“A few years ago, before COVID-19 and before she retired, I bumped into Robbie and her family at a local ice cream parlor; it was so nice to see her smiling and surrounded by grandchildren. That is how I will remember her.” -Luisa Cywinski, Director of Access Services.

The campus community and Falvey Library are saddened to hear the news of the passing of former library staff member Roberta (Robbie) Rosci on March 7, 2023. She was 68. A resident of Drexel Hill, Pa., Rosci joined Villanova University in 1997. She retired in October 2020, after almost 23 years of service to Falvey Library. David Burke, Metadata Librarian, expressed his gratitude working alongside Rosci in Resource Management & Description. “I admired how she persevered in coming in to work no matter how sick she got (she had Multiple Sclerosis for at least the last 10 years while working at Falvey) and still preserved a friendly, good-natured demeanor.”

Rosci’s “greatest joy in life was being a mother and a grandmother.” Regina Duffy, Communication & Marketing Program Manager, fondly remembers the joy Rosci displayed whenever she spoke of her family and her late husband Michael (Mike) Rosci, Sr. “Robbie was a warm and welcoming presence at Falvey Library. I always enjoyed seeing her at our staff events and chatting about her grandchildren. Talking about them lit up her entire face—she was so proud to be their grandmother. Robbie will be greatly missed by all.”

Her colleague Laura Hutelmyer, former Acquisitions & Electronic Resources Coordinator, expressed her gratitude in working alongside Rosci. “Robbie’s job was to catalog books, but as many books evolved to an online format, Robbie was asked to take on special assignments that required training and perseverance. She always accepted these challenges and worked hard. Even as COVID-19 sent us all to work from home, Robbie attended every morning meeting via cell phone and participated fully, in spite of physical limitations, as part of the team. Robbie was devoted to Falvey Library and, for 23 years, continued a Rosci family Villanova tradition that began with her husband Mike. She was a kind co-worker and a good friend to many in the library.”

Margaret Duffy, Director of Finance & Administration, will remember Rosci for her kindheartedness and friendly smile. “Her family was everything to her…she was always so proud of her boys. As Robbie’s health declined, her husband Mike faithfully brought her to and from work every day, making sure she was settled at her desk, which is where she wanted to be. Robbie was determined to remain active and engaged in work at Falvey Library as long as she was able. I enjoyed sharing our conversations about grandchildren and seeing her at the year-end picnic at the preschool our grandchildren attended together. Robbie was a good friend and colleague at Falvey and will be greatly missed.”

Contributions in Rosci’s memory can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. View her full obituary here. Robbie will be greatly missed at the Library and throughout the Villanova community.

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

“Every day I would wave to Robbie and her husband Mike as they left Falvey Library. My desk is near a large window and I always looked forward to our brief exchange. They were both kind and generous people.”

Meg Piorko, Distinctive Collections Librarian.

Meg Piorko, PhD, recently joined Distinctive Collections and Digital Engagement (DCDE) as Distinctive Collections Librarian. Falvey Library’s rare collections are organized into three categories—Special Collections, University Archives, and the Digital Library. “I am responsible for cataloging new acquisitions and materials currently in the Library’s collections and adding them to the Digital Library.”

Originally from northern Delaware, Piorko earned a BA in Art History and Studio Art from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, a MA in Art History from Georgia State University, and a PhD in History from Georgia State University. Before joining the Falvey Library staff she was the Curatorial Fellow for the Othmer Library Special Collections at the Science History Institute. “They have a huge alchemy collection of rare materials,” Piorko reflects on her post-doctorial fellowship at the Science History Institute. “I spent 80 percent of my time researching and 20 percent of my time learning library skills from James R. Voelkel, PhD, Curator of Rare Books. I acquired skills that were not taught in my PhD curriculum; like acquisitions, how to accession new materials in the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) and all of the library databases.”

Combining her librarianship and academic background, Piorko is focused on digitizing the materiality of a text. “Theoretically, I come from the standpoint of material bibliography. I mostly work on early hand-pressed texts and every copy is unique. When we replicate something it is never the same. Even on a copy machine, each individual material culture object is different from the other one. If you’ve ever seen artists copy the same print over and over…the print changes every time. So do texts when they are copied and when multiple copies are produced (even in the same edition). I’m interested in copy specific evidence of the production of a material culture object (text) and how it was used by different historical actors. For example, people writing in the margins of their text, or chopping them up and putting them with other texts and rebinding them. How knowledge travels through textual media is what I’m interested in and I hope to bring that to my current position when I’m digitizing. Ensuring I’m also capturing the materiality and the copy specific evidence within these objects.”

