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From the Brink: Explore Cornell University Library’s exhibits on sustainability, resilience, and hope

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What do endangered languages, disappearing glaciers, declining bird populations, and the clothes we wear have in common? They’re all part of a larger conversation about the challenges facing our planet and communities, and the ways we can work toward a more sustainable future.
 
Cornell University Library’s From the Brink: Contributions to a Sustainable Future from across Cornell brings together seven exhibits across campus libraries, highlighting Cornell’s research, collections, and collaborations addressing environmental and cultural loss. Through topics ranging from biodiversity and climate change to music, labor, and language preservation, the series explores not only what we stand to lose, but also the innovative work being done to protect and preserve what matters.
 
With the opening of Languages at the Brink at Kroch Library on October 22, the final exhibit in the series has officially opened! Seven exhibits are currently on view across Cornell’s libraries, each offering a unique perspective on the challenges facing our world and the efforts underway to address them.

Explore the exhibits

Mann Library

Last Call: Bird Decline and the Threat of Extinction
Mann Gallery, 2nd floor | On view through December 24, 2026
 
Explore footage, sounds, images, and specimens that help tell the powerful stories of bird species lost, threatened, rediscovered and brought back from the brink of extinction.
 
Going to Gone: Earth’s Biodiversity Loss and What We Can Do About It
Mann Library Lobby, 1st floor | On view through December 24, 2026
 
Featuring reproductions of illustrations from rare natural history books and stories of conservation successes, this exhibit explores the threats facing Earth’s biodiversity and what we can do to help.
 
Keeping Common Birds Common: Birds and Habitat at Cornell Botanic Gardens and Beyond
Mann Top Shelf Gallery, 1st floor | On view through December 24, 2026
 
Stunning photographs by wildlife photographer Marie Read celebrate the birds and habitats of Cornell Botanic Gardens while highlighting the importance of protecting the places birds call home.
 
Learn more about Mann Library’s three biodiversity exhibits.


Sidney Cox Library of Music and Dance

Music of the Natural World: Cornell Composers on Nature, Ecology, and Climate
Music Library | On view through December 23, 2026
 
Discover how Cornell composers have responded to environmental challenges through music, using sound and creative expression to explore humanity’s relationship with the natural world.
 
Learn more about Music of the Natural World.
 

Catherwood Library

Weathering the Storm: The Role of Labor in an Era of Climate Change
Catherwood Library | On view through August 15, 2027
 
Drawing on archival materials from the Kheel Center and clothing from the Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection, this exhibit examines how environmental change has shaped working conditions, labor movements, and the clothing workers wear.
 
Learn more about Weathering the Storm.
 

Kroch Library

Languages at the Brink: Threatened Languages and How We Protect Them
Kroch Library, Asia Collections Exhibit Space | On view through May 2027
 
What happens when a language is at risk of disappearing? Featuring five endangered languages, including Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ, (Cayuga), this exhibit explores the forces threatening linguistic diversity and the efforts of communities working to reclaim and preserve their languages.
 
Learn more about Languages at the Brink.
 

Rare and Manuscript Collections (RMC)

Rivers of Ice: Three Centuries of Glacial Science
RMC, Hirshland Exhibition Gallery, 2B Kroch Library | On view through August 27, 2027
 
Travel through three centuries of glacial exploration and research through historic photographs, maps, rare books, and contemporary imagery documenting the dramatic changes taking place in Earth’s frozen landscapes.
 
Learn more about Rivers of Ice.
 

A shared vision for a sustainable future

The From the Brink series began in November 2025 with Hello, Human! The Emerging Science of Plant Communication and Smart Agriculture, an exhibit at Mann Library exploring how scientists are developing new ways to understand and communicate with plants. Although that exhibit closed in March 2026, its focus on scientific innovation and sustainable agriculture helped set the stage for the full exhibit series.
 
Together, these exhibits offer a reminder that while environmental and cultural challenges can often feel overwhelming, research, creativity, collaboration, and community action can make a difference.
 
