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.

It’s College Colors Day, so, of course, we’re reppin’ our blue and white!

Keep the celebration going and check out “Wildcats Past & Present: Moments from the History of Sports at Villanova.” The online exhibit features assorted and unique items representing the various sports played at Villanova College, and later Villanova University. Villanovans have always shown their school spirit–explore sport programs, basketballs, baseball, photographs, newspaper clippings as well as championship memorabilia from University Archives’ collection along with books and scrapbooks from Special Collections.

The exhibit, based on a legacy exhibit curated by Teri Ann Pirone, was curated by Susan Ottignon, former Collections Librarian, with assistance from Laura Bang, Distinctive Collections Librarian, and Michael Foight, Director of Distinctive Collections and Digital Engagement. Graphics provided by Joanne Quinn, Director of Communication and Marketing.

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

“I’m very happy to be working with Distinctive Collections and Irish Studies. With this graduate assistantship, I feel like I’m getting the best of both worlds.”

Emily Poteat recently joined the Falvey Memorial Library staff as graduate assistant for Distinctive Collections and Digital Engagement and Villanova’s Irish Studies Program. Working primarily with the Irish American Collection in Distinctive Collections, Poteat has discovered many voices of Irish-Americans living in the early 20th century and has begun transcribing their stories. She is currently examining a travel diary by Joseph McGarrity.

“He [McGarrity] brings so much nuance to his diary. I’ve read works by him for an audience and this diary is clearly just for him because he’s not taking care with his handwriting, its very scrawly. In some instances, he may have been writing while traveling the Irish countryside because there’d be a mark across the entire page where the pen just dragged. Delving into the history of Ireland, its really interesting to hear that perspective from an Irish-American who was so involved in Irish Republican activities.”

Another project Poteat has been working on is Mary Linehan’s Irish-American Poetry Commonplace Book. “We couldn’t tell which poems were written by Mary and which poems were commonplace. The only two we were able to identify as not penned by Mary was a poem about Mary Queen of Scots and a newspaper clipping that Mary had cut out and pasted onto a page of her book. It has been very interesting hearing the voices of different people and getting a small glimpse into their lives.”

Graduating from Elon University with a BA in history and minors in political science and German studies, Poteat has conducted a variety of archival research throughout her undergraduate career. Working as a intern with The MacArthur Memorial, she researched the Korean War and worked alongside their archival and curatorial department doing exhibition research where she had the opportunity to transcribe General Douglas MacArthur’s communique’. “The end result of that project was a research paper focusing on journalism during the Interwar period and how MacArthur’s communique’ was discussed throughout WWI and WWII.”

Her senior thesis focused on British identity at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the Indian Rebellion of 1857: She examined cartoons of both events published in Punch Magazine, analyzing aspects of British identity that were put on display for the public. For another project, she traced the history of the Red Army Faction (the Baader–Meinhof Group) and documented its transition from student-led operation to German militant organization.

A graduate student in the Department of History at Villanova University, Poteat plans to continue her study in modern German. Fluent in the language, she will focus her research on Nazi propaganda. “I want to focus on Volksgemeinschaft (people’s community) and examine the ways propaganda emerged and how it was distributed and communicated to the German public. I’m hoping to continue exploring geo-politics between Russia and the United States with the atomic bomb during the Cold War.”

In her free time, Poteat enjoys watercolor painting, copperplate calligraphy, and modern script calligraphy. She is looking forward to transcribing meeting minutes of the Irish Republican committees and societies in the United States. “I have a passion for special collections and archives. [This job] is a joy…This is always what I dreamed of doing.”

Follow Poteat’s work on the Falvey Library blog:

• Green Voices of the Past: First Reflections
• Green Voices of the Past: A Trip Through Ireland with Joseph McGarrity

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

Photo of Jackie Smith courtesy of Rob LeBlanc, First Year Experience & Humanities Librarian.