The broad collections at Falvey Library and the opportunity to stay near the Philadelphia area drew Piorko to Villanova University. “Philadelphia has such a rich intellectual and cultural history. The city has incredible libraries with all kind of objects to study and make available to individuals that want to know about the cultural heritage. Villanova University is an outstanding holding institution for that. I’m really excited about the collections at Falvey Library. They are really broad and the nature of donations that come to Villanova are not subject specific and seem to be driven by relationships rather than subject. Which results in all kinds of fascinating objects that span different cultures and different time periods.”

Piorko is excited to collaborate with the Villanova community. “I am looking forward to bringing special collections into the classroom and public exhibits; encouraging hands-on (to whatever extent is safe for the materials) interactions with these objects. They should not just sit in the library. These objects are living. They are not just printed and the knowledge is stagnant. People continually contribute knowledge to these objects.” Building relationships and communicating the value of these collections to the Villanova community is essential for Piorko. “Falvey’s collections can be another vehicle of knowledge. I want to connect with the community and let them know about the really incredible things that we have in the collections. That’s what drew me here, the opportunity to help connect the humanity of these objects to to what is being learned in the classroom.”

In her free time, Piorko volunteers with PAWS animal rescue in Philadelphia. She enjoys playing board games and card games and going to the moves to watch horror films. Her reading recommendation for Falvey patrons: Out There by Kate Folk. “I loved this book. I like to read futuristic sci-fi that is also social commentary.”

Piorko’s desk is located in Access Services on Falvey’s first floor (email: megan.piorko@villanova.edu). For more on Villanova University’s distinctive collections materials, please visit this webpage. Distinctive collections materials can be viewed in the Rare Book Room (Wednesday’s 9:30 a.m.–11:30 p.m. and Thursday’s 2 p.m.–4 p.m.) as well as other hours by appointment. Faculty interested in incorporating Falvey’s collections in the classroom can contact Piorko to discuss options for collaboration.

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

Laurie Ortiz Rivera, Social Science Librarian.

“Librarians want to help students, professors, and researchers. Our profession is service oriented. All questions are necessary, not asking or talking about your questions is the obstacle to resolve.”

Laurie Ortiz Rivera recently joined Research Services and Scholarly Engagement (RSSE) as the Social Science Librarian. RSSE works to “support research, teaching, and learning at Villanova University; enabling the discovery of, access to, and stewardship of a vast array of scholarly resources.” Ortiz Rivera’s first day as Social Sciences Librarian was Monday, July 25. She is the Social Science Liaison Librarian for History, Art History, Education, and Counseling. “My academic background and academic librarian experience provide me with the competencies to work with different disciplines in social sciences and humanities,” says Ortiz Rivera.

Ortiz Rivera was born in Puerto Rico and worked in special and academic libraries in areas such as architecture and education at the University of Puerto Rico until 2022. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Anthropology from the University of Puerto Rico, a master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Puerto Rico, a master’s degree in Management with Specialization in Management of Business (Nonprofit & Public Management) from Cambridge College, and a PhD in Documentation from Carlos III University of Madrid.

The opportunity to develop the information and research skills of academic students led Ortiz Rivera to Falvey Memorial Library. “I knew about Villanova University’s educational offerings and prestigious background, so I searched for job opportunities. Later, I received a notification from one of my job lists, and I discovered the Social Sciences Liaison Librarian position at Falvey Memorial Library. The opportunity fits with my background and my interests.”

She feels her academic librarian experience will help inform her new role. “As a member of the Library’s social sciences team, I participate in a collaborative model of general research support. Among others, I create instructional materials to secure information access for in-person and distance learners in my areas of specialization. I work with a fantastic library team in reference services. We work together to have an interface with stakeholders inside and outside the library to build essential relationships and establish a foundation for successful research support, collection development, and information literacy instruction.”

Ortiz Rivera is looking forward to collaborating with the Villanova University community. “The Social Sciences Liaison Librarian contributes to the development and delivery of strategic, high-quality, virtual and in-person services to advance teaching, learning, research, and scholarship. My work is outreach, information literacy instruction, research support, and collection development in history, art history, education, and counseling. As a subject specialist, I meet with students and faculty to assist them with: Research consultations, information literacy instructions, instructional resources, collection development, library databases, search queries or keyword selection, finding cited sources, citing sources following Chicago style and APA style, literature reviews, locating primary sources, locating secondary sources, and interlibrary loans.”