All exhibits are free and open to the public during their respective libraries’ open hours. Whether you visit one exhibit or explore the entire series, we invite you to discover the many ways Cornell is contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future.
 
Explore the full From the Brink exhibit series.

Get Crafty with Create & Connect Fridays at Mann Library!

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Looking for a fun way to unwind, try something new, and connect with others? Join us for Create & Connect Fridays, a series of free, drop-in crafting sessions at Mann Library! Whether you’re interested in learning a new skill, working on a project of your own, or simply enjoying some creative time with others, these relaxed gatherings offer a chance to take a break from your busy week and connect with fellow Cornell community members. All skill levels are welcome!

 

Our fall series kicked off in September with origami and paper crafts, and we’re keeping the creativity going with more opportunities to get crafty!

🪡 Coming up next: Needle Felting with Carson Williams!

Friday, October 23 | 3–5pm | CALS Zone, Mann Library

Back by popular demand! After a successful needle felting workshop last spring, Carson Williams is returning to guide participants through this fun and versatile craft. Whether you’re trying needle felting for the first time or coming back for more, stop by to learn the basics and create something uniquely your own!

 

No experience is necessary, and all supplies will be provided. Just bring yourself and a willingness to try something new!

🧶 Save the date: Knitting with Diana Hackett!

Friday, November 13 | 3–5pm | CALS Zone, Mann Library

Keep the creativity going in November with a knitting session led by Diana Hackett! Whether you’re interested in learning the basics or looking for an opportunity to practice your skills alongside fellow crafters, we hope you’ll join us for another relaxing afternoon of making and connecting.

💡 Help us dream up future sessions!

Have a craft you’ve always wanted to learn? A creative skill you’d love to share? We want to hear from you!

 

We’re looking for ideas for future Create & Connect Fridays, and we’d love to know what kinds of activities you’d like to see. Whether it’s embroidery, painting, crochet, visible mending, or something entirely different, send your suggestions to mann_outreach@cornell.edu or add your ideas to our suggestion sheet at an upcoming session.

 

Create & Connect Fridays are all about making space for creativity, community, and a little fun in the middle of a busy semester. We hope you’ll be able to join us!

Mann Library Hours for Fall Break

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Mann Library will have adjusted hours during Cornell Fall Break, October 10–13. If you’re planning to spend part of your break at the library, be sure to plan ahead and check our schedule:

 

  • Friday, October 9: 8:00am–5:00pm
  • Saturday, October 10: 1:00–5:00pm
  • Sunday, October 11: CLOSED
  • Monday, October 12: 8:00am–5:00pm
  • Tuesday, October 13: Regular semester hours resume

Enjoy the break, and we look forwarding to seeing you at Mann again soon 🍂

New Faces at Mann – Fall 2026

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Mann Library welcomed two new librarians to our team this summer! Science Research Engagement Librarians Mark Xiang and Sian Eisenhut bring a wide range of experience in scientific research, natural resources, teaching, and information science to their new roles supporting research, learning, and engagement across the sciences and agriculture at Cornell.
 
Mark Xiang, Science Research Engagement Librarian
Mark Xiang joined the Science and Agriculture Libraries at Mann in July as a Science Research Engagement Librarian. With a background spanning both computational and experimental research, Mark brings particular expertise in bioinformatics, data literacy, and research data practices to his work supporting Cornell’s research community.
 
Mark recently completed his Ph.D. in Bioinformatics at UCLA, where his research integrated experimental and computational approaches to study immune cell behavior. His experience with research data organization, documentation, and interpretation informs his interest in supporting researchers throughout the research lifecycle and helping them develop the skills needed to work effectively with their data.
 
Teaching and mentorship have also been an important part of Mark’s work. At UCLA, he served as a teaching assistant and mentor to undergraduate researchers and taught quantitative biology to high school students through the QBio-EDGE outreach program. Mark also holds B.S. degrees in Biology and Mathematics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
 
Sian Eisenhut, Science Research Engagement Librarian
Sian Eisenhut joined the Science and Agriculture Libraries at Mann in August as a Science Research Engagement Librarian, bringing experience in scientific research and teaching as well as academic library services. Her background in forestry, natural resources, and field-based research will be particularly valuable in supporting Cornell researchers, students, extension practitioners, and agricultural communities.
 
