#oclselfcaresunday

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Self-Care Sunday: Don’t Forget Your Public Library!

Here at the Oberlin College Libraries, we strive to give you the best support we can, even during this incredibly difficult time. We have electronic resources, databases, e-recordings, and our staff are working their behinds off to try to get you scans and digital copies of everything you need to support your coursework. However, we are an academic library. And it’s the weekend. And it’s very stressful right now. You want to unwind and we’re guessing you probably don’t want to do that with literary crit or a scientific journal (Or maybe you do. You do you.). Normally, we’d have plenty of novels and light reading recommendations for you, but, unfortunately, most of those materials in the OCL collection are not available electronically. 

Luckily for you, there are public libraries! Hopefully you already have a card to your hometown branch. If you don’t, check out your library’s website. Many of them have a way you can get/renew your library card online. If your library doesn’t provide an online option to get your library card, you can sign-up for an account on OverDrive.

Once you have your library card, you can use OverDrive or Libby to browse and check out audio and e-books from your local public library. All you have to do is link your account to your card! OverDrive and Libby are very similar (In fact, Libby is part of OverDrive). The main difference is the look and feel of the two, so it’s up to you which you prefer to use. The important thing is sheer amount of content you’ll have access to from the comfort of your own home!

So take a little time to relax and unwind. Have a cup of tea and cozy up on your couch with the latest best seller or enjoy a long walk while you listen to an old favorite on audiobook. Just remember to take a moment for yourself! And, of course, support your local libraries!

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Self-Care Sunday: OCL Staff on How They De-Stress in Isolation

Sunday’s here again and today we’re checking in with our staff at the Oberlin College Libraries to see how they’ve been managing stress during the pandemic. Let’s see what they have to say!

One thing we heard over and over is that our library staff loves food! Cooking and baking is a great way to relax and unwind. Outreach and Programming Librarian Eboni told us she’s been baking “A LOT”, while Facilities and Operations Assistant Bill says that eating healthy is what keeps him feeling great. And if you’re looking for culinary inspiration, why not pop over to the Bon Appétit YouTube channel? They have lots of great videos and, did you know? One of their hosts, Chris Morocco, is an Obie? Class of 2003!

Another big recommendation from our staff is exercise (Perhaps to burn off all the calories from that delicious home cooking). Daily walks are a must for many staff members, especially those with dogs (And, hey, at least our pets are happy we’re in isolation!). Science Librarian Alison suggests walking near water and woods, if you can, to enjoy the spring flowers and bird songs. And we have quite a few practicing yogis in our group. Art Librarian Barb recommends the app Down Dog, which is free until May 1st, for solo workouts. Or, if you’d like some one-on-one time with our very own resident yoga instructor, Head of DMS Tim (RYT-200 certified) is offering to give Obies freebie advice and classes while we’re all stuck at home. A big thank you to Tim for such a generous offer! (Contact Tim at [email protected])

Well, if all that working out has got you tired, we have some folk who have great advice for keeping you entertained. Preparations Assistant Patty recommends the newest Animal Crossing game. She says “It helps me to relax and even allows me to connect online with others in my family that I can't see in person. It is basically a peaceful game until the tarantulas show up (which doesn't happen often).” Meanwhile, Science Library assistant Jennifer prefers old-school gaming. She finds it “helpful to plan special events at home during all of this - formal dinner night, game night, poker tournament, etc. Put it on our calendar, and make it something to look forward to.”

Of course, we wouldn’t be a library if we didn’t have knitters on staff! Outreach and Programming Librarian Eboni and catalogers Lindsey and Faith all listed knitting as a favorite way to unwind. Lindsey recommends getting a Ravelry account if you don’t have one already! And if yarn isn’t your thing, Reserves and Media Manager Michael suggests stamp collecting, and Information Literacy and Student Success Librarian Alonso recommends making art. He enjoys drawing, sketching, and coloring. Science Library assistant Jennifer also enjoys drawing and coloring, but she prefers to do it digitally.... She suggests downloading paint by number apps!

As you might expect, binge watching Netflix  is high on the list of ways to relax (and all the other streaming services, of course! HBO is actually offering a bunch of free movies and shows until the end of April). Multiple people suggested rewatching all of the Lord of the Rings movies. Sounds like we have some Tolkien fans at OCL!  

