UMAINE LIBRARIES NEWSLETTER

October 21, 2025

EVENTS

You are invited to Fogler Library’s public events! Stay up-to-date by following our social media accounts listed at the bottom of this email, and check out our website for a complete listing of events.

Halloweekend at Fogler

Everyone is invited to participate in Fogler Library’s Literary Halloween Costume Contest on October 30, 5–6 p.m. in the Salon. Come dressed as your favorite literary character — or author — and join in the fun. There will be a prize for the best costume.

Also on October 30, following the costume contest, Fogler Library will be hosting Jennifer Pictou, co-author of “Haunted Bar Harbor.” Join us from 6–7 p.m. in the Fogler Library Salon to hear about one of the most haunted seaport towns in Maine. There will be a reading as well as discussion about ghost stories, writing, and supernatural Maine legends. Refreshments will be provided. Note that space is limited and registration is encouraged. You may register here. If you would like to have the author sign a copy of “Haunted Bar Harbor,” some copies will be available at the campus bookstore prior to the event.

Highlighting AI Literacy in November

The Research & Instruction Department of Fogler Library has several offerings focusing on the importance of AI Literacy next month:

Nov. 3–7 — The AI Challenge

Want to know more about artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI? Sign up for the AI Challenge! Every day for five days (November 3–7), you’ll receive an email focused on a different aspect of AI, with links to articles, videos, books, and more. Click here to sign up.

Nov. 5 — Introduction to Generative AI Literacy

Join Fogler librarians for an engaging hands-on Generative AI workshop. We’ll explore what AI is, as well as how it can be helpful for certain tasks and in specific contexts. We will also discuss how to evaluate AI using a critical lens informed by current research, including how it might impact your privacy and the environment. Register to attend this session on Nov. 5 from 4–5 p.m. in Library Classroom 1.

Nov. 12 — Advanced Generative AI Literacy

This workshop expands on the Intro session as we’ll dive into the practicalities and best practices of prompt engineering. We will also explore some academic AI tools that can assist you with literature reviews, and assess the creative possibilities and limitations of generative AI image tools. Register to attend this session on Nov. 12 from 4–5 p.m. in Library Classroom 1.

NEWS

Stay updated on events, resources and projects at Fogler Library and across UMaine Libraries. Discover what’s new and exciting in our library community!

New Head of Collection Services

UMaine Libraries is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Berney is joining our staff as the new Head of Collection Services, effective October 27, 2025.

In this role, Berney will work collaboratively to ensure equitable access to scholarly resources, support research and teaching needs, and foster an inclusive, user-centered approach to collection development. In addition, as a member of the library leadership team, she will also contribute to overall planning as well as policy development and strategic initiatives for Fogler Library in Orono and Merrill Library in Machias. The position also provides oversight for University of Maine System Libraries-wide acquisitions and resource-sharing partnerships, ensuring UMaine remains at the forefront of academic library services.

Berney brings a broad range of experience, most recently as Content Development Librarian at Kansas State University. She has also worked in libraries at Northern Arizona University, Duke University Medical Center and the University of Tennessee.

Please join us in welcoming Berney to our staff and to the university.

News from Special Collections and Projects: John William Bailly Exhibit & Homecoming programming 

Fogler Library, in collaboration with the Zillman Art Museum (ZAM), is pleased to present the exhibition Shared Vistas in the first floor reading room through December 13. Along with John William Bailly’s graphite drawings in the reading room are photographs from the Sewall Aerial Photographic Collection held by Fogler and maps from the federal government illustrating and amplifying the locations in the drawings.

The drawings on display at Fogler are part of Bailly’s larger exhibition “Nomadic” at ZAM, which includes a range of diverse sites ranging from European landmarks to Southeast Asian landscapes. Visitors are encouraged to explore the Fogler installation and then visit ZAM to view the full breadth of “Nomadic.”

*********

As part of homecoming weekend Special Collections and Projects will be offering tours on Friday (10/24) and Saturday (10/25) from noon to 4:30 p.m. As well as getting a behind the scenes tour, attendees can view items from the University Archive, rare book collection, and other unique items in our collection. 

University Archivist Matthew Revitt will also be exhibiting memorabilia related to classes celebrating their reunions at the “Welcome Home” Social, being held at Buchanan Alumni House on Friday (10/24) from 4:30–6:30 p.m.

FEATURED RESOURCE

Find unique databases and online resources available through the UMaine Catalog to enhance your research, teaching and learning. Explore something new each week!

View as Webpage

UMaine Libraries is composed of Raymond H. Fogler Library, Merrill Library in Machias, Maine InfoNet, and the University of Maine Press.