Sian earned her M.L.I.S. from the University at Buffalo, where she worked at the Charles B. Sears Law Library while completing her degree. She also worked at the McGrath Library at Hilbert College, gaining experience in access services, collection management, reference, student engagement, and outreach.
 
Before entering librarianship, Sian completed an M.S. in Forestry and a B.A. in Environmental Geoscience at West Virginia University. Her work there as a graduate research assistant gave her extensive experience conducting scientific research as well as helping undergraduate students build their research skills and science literacy. At Mann, her combination of library and research experience will contribute to instruction, reference, outreach, and engagement with Cornell’s agriculture and life sciences communities and Mann’s distinctive collections.

Please join us in welcoming Mark and Sian to Mann Library!

Celebrate biodiversity at Mann Library on September 24

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What is Cornell doing to better understand — and protect — the diversity of life on our planet?

 

Come find out at Biodiversity Fest on Thursday, September 24, from 11:00am–2:00pm in the Mann Library lobby. Stop by anytime to meet Cornell programs and groups working on biodiversity, conservation, sustainability, and the health of ecosystems around the world and closer to home.

 

Visitors can explore the research, education, and other initiatives happening across Cornell, talk with members of the campus community about their work, and discover opportunities to learn more and get involved. Bring your curiosity and your questions!

 

Biodiversity Fest is part of Mann Library’s From the Brink exhibit program, which explores biodiversity loss, extinction, conservation, and the actions that can help protect species and habitats. While you’re here, take some time to explore the biodiversity-focused exhibits currently on view throughout Mann.

 

The event is free and open to the public. Learn more about the participating programs, labs, departments, and clubs: Biodiversity Fest.

National Voter Registration Day Sept. 15

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Cornellians — National Voter Registration Day is today, Tuesday, September 15!

 

Wondering how to get connected with information about registering to vote, either as a New York State resident or a resident of another state? Stop by the Mann Library lobby between 11:30am and 4:30pm on September 15, where members of Cornell’s student organization Cornell Votes will be on hand to share voter registration information and help you make sure your vote gets counted.

 

You can also find voting and registration information online through Cornell Votes and Cornell’s university-wide voting resources.

 

Forms for registering to vote in New York State, along with more voting-related information, are also available throughout the year at the voter information kiosk on the first floor of Mann Library. Stop by anytime Mann Library is open to check it out!

 

Want to get involved in helping expand access to voting information for Cornell students? Cornell Votes would love to hear from you. Contact them at cornellvotes@cornell.edu to learn more.

Fall 2026 Chats in the Stacks

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Our Chats in the Stacks book talk series returns this fall with a new lineup of Cornell authors exploring the trees that have shaped American culture, the changing needs of veterinary practice, and the hidden mathematics powering our modern world.

 

All book talks begin at 4:30pm in Mann Library Room 160 and are free and open to the public. Additional information, including virtual attendance details when available, can be found through the individual event listings below.

 

Recordings of past talks are also available through the Chats in the Stacks collection on the Mann Library YouTube channel.

 

Thursday, September 10

Evergreen: The Trees That Shaped America

From towering redwoods and the lumber industries of the East to Christmas trees and evergreen decorations in American homes, evergreens have played an enduring role in the nation’s culture, economy, and relationship with the natural world. Join Trent Preszler, professor of practice in Cornell’s Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, for a discussion of his book Evergreen: The Trees That Shaped America (Little, Brown & Co., 2025). Preszler takes readers on a journey through the history of evergreens in America, exploring their economic and cultural significance while reflecting on the tension between our appreciation of nature and our desire to control and consume it. Evergreen was longlisted for the 2026 PEN America E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award.