Other great advice includes watching livestreams of your favorite musicians or taking an online course. Music cataloger Faith says she’s been “taking dance classes through the Beck Center at Home classes! They are free!” Follow #BeckatHome on Instagram or Facebook to see what they’re offering. 

We also have quite a few Buddhists on staff who say their faith is helping during this time at home. Conservatory Public Services Librarian Kathy finds Buddhism, along with a good laugh, is what she needs- “I've been looking for more humor. Being a Buddhist, I have really been enjoying the  FB group Buddhist Humor. It's fabulous!!”

With that, we’ll leave you with a few more words of wisdom from the OCL staff. We hope our advice, tips, and suggestions have been helpful! From our homes to yours, we hope you are all safe, happy, and healthy!

“Staying on a ‘normal’ schedule seems to be the best way to handle stress for me. I also enjoy napping, reading, spending time with my family. It’s so nice to have time together without our regular activities.”-- Sara, Cataloging and Metadata Assistant

“Remember that, while things could still get worse, everything always changes. Eventually the situation we're all in now won't be the same. Take it one day at a time. Do things you enjoy, take time to avoid news outlets, and relax.”--Tim, Head of Discovery and Metadata Services

“Being grateful for simple things like waking up to another day, naturally occurring timeless awareness, giving and receiving love with other sentient beings. Singing. Making any old music from scratch.”--Facilities and Operations Assistant, Bill

Image sources: giphy.com

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Self-Care Sunday: Craft Resources

Here we are. Over a month into quarantine with no end in sight. Are you bored yet? Stir crazy? Finished binge watching Tiger King and don’t know what to do next? Sounds like you need a project.  

Luckily for you, OCL has access to great resources to get you started on a new craft. Whether you’re an old hat at knitting, crocheting, cross stitching, macrame, etc, or if you are looking to learn something new, we’ve got you covered. 

The first place you’ll want to browse is the Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center. This database offers how-tos, instructions, and patterns for every hobby you can image- everything from quilting and candle making to radio-controlled models and basket weaving. There is something for everyone!

Once you’ve picked out a craft, we recommend you do a keyword search for that particular interest in both OBIS and Summon. You never know what you will find- like this sock pattern the Red Cross issued in 1918 to support the soldiers fighting in World War I! It kept people busy during the 1918 Pandemic, so why not give it a try during this one? Just remember to sign into the Proxy Server when attempting to access library recourses from home!

So what are you waiting for? Keep your hands busy and get crafting! We can’t wait to see what you make! Show off your latest craft on Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. Make sure you tag your projects with  #OCLSelfCareSunday and #oberlincrafts so we can see what you’re making! Happy crafting!

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Self-Care Sunday: Cooking with OCL

There’s a reason so many of us are gaining weight while we’re stuck at home and that reason is, well, food is just so gosh darn delicious!  Now, we’re not promoting stress eating, because we do hope that you are all are able to find a healthy balance between comfort eating and exercise during the pandemic. We are, however, promoting stress cooking! Many people find the act of cooking and baking a great way to let go of all the worries and stress we hold onto throughout the day. And so, this Sunday we are highlighting not only fantastic library resources to help you prepare your next meal, but favorite recipe suggestions from OCL staff!

Since OCL is an academic library and you’re here for academics, we bet it’s never occurred to you that we would have things like cookbooks. Well, we’ve got a surprise for you. OCL is chock full of a resources to satisfy all your cravings. Electronic and Continuing Resources Assistant Ashley compiled the following list of databases, online magazines, and journals for your browsing pleasure. With so many recipes to choose from, we’re certain you’ll find your next go-to favorite. Remember to sign into the Proxy Server to access these materials off campus. 

Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center We highlighted this database a few weeks ago in our Craft Resources post, but we think it deserves a second shout out because of the great Cooking and Baking section they have. You’ll find it under Home and Garden.

