Hey there! Today, we’re diving into some cool stuff happening at the library. We recently filmed an “Ask Emily” video, where you guys left us some awesome questions on our voicemail. If you have a question for future videos, don’t forget to call the hotline!
Did you know that our library has some super rare and special books? For example, we have the first annual report of the US Geological Survey of the Territories from 1867, which is all about Nebraska. Some of our books are so old that they were written before cameras were invented! This means the illustrations in these books are the only pictures we have of certain animals from that time. We even have a rare book room filled with books that are hundreds of years old. Our librarians help researchers and the public access these amazing resources. You can also find a lot of these materials online at the Biodiversity Heritage Library.
Let’s talk about something important: diversity in the workplace. It’s not enough to have a room full of people who look the same and think your job is done. The best ideas come from people with different backgrounds working together. To make sure everyone can join in, we need to tackle the issues that stop gender and racial minorities from participating. One way to keep girls interested in science and math is by creating supportive groups where they can explore their creativity. Remember, girls are just as talented in these fields as anyone else!
Have you ever thought about collecting insects? Crystal Maier, who manages the insect collection at the Field Museum, does just that. She even adds her own specimens to the collection. Many people who manage collections in museums are working towards their PhDs, which means they can do their own research too. You don’t have to be a professional to start your own insect collection. By exploring your backyard and keeping good notes, you could create a collection that’s unique to your area. Who knows, maybe one day you could donate it to a museum!
If I could pick a dream team, it would include Carl and Delia Akeley for their amazing survival skills, Beatrix Potter for her knowledge of mushrooms, Dr. Ruth Patrick for her work in pollution control, and my mom for her medical expertise. Plus, I love my mom! Hi Mom!
Speaking of surprises, I recently adopted some cats, and one of them gave me a shock when it jumped into my lap. It reminded me of how fascinating parasites are. The Smithsonian in DC just got a huge collection of them!
Did you know that pronghorn antelopes are more closely related to giraffes than to other antelopes? They belong to a family called Antilocapridae, which includes some extinct animals from North America. We call them antelopes because they fill a similar role in the ecosystem. There are other animals with misleading names too, like the horny toad, which is actually a lizard, and the bay snook, which doesn’t live in a bay. Do you have a favorite misleading animal name? Let us know!
Finally, let’s talk about cichlids. There are over 1600 species of these fish, and the ones from the neotropical region are especially cool. Caleb, who manages the fish collection, is really into cichlids. We might just have to make a video about them soon!
Thanks for joining us on this adventure through the library and beyond. Keep exploring and asking questions!
Visit your local library or explore online resources to find rare books. Choose one book and create a presentation about its history and significance. Share your findings with the class and discuss why preserving such books is important.
Organize a workshop where you and your classmates brainstorm ideas to encourage diversity in STEM fields. Create posters or digital presentations that highlight the importance of diverse perspectives in science and technology.
Start your own insect collection by exploring your backyard or local park. Document each specimen with photos and notes. Present your collection to the class, explaining the habitat and characteristics of each insect.
Research an animal with a misleading name and create a report explaining its true classification and characteristics. Share your findings with the class and discuss why such names might have been given.
Create a diorama of a cichlid’s natural habitat. Include details about the environment, other species that live there, and how cichlids interact with their surroundings. Present your diorama to the class and explain the ecological role of cichlids.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hey! We’re in the library filming an Ask Emily video, and this one is really special because you guys called in and left us messages on our voicemail. If you have a question for a future Ask Emily video, call the hotline! The number will be right here.
Hi Emily! This is Alex Lundt in Massachusetts. Yes! The Field does have a library and librarians. Our reference collection is hugely important because we have titles that are highly specialized and can be very rare. For example, if you need to check out the first annual report of the US Geological Survey of the Territories, “Embracing Nebraska,” from 1867, we’ve got it.
Since many of our books were written way before the first commercial camera, the illustrations in some volumes, like this German book from 1835 about the description and classification of animals from Ethiopia, are the only visual record of an area’s wildlife at that time. We filmed our Audubon episode in the rare book room, which is exactly what it sounds like: a room full of rare books, some of which are hundreds of years old. Our librarians facilitate access for our curators, collections managers, researchers, and members of the public to these resources. You can also find a lot of materials online by searching the Biodiversity Heritage Library.
