December 17, 2015

IRC Hours: Winter Break

The Instructional Resource Center will close at 5:00 pm on Thursday, December 17th and remain closed through Monday, January 4th.

For additional hours information, please visit the IRC Hours & Updates page on the Instruction Resource Center web site.

We wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and a safe and joyous holiday season.

December 16, 2015

IRC Pinterest: Winter Books

Winter and snow themed picture books are featured this month on the IRC Pinterest site. Check out a great picture book from the juvenile collection to read over winter break and enjoy the season from inside looking out.

Follow IRC's board Winter Picture Books on Pinterest.

Juvenile Books: Picture Books

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

December 14, 2015

IRC Hours: After Finals

IRC hours after finals are noted below.
A complete listing of IRC hours updates is available on the IRC web site.
Please note the IRC will be closed for lunch from 1 pm - 2 pm after finals.


  • Tuesday, 12/15: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday, 12/16 - Friday, 12/18: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • Saturday, 12/19: Closed
  • Sunday, 12/20: Closed

December 10, 2015

Juvenile Books: Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: YA Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

December 9, 2015

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Poetry

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

December 7, 2015

IRC Pinterest: Library memes

Do you have a favorite library or finals week meme? Have you created any fun memes you would like to share? Send it to irc.aulib at gmail.com and it could be posted to our board.

Follow IRC's board Library memes! on Pinterest.

December 4, 2015

Study Rooms & Quiet Space

Looking for a quiet space to study during finals?
The 3rd and 4th floors have been designated quiet spaces during extended hours and finals Dec. 6th - Dec. 15th. Comfortable open study areas are available on both floors.

Interested in reserving a study room?  
Stop at the circulation desk and reserve a study room for up to 3 hours. Study rooms are located on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th floor. Please note, students using a reserved study room will be asked to vacate the room.

Already have a favorite space to work?
Create your own quiet space. We have ear plugs (free / disposable) available at the print station on the second floor.

December 1, 2015

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

November 30, 2015

IRC Pinterest: Materials Kits

Visit the IRC Pinterest board, Materials Kits to view recent additions to this circulating collection. Our materials kit collection features puppets, flannel board stories, dry erase boards, and games for math, science, language arts, social studies, music, and other subject areas.


Follow IRC's board IRC Materials Kits on Pinterest.


Materials kits are part of the IRC circulating collection, located on the second floor of AU Library. Check availability by clicking the catalog link after each call number.

November 23, 2015

IRC Hours: Thanksgiving Break

The Instructional Resource Center will be closed Wednesday, November 25th through Saturday, November 28th for Holiday Thanksgiving Break.

The IRC will open at 6:00 pm on Sunday, November 29th.

Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, October 27th. A complete listing of IRC Hours & Updates is available on the IRC web site.

November 18, 2015

IRC Hours Update

The Instructional Resource Center will be open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Thursday, November 19th and open at 10:00 am on Friday, November 20th. Regular fall hours resume Sunday, November 22nd.

A complete listing of IRC Hours & Updates is available on the IRC web site.

November 17, 2015

November 16, 2015

Juvenile Books: Picture Books

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.


These titles are from the 2015 Children's Choice and Teacher's Choice reading lists. They will be on reserve for EDEC 323.

IRC Circulating: Kits

The following materials kits have been added to the Instructional Resource Center circulating collection. Materials Kits are located inside of the IRC, on right side/east wall, and shelved numerically. For ease of use, shelving in the IRC are labeled.

November 12, 2015

Ellison Dies: Numbers & More

It's here! Our Fruit Smoothie number set has arrived; a great complement to the four inch uppercase and lowercase Fruit Smoothie alphabet. The new number set is are located with the alphabet(s) in the spinner rack adjacent to the roll laminator. Also new to the IRC Ellison die collection are:

View our complete collection of Ellison Dies on the IRC Pinterest site.


Follow IRC's board Ellison Dies: Seasons on Pinterest.