Gastronomica: The Journal for Food Studies

New York Times Cooking  All Oberlin students, faculty, and staff are provided institutional access to the New York Times and, boy, do they have a great cooking section. If you have not already registered, you’ll need to do so at nytimes.com/grouppass. You’ll need to be on the VPN when you register, but be sure to hop off as soon as you’re done registering! You don’t need to be on the VPN once you’ve signed up.

 ProQuest Ebook Central. Go to ‘Browse Subjects’ and select ‘Home Economics.’

Ashley has a lot of other great suggestions for you and these are all free to the general public, not just Obies! Check out Taproot Magazine, Edible Communities, Budget Bytes, and What America Ate. And because you’re going to have so many new recipes to try, she suggests organizing everything with Copy Me That.

If you don’t feel like browsing and just want some good tried-and-true favorites, our staff has you covered! Head of DMS Tim recommends this classic Victoria sandwich cake from BBC Good Food. Assistant Director Tracy gives this ramen tutorial two thumbs up and Science Library Assistant Jennifer insists this is the very best honey wheat bread. If you’re missing the granola from the Oberlin Market, Associate Archivist Anne suggested you try making your own. And for all you gadget lovers, Music Cataloger Faith loves this Instant Pot potato soup and Cataloging and Metadata Assistant Sara uses her Air Fryer for these pork chops. 

Still hungry? Check out these gems from staff recipe boxes!

Facilities and Operations Assistant Bill’s Hardcore Breakfast Porridge:

1/2 c. whole dry old fashioned oats

2 tbsp. ground flaxseed

1/4 cup English walnut pieces

1/2 cup frozen wild blueberries

favorite vegan protein/superfood powder reconstituted with 10 oz. water.

Directions: Pour dissolved protein powder over other ingredients, mix well, let soak for a few minutes. Add Stevia if not sweet enough. It’s 30 grams of protein, 15 grams fiber, cruelty-free micro- and macro-nutrients, pre- and pro-biotics!

Special Collection Assistant Gena’s Depression Cake (As in the “Great Depression”. This cake won’t make you sad!)

Outreach and Programming Librarian Eboni’s Sweet and Spicy Bacon Chicken

Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder and chili powder. Wrap in bacon and roll in brown sugar. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until crispy, approximated 30-40 minutes. It's soooooooooo good. Enjoy!

Art Librarian Barb’s Movie Theater Popcorn

Pop popcorn kernels in coconut oil. It tastes just like the movies. Simple, but delicious!

Discovery and Metadata Services Assistant Lindsey’s Cashew Queso

Happy cooking, everyone! We hope you discover your next favorite meal!

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Self-Care Sunday: Meditation

If you caught yesterday’s post about Jeannette Rankin, you’ll already know our usual Sunday Edition content is temporarily moving to Saturdays. This is because OCL has decided to roll out Self-Care Sundays for the duration of the quarantine. Our hope is that we can use this time to provide you with resources that support a happy, healthy lifestyle during this unusual time. Not only will we be sharing content on our blog, but you’ll also find inspiration on our other social media platforms. Just search #OCLSelfCareSunday on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. 

College is a lot even when you’re not dealing with a global pandemic, but during high-stress times like this, it is crucial to set aside some quiet moments to help calm and refocus yourself. Even just 10 minutes can be beneficial. That is why, this week, we are highlighting resources about meditation.

If you are unsure what exactly meditation is, you might want to start with Buddhist Foundations of Mindfulness, edited by Edo Shonin, William Van Gordon, Nirbhay N. Singh, 2015, which explores the wide-range of meditative practices in Buddhism. Or perhaps you’d like to start with the class self-help book Calming Your Anxious Mind : How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Free You From Anxiety, Fear, and Panic by Jeffrey Brantley, 2007, which focuses on using mindfulness and meditation to help deal with panic and anxiety.

For those of you who already have experience with meditation, you might like to expand your practice with Living Zen Remindfully : Retraining Subconscious Awareness by James H. Austin, M.D, 2016 which focuses on readers who want to move beyond the basics. Or if you’d like to look into different ways of meditating check out Meditating Selflessly : Practical Neural Zen by James H. Austin, 2011.

And for those of you who just want to jump right in, we’d like to point you toward the Multicultural Resource Center’s App and Social Media page. Many great meditation apps are featured on this excellent resource, including Headspace, Balance, and Liberate, which focuses specifically on meditation for POC. 