In her free time, Ortiz Rivera enjoys learning about different cultures. “I like watching international movies based on historical events and documentaries, especially Latin America and the Caribbean. I love to travel and make friends.” She recommends Research within the Disciplines: Foundations for Reference and Library Instruction by Peggy Keeran and others for graduate students looking to add another book to their summer reading list.

Be sure to stop by the Library and say hello! Ortiz Rivera is also meeting students on Zoom. Her office is located in the Learning Commons on the second floor of Falvey Memorial Library in room 229. Telephone: 610-519-3907. Email: laurie.ortizrivera@villanova.edu. To schedule an appointment with Ortiz Rivera, visit her webpage.

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

Nicole Daly, Social Science Librarian.

Nicole Daly joins Research Services and Scholarly Engagement as the Social Science Librarian. Research Services and Scholarly Engagement works to “support research, teaching, and learning at Villanova University; enabling the discovery of, access to, and stewardship of a vast array of scholarly resources.” You may have seen Daly at Falvey’s front desk; she joined the Library staff in 2021, working as the Service Desk Coordinator in Access Services.

Daly earned a BA in Psychology from Arcadia University, a MS in Psychology from Villanova University, and will complete her MLIS degree from San José State University this fall. She also earned an advanced certificate in Digital Assets with a focus in Data Analytics and Data Driven Decision Making from San José State University.

Daly’s first day as Social Science Librarian was Monday, July 11. She is liaison to the communication department, sociology and criminology department, and the College of Professional Studies. “Right now I’m working on collection development for those specific areas; anticipating their needs, making sure they are getting the resources they need from the Library,” said Daly. “When we get into the semester, I’ll be teaching information literacy courses, helping students to develop research skills. I’ll be creating subject guides so patrons can easily find resources, and I will be providing research assistance to those that may need help tracking down resources.”

Collaborating with the Villanova community is an essential part of Daly’s role. “All of it is very interconnected: As I build these relationships with students and faculty, I feel like those relationships will inform what is needed from the Library as far as collections.” Listening to various groups on campus will also assist Daly in ensuring Falvey’s collection reflects all voices. “Learning from the Villanova community, I will work to broaden Falvey’s collection; creating awareness and providing students with the information they need to expand their own knowledge and continue advocating for social change. Building an understanding of the current collection is essential moving forward; understanding if I need to provide context for specific content or edit material to reflect current language or provide content warnings. Thinking ahead but also addressing current material will be an important part of my role as liaison librarian.”

Transitioning from Service Desk Coordinator to Social Science Librarian, Daly feels her experience working in Access Services will help inform her new role. “In Access Services, we are the first to welcome Library patrons. Working with people and physically seeing and speaking with them, those experiences will inform how I approach my new role.” Working together with Falvey’s librarians, Daly was able to see what questions were frequently asked by community members when working at the front desk. She also worked in course reserves, assisting faculty and helping to send requests to Falvey’s librarians to see what items were needed for a particular course. “I’ve learned so much working in Access Services, specifically all of the different pieces (Interlibrary loan, course reserves, etc.) that people sometimes miss because they tend to be more behind the scenes. Having a vast knowledge of the innerworkings of an academic library is a valuable resource.”

A graduate of Villanova University, Daly wants students to know that Falvey librarians are here to help! “As someone who has gone to Villanova and lived that experience I remember thinking “Oh gosh, how do I conduct this research project?” She fondly remembers Falvey librarians coming to her undergraduate classes to provide helpful outreach. “We had wonderful librarians that came to our classes and gave very targeted help for specific projects. It was very enlightening, just showing us that they are available.” Acknowledging that the first year of college can be a challenge, Daly encourages students to reach out to her. “I can do so much more than just find a book. I can help students narrow down resources, determine which resources are valid, and find resources that may be unavailable at Falvey Memorial Library. I can help in so many different ways.”

If you happen to miss Daly at the many orientation fairs this fall, stop by the Library and say hello. She is also meeting students on Zoom. Daly’s office is located in the Learning Commons on the second floor of Falvey Memorial Library in room 225.

Telephone: 610-519-5207. 

Email: nicole.daly@villanova.edu.

