Tomorrow is 1842 Day, and Falvey invites alumni, students, faculty, staff, as well as friends, family, and supporters to join the fun by supporting the Library!

We will be celebrating on our social channels and in-person on the first floor of Falvey, so stop by! You might even win a prize!

Located at the heart of main campus, Falvey Library is the interdisciplinary academic center of the Villanova University community. Students, faculty, and staff visit Falvey over half a million times each year. Whether to discuss research with a librarian, attend a book talk with an accomplished author, or find a quiet place to write or study, a visit to the Library is an essential part of a student’s life at Villanova.

Gifts to the Library on 1842 Day over the past six years have helped enhance and impact many areas of the Library, and students and faculty benefit for generations to come. Past donations were used to purchase public health materials and preservation supplies for rare materials.

“Falvey Library connects so many aspects of Villanova’s past and present,” says Millicent Gaskell, University Librarian. “It is an intellectual hub on campus for students from every college. It is where treasures from the University’s history and collective memories are stored and preserved. And with the support from 1842 donors, we will continue to elevate our services and programs.”

Make your gift now!

1842 Day has arrived, and Villanova welcomes alumni, students, faculty, staff, as well as friends, family, and supporters to join the fun by supporting Falvey Library!

The Library will be celebrating on our social channels and in-person on the first floor of Falvey, so stop by! You might even win a prize!

Located at the heart of main campus, Falvey Memorial Library is the interdisciplinary academic center of the Villanova University community. Students, faculty, and staff visit Falvey over half a million times each year. Whether to discuss research with a librarian, attend a book talk with an accomplished author, or find a quiet place to write or study, a visit to the Library is an essential part of a student’s life at Villanova.

Gifts to the Library on 1842 Day over the past six years have helped enhance and impact many areas of the Library, including e-journals, databases, books, and treasured items in Distinctive Collections, benefiting students and faculty for generations to come. Past donations were used to purchase public health materials and preservation supplies for rare materials, including a specialized vacuum to safely clean books in Special Collections and archival boxes to rehouse thousands of at-risk, rare materials.

In 2021, Falvey continued to expand diversity, equity, and inclusion materials within the collection, including adding a Jewish newspaper collection, The Jewish Exponent (1887-1990.)

“This effort utilized 1842 Day funding in an impactful way,” says Millicent Gaskell, University Librarian. “The Library represents a link from alumni’s shared past to current students. Where the University’s memories and history is preserved. And a hub of academics and research support for students to excel, both in their undergraduate careers and beyond.”

Make your gift on 1842 Day, or beat the rush and donate early!

Villanova students visit Falvey Memorial Library’s 1842 day table for fun gifts and helpful information. Photo courtesy of Shawn Proctor, Communication and Marketing Program Manager.

Thank you to all of our 1842 Day donors! Falvey Memorial Library raised $13,877.94 from the gifts of 81 generous donors and the Affordable Materials Project (AMP) raised $2,301.84 from 26 supporters.

AMP is a university-wide collaboration between the bookstore, Falvey Library, CASA, and the Office of the Provost, all working together to faculty with resources and options for selecting high quality, affordable course materials and creating student awareness of affordable options for obtaining course materials. 2021 contributions to AMP support library-purchased assigned e-books made available at no cost to students, faculty grants that support the adoption and authoring of free, openly licensed textbooks, known as Open Educational Resources (OER), and purchase of loaner laptops and graphing calculators for students who may not be able to afford to purchase, replace, or repair their devices.

2021 gifts to Falvey Memorial Library support the Library’s collection, benefiting Villanovans for years to come. Past donations were used to purchase new diversity, equity, and inclusion materials, new public health materials, and preservation supplies to preserve rare materials for future scholarship.

Kallie Stahl ’17 MA is Communication and Marketing Specialist at Falvey Memorial Library.

Today is 1842 Day, Villanova’s annual day of giving! This 24-hour event celebrates the people and programs that are making a difference at Villanova and beyond. Support the Affordable Materials Project (AMP) by making a gift to its 1842 Day campaign.

Thank you for supporting AMP and Falvey Memorial Library.

By Ethan Shea

Dugan Polk Family Reading Room in Falvey Memorial Library

On 1842 Day, the Villanova community comes together for a day of giving.

Over the past four years, 1842 Day has raised $21.4 million for the University, positively impacting the lives of students, staff, and faculty alike. There will be all sorts of fun events on campus, including “Cat Cab’s Trivia,” a Plinko-style game called “Oreo Dunk,” and live music.

In the midst of all this activity, everyone will have the chance to make a difference in their community by directing a donation to a cause of their choice. Whether you would like to support academics, athletics, or student life, 1842 Day has a cause for you!

In the interest of supporting the education of future Villanovans, I am asking you to consider designating your 1842 Day gift to Falvey Memorial Library.

The Library is perhaps the most essential part of any college campus and is the heart of all branches of academia. Over the course of the past year and a half, Falvey Library has adapted to a rapidly changing world by promoting and expanding online resources as well as contactless book pickup, which has shifted to Pick Up & Go. 1842 Day gifts to Falvey Library are critical to maintaining the University Archives and areas for students to study, such as the beautiful Dugan Polk Family Reading Room.

To donate, simply follow this link. Another way to donate to the library is through our home page. Just scroll to the bottom of the page, click the button that says “Support Our Library,” and follow the instructions.