November 11, 2015

Juvenile Books: Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: YA Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Graphic Novel

The following book has been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find it shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

November 10, 2015

Publisher's Weekly: Best Books of 2015

A variety of book lists and reading lists are published each year including Teacher's Choice Reading List from the International Reading Association, Children's Choice Book Awards from the Children's Book Council, and Publisher's Weekly Best Books list.  This post features an overview of Publisher's Weekly Best Books of 2015 for Picture Books, Middle Grades, and Young Adult.

PW Best Books of 2015: Picture Books

PW Best Books of 2015: Middle Grades

PW Best Books of 2015: Young Adult

Check availability of these titles using the catalog link provided; remember, titles may be located on the second floor new book shelves.  Ask in the Instructional Resource Center for help finding any of these juvenile collection titles.

November 9, 2015

Main Juvenile: Picture Books

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

November 6, 2015

Juvenile Books: Poetry

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

November 5, 2015

Curriculum Textbooks: Government & Econ

The following curriculum textbooks have been added to the IRC circulating collection. They are located in the curriculum textbook area directly outside of the Instructional Resource Center, AU Library second floor.

November 4, 2015

Juvenile Books: Picture Books

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

Main Collection: Education

The following books have been added to the library's circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the main floor of the library or in the regular location.

Curriculum Textbooks: Math

The following curriculum textbooks have been added to the IRC circulating collection. They are located in the curriculum textbook area directly outside of the Instructional Resource Center, AU Library second floor.

November 2, 2015

Curriculum Textbooks: Math

The following curriculum textbooks have been added to the IRC circulating collection. They are located in the curriculum textbook area directly outside of the Instructional Resource Center, AU Library second floor.

  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. K v.1, Student
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. K v.2, Student
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. K v.1, Teacher
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. K v.2, Teacher
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 1 v.1, Student
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 1 v.2, Student
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 1 v.1, Teacher
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 1 v.2, Teacher
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 2 v.1, Student
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 2 v.2, Student
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 2 v.1, Teacher
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 2 v.2, Teacher
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 3 v.1, Student
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 3 v.2, Student
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 3 v.1, Teacher
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 3 v.2, Teacher
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 4 v.1, Student
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 4 v.2, Student
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 4 v.1, Teacher
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 5 v.1, Student
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 5 v.2, Student
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 5 v.1, Teacher
  • My Math
    Math McGr 2013, Gr. 5 v.2, Teacher

Juvenile Books: Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

October 29, 2015

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

October 28, 2015

Juvenile Books: Picture Books

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Picture Books

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

October 27, 2015

New Ellison Die Alphabet(s)

Two new alphabets have been added to the Instructional Resource Center Ellison die collection:

  • Fruit Smoothie (uppercase), 4 inches
  • Fruit Smoothie (lowercase), 4 inches
  • Fruit Smoothie dies ? ! , ( ), 4 inches

The new alphabets, and additional dies, are located in the spinner rack adjacent to the roll laminator. View our complete collection of Ellison Die alphabets on the IRC Pinterest site.

Follow IRC's board Ellison Dies: Alphabet on Pinterest.

October 23, 2015

IRC Hours Update: Fall Break

The Instructional Resource Center will be closed Saturday, October 24th through Monday, October 26th for Fall Break. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, October 27th. A complete listing of IRC Hours & Updates is available on the IRC web site.

October 21, 2015

Juvenile Books: Non-fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Graphic Novels

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

October 20, 2015

Main Collection: Education

The following books have been added to the library's circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the main floor of the library or in the regular location.

October 19, 2015

Juvenile Books: Picture Books

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

October 16, 2015

Juvenile Books: Picture Books

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: YA Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

October 15, 2015

Juvenile Books: Non-fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

October 14, 2015

Juvenile Books: Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

October 12, 2015

Fall & Halloween Books: Pinterest

Looking for great Autumn / Fall and Halloween themed picture books? Check out the IRC Pinterest page, we have boards featuring fiction and non-fiction juvenile titles.