For more on Daly, check out her “Welcome to Falvey” blog here. Visit her webpage here.

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

Last week, we shared summer reading recommendations by Villanova’s English Department faculty. This week, we’re happy to share reading recommendations by the staff at Falvey Memorial Library. Once you’ve explored the list below, check out some summer reads suggested by Falvey’s Distinctive Collections and Digital Engagement. Have a great summer, Nova Nation!

Sarah Wingo, Librarian for English Literature, Theatre, and Romance Languages and Literature

• Planning to read: Heartstopper by Alice Oseman. After watching the incredibly heartwarming Netflix series based on this graphic novel series I’m looking forward to checking out the books for myself. Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel. I’ve been a fan of Emily St. John Mandel’s for a while now and I’m looking forward to reading her latest book this summer. Probably her most well known book, Station Eleven, was recently made into a great HBO miniseries. I highly recommend both the book and the series.
• Already Read: The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye by A.S. Byatt. This is a collection of four short stories and one novella length story of the same name as the title of the collection. I just read it last week, George Miller (Director of “Mad Max: Fury Road”), has a new movie coming out this summer staring Tilda Swinton and Idris Alba. The movie is titled “Three Thousand Years of Longing” and is based on the Novella The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye.

Darren Poley, Theology, Classics and Humanities Librarian

• The Fall of the West: The Slow Death of the Roman Superpower by Adrian Goldsworthy.
• Death at the Chateau Bremont (A Verlaque and Bonnet Mystery) book one in Provençal Mystery series by M. L. Longworth.
• Travels With My Aunt (Vintage Voyages) by Graham Greene.
• As Always, Julia: The Letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto edited by Joan Reardon.
• Song for Almeyda & Song for Anninho by Gayl Jones.

Demian Katz, Director of Library Technology

Jutta Seibert, Director of Research Services and Scholarly Engagement

• I’d like to recommend Impossible Engineering: Technology and Territoriality on the Canal du Midi by Chandra Mukerji. I’ve read it a few months ago and it inspired me to visit the Canal du Midi in France where I am currently reading Pierre Paul Riquet: Le Genie des Eaux by Mireille Oblin-Briere while also enjoying long walks along the canal.

Shawn Proctor, Communication and Marketing Program Manager

• Ana on the Edge by A.J. Sass—A middle grade novel about a young skater who must balance competitive skating aspirations against the realization they are non-binary.
• Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain—This selection of the Villanova Alumni Association’s book club explores the value of introversion when so much of society is geared toward people who talk first (and most.)
• Heartstopper by Alice Oseman—Now a popular streaming show, this young adult graphic novel series navigates love and friendship from a LGBTQIA+ point-of-view.

Laura Azar, Finance and Administration Specialist

• The Words of My Father: Love and Pain in Palestine by Yousef Bashir.
• The Pianist from Syria by Aeham Ahmad.

Mike Sgier, Access and Collections Coordinator

• Circe by Madeline Miller—A great and page-turning retelling of Greek mythology from the point of view of Circe, the witch daughter of a Titan and nymph who is exiled to the island of Aiaia, and who becomes intertwined in the fates of Daedalus, Medea, and most famous of all, the wanderer Odysseus.

Luisa Cywinski, Director of Access Services

Now that summer is here, I will be spending every free moment gardening for food, wildlife, and relaxation. The books on my reading list are:

• No Dig: Nurture Your Soil to Grow Better Veg with Less Effort by Charles Dowding.
• The Wildlife Pond Book by Jules Howard.
• Field Guide to Urban Gardening by Kevin Espiritu.

I’ll also be reading the author’s blogs, watching their YouTube videos, and sharing my results on social media.

Should I be ashamed to admit that my “Want To Read” list on Goodreads is close to 4,500 books? But I promise not to list them all here. I will, though, let you know of two on the list that, appropriately, each have library in their title:

• I hope to finally tackle Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library, a fantasy novel published in 2020, which was the inaugural selection for the Villanova Alumni Book Club, if memory serves me.
• The other one, The Woman In the Library, by Sulari Gentill, is coming out this week and is being hyped as a smashing, closed-room mystery that’s as much fun as a game of Clue. So look for me reading it in the Library, with a lead pipe by my side!

Falvey Library staff members Jutta Seibert and Kallie Stahl share their freshly roasted coffee beans.

