Library News

A professor recently asked the library to place her chess set on reserve so that she and her students could use it while in the library. After processing her request, we pondered the need for more board games at the library. We’ve decided to ask you, our patrons. Taking a break from studying or computing to play a board game may help the brain function better and can relieve stress. Studies have been conducted. Articles have been written.

What do you think? Tell us in the Comments!

Are you interested in what numbers can tell us? Here at the library we use statistics to help us make decisions about what our patrons want to read or what services they find most useful. For instance, after installing a Self-Check-Out station near the first floor elevator, we saw that about 10% of our total circulation had taken place at that station.

Many of our users prefer online databases and electronic journals, which explains why we have about 275 databases and over 11,000 e-journals available for remote access by Villanova students, staff and faculty. Many of these items are not available to the general public, even through Google Scholar or other powerful search engines and commercial databases. These services are provided free of charge to Villanova students, staff and faculty. If any given article from a commercial provider were to cost $10 each (a conservative estimate) and 7700 patrons requested those articles (we received over 7700 Interlibrary Loan requests for articles this year), those articles would have cost library patrons $77,000.00.

Our public printers were used to print almost 2 million pages over the course of one year, more than any other public printing location on campus. Fortunately, students have print allotments that defray the cost of printing.

Not only do we count the number of times resources are used in Falvey Library, we listen to your feedback about them. If you have information that could help us improve the library, tell us in the Comments section below.

By Luisa Cywinski and Gerald Dierkes

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

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…)

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…)

Robin Bowles

Robin Bowles recently joined Falvey Memorial Library as a member of the Life Sciences/Nursing team. Robin has a master of science in library and information science from Drexel University where she specialized in medical and life sciences research and instruction. She received her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with a concentration in science and mathematics from West Chester University. 

Before coming to Villanova University, she worked at Colorado State University as the interim liaison librarian in biology and veterinary medicine. She has also held positions at the University of Pennsylvania Biomedical Library in reference and interlibrary loan, and at the Devereux Behavioral Healthcare Library (Villanova, Pa.) in serials management, assessment, interlibrary loan and document delivery. 

Robin, a native of the Philadelphia area, noted that her high school graduation was held here on campus in the Pavilion. 

Her hobbies are hiking, sewing, logic puzzles and attempting to master all of Google’s products and services.

 Robin said, “I’m very excited by the prospect of forging long-term relationships with people here at Villanova …and integrating new technology into the learning environment of the future.”

Article by Alice Bampton; Photograph by Laura Hutelmyer 

Louise K. Green

During her 40-plus years at Falvey Memorial Library, Louise K. Green, who has a bachelor’s degree in education and a master of science in library science, has been a reference librarian, head of the reference department, lecturer in the library science department, instructor, acting library director, associate director for public services and a member of the Academic Integration team. She will retire at the end of May.

Early in May, she answered the following questions:

NT:  At what colleges did you receive your undergraduate and library degrees?
LG: I majored in mathematics at East Stroudsburg Teachers College (now East Stroudsburg University) and received my library degree from Villanova University in 1965.

NT:  How did you come to Falvey and when did you start?
LG:  While pursuing my degree, I worked as a graduate assistant in the library science department where I taught a one credit course to arts and sciences undergrads on the use of books and the library. When a part time position opened in Falvey, I was interested. Since my daughter was still young, I worked part time for six or seven years. I also taught graduate reference courses while working at Falvey. (more…)

On May 1, Falvey Memorial Library honored graduating seniors with the Falvey Scholars award. The award is given each year to distinguished Villanova seniors who have demonstrated outstanding undergraduate research in writing a senior thesis or completing a capstone project.

The 2009 Falvey Scholars, their mentors and research are as follows:

Sinéad Cloughley, English/Irish Studies (College of Arts and Sciences); Mentor: James Murphy, Ph.D.; Project: “A Study of Impact of the Irish Language on the Work of Four Modern Irish Writers: Yeats, Joyce, Ní Dhomhnaill and Friel”

Sara Fridinger, Biology (College of Arts and Sciences); Mentor: Louise Russo, Ph.D.; Project: “Bisphenol A: An Environmental Threat to Endocrine Function”

Martha Hughes, Economics and Statistics (School of Business); Mentor: Mary Kelly, Ph.D.; Project: “The United States and the European Union: How Differences in Monetary and Fiscal Policies Contribute to Differences in Economic Competitiveness Over Time”

Jennie Kotschneff (back, second left), with team members (front, l. to r.) Kristina Salcedo, Christine Matula, Patricia Abel, (back, l. to r.) Melissa Kay, Meghan Dwyer and Sarah Galvanek (College of Nursing); Mentor: Marcia Costello, Ph.D., R.D.; Project: “A Population Assessment of Chulucanas, Peru”

Mark Woods, Mechanical Engineering (College of Engineering); Mentor: C. ‘Nat’ Nataraj, Ph.D.; Project: “Unmanned Sailboat Control”

The students presented their papers in Falvey’s first floor lounge and were supported by family, friends and faculty. Library director Joe Lucia served as emcee and introduced the winners and their mentors. After presenting their research and engaging in a lively question and answer session with the audience, the students received framed certificates recognizing their achievements.

The Falvey Scholars steering committee consists of Lucia, Darren Poley, Outreach librarian, Edwin L. Goff, Ph.D., associate dean, Honors Program, and Jane Morris, director, and Nora Pillard, assistant director, Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.

“The Falvey Scholars award honors the work of undergraduate exceptional talent,” said Lucia. This year, the award selection was broadened to name a student from each of the five discipline areas: Arts, Business, Science, Nursing and Engineering.

The winners were highlighted in a window display outside the first floor lounge. Joanne Quinn, Events and Outreach team, designed the display and the event programs and certificates.

Photographs by Natalie Tomasco

Can it be argued that Pope Benedict XVI bears the mantle of John Paul II as an heir to his legacy? Brennan C. Pursell, Ph.D., addressed this claim, drawing on his recent book, Benedict of Bavaria: An Intimate Portrait of the Pope and His Homeland, at the John Paul II Legacy Lecture on March 23.

Both men grew up in regions with a baroque Catholic culture which was festive, sensual and divine. John Paul II possessed a philosophical orientation and a preference for dialogical personalism. Benedict XVI mirrors these characteristics. (more…)