National Work and Family Month aims to improve work-life balance in a crazy-paced era that it is difficult to do so. Use either the subject phrases “work-life balance” or “work and family” in our library catalog and databases to get a list of books, e-books, videos, e-videos, articles, and more to help you achieve a healthier balance.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise awareness in the American public about cybersecurity. A search in our catalog on the keyword cybersecurity or the subject phrase “computer security” will yield a large number of resources to educate and provide strategies for being safer online. Also check out the library’s Online Security Research Guide at https://libguides.madisoncollege.edu/onlinesecurity for lots of helpful information and tips.

National Arts and Humanities Month recognizes the importance of art and culture in America. While the heavy investment of your time at Madison College is in preparing for your future career, it can also be a great time to expand your horizons and abilities, or learn about new people, places, or ideas. Besides a wide variety of credit classes in the arts and humanities, Madison College has a tremendous continuing education program with classes offered to learn a wide variety of languages, skills, and more. The Madison College Libraries supplement core curricular materials with other material to support lifelong learning.

Hispanic Heritage Month runs through the first part of the month, and the Madison College Libraries have displays of books and videos to celebrate it.

Financial Planning Month, Health Literacy Month, and National Disability Awareness Month are other things celebrated in October, and the libraries have a myriad of resources to help or educate you in those areas.

Finally, at the end of October this year, one of Madison College’s best employees, the library’s very own Donna Marconnet is retiring.

From her start in 1997, rarely missing a day, she has been a source of enormous technological help to students, faculty, and fellow staff members. She has always provided help with enviable patience and a friendly smile. In the 2011-2012 academic year, she was a recipient of Madison College’s Employee of Excellence Award.

Accolades for her work aside, she always made time to engage in sincere conversation with you, leaving you feel better for having talked with her. She will be greatly missed around here, and we wish her all the best in spending more time with her grandchildren and trying out new adventures.

Ad meliora Donna!