A special thank you to the Idea Lab in Falvey Library for hosting a coffee brewing workshop for the Villanova community on Thursday, April 7.

Falvey staff members—and coffee lovers—Jutta Seibert, Director of Research Services and Scholarly Engagement, and History, Art History, Global Interdisciplinary Studies Librarian, and Kallie Stahl, Communication and Marketing Specialist, learned how the coffee roasting process works and roasted their own beans in a popcorn maker. Stahl roasted a Columbian blend, while Seibert selected an Ethiopian brew.

Check out more programming at the Idea Lab here. Have a brewtiful weekend, Wildcats!

Laura Azar, Finance & Administration Specialist at Falvey Memorial Library. Photo by Kallie Stahl.

Laura Azar recently joined the Finance & Administration (F&A) Team as Finance & Administration Specialist. She assists F&A in providing Library leadership with support in financial operations, facilities management, talent management, and administrative services.

Born and raised in Bergamo, Italy, Azar moved to the U.S. in 1995. Earning her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Istituto Tecnico Commerciale “Vittorio Emanuele II” in Bergamo, she worked in several different fields—in Italy: fashion, construction, beauty products; in Florida: jewelry; in Portugal: Italian food and wine; in Oregon: music; in Pennsylvania: legal insurance, Italian travel agency, and school for young children.

“You can work in any type of business with a degree in finance and accounting,” she says. “I’ve learned from each professional experience.” She lived in Italy, Florida, Portugal, Oregon, and Montana before settling in the Philadelphia area, and worked for the Main Line Reform Temple and School in Wynnewood, Pa., before joining the Falvey Memorial Library staff.

Passionate about language education, Azar taught Italian for the America-Italy Society of Philadelphia and managed the Scuola Marco Polo Philadelphia, a non-profit school created in response to the need of Italian citizens and residents in the Tri-State area, for three years. She speaks four languages: Italian, English, French, and Portuguese [having lived in Portugal for five years]. “I understand Spanish and can speak quite a bit since it is very close to Italian and Portuguese.”

Since moving to East Coast, Azar has always envisioned working for a local university. “I wanted to work at an institution that was close to my faith, and I heard so many good things about Villanova—it is the perfect fit for me.”

In her free time, Azar enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing tennis, practicing yoga, reading, hiking, and watching documentaries and movies. Every summer she travels home to visit her parents and relatives.

“It’s wonderful,” she says of her city. “The lakes, the mountains, the food…Bergamo is beautiful.”

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

Jacqueline (Jackie) Mirabile.

“She was unflappable, kind, and had a wonderful dry humor. Above all she was kind, always kind.” —Jutta Seibert, Librarian for History, Art History and Global Interdisciplinary Studies

The campus community and Falvey Memorial Library are saddened to hear the news of the passing of former library staff member Jacqueline (Jackie) Mirabile. Born and raised in Vermont, Mirabile, a devoted Catholic, played the piano and organ at local parishes to help fund her education. She was Valedictorian of her class at Mount Saint Mary Academy, graduated Trinity College with a major in history, and earned a master’s degree in library science from Simmons College.

Before joining the Falvey Library staff, Mirabile worked at the Free Library of Philadelphia and a regional patent company. She was the second full-time reference librarian hired at Falvey Library by then head of reference Louise Green in 1982. “For nearly thirty years, Jackie provided dedicated, exemplary professionalism as a reference librarian (and team leader for information and research assistance) at Falvey Library until retirement in 2011.” She taught numerous research sessions as the liaison librarian to the psychology and education & human resource departments. “Mirabile also served on Falvey’s Management Policy Group (MPG), communication team, and the University-wide Villanova Quality Improvement (VQI).”

Mirabile was dedicated to providing exceptional service to the Villanova community. As former co-worker Barbara Quintiliano wrote, “The real effort to provide service is the one thing that has remained constant throughout the evolution of her profession, and her favorite aspect of the job was ‘finding what the patron wants’—something all librarians know well as the love of the hunt.” She was a great resource for Villanova University students, faculty, staff, and her Falvey co-workers. As Seibert reflected, “I was lucky enough to work with Jackie for more than 10 years. She never tired of mentoring new staff members and her extensive knowledge of Catholic reference sources, Villanova history, and census data were often a lifeline for me. After she retired we bought season tickets for the Villanova Theatre as a way to stay in touch and we had a great time going to the shows together.”

