Library News

Unlike Falvey’s typically colorful first floor window displays, this month’s display has a somber tone, appropriate to its subject matter, Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (HHAW). The display was designed and mounted by Victoria Stork and Alyson Malick, two Villanova seniors, who spent very little money, using recycled materials whenever possible.

HHAW was founded in 1975 by the late Rev. Ray Jackson, O.S.A., and some committed Villanova students. Now more than 500 campuses and communities participate in the event: Its purpose is to “raise awareness in the Villanova community about hunger and homelessness within the United States and around the world” … [t]hrough education, service, and advocacy…  . Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is motivated by the belief in the inherent dignity of all people and our responsibility to uphold the common good of society.”

At the top center of Falvey’s display is a large banner, “Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week,” designed by Joanne Quinn, a member of the Programming and Outreach team. In this case, the banner as well as the two panels to its left and right, one telling about Father Jackson and the other explaining “Our Mission,” were created for last year’s exhibit and reused again this year. (more…)

Paul C. Rosier, Ph.D., an associate professor in history, will discuss his book, Serving Their Country: American Indian Politics and Patriotism in the Twentieth Century, to commemorate Native American Heritage Month on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 4:30 p.m. in Falvey Memorial Library’s first floor lounge.

Native American Heritage Month celebrates both the distinctive elements of Native culture and the contributions that Native people have made in shaping America. This event will feature Frank L. Henninger, director of the Villanova University Shop, playing a Native American flute.

Dr. Rosier’s talk will focus on the ways in which Native activists and politicians used the material legacy of 19th century conquest in the American West, the hundreds of  international treaties the U.S. government signed with Indian nations, to further the moral reputation of America as it assumed a prominent role in shaping world affairs in the 20th century.

He also considers how the frontier narrative of the 19th century continues to define 21st century events, such as the U.S.–Iraq war. (more…)

Dr. Shyles, an associate professor in the communication department,  shared his ideas on the impact of the American diet on individual health and on the soaring cost of health care. A presentation of the documentary and discussion took place on Tuesday, Nov. 10 in Falvey Memorial Library’s first floor lounge.

His latest video, “The Weight is Over,” presents the personal story of Debra Weinstein, a 35-year veteran health professional, who discovered the advantages of a pre-agricultural diet on her health. The video also illustrates the power of television to educate citizens about how they may improve their quality of life by offering a solution to a severe and widespread life-threatening problem.

“The Weight is Over” introduces the idea that controlling our general health through proper diet will reduce the financial pressure on our health care system. Dr. Shyles proposes that the money saved on health problems caused by a poor diet, such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes, can then be used for medical research on other chronic diseases.

It is hoped that this program will spark conversation and deepen perspectives about the current national health care debate, the bills before Congress, the soaring costs of health care insurance and the economic implications of passing proposed legislation for reform.

Dr Shyles, author of the books The Art of Video Production and Deciphering Cyberspace, has taught at Villanova University for 20 years. He teaches Media and Technology and Theories of Mass Communications, as well as being an advisor for the Senior Project capstone course.

By Akua K. Adoo, Publications & Communication intern

Jonathan P. Doh, Ph.D., will discuss his recent research on the role of multinational enterprise, governments, and nongovernmental organization on the process and outcomes of development, as part of the Endowed Chair Lecture series.

Dr. Doh, professor of management and operations at the Villanova School of Business, will review the recent developments related to the changing balance of global economic influence and the emergence of developing countries as major players in the world economy.

This featured talk will take place on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 1:00 p.m. in Falvey Memorial Library’s first floor lounge.

In the past, human societies across the globe established economic ties with neighboring countries. Lately, the pace of global integration has significantly increased and has encompassed a range of social, political and economic changes. Dr. Doh will conclude with some implications of his research findings for public policy, corporate strategy and civil society. (more…)

On October 27, Falvey Memorial Library will host the inaugural lecture in the “Alfred F. Mannella and Rose T. Lauria-Mannella Distinguished Speakers Series.” Richard Juliani, Ph.D., sociology department, will describe his four decades of research on the Italian experience in Philadelphia, highlighting both challenges and future opportunities. His talk will begin at 7 p.m.

