There are only days to go before the Fall semester officially begins here at Dominican, and I know the vibes and weather are currently screaming “summer” (at least summer storms here in the Midwest), but it’s still time to start adding back-to-school items to your calendar. Big sigh, I feel it too.

Open Hours:

Please join us to browse the collection of the newest and best children’s books from North American publishers, explore the Effie Lee Morris Collection of African American Children’s Books, or do a bit of research in the Ellin Greene Folk and Fairytale Collection. Beginning August 24^th, the Butler Center will be open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Need a different time for your research visit? Email butler@dom.edu for an appointment.

Information Session – LIS 796: International Book Fair

Interested in discovering children’s literature from farther afield? Each spring, Dominican’s School of Information Studies offers LIS 796: International Book Fair. The course explores issues and trends in the global kid lit publishing, considers diversity and cultural appropriate in youth literature, and some of the ways librarians and teachers can apply a wider lens to their own collection development work. The course culminates in a trip to Italy to attend the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

Connect with course instructor and BCLC director, Jen Clemons, at 7:00 p.m. on September 30, 2026, to learn more about the course, conference, costs, and associated travel. Register here.

Not a current SOIS student? The course is open for you to register as a student-at-large. Reach out to course instructor and BCLC Director Jen Clemons, or the Butler Center for more information.

Book Sale – Save the Date(s)! 

Time to mark your calendar for the Annual Butler Center Book Sale. This year’s sale will include an evening shift for all you librarians and teachers that need to come after school, a full weekday, and weekend mid-day for the Saturday errand-runners.

December 3-5 | Thursday evening 3-8 p.m. | Friday 10 a.m.-4p.m. | Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

If you’re looking for more reasons to come to Dominican’s lovely campus this fall, stay tuned for smaller events and lectures presented by other academic units within the College of Business, Information Studies, and Technology; the Butler Center’s administrative home.