Her colleague Laura Hutelmyer, former Acquisitions & Electronic Resources Coordinator, expressed her gratitude in working alongside Mirabile. “Jackie was always such a great resource for so many things, but what I appreciated the most were her book recommendations. While we worked together it was easy to find Jackie, discuss our favorite books and get ideas for new reads. When she retired I really missed her and our discussions. Fortunately, one spring I was invited as a guest to the Retiree Luncheon, and there was Jackie! I made a bee line for my book buddy and we picked up right where we left off. When I think of Jackie I will always remember her calm demeanor, her smile, and the friendship we developed over the love of books.”

When she wasn’t reading (or sharing recommendations), Mirabile enjoyed gardening and puzzles—specifically Scrabble. Demian Katz, Director of Library Technology, credits Mirabile with helping to start the first Falvey Library “game lunch,” a tradition that continues with library staff. “I very much enjoyed working with her,” said Katz. “The first iteration of ‘game lunch’ was a small group of us, including Jackie, playing Scrabble on a regular basis. Jackie always won—she was an astonishing Scrabble player—but it was fun regardless of its inevitable end.” Luisa Cywinski, Director of Access Services, often referred to Mirabile as “The Queen of Scrabble.”

Mirabile passed away on Dec. 31, 2021, in Haddonfield, NJ. She was 84. View her full obituary here. For more on Mirabile’s work at Falvey Library, view her retirement announcement. Jackie will be greatly missed at the Library and throughout the community.

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

Happy Holidays, Wildcats! Looking for some reading recommendations for the semester recess? The Falvey Memorial Library staff shares a few suggestions below.

Roberta Pierce, Access & Collections Coordinator:

• The Invited by Jennifer McMahon.

Image courtesy of Amazon.

Darren Poley, Associate Director of Research Services:

• Franz Jägerstätter: Letters and Writings from Prison edited by Erna Putz and translated by Robert A. Krieg.
• The Tiger’s Wife by Téa Obreht.

Image courtesy of Amazon.

Linda Hauck, Business Librarian:

• Dirty Work: Essential Jobs and the Hidden Toll of Inequality in America by Eyal Press.
• Fulfillment: Winning and Losing in One-Click America by Alec MacGillis.
• No One is Taking About This by Patricia Lockwood.

Image courtesy of Amazon.

Michael Foight, Director of  Distinctive Collections and Digital Engagement:

• The Library: A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen.
• Burning Boy: The Life and Work of Stephen Crane by Paul Auster.
• The Education of Corporal John Musgrave: Vietnam and Its Aftermath by John Musgrave.

Image courtesy of Amazon.

Meg Schwoerer-Leister, Access and Collections Coordinator:

Sarah Wingo, Librarian for English Literature, Theatre, & Romance Languages:

• My recommendation is for Harry Potter fans, who love the world but maybe wish there was better more inclusive representation in the Harry Potter world. The Simon Snow book series (currently three books Wayward Son, Carry On, and Any Way the Wind Blows), by Rainbow Rowell are pretty literally Harry Potter fan fiction. Characters have different names and not everything is the same, but it’s not that these books are like Harry Potter, they are directly commenting on and engaging with Harry Potter. Rowell is herself a prolific award-winning author, and I’ve really enjoyed this series. The audiobooks are excellent if that is more your speed. Link to series: https://bit.ly/3pw3LPI

Image courtesy of Amazon.

Deborah Bishov, Social Sciences & Instructional Design Librarian:

•  My reading recommendation is The Hidden Palace (2021), long awaited sequel to The Golem and the Jinni (2013), both by Helene Wecker. They’re magical realist fantasy that immerse you completely in a richly detailed world where mystical beings end up in turn of last century New York City and face otherworldly obstacles and human dilemmas.

Image courtesy of Amazon.

Shawn Proctor, Communication & Marketing Program Manager:

• Aristole and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz. This is a unique and memorable novel about friendship and self-discovery. A book that both reads quickly and lingers in your memory for a long time. Bonus: the sequel book just came out.
• Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer. A tightly written mystery by a master puzzle maker and author. It feels a part of the time in which it is set and refreshingly modern, using Sherlock Holmes as inspiration and foil to Enola’s ingenuity and pluck. If you’ve been wanting to see what the Netflix movie’s buzz is about, this is the best place to start.

Image courtesy of Amazon.