Alfred S. Mannella

In 1996, Falvey Memorial Library’s friend and supporter Alfred S. Mannella, ‘58 VSB, established two endowed library funds to support the purchase of books and other research materials as memorials to family members.

Now one of those funds will also support a lecture series.

The Speakers series honors Mr. Mannella’s parents, Alfred F. and Rose T. Lauria-Mannella. His father, the son of immigrants, was born in Philadelphia in 1904 and established himself as a tailor. An avid sports fan, he developed an interest in Villanova football starting in the 1930s when Maurice J. “Clipper” Smith was the coach.

His mother was the grandchild of immigrants and grew up in south Philadelphia. (more…)

Two glass cases of botanical prints, next to the first floor elevator, provide a tempting introduction to this visually rich exhibit. Go to the second floor to see the full display of large colorful botanical prints from Flora de Filipinas. Written by Rev. Manuel Blanco, O.S.A., “the premier botanist of the Philippines,” Flora de Filipinas is the culmination of his study of the 1200 plants he collected during his forty years in that country.

The bulk of the exhibit - twelve cases - is on the second floor in front of Special Collections. Here you will find numerous large color prints featuring plants identified by their botanical names; in some, there are also small line drawings of details.

Flora de Filipinas was first published in 1837 and, because of its popularity, a second edition was published in 1845, followed by a third, deluxe seven volume posthumous edition, published between 1877 and 1883. (more…)

The Scholarship@Villanova series continues on Wed., Sept. 30 at 12:30p.m. in Falvey Memorial Library’s first floor lounge with Heather J. Hicks, Ph.D. discussing her book, The Culture of Soft Work: Labor, Gender, and Race in Postmodern American Narrative. Dr. Hicks explores the meaning of being a worker in America as she highlights general labor issues of postmodernism and industrialism.

Undeniably, labor issues, general or specific, have influenced the works of contemporary writers who show how these issues represent the experience of American workers. The Culture of Soft Work captures the decline in local economy and the deterioration of the labor movement system. (more…)

Falvey Memorial Library is featuring a display to coincide with the American Library Association’s Banned Books Week, September 26 to October 3. The Banned Books Display shows that books on all subjects and for all age groups can be targets for supposedly containing objectionable material.

Neither a child’s book such as Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are nor adult reading such as Knowles’ A Separate Peace are immune from being banned. A book can be humorous such as Adams’ A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a fantasy such as Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings trilogy or a serious adult novel such as Chopin’s The Awakening.

The reasons for a book being banned are numerous, including politics, race, religion and sex. For example, the sex and racism in Morrison’s Beloved and the “free love” and cannibalism in Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land landed them on the list. The non-fiction book, The Rights of Man by Thomas Paine, was banned for its political views.

As an unintended consequence, when someone or some group attempts to ban a book, this action draws more attention to that book.

If you see a book in the display that interests you, please check it out. (more…)

Although World Religions Day was celebrated campus-wide only on September 16, there will be an extended celebration in Falvey Memorial Library. A large window display, “World Religions Day-Religion in the Workplace: Understanding Religious Diversity,” near the library entrance, provides information about the religions of peoples across the globe.

One’s eye is first drawn to the large central image of a girl who looks at the viewer; she stands with her hands pressed together at chest level in what may be a gesture of prayer. Flanking her are various objects and books, and the display is framed on each end by panels with symbols of the various religions. The symbols on the far left within the display represent (from top to bottom) Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Jainism, Hinduism, and Confucianism. On the right side of the display are symbols for Taoism, Bahaism, Native Spirituality, Sikhism, Islam, and Shintoism, as noted in the photograph. (more…)

The Scholarship @ Villanova series kicks off this academic year on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 4p.m. in the first floor lounge in Falvey Memorial Library with Sally Scholz, Ph.D., discussing her acclaimed book, Political Solidarity. In her book, she explores the definition of solidarity in a political context using the transformational roles of advocacy groups, such as the civil rights and women’s rights movements, in society.

Undoubtedly, social movements, radical or otherwise, have brought about substantial change in American politics and have molded the fabric of our society. From civil rights to international trade, activists for social change are engaging in a wide variety of efforts to advance their cause for justice. Dr. Scholz’s book captures the essence of social activism. (more…)