Kick off Graduate Student Appreciation Week by actually putting yourself first. Whether you’re looking for wellness hacks or want to get your hands a little messy with a creative project, we’ve cleared the schedule for you.

THE BEST PART: We’re giving away wellness goodies all afternoon! Snag some face masks, hydrating hand lotions, and more to keep the spa vibes going at home.

Join us for a full afternoon of slowing down and recharging:

• 1–3 PM | Wellness Tabling: All the resources you actually need. (Main Street)

• 3–5 PM | Candle Making: Pour some light into your week. (Room 329)

• 4–6 PM | Break the Mold: Pottery, networking, and zero talk about your thesis. (Fireside Lounge)

The Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery, Dresher Center for the Humanities, and UMBC Department of English invite you to celebrate National Library Week and UMBC BookFest, April 19-25, 2026

Monday, April 20

12:00 - 1:00 PM: Banned Books Read-In | Library Rotunda

Exercise your freedom to read! Learn more about book challenges and bans in the United States, spend some time reading books that have been banned or challenged, and find out which 10 books were most frequently banned or challenged in 2025.

4:00 - 7:00 PM: Our Stories Matter: Books, Arts, and Community | Library 7th Floor

Make a mosaic that celebrates individual and community stories, embracing and amplifying all voices. This program is part of a series that will continue through 2026.

Tuesday, April 21

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: BookMarkIt | Library Plaza

Celebrate all things books with letterpress printing, zinemaking and swaps, a book drive, giveaways, and more!

3:00 - 5:00 PM: Find the Library at Transfer-Palooza! | UC Ballroom

Hey, transfer students! We will be at Transfer-Palooza with information about library services, plus stickers and swag!

5:00 - 6:30 PM: One Maryland, One Book: An Evening with Lawrence Burney, Author of No Sense in Wishing | UC 302

The author of the 2026 One Maryland One Book selection will join Assistant Professor of English Chris L. Terry to reflect on his essay collection, growing up in Baltimore, and his deep relationship to music. Refreshments will be served.

Wednesday, April 22

4:00 - 5:00 PM: A New Model: The Barack Obama Presidential Library with Dr. Kenvi Phillips, Barack Obama Presidential Library Director | Library 7th Floor

With approximately 95% of its records created digitally, the Obama Presidential Library is the first digital repository among the 16 presidential libraries stewarded by the National Archives and Records Administration. The library is constantly developing new pathways to process and make records available to the public. This talk will explore how the library is bridging the gap between traditional brick-and-mortar library needs and expectations and digital possibilities. Refreshments will be served.

4:00 - 6:00 PM: BCPL Mobile Services Visit | Library Plaza

Learn about the various mobile services offered by the Baltimore County Public Library - available for free to all UMBC community members!

Thursday, April 23

12:00 - 1:00 PM: Lunch and Learn: Library Advocacy Workshop | Library Room 259 

Join the Maryland Library Association to learn how everyone can be an advocate for library access and services. Lunch will be provided.

4:30 - 6:00 PM: Freedom to Read: A Panel on Libraries and Democracy | Library Gallery

Book challenges and censorship efforts are on the rise across our state and nation. What can we do to protect the right to read and ensure access to library services? Join this timely conversation with Maryland librarians, the Maryland State Library Agency, and Citizens for Maryland Libraries. Refreshments will be served.

Friday, April 24

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Decorate a Library Tote Bag | Library Atrium

You need something to carry all those books! Stop by the library atrium to decorate your own totebag. All supplies will be provided.

All Week

Monday-Friday 12-4: Drop-in button-making | Alan and Wendy Wilson Innovation Lab

Use old book pages and covers to create one-of-a-kind buttons!

All library open hours: Drop-in blackout poetry | Library 1st Floor

Upcycle an old book page into a new piece of literature.

Kick off Graduate Student Appreciation Week by actually putting yourself first. Whether you’re looking for wellness hacks or want to get your hands a little messy with a creative project, we’ve cleared the schedule for you.

THE BEST PART: We’re giving away wellness goodies all afternoon! Snag some face masks, hydrating hand lotions, and more to keep the spa vibes going at home.