Ethan Shea, Communication & Marketing Graduate Assistant:

• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. I’ve heard endless praise about The Picture of Dorian Gray, so this winter, I’m finally taking the plunge and checking this novel off my to-read list. The story follows a young and beautiful Dorian Gray as he sells his soul to ensure he will never age or lose his beauty. Gray continues to live a worry-free but sinful life while the consequences of his actions become visible in his portrait.
• The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. I hope to read Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles over winter break, a fresh take on the story of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus. A couple of my friends have recommended Miller’s books to me, and this particular text aligns with my interest in Greco-Roman mythology. 
• Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. In anticipation of a class on the African novel I’ll be taking next semester, I’m excited to read Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.  I’ve heard Achebe’s depiction of colonialism and masterful use of language is incredibly moving to say the least, so I can’t wait to read this classic novel.

Image courtesy of Amazon.

Joanne Quinn, Director of Communication & Marketing:

• At Christmas time, not only do I like to eat cookies, I like to read about them, too. That’s why I’m excited to see several delicious looking new cookie cookbooks on the horizon, including one by legendary baker Rose Levy Beranbaum. When Rose titles a book with a food item and then the word Bible after it, you know The Cookie Bible will be a must-read. The pandemic has affected its delivery date, but you can pre-order it on Amazon.
• Also on my cookie-cooking radar is Sweet Talk Cookies, by Hayley Callaway. This one teaches you all the tools to ice/stencil and uber-customize cookies to feature any art that you wish–including an amazing turkey from a peace sign cookie cutter–which of course, every Villanovan should own.
• And finally, It’s Not Just Cookies, by Tiffany and John Chen tells the story of two college sweethearts and entrepreneurs who began a multi-million dollar cookie business, Tiff’s Treats, in an off-campus apartment at the University of Texas, Austin. Sound like they’re two smart cookies, for sure.

Image courtesy of Amazon.

Meg Schwoerer-Leister, Student Employment Coordinator. Photo courtesy of Kallie Stahl, Communication & Marketing Specialist.

“On the weekends, I would walk through campus and think ‘This would be my dream to work at Villanova,’ and now it’s here.”

Meg Schwoerer-Leister recently joined Access Services as the Student Employment Coordinator. Supporting the University’s teaching, learning, and research goals, Access Services provides a number of services to patrons including access to and maintenance of Falvey’s collections, library information and assistance, support for library equipment and technologies, placement of selected print or scanned materials on Course Reserves and Blackboard, and delivery of materials that are requested through Interlibrary Loan or E-ZBorrow. In order to assist the University community, Access Services must be fully staffed, and Schwoerer-Leister ensures each area is operating successfully.

“What’s wonderful about Access Services is that everyone supports each other. There are various duties that we all do, such as supervising the service desk; however, my role as student coordinator is to assess which areas will need student employment for the upcoming semester. After going through applications and interviewing students, I coordinate with Access Services staff to see which areas would be a good fit for applicants. Working in the book stacks with Gerald Dierkes, Access & Collections Coordinator, aiding Roberta Pierce, Access & Collections Coordinator, with resource sharing, or working alongside Mike Sgier, Access & Collections Coordinator, at the service desk.”

Before joining the Falvey Memorial Library staff, Schwoerer-Leister worked as the Access Services Supervisor at the Paul J. Gutman Library, Philadelphia University/Jefferson University. “It was a similar position [to my role at Falvey], and I was so fortunate to work there. I really enjoyed working with the students. It was very hands on and involved a lot of scheduling. Like Falvey, everything at the library was constantly evolving and moving.” Having a vast knowledge of resource sharing, Schwoerer-Leister also aided in Gutman Library’s migration from SirsiDynix to Alma. “It was daunting in the beginning, but the people I worked with were amazing and I learned a lot behind the scenes implementing an integrated library system.”

Growing up in the area, Schwoerer-Leister attended Temple University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice with a minor in Sociology. “It’s the people aspect,” noted Schwoerer-Leister, when speaking of what drew her to Falvey. “I’ve always known the value of Villanova to the community, and I also know several people that work here. It’s such a positive place to be.”

In her free time Schwoerer-Leister enjoys spending time outdoors—hiking, walking, biking, and gardening. She also enjoys reading, particularly historical fiction. She recommends The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah and American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins for late summer reading. Schwoerer-Leister’s desk is located in Access Services on Falvey’s first floor (Email: Margaret.schwoerer-leister@villanova.edu.) Stop by and say hello if you see Schwoerer-Leister at the service desk!

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