For the next few months, some wonderful events have been planned both here at HCC and at the Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke in support of this event that includes book discussions, exhibits, discussions and forums. You can find out more about this project at this American Library Association web site. For a complete list of local events, please click HERE


Coming up on October 8 at HCC a viewing of the "Soul of a People" documentary will be held at 11am at the Kitterdge Center. "The campus community is invited to view excerpts of the documentary "Soul of a People: Voices from the Writer's Project". Join in a lively discussion with Dr. Maura Henry, Professor at HCC. Light refreshments will be served.


On Wednesday, November 4 there will be a book discussion with Professor Allia Matta on Zora Neale Hurston to be held at the Taber Gallery. "Prof. Matta will lead a stage reading (by students) and a discussion/commentary. This event is open to the campus community and the public. Light refreshments will be served.

In November there will be an exhibit by Curator Penni Martorell which will run from November 2-29, 2009 at the Holyoke Community College Library. "The library in collaboration with the Holyoke History Room & Archive will host an exhibit about the era during the month of November in the display cases in the lobby of the HCC Library. Also during the month of November there will be a tab;e display in the reference area of the HCC Library featuring writers of the WPA."

Further events as they are scheduled will be posted here so keep checking our blog.

Flu Vaccine Availability at HCC

Health Services is expecting delivery of the seasonal flu vaccine by Wednesday, September 23. If you are interested in receiving a vaccine for yourself or a family member, please do the following as soon as it is convenient for you:

- Visit Student Accounts in Frost Building, Room 201 during normal business hours
- Pay $20 per dose in cash or check made payable to HCC
- Retain your receipt
- Call ext. 2180 or email me mpysznik@hcc.mass.edu to set up an appointment
- Bring your receipt to your appointment, please.

The flu vaccine is available to anyone who wants to avoid the flu, but especially recommended for those over 65 years of age and those with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or compromised immune systems. This vaccine will not help protect you from the H1N1 virus nor the common cold; it will only afford protection against the three strains that are included in the vaccine. If you are allergic to eggs or have a history of problems receiving the flu or other vaccines, you should consult your primary care provider for advice about receiving the flu shot. The flu vaccine in injectable form is a "dead" vaccine, which means that it can't cause you to get the flu.

Keeping Informed This Flu Season

Here are a couple of reliable sources for current information so that we are all well-informed this flu season:

As public concern about Pandemic H1N1 and the upcoming flu season continues to grow, the medical and nursing editors from EBSCO Publishing (EBSCO) respond by offering the latest evidence-based flu-related information available for free. Click here

This free flu information resource will provide continually updated, evidence-based clinical information from DynaMed™ and Nursing Reference Center™, EBSCO’s clinical and nursing point-of-care databases, along with patient education information in 17 languages from Patient Education Reference Center™. Please visit this site often and feel free to share, post, and email this link to your colleagues, patrons, family and friends.

Also check out this link from the Massachusetts Department of Health:
Campaign materials include a 33 page comprehensive booklet, a 24 page basic literacy booklet, a 22 minute video as well as many helpful flu related documents. In addition to this campaign, MDPH has many seasonal, H1N1 and pandemic related educational materials available. Click here

New book titles recently purchased by the Library are on display in the Reference Room. Next time you are in Donahue, make a side trip into the Library. All displayed book can be borrowed.

Keep Informed

2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
Reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Dates to remember

Grandparents Day (Sept. 13 in 2009), Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15), Constitution Day (Sept. 17), and Library Card Sign-up Month.