Follow IRC's board Autumn: Fall Books on Pinterest.


Children's books are located on the second floor of Ashland University Library. Ask in the Instructional Resource Center if you need help locating a book.

Follow IRC's board Halloween on Pinterest.

October 8, 2015

Juvenile Books: Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

October 7, 2015

Juvenile Books: YA Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.



October 5, 2015

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Main Collection: General

The following books have been added to the libraries circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the main floor of the library or in the regular location.

September 30, 2015

Banned Books Week: There's more

We are mid-way through 2015 Banned Books Week! If you haven't already done so, be sure to get your #BannedBooksWeek button. Buttons are available at the circulation desk, library main floor, and with the new book display on the second floor. Mini information displays are available on the main floor and second floor, Instructional Resource Center.


A new Banned & Challenged Books board has been added to the IRC Pinterest site. It features board features frequently challenged books from 2010 - 2014. "A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others" (American Library Association).

Follow IRC's board Banned & Challenged Books on Pinterest.

It's not too late to follow the IRC on Twitter. We've been actively tweeting #BannedBooksWeek resources and information throughout the week. Be sure to celebrate your #FreedomtoRead throughout the year.


September 27, 2015

Banned Books Week: Sept 27 - Oct 3

It's time to celebrate Banned Books Week; "Celebrating the Freedom to Read." What is Banned Books Week?
"Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community –- librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types –- in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular." -- ALA Banned Books Week

Interested in learning more about Banned Books Week? There's a Banned Books Week LibGuide for that! The library guide presents an overview of  Banned Books Week history and challenged books, Library Resources and Internet Resources for celebrating Banned Books Week, links to frequently banned and challenged books for the last ten years - and - challenged classics,  and an interactive timeline highlighting 30 Years of Challenged Literature.




The IRC Pinterest site features a Banned Books Week board with additional resources.

Follow IRC's board Banned Books Week on Pinterest.


Get involved by sharing your Banned Books Week story on Twitter using the hash tag #bannedbooksweek, following Banned Books Week on Facebook, enjoying a variety of Read Outs on the Banned Books Week YouTube Channel, and find great display ideas from the Banned Books Week Pinterest page.

September 23, 2015

Juvenile Books: Picture Books

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

September 22, 2015

IRC Reference

The following new books have been added to the IRC reference collection. You will find them shelved inside the Instructional Resource Center, library second floor, in the IRC reference area.

September 21, 2015

Juvenile Books: YA Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.


These titles were purchased with library funds from the Dean endowment for juvenile fiction. Sue Ellen Ronk selects juvenile and young adult titles for this endowment

September 18, 2015

Juvenile Books: Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.


These titles were purchased with library funds from the Dean endowment for juvenile fiction. Sue Ellen Ronk selects juvenile and young adult titles for this endowment

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

September 17, 2015

IRC: Bulletin Board Paper

We have several new colors of bulletin board paper available for purchase in the IRC. In addition to purple (2 shades), yellow, red, blue, orange, turquoise, black, brown, green, and pink, we now have autumn gold and gray.

Bulletin board paper is three foot (36 inches) wide and sold by length, 15 cents per foot. Not sure what size your bulletin board may be? We have yard sticks; borrow one to measure your board. A complete list of materials and supplies offered in the IRC is located on the IRC web site.

September 16, 2015

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Main Collection: Education

The following book has been added to the libraries circulating collection. You will find it shelved in the new books display on the main floor of the library or in the regular location.

Juvenile Books: Graphic Novel

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: YA Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

September 15, 2015

Juvenile Books: Picture Books

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

These titles were purchased with library funds from the Dean endowment for juvenile fiction. Sue Ellen Ronk selects juvenile and young adult titles for this endowment

September 14, 2015

Juvenile Books: Picture Books

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.