 

Thursday, October 1

Practical Guide to Adding Livestock to Your Veterinary Practice

As small-scale farming grows in suburban, rural, and even urban communities, veterinarians are increasingly being called upon to care for livestock alongside more familiar companion and equine patients. Michelle Buckley, assistant professor of practice in Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine, will discuss Practical Guide to Adding Livestock to Your Veterinary Practice (Wiley, 2026), co-authored with Allison Vander Plaats of Iowa State University. Designed for veterinarians who may be less familiar with livestock medicine, the book offers practical guidance on the physiology, management, handling, and regulatory considerations involved in caring for cattle, pigs, small ruminants, and camelids.

 

Tuesday, November 17

Big Math: The Hidden Codes That Run Our World

Math is working behind the scenes every time we search the web, stream a movie, upload a photo, use artificial intelligence, or rely on countless other technologies that shape everyday life. But what happens when the mathematical systems we create become so large and complex that we struggle to understand them ourselves? Cornell mathematicians Steven Strogatz and Alex Townsend will discuss their new book, Big Math: The Hidden Codes That Run Our World (Little, Brown, 2026). Written for a general audience, the book explores how concepts such as linear algebra, matrices, vectors, networks, and optimization became essential building blocks of our digital world—and considers the opportunities and challenges that arise as increasingly powerful mathematical tools transform technology and society.

Fall Semester Hours at Mann Library

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Mann Library will begin its fall semester schedule on Monday, August 24, with slightly shortened hours during the first two weeks of classes.

August 24–September 6

  • Monday–Thursday: 8am–8 pm
  • Friday: 8am–6pm
  • Saturday–Sunday: 12–6pm

Mann Library will be closed Monday, September 7, for Labor Day.

Regular semester hours begin September 8

Starting Tuesday, September 8, Mann will resume regular semester hours:

  • Monday–Thursday: 8am–10pm
  • Friday: 8am–6pm
  • Saturday: 12–6pm
  • Sunday: 12–10pm

These hours will remain in effect through the start of Fall Break.

 

As always, Cornell students, faculty, and staff have 24/7 card access to some of Mann’s first-floor study spaces, including the Mann lobby, Stone Computing Classroom, and the CALS Zone.

Mann Library New Student Welcome

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New students and their families are invited to stop by Mann Library during New Student Orientation, August 18–20, to explore the library, meet our staff, and learn about the spaces and services available to support you throughout your time at Cornell.

Take a Tour of Mann Library

Why do so many Cornell students call Mann their “home away from home”? Join us for a 45-minute orientation tour to find out! Along the way, you’ll discover some of Mann’s most popular study spaces – including 24/7 spaces, individual and group study rooms, and our sensory study room – and learn the essentials of using the library, from finding books in the stacks to using the library’s printers, to booking a consultation with a librarian.

 

Tours depart from the Mann Library lobby at the following times:

  • Tuesday, August 18: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. (Families welcome!)
  • Wednesday, August 19 & Thursday, August 20: 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.

Tours last approximately 45 minutes and include time for questions.

Stop By Our New Student Welcome

Not ready for a tour, or have some time to fill before yours begins? Stop by our welcome table in the Mann lobby while tours are running. Mann staff will be on hand to answer questions and help you get acquainted with the library, and we’ll have fun DIY activities available for students and families to enjoy.

 

Whether you come for a tour, make something in the lobby, or just stop by to say hello, we hope you’ll make Mann Library one of your first stops on campus. Come find your new favorite study spot and discover why Mann is the “best place to discover 10 million new ideas!”

Mann Library Hours Change August 5

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Mann Library’s hours will change beginning Wednesday, August 5, as we continue our summer schedule.

 

From August 5 through August 21, the library will be open:

  • Monday–Friday: 8:00am–5:00pm
  • Saturday–Sunday: CLOSED

Weekend hours resume the weekend before the start of the fall semester. On Saturday, August 22, and Sunday, August 23, Mann Library will be open 12:00–6:00pm.

 

Need library resources while we’re closed? Many library services remain available online, including access to electronic journals, ebooks, databases, and research assistance. Book returns remain accessible, and members of the Cornell community can continue to use the CALS Zone in Mann 112 for 24/7 contactless pickup of requested materials.

 

We look forward to welcoming students back for the start of the fall semester!