Join us for a full afternoon of slowing down and recharging:

• 1–3 PM | Wellness Tabling: All the resources you actually need. (Main Street)

• 3–5 PM | Candle Making: Pour some light into your week. (Room 329)

• 4–6 PM | Break the Mold: Pottery, networking, and zero talk about your thesis. (Fireside Lounge)

Kick off Graduate Student Appreciation Week by actually putting yourself first. Whether you’re looking for wellness hacks or want to get your hands a little messy with a creative project, we’ve cleared the schedule for you.

THE BEST PART: We’re giving away wellness goodies all afternoon! Snag some face masks, hydrating hand lotions, and more to keep the spa vibes going at home.

Join us for a full afternoon of slowing down and recharging:

• 1–3 PM | Wellness Tabling: All the resources you actually need. (Main Street)

• 3–5 PM | Candle Making: Pour some light into your week. (Room 329)

• 4–6 PM | Break the Mold: Pottery, networking, and zero talk about your thesis. (Fireside Lounge)

Share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas with your peers and leadership. Your input can help shape the future of CNMS. Stop by on Monday, April 6, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM in Meyerhoff 120.  There will be pizza provided for all attendees. 

Kick off Graduate Student Appreciation Week by actually putting yourself first. Whether you’re looking for wellness hacks or want to get your hands a little messy with a creative project, we’ve cleared the schedule for you.

Join us for a full afternoon of slowing down and recharging:

• 1–3 PM | Wellness Tabling: All the resources you actually need. (Main Street)

• 3–5 PM | Candle Making: Pour some light into your week. (Room 329)

• 4–6 PM | Break the Mold: Pottery, networking, and zero talk about your thesis. (Fireside Lounge)

THE BEST PART: We’re giving away wellness goodies all afternoon! Snag some face masks, hydrating hand lotions, and more to keep the spa vibes going at home.

Join us on Tuesday April 21 & Thursday April 23 for UMBC BookFest '26, a celebration of writers, readers, makers and advocates. All events are free! Full information is available on the event website, or through the myUMBC event posts linked below. Hope to see you there! 

>>> BookMarkIt on the Library Plaza, Tuesday April 21, 11am-1pm 

>>> One Maryland, One Book event, Tuesday April 21, 5-6:30pm, UC312. An evening with Lawrence Burney, author of the 2026 OMOB selection, No Sense in Wishing

>>> Freedom to Read: Libraries and Our Democracy, Thursday April 23, 5-6:30pm, Library Gallery

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) election voting for the academic year 2026–2027 closes 5pm today, and we invite you to participate.

Before casting your vote, please use your UMBC email account to access the candidate videos and take a few minutes to review them so you can make an informed decision:
Drive Link: Senator Nominee Speeches

How to Vote:

1. Visit the voting page: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/officialgsaelections
2. Log in to your myUMBC account.
3. Under the Posts section (as shown in the screenshot), you will find:
   • A post for your respective college’s Senator election
   • A post for the Student Affairs Senator election
4. Accept the invite to vote (if you haven’t already) and open both posts and
5. Cast your votes as follows:
   • Select and rank your top 4 candidates for your college Senator position.
   • Select and rank your top 4 candidates for the Student Affairs Senator position.

Important Notes:

• Please ensure you vote in both posts (your respective college and Student Affairs).
• Follow all voting guidelines and respect the election process.

Voting is open now and will close on Sunday 5th April 2026 at 5:00 PM.

Your participation is important in shaping graduate student representation at UMBC. We encourage you to review the candidates and cast your vote.

Best Regards,

Reena Kale and Neil Kpamegan

Election Committee Co-Chairs.

Kick off Graduate Student Appreciation Week by finding your competitive rhythm.

Join us and the Military and Veterans Office for a night of board games, video games, and community.

You deserve a break from the research—come hang out!.

HAPPENING NOW FROM 3-6PM

COMMONS GAMEROOM

Kick off Graduate Student Appreciation Week by finding your competitive rhythm.

Join us and the Military and Veterans Office for a night of board games, video games, and community.

You deserve a break from the research—come hang out!.

HAPPENING NOW FROM 3-6PM

COMMONS GAMEROOM