These titles were purchased with library funds from the Dean endowment for juvenile fiction. Sue Ellen Ronk selects juvenile and young adult titles for this endowment

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

These titles were purchased with library funds from the Dean endowment for juvenile fiction. Sue Ellen Ronk selects juvenile and young adult titles for this endowment

Juvenile Books: Graphic Novel

The following book has been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find it shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.


This title was purchased with library funds from the Dean endowment for juvenile fiction. Sue Ellen Ronk selects juvenile and young adult titles for this endowment

September 11, 2015

IRC Hours Updates: New Sunday Hours

Beginning Sunday, September 13th, the Instructional Resource Center will be open from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm. A complete listing of IRC Hours & Updates is available on the IRC web site. We are excited to offer additional Sunday hours!

September 8, 2015

Mock Caldecott Panel

Today was our annual Mock Caldecott panel session with Dr. Mary Rycik's EDEC 323 Tradebooks and Technology with Literature class. Students met in the IRC to review and evaluate picture books, voting on a winner and honor book; titles selected meet Caldecott Medal criteria established by the Association for Library Services for Children, American Library Association Medal committee.

Prior to the session (in class):Students were introduced to elements picture book art and illustration such as layout, design, form and function, balance, use of space, and the importance of art telling the story. Artistic media and style, as well as the parts of a picture book are discussed.

About the titles:Twenty-three picture books were considered; the selection included a mix of artists publishing their first picture book and well known and award-winning illustrators. A variety of artistic mediums were represented such as collage, gauche, painted oils, pencil, watercolors, and mixed media. Most of the titles are new to the library juvenile collection.

All of the titles are available on the Mock Caldecott Panel IRC Pinterest board:



Students reviewed nominated titles, and completed two rounds of voting to select a final winner and two honor books.  The Mock Caldecott winner for Fall 2015 is :
  • The Night World
    written and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
    PZ7.G325 Nig 2015

Honor book distinction was given to:
  • My Pen
    written and illustrated by Christopher Myers
    PZ7.M9825 My 2015
  • If You Plant a Seed
    written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
    PZ7.N434457 If 2015

For additional information about the panel and books, visit the IRC web site Mock Caldecott Panels page or the EDEC 323 LibGuide.  All of the books considered for this session are available on the second floor new book shelves directly outside of the Instructional Resource Center.

September 3, 2015

IRC Hours: Labor Day

The Instructional Resource Center will be closed Saturday, September 5th and Sunday September 6th for the Labor Day Weekend.

We will be open Monday, September 7th, 6 pm to 10 pm. A complete listing of IRC hours and updates is available on the IRC web site.

September 1, 2015

Juvenile Books: Picture Books

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

August 31, 2015

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Poetry

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

August 28, 2015

Juvenile Books: Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Graphic Novels

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

Main Collection: Education

The following books have been added to the libraries circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the main floor of the library or in their regular location.

August 27, 2015

New Ellison Dies

The following Ellison Dies have been added to the IRC Collection:

  • Back pack, Apple & Worm
  • Ballet Slippers
  • Praying Hands
  • Pirate, Mug
  • Tractor, Pail & Shovel

A complete listing of Ellison Dies is available via the IRC Pinterest site.

Visit IRC's profile on Pinterest.

August 26, 2015

Main Collection: Education

The following books have been added to the libraries circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the main floor of the library or in their regular location.

August 24, 2015

IRC Hours: Fall 2015

Welcome to Ashland University, Ashland University Library, and the Instructional Resource Center! The fall 2015 IRC hours schedule begins today.  Our hours are:
  • Monday - Thursday: 8 am to 10 pm 
  • Friday: 8 am to 5 pm 
  • Saturday: Closed 
  • Sunday: 6 pm to 10 pm 

A complete listing of IRC hours and updates, including changes to normal operating hours, is available on the IRC web site.  All hours updates will be published here on the IRC blog and 'tweeted' via IRC Twitter; a monthly hours update is always posted on the IRC door.

We hope you have a great semester!