You know, I keep pitching the idea to Lin-Manuel Miranda about turning Carl Akeley’s life story into a hip hop album, but I guess he’s kind of busy right now. If that doesn’t work out, I’m going to reach out to the Hamburger Helper glove because his April 1st album was fantastic.
I run a club for girls in STEM at my school, and I was wondering what your ideas were when people ask us about diversity in the workplace. You know, I get this question a lot, and my answer is: you’d be out of touch if you walked into a room with people of the same gender and race and thought your job diversifying the workplace was finished. Studies show that the best ideas come from collaborations between people with diverse backgrounds. To achieve diverse work environments, we need to address the issues preventing gender and racial minorities from participating in the first place.
One great way to ensure that girls maintain an interest in these fields is by having specific groups for them to take advantage of their creativity in a positive and supportive environment. Unfortunately, girls are often told they aren’t naturally gifted or interested in math and science, which is simply not true.
Hey! I’m super interested in the Field Museum’s insect collection because it sounds like Crystal Maier went out and collected specimens. The cool thing about Crystal’s job is that she manages the insect collection and contributes her own specimens to it. Many collection managers in natural history museums are working towards their PhDs, which are research degrees. This means Crystal can get grants and work with collaborators to pursue her own research too.
That being said, many insects in the collection were collected by amateur enthusiasts. You don’t have to be a professional to take a serious interest in the invertebrate world around you. By working in your backyard, you can create an important collection of insects unique to that area. If you take good notes and keep it organized, perhaps one day you can donate it to a museum too.
Alright, here’s my dream team: Carl and Delia Akeley for their perseverance and survival skills, Beatrix Potter because she could help us forage for mushrooms, Dr. Ruth Patrick, a pioneer in pollution control in streams for fresh water, and my mom for her medical expertise because I love my mom. Hi Mom!
Not that I had to give up and leave, but I did adopt a few cats in February. A few weeks later, one of them jumped in my lap, and I saw something unusual. That was quite surprising! With that being said, parasites are fascinating creatures, and the Smithsonian in DC just inherited a large collection of them.
Pronghorn antelopes are actually more closely related to giraffes than they are to the bovines we call antelopes. Pronghorns belong to the family Antilocapridae, which includes a number of extinct ungulates that were abundant in North America. We call the North American pronghorn an antelope because it fills a similar ecological niche.
North American pronghorns aren’t the only species with misleading common names. For example, the horny toad is a lizard, and the bay snook doesn’t live in a bay. Feel free to leave your favorite misleading common name in the comments below.
There’s this group called cichlids, and I think they’re really interesting. There are over 1600 species of cichlids, and I heard that the neotropical ones are particularly awesome. You know, this message sounds a lot like Caleb from the clearing and staining video we did, the collection manager of fishes who works on cichlids. I mean, I work down the hall from you. You could have just walked by. But we’ll get on your cichlids video!
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Biodiversity – The variety of different types of life found on Earth, including different plants, animals, and microorganisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems they form. – The Amazon rainforest is known for its incredible biodiversity, hosting thousands of species of plants and animals.
Insects – A class of small arthropods that have a three-part body, usually two pairs of wings, and three pairs of legs. – Insects like bees play a crucial role in pollinating plants, which helps produce the fruits and vegetables we eat.
Parasites – Organisms that live on or in a host organism and get their food from or at the expense of their host. – Mosquitoes are considered parasites because they feed on the blood of other animals, including humans.
Ecosystems – Communities of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment, interacting as a system. – Coral reefs are vibrant ecosystems that support a wide variety of marine life.
Diversity – The range of different species, genetic variations, and ecosystems found in a particular area. – The diversity of plant life in a forest can affect the types of animals that live there.
Cichlids – A family of freshwater fish known for their diversity and adaptability, often found in African and South American lakes and rivers. – The colorful cichlids in Lake Malawi are famous for their unique adaptations and behaviors.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Scientists conduct research to understand how climate change affects different ecosystems around the world.
Collection – The process of gathering specimens or data for scientific study and analysis. – The biologist’s collection of plant samples helped her study the effects of pollution on local flora.
Survival – The ability of an organism to continue living and reproducing in its environment. – The survival of sea turtles is threatened by pollution and habitat destruction.
Pollution – The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment, which can negatively affect ecosystems and living organisms. – Pollution from factories can lead to the contamination of rivers and harm aquatic life.