However you decide to focus on yourself, we hope you do just that. Take a little time today, and every day, to relax, unwind, and breathe. You deserve it. 

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Self-Care Sunday: On Repeat

Do your eyes need a break? Of course they do! You’ve been reading, writing, and studying on end. Yours eyes are tired, so give them a rest while you listen to the podcasts, audiobooks, and music that OCL staff have on repeat right now. 

Audiobooks 

*We’re linking to Audible for this section, but remember you can also check out free audiobooks on OverDrive and Libby.*

Outreach & Programming Librarian Eboni’s recommendations: The Harry Dresden series by Jim Butcher and the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch

Cataloging Assistant Sara’s recommendations: Clive Cussler adventures and Cleo Coyle mysteries

DMS Assistant Lindsey’s recommendations: Boys & Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent, and Navigating the New Masculinity by Peggy Orenstein (OC Class of 1983!) and The Conscious Closet:  The Revolutionary Guide to Looking Good While Doing Good by Elizabeth L. Cline 

Music

Assistant Director Tracy’s recommendations: Tom Misch, Mac Ayers, and Masego

Information Literacy and Student Success Librarian Alonso’s recommendations: Squirrel Tapes Instrumentals Vol. 1, Briefcase by Sammany, Party Worker by Bambu, Dirty Cortez by Klassy, and A 249 Experience Vol. 1

Head of DMS Tim’s recommendations: Red Velvet and Utada Hikaru

Science Librarian Alison’s recommendations: The Piano Guys, Dallas String Quartet, Yo Yo Ma and the Silk Road, Jack Johnson, Coldplay, and Radical Face

Podcasts

Assessment and User Experience Librarian Elizabeth’s recommendations: The Adventure Zone, Staying in with Emily & Kumail, and Pop Culture Happy Hour

Art Librarian Barb’s recommendations: The On Being Project (which hosts 5 radio shows/podcasts, including Barb’s fav, Poetry Unbound) and The Moth

Head of DMS Tim’s recommendations: You’re Making It Worse, Sewers of Paris, Why Won’t You Date Me, and Race Chaser

Associate Archivist Anne’s recommendations: The Calm app (Yes, we know this is an app, not a podcast, but it offers daily meditations and bedtime stories for adults!)

DMS Assistant Lindsey’s recommendations: QCODE (which hosts 5 radio drama miniseries), The Dollop, and The Murder Squad

Music Cataloger Faith’s recommendations: Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert and the Office Ladies

Special Projects Coordinator Allison’s recommendations: No Such Thing As a Fish and Appointment Televison!

Information Literacy and Student Success Librarian Alonso’s recommendations: MigrAsians, Identity Politics, The CornerStore, Hood Politics, and It’s Been a  Minute 

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Self-Care Sunday: Music Resources

Listening to music is a wonderful way to unwind, especially right now when unwinding and recharging is so important to all of us. Streaming services like Spotify and iTunes are great resources, but did you know that as Oberlin College students you also have access to even more music on demand? That’s right! All you have to do is search for your favorite musicians, movements, or genres on OBIS. Here’s how you do it.

First thing you need to do is head on over to OBIS, OCL’s online catalog. The catalog automatically loads the default “All Formats” search bar, so you’ll want to select the tab for Recordings. Then type in who or what you want to search. For the purpose of this demo, we’re looking up resources related to the Beatles... because who doesn’t like the Beatles?

Hopefully, your search will result in a bunch of materials. Unfortunately, while we’re stuck at home, CDs are probably not going to be much use to you, so you’ll want to limit your results. To do this click the Modify/Limit Search button near the top of the page.

This will take you to the advanced search page. Scroll down until you reach the Limit search section. Then select Music/Streamed from the Material Type list. Click submit and now your search results will be limited to streaming options.

Browse your results until you find what you’d like to listen to and then use the link within the resource’s record to connect to the music. If you’re not already signed into the Proxy Server, you’ll be prompted to provide your last name and library barcode, so make sure you have your ID on hand.

We hope you use this opportunity to discover a new artist, a new album, a new style of music, or to listen to an old favorite! Happy Sunday and happy listening.