University of Rhode Island News

Wanted Man From URI Library No Threat

According to a release from the university, the man reported to police on Tuesday and he is not a threat to himself or others.

Release courtesy of the University of Rhode Island. The individual who was the subject of a photo distributed to the campus community on Monday, April 8, voluntarily went to the URI Police Department on Tuesday afternoon. He identified himself as the man shown in images taken Friday, April 5, from the Kingston URI Library video. He is not a URI student. Witnesses had reported on Friday evening hearing the individual talking on the phone and in distress. He apologized to police for causing any concern in the community. Police do not believe he had any connection to the Chafee Social Science Center incident on Thursday, April 4. No criminal charges are being filed against him. The man told police his girlfriend saw his picture on the website…

• Photos (2)

University of Rhode Island News

Historic Nutcrackers, Ornaments Brighten URI Library

Authentic German pieces from the Ore Mountain region make up a new exhibit at the URI library.

Release courtesy the University of Rhode Island Department of Marketing and Communications. Students and faculty members weary from the end-of-semester crush, shoppers who may need a respite and anyone feeling too much stress should stop by the Robert L. Carothers Library and Learning Commons for a trip into old-world Germany. In the lobby of the main University of Rhode Island library are 20 commanding nutcrackers, 28 dainty angel figurines playing in a Christmas orchestra and 19 jolly-looking smokers ready to disburse sweet aromas of pine and incense. There is no charge to browse the five cases containing fine wooden carvings, painted in bright colors. Visitors only have to take time out from the rat race. The exhibit runs through …

• Photos (3)

Banned Books Week: What You Need to Know

Censorship is alive and well, as highlighted by Banned Books Week — and you might be surprised by who the most vocal challengers of books are.

The importance of the First Amendment and the concept of "intellectual freedom" might not always be readily apparent to most kids, but Banned Books Week is a great opportunity to make those lessons come alive for children—and adults. Banned Books Week is held annually, falling this year from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6. The week is an occasion for libraries and bookstores across the U.S. to help folks realize just how real and ongoing a problem censorship is. More than 11,000 books have been challenged (though not necessarily successfully censored) since 1982, the inaugural year of Banned Books Week. According to the American Library Association (ALA), the vast majority of challenges to books are initiated locally by parents, likely in well-meaning…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)