Imagine being greeted by a Falvey Library staff member every time you entered the building. In the late ’90s, patrons were welcomed by a door checker who would review credentials as Falvey Library was once a government documents depository open to the public weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Jacqueline “Jackie” Smith, Finance & Administration Specialist, recalls the layout of the Library when she began working as a part-time secretary in the Reference Department in 1994.

“Falvey’s first floor was the bulk of the Library. As you came in the main entrance (past the door checker), the Reference and Periodical departments were off to the right [where the Holy Grounds café is now]. The Reference office had one telephone and one computer in the office shared by three staff members. The Griffin Room was the office for periodicals and Speakers’ Corner [once referred to as ‘Tech Services’] was where we catalogued all of the books.”

Smith, currently the Library’s Finance & Administration Specialist, will be retiring on July 9, after more than 26 years of service to Villanova University. She first learned of a job opening at Falvey Library from a friend who saw the posting in the New of Delaware County newspaper. Smith, who was working for her local public library, decided to apply for the position. Working as a part-time secretary in the Reference department, Smith was offered a full-time position in 1995 where she worked in both the Reference department and Tech Services. “Falvey Library was very cohesive…everybody did everything. It was a really great learning environment.”

In 1996, Smith joined Head of Reference, Louise Green (Interim Director, Falvey Library, 1996-2000), in the Director’s Office where she worked until 2000. When Joe Lucia was hired as the new director (2002-2013), Green returned to Head of Reference and Smith returned to her split position, working in Reference and Tech Services juggling multiple projects for both departments. One of her favorite tasks was assisting librarians with class preparations. “When librarians would teach instruction classes, I would type up the exercises [the librarians] had planned to do to get students accustomed to using certain databases and academic resources. That was interesting because I always enjoyed the questions; what exercises the students were doing for different classes. I always learned something new. My entire Falvey career has truly been a wonderful learning experience.”

She also enjoyed her time spent in Special Collections. “I loved going up there. I assisted on the Sherman-Thackara Collection and often I would just sit there in awe looking at the handwriting of those beautiful letters—the language of the letters, the sentimentality that came through was just wonderful. Special Collections was my favorite place at Falvey. Working there was a treat.” In Tech Services, Smith worked on a number of projects—cataloguing books, managing supplies, and bill paying, to name but a few. “We had so many book orders that were all paid by check. We would order through our book vendors, and we would have huge stacks of invoices that would have to be sent for processing. And, of course, everything was on paper back then, so you can image how high the stacks of invoices were.”

In 2005, Smith began working in the Director’s Office as Finance & Administration Specialist, a position she’s held until her retirement. Smith aided in the Library’s transition of book vendors from Blackwell to Yankee. Additionally, she helped develop the current ledger structure in Voyager that Falvey has used since its implementation in 2009. The project, which took Smith and her colleagues years to complete, was a long process of trials and errors.

“It became obvious that the Library needed to have some kind of allocation for purchase orders in order to do a budget for various disciplines and that’s when the Voyager reports began. Trying to collaborate and coordinate the reports was a long ordeal. We had to determine how we wanted Voyager to function—dollar amounts, fund codes for disciplines, etc. It was mainly to get a budget in place because we [Falvey Library] do have bills to pay, so we needed some kind of accounting structure.”

After 26 years at Falvey Library, Smith is looking forward to spending more time with her family and grandchildren. She will be traveling to New Orleans in the fall with her husband and plans to drive to Washington state in the near future. “I’ve never visited the west coast, so I’d like to explore Oregon, Washington, California, and I would like to see the National Parks.” Smith is also the Vice President of the Father John J. Hickey Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary. Her father was a former member, so in his honor, she manages the auxiliary’s youth activities.

Smith enjoys playing board games, especially Scrabble, and plays Trivial Pursuit on Zoom with her cousins who live in England every other weekend. She frequently plays Mahjong with friends (originating in China, Mahjong is a rummy-