Informational cards describing how to send gifts are available on the first floor of Falvey Library as well.

Ethan Shea is a first-year English Graduate Student at Villanova University and Graduate Assistant at Falvey Memorial Library.

Word of the Week: Bibliosmia 

“The smell and aroma of a good book.” 

Bibliosmia, or book-smell, is caused by the chemical breakdown of compounds within the paper. When you smell a book, you are essentially smelling the book’s slow death, which explains why the older the book is, the better it smells! 

This Week at Falvey  

Monday, Sept. 20

Mindfulness Mondays / 1–1:30 p.m. / ZOOM / https://villanova.zoom.us/j/98337578849 

Tuesday, Sept 21

1842 Day is Villanova’s annual day of giving, a 24-hour event for the entire Villanova community to come TOGETHER to make a gift of any size to the designation of their choice. Tuesday, September 21 marks the University’s fifth annual 1842 Day. This is our opportunity to show pride and gratitude for the impact Villanova has on each of us, in our communities and around the world.

Wednesday, Sept. 22

Fall 2021 Falvey Forum Workshop Series: ArcGIS Online Field Apps / 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. / ZOOM / Register Here 

Friday, September 24th 

Villanova Gaming Society Meeting / 2:30-4:30 p.m. / Speakers’ Corner / Free & Open to the Public 

This Week in History 

September 24, 1789 – The first Supreme Court is established  

The Judiciary Act of 1789 is passed by Congress and signed by President George Washington, establishing the Supreme Court of the United States as a tribunal made up of six justices who were to serve on the court until death or retirement. That day, President Washington nominated John Jay to preside as chief justice, and John Rutledge, William Cushing, John Blair, Robert Harrison and James Wilson to be associate justices. On September 26, all six appointments were confirmed by the U.S. Senate. 

The current members of the Supreme Court in 2021 are Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Stephen Breyer, Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Elena Kagan, Justice Neil Gorsuch, Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Justice Amy Coney Barrett.  

Jenna Renaud is a graduate student in the Communication Department and graduate assistant in Falvey Memorial Library.

Beaudry Rae Allen ’13 MA, Preservation and Digital Archivist, removes dust from books in Falvey Memorial Library’s Special Collections. Photo courtesy of Shawn Proctor, Communication and Marketing Program Manager.

Tuesday, Sept. 21, is 1842 Day, Villanova’s day of giving! This is a special day honoring Villanova’s founding in 1842 and celebrating all the things that make Villanova great. Your gifts to Falvey Memorial Library these past five years have enhanced the library’s collection—impacting Villanovans for years to come. Beaudry Rae Allen ’13 MA (pictured above), Preservation and Digital Archivist, purchased preservation supplies with support from 2018 donations. Allen was able to “rehouse thousands of at-risk, rare materials—including 10,000 photo negatives, 35 scrapbooks, photographic albums, and University logos—and inventory more than 1,100 CDs and DVDs.” The funds also allowed the Library to purchase a specialized vacuum to safely clean books in Special Collections. Preserving these rare materials ensures scholars can access resources for future projects.

Support Falvey Memorial Library by giving any amount to our campaign! To donate, please use this link or scan the QR code below. Thank you to all of our past and future donors! Be sure to download the Reading Room as your zoom background!

Kallie Stahl ’17 MA is Communication and Marketing Specialist at Falvey Memorial Library.

On 1842 Day, Villanova’s annual day of giving, alumni, students, faculty, and staff united to support Falvey Memorial Library.

“There are so many worthwhile areas in the University. We are thrilled so many Villanovans chose to show their support by donating to Falvey Memorial Library this 1842 Day,” says University Librarian Millicent Gaskell.

And from everyone at the Library, we want to thank you. Thank you to each one of our 107 donors who made a difference for students today, and in the years to come!

By Shawn Proctor

Today is 1842 Day, Villanova’s annual day of giving, the 24-hour event that celebrates the people and programs that are making a difference at Villanova and beyond. While there are so many departments that make the University a special place, we hope Villanovans will take this opportunity to make a gift to Falvey Memorial Library this 1842 Day.

Your gift of any amount will go even further this 1842 Day—University Librarian Millicent Gaskell has announced she will match donations to the Library up to $1842!

“A gift to the Library is a gift to the whole University,” Gaskell says. “Those gifts have a lasting impact.”

The 1842 donations will continue to support and preserve the Library’s distinctive collections, including University Archives and rare materials, aiding students and faculty for years to come.

Typically, the Library receives more than half a million visitors. While this year is anything but typical, Jeehyun “Jee” Davis, Associate University Librarian for Collections and Stewardship, says Falvey’s staff have found ways to keep providing services and support throughout the spring and fall semesters. “It is so important for our students and faculty to have access to Falvey’s online and physical collections. That’s why I am so proud of our successful and safe reopening.”

Funds from 2019 allowed the University to purchase equipment and supplies used in the University Archives and Special Collections to clean and maintain valuable materials and books.

Villanova will feature a livestream broadcast highlighting all that makes the University great. Tune in at villanova.edu and catch featured segments on Facebook @VillanovaU. This year, our livestream coverage will feature hosts Keith Jones ’07, Lauren Dugan ’16, and Darryl “D.Rey” Reynolds ’17.

We hope you will support Falvey and help us continue to make a difference. Every gift, of any amount, makes a difference.

  Shawn Proctor is a Communication and Program Manager at Falvey Memorial Library.