Nathan Burwell
Author archives

• National Wilderness Month

  

   

  September is National Wilderness Month, a time to honor and celebrate America’s wilderness areas – clean water, stretches of undisturbed land, thriving wildlife and healthy ecosystems. These natural areas are critical for the health of our environment and our communities. National Wilderness Month dates back to 1964, with the passage of the Wilderness Act. This act created the National Wilderness Preservation System, which protects pristine federal public lands from commercial development and human impact.

  Want to learn more about the country’s protected wilderness areas, which are located right here in Minnesota? Stop by the library to check out our display of books on this topic during the month of September.

   

  

  September 1, 2026 • Topical • Views: 108

• Self-Help Books in the Library

  

   

  With the start of the new semester, are you looking for ways to improve your mental health, form better habits, or work on personal growth? Stop by the library to check out one of our numerous books on self-help and personal improvement! If you’re looking for a specific title, our library staff will be more than happy to direct you to the resources you need.

  For more support, feel free to check out DCTC’s Office of Basic Needs & Well-Being, which supports students on their educational journey.

   

   

  

  September 1, 2026 • Topical • Views: 99

• Minnesota History Books

  

   

  Are you interested in learning more about the history of Minnesota and the Upper Midwest? Stop by the library this summer to check out one of our many books on the history of the Land of 10,000 Lakes! Our library also offers numerous books on traveling throughout the state, including ideas for weekend getaways to the North Shore or the Driftless Area of southeastern Minnesota. Don’t forget to check out our online resources as well.

   

  

  July 1, 2026 • Topical • Views: 213

• Juneteenth 2026

  

   

  Friday, June 19th marks Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday’s name, first used in the 1890s, refers to June 19th, 1865, when the Emancipation Proclamation was finally enforced in Texas at the end of the American Civil War. Early Juneteenth celebrations date back to 1866 in Texas, before spreading across the South among newly freed African Americans and their descendants. Juneteenth was first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.

  Interested in attending events to celebrate Juneteenth? Check out this list of community events in the Twin Cities.

  June 18, 2026 • Topical • Views: 219

• Gardening Books in the Library

  

  Looking for some creative ways to enhance your garden this summer? Stop by the library to check out our display of gardening books! For even more ideas, take a look at our online catalog of both physical and online sources.

  

  June 4, 2026 • Topical • Views: 229

• LGBTQ Pride Month 2026

  June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month, a celebration of LGBTQ culture and history and a call to end prejudice and discrimination against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Learn more with books, ebooks, and videos from our collection and check out these sites for more information:

  

  • American Civil Liberties Union – LGBTQ Rights
  • Human Rights Campaign
  • It Gets Better Project
  • Lavender Magazine
  • Library of Congress – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month
  • Minnesota Historical Society – LGBTQIA+ Communities in Minnesota
  • Minnesota State Law Library – LGBT Rights
  • OutFront Minnesota
  • Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
  • U.S. Census Bureau – LGBTQIA+ Pride Month: June 2024

   

  Stop by the Library and check out our pride display, or take a look at our virtual LGBTQ+ Pride Month collection!

  

  June 2, 2026 • Topical • Views: 276

• Asian / Pacific American Heritage Month

  May is Asian / Pacific American Heritage Month, a celebration of the Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) who have enriched American history and culture. Learn more with books, ebooks, and videos from our collection. Check out these sites for more information:

  • Asian Pacific American Heritage Association
  • Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
  • Meet Minneapolis – Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
  • Minnesota Historical Society – Chinese-Americans in Minnesota
  • Minnesota Historical Society – Hmong-Americans in Minnesota
  • Smithsonian – Asian Pacific American Center

   

  Stop by and check out a book from our display!

  

  May 5, 2026 • Topical, Uncategorized • Views: 268

• Africa Day in the Library

  Interested in learning more about the culture and traditions of different African countries? Stop by the library today from 12 – 1:30 pm for a special presentation by the Multicultural Student Leadership Association (MSLA). DCTC students and employees, coming from different African countries, will share their heritage, stories, perspectives, and culture. Also, feel free to check out our display of library books on various African cultures.

   

  

   

   

   

  April 27, 2026 • Events, Topical • Views: 303

• Earth Day 2026

  

   

  Help us celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd by checking out our display of books in the library! This year marks the 56th anniversary of the event. The theme for this year is “Our Power, Our Planet,” focusing on mobilizing collective action for climate justice, renewable energy, and environmental protection. Global events include marches, cleanups, tree planting, and educational workshops. More information about events this year can be found here.

   

  

  April 15, 2026 • Topical • Views: 247

• Autism Acceptance Month

  

  April is Autism Acceptance Month, formerly known as Autism Awareness Month. According to the CDC, 1 out of 36 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Autism Society defines ASD as “a complex, lifelong developmental condition that typically appears during early childhood and can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation,” though everyone experiences autism differently. Celebrate neurodiversity and learn more about autism with these books and videos from our collection.

   

  Check out these sites for more information:

  • Autism Information – U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
  • Autism Society
  • Autism Society of Minnesota
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder – National Institute of Mental Health
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Embrace Autism | The ultimate autism resource
  • Minnesota Autism Center

  April 3, 2026 • Topical • Views: 301