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Spring 2025 Chats in the Stacks

We’re excited to announce the schedule for Mann Library’s spring semester book talks! All our Chats in the Stacks book talks will start at 4:30pm and will be held in-person in Mann Library Room 160 as well as livestreamed. You can find all recordings of our past Chats in the Stacks on our YouTube channel

 

Thursday, February 20, 4:30pm

Mann Library, Room 160 and livestreamed

Biochar for Environmental Management: Science, Technology and Implementation

What is the importance of biochar to the health of the environment and what impact can a book about the topic have on the way soils are managed in the 21st century? In a live, hybrid Chats in the Stacks book talk, Cornell professor of soil and crop sciences Johannes Lehmann will address both questions as he discusses “Biochar for Environmental Management: Science, Technology and Implementation,” co-edited with fellow leading figure in the field, Stephen Joseph, professor of material science and engineering at the University of New South Wales. Now in its third edition (Routledge, 2024), “Biochar” is a systematic, comprehensive, and global examination of using black carbon produced from biomass sources to both improve soil health and sequester carbon. Lehmann will discuss lessons learned from publishing the book’s  third edition, and touch on general recommendations for considering book publications for research. 

 

Thursday, March 27, 4:30pm

Mann Library, Room 160 and livestreamed

George Masa: A Life Reimagined

Japanese-born photographer George Masa adopted Southern Appalachia as his home. Through his advocacy, dedication, and stunning photography, he helped ensure that large portions of the Great Smoky mountains would become a national park. Similarly, Masa labored long and hard to scout and mark the southern portion of the Appalachian Trail through the Smokies while inspiring others with his quips, “more walk, less talk” and “off your seats and on your feets.” Join us for a live, hybrid Chats in the Stacks book talk with Janet McCue, Associate University Librarian Emerita, for an exploration of George Masa: A Life Reimagined (Smokies Life, 2024) the first comprehensive biography of Masa, which McCue coauthored with documentary filmmaker Paul Bonesteel.

 

Thursday, April 24, 4:30pm

Mann Library, Room 160 and livestreamed

Community Development and Schools: Conflict, Power and Promise

Schools hold promise and potential as critical community-development actors, but they face many challenges, according to Mildred Warner, Director of the Polson Institute for Global Development and professor in City and Regional Planning and the Department of Global Development. Join us for a live, hybrid Chats in the Stacks book talk with Warner on her recent publication Community Development and Schools: Conflict, Power and Promise (Routledge, 2024) coedited with Jason Reece and Xue Zhang.