The library strives to support the academic programs of the college, and in the past decade we've taken note of assignments, courses, faculty research interests, and Interims focused on the topic of humans' care for the animal world.

So, we've collected books and other materials on this topic. It's especially pertinent now as we think about American Thanksgiving and what we choose to eat. We all know about factory farms and the inhumane treatment of animals in such places. But maybe you don't know much about library resources that can lead you to reliable information and scholarly research on this topic.

Here are some books to get your started:

• Sister Species: women, animals, and social justice, 2011 -  The writers ask readers to rethink how we view animals in our daily lives and how we can take action to protect them
• Animal Pragmatism: rethinking human - nonhuman relationships, 2004. This book contains twelve provocative essays looking at pragmatist philosophy and how it can contribute to the debate surrounding animal welfare.
• Loving animals: toward a new animal advocacy, 2011. Author Kathy Rudy argues that in order to achieve such goals as ending animal testing and factory farming, activists need to be better attuned to the profound emotional, even spiritual, attachment that many people have with the animals in their lives.
• Why Animal Suffering Matters: philosophy, theology, and practical ethics, 2009. Linzey's key argument is that the inability of animals to give or withhold consent,...their moral innocence, and their relative defenselessness all compel us not to harm them.
• The CAFO Reader: the tragedy of industrial animal factories, 2010. This book is a powerful indictment of modern food production. But as the authors argue, it doesn't have to be this way. CAFO offers a compelling vision for a healthier food system: one that is humane, sound for farmers,...and safer for consumers and the environment.
• Is God a Vegetarian? Christianity, vegetarianism, and animal rights, 1999. Close readings of key biblical texts pertaining to dietary customs, vegetarianism, and animal rights make up the substance of the book, and interwoven are discussions of relevant contemporary issues.

Books on this topic can be found all through the collection: in SF (agriculture), HV4700 (protection of animals & animal rights), BT749 (doctrinal theology - Creation), and TX341-641 (nutrition & food supply).