December 11, 2015 College Libraries in Uganda: Opportunities, Challenges, and Lessons Learned

College Libraries in Uganda: Opportunities, Challenges, and Lessons Learned

In this presentation, Normandale Library Faculty member Rachel Wightman and University of Minnesota Librarian Brian Conn will share their experiences working in Ugandan libraries, as well as research on college libraries in sub-Saharan Africa. They will discuss some of the challenges and opportunities facing East African libraries and also cultural reflections that can be applied here in the US.

Friday, December 4, 2015 Eric Wardell: Depression, Suicide, and Robin Williams: Why the Public Needs a New Rhetoric for Male Depression.

Depression, Suicide, and Robin Williams: Why the Public Needs a New Rhetoric for Male Depression.

In this presentation, Eric Wardell will examine the issues with the public perception of male depression and suicide, using the recent passing of Robin Williams as a lens. This presentation will discuss how we as a community must stop dismissing depression as a serious illness and how we must stop denying depressed people their ability to experience and appropriately cope with the symptoms of depression. This presentation will show the ways public perception of gender roles are often in conflict with depressive behaviors and will offer a new way to discuss the issue and the illness in hopes of reducing suicide rates.