library is open. Step into the space whenever you need some peace.
You could be grading papers here. Image credit to Daniel Carbaugh.
Education has long been a powerful tool for progress, and African American educators play a crucial role in shaping minds, challenging barriers, and advocating for equity in learning. However, their contributions are often overlooked in mainstream narratives. To highlight their impact, we have created a research guide on African American Educators, which is a resource dedicated to showcasing the trailblazing teachers, administrators, and scholars who have transformed education.
This guide serves as an educational tool, offering historical context, biographies, and resources that celebrate the achievements of African American educators past and present. By highlighting these stories, we hope to foster awareness, encourage research, and honor the vital role these individuals have played in shaping our educational landscape.
by Valerie Moore, Outreach and Engagement Librarian and Associate Professor
In September 2022, I wrote about the library’s favorite open-access resources. I’ve linked it to this sentence so you can see what was highlighted. Almost three years later, we know that textbook affordability still presents a challenge for PSC students, and I would like to share my thoughts on open access (OA) and open educational resources (OER) again. First, some definitions so we are all on the same page:
Open Access (OA): “Unrestricted admission or access…the theory or policy of being accessible to all.”
Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “open access (adj.), sense 2,” July 2023, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/1185890749.
In other words, an open-access resource is anything available for free that would normally be copyrighted. This can include articles, books, textbooks, and more. While the library has some open-access journals, most can be found outside the library with a Google search. We’ll give you some examples of our favorites below.
Open Educational Resources (OER):
OER are educational items available for free on the internet. These include items like lesson plans. Instructors can use items available for free and upload their lesson plans to share with others. This is all in the spirit of sharing good resources. OER is only one small part of OA. The University of Rochester has a great explanation of the difference between OA and OER in this hyperlinked research guide, should you need further clarity.
Both OA and OER can be a great accompaniment to your classroom. Your academic freedom allows you to have a zero textbook-cost course, which is jargon for a class without a paid textbook. You can either pick an OA textbook, or a compilation of readings. Doing so would make your class more equitable, and there are more and better offerings than you might think available. Take a look at some of these OA textbooks available through OpenStax, Open Textbook Library, or BC Campus OpenEd. The library would also be happy to assist you in finding an OA textbook for your class.
Now for the fun part! Here are some of our favorite sites, and what they do well:
ASCCC’s Open Educational Resource Initiative comes from California’s Community College system, and therefore is geared towards a campus like ours. This resource is funded by a 2018 bill to share open educational resources including lesson plans, homework, course modules, textbooks, and more. It includes searching by discipline.
The OERTEX Repository comes to you from Rice University in Texas and provides course items and textbooks for nursing. It’s made by educators for other educators.
OpenStax is a nonprofit at Rice University. It is a repository of peer-reviewed textbooks available for free.
This is exactly what it sounds like: a textbook library available to you and your students for free. Browse their list of subjects and see if one fits your needs.
BC Campus OpenEd has much more than “just” textbooks. It also has teaching materials for multiple disciplines; take a look and see what they have for you.
Women’s History Month has been celebrated annually in the United States since 1987. It highlights the contributions of women to the world. The library will present a book display on women’s health, with several titles related to sexual health, pleasure, and reproductive freedom. Typically this section features many ebooks, however, this month most of our titles were print books. Enjoy a short preview below, and visit the library for a full display.
 The Turnaway StudyDiana Greene Foster |
 Mental Health Issues for Sexual Minority WomenTonda Hughes, Carrol Smith, Alice Dan |
 The Story of JaneLaura Kaplan |
Pregnant While BlackMonique Rainford |
 Invisible VisitsTina K. Sacks |
 Routledge International Handbook of Women's Sexual and Reproductive HealthJane M. Ussher |
Lastly, the library is here for you; reach out with any questions at Ask a Librarian!
