Category Archives: Resources

Unboxing: HSSL’s Board Game Collection

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Looking for a much-needed cozy night in with friends, but you’re all out of Netflix streaming options? Then this is the perfect time to reignite your competitive spirits; it’s time for a board game night! Beware though; these are known to break friendships, and bones too *gasp*. 

But what if I don’t have many board games, or what if they’re missing pieces? You may ask. If only there were someplace you could go to borrow these games…

The McGill Library has its very own collection of board games and they’re available for loan to all students! 

It’s very easy to search for them too. Simply log into your McGill Library account using your credentials and narrow your search results by selecting ‘Game’ under the Format tab on the left of the webpage. 

Listed here are some of our many titles to get you browsing:

All these games are available for two-week loans at the service desk in the McLennan-Redpath Library Building. Just bring the call number to a staff member, and they shall collect it for you.

We only request that you handle these with care so that more students can enjoy them in the future!

Sci-Fi Break from Midterms

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It is time to break up your readings with some sci-fi. I may be a couple years behind, but I finally got around to finishing Love, Death & Robots on Netflix. The bite-sized episodes are so well-produced leaving you wanting more, and provide the perfect escape from midterms. If you’d like to have a similar experience and lean into spooky futures, this book list is sure to broaden your imaginations. 

You can find all of this and more on the McGill Library website.

Bloodchild and Other Stories by Octavia E. Butler

Bloodchild and Other Stories is renowned author Octavia E. Butler’s only collection of shorter work and features the Hugo and Nebula award-winning stories “Bloodchild” and “Speech Sounds.” These works of the imagination are parables of the contemporary world. Butler proves constant in her vigil, an unblinking pessimist hoping to be proven wrong, and one of contemporary literature’s strongest voices.”–Publisher’s description.

The Machine Stops and Other Stories by E.M. Forster 

The collection provides a fascinating glimpse into Forster’s abiding interest in paganism and mythology, the mysteries of nature and the possibilities of magical transformation. Here too are fantasies of the afterlife … an ambitious experiment in science-fiction … [and] a realistic study of self-delusion and compromise.”–Jacket.

A Martian Odyssey : & other classic science fiction stories by Stanley G. Weinbaum

‘A Martian Odyssey’ is a profoundly influential story notable for its touching alien human friendship and fascinating descriptions of unusual aliens.  In the 21st century mankind has landed on Mars via atomic powered spaceships.–sciencefictionruminations.com

Just like being there : a collection of science fiction short stories by Eric Choi

This is the first collection of science fiction stories by award-winning author and aerospace engineer Eric Choi spanning his 25 year writing career. The stories are “hard” science fiction in which some element of engineering or science is so central there would be no story if that element were removed. Story topics include space exploration, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, cryptography, quantum computing, online privacy, mathematics (statistics), neuroscience, psychology, space medicine, extra-terrestrial intelligence, undersea exploration, commercial aviation, and the history of science. A special feature of the book is that each story is followed by an “Afterword” that explains the underlying engineering or science. This collection will entertain and inform all aficionados of science and science fiction.

Octavia’s brood : science fiction stories from social justice movements edited by Walidah Imarisha and Adrienne Maree Brown

“Whenever we envision a world without war, without prisons, without capitalism, we are producing speculative fiction. Organizers and activists envision, and try to create, such worlds all the time. Walidah Imarisha and adrienne maree brown have brought twenty of them together in the first anthology of short stories to explore the connections between radical speculative fiction and movements for social change. The visionary tales of Octavia’s Brood span genres–sci-fi, fantasy, horror, magical realism–but all are united by an attempt to inject a healthy dose of imagination and innovation into our political practice and to try on new ways of understanding ourselves, the world around us, and all the selves and worlds that could be. The collection is rounded off with essays by Tananarive Due and Mumia Abu-Jamal, and a preface by Sheree Renee Thomas.”–Amazon.com.

Land/space : an anthology of prairie speculative fiction edited by Candas Jane Dorsey and Judy Berkyne McCrosky.

See the prairies in a whole new light, in this groundbreaking anthology of speculative fiction and poetry, exploring the prairie and the space above it, expressing prairie themes, visions, reality – and unreality! Land/Space includes short fiction by Alexandra Merry Arrvin, John Baillie, Martha Bayless, Ven Begamudre, Renee Bennett, Steven Michael Berzensky (a.k.a Mick Burrs) Donna Bowman, Tobias Buckell, Ron Collins, Alyx Dellamonica, Candas Jane Dorsey, Carolyn Ives Gilman, Geoff Hart, James A. Hartley, Mark Anthony Jarman, Darren K. Latta, David Levine, Sophie Masson, Judy McCrosky, Derryl Murphy, Carole Nomrahas, Holly Phillips, Ursula Pflug, with concluding essays by the editors.

Catch Minitales : Short Science Fiction stories with a sting!. by Steve Bowkett

This book is part of an educational package called StoryMaker Catch Pack, which uses fiction as a resource for learning. What does Peeta do when aliens invade his planet? Why does Kane watch the skies every night of his life? How does Hector F. Payne save the world? Where can you find robots, giant rats, alien invaders, supercomputers … Catch Minitales – the Science Fiction Collection Here are 26 very short stories to fill you with wonder and excitement. Do you dare to journey through time and space?

If you have any questions about how to access these books or others let us know at hssl.library@mcgill.ca.

Sick of Paywalls? Here’s Three Open Climate Data Sources.

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Did you know there are three open climate data portals that are accessible to all Canadians? In the spirit of Open Climate Justice, this blog highlights the importance of these accessible platforms. Along with these national data sets, at the McGill Library we also have an environmental studies library guide which highlights a few other national data sets and our own collection of geographic information. 

Climate Atlas

The Climate Atlas of Canada, is a great starting point as it combines climate science, mapping, and storytelling together with Indigneous Knowledges and community-based research. Through videos, articles, and stories, you can gain a deeper insight to the lived experiences of climate change, as well as climate action amongst different communities. The map is simple and interactive and gives you insight to how different communities in Canada will experience climate change. The first step to justice is understanding. The Climate Atlas provides a holistic look into our future in Canada. 

Climate Data

The Climate Data website has a vast pool of data that is perfect for a project or just browsing. What is special about this project is that Sectoral analysis is open for anyone to browse and use. It provides excellent background and relevant data to understand how climate change will affect a sector important to you! For example, if your family has a farm in Ontario, you can actually look at how your specific region is modelled to experience climate change and plan for the future accordingly. 

PAVCIS

This website helps facilitate the analysis of all of this data. Through more complex tools, PAVCIS might be more adpt for those experienced in climate analysis or academics. If you have a handle on the mechanics, it’s a powerful instrument for deepening your research and evidence. 

We hope this was helpful in aiding your research process and curiosity and opening

P.S. Don’t forget to check out the virtual book display and blog post by the curators for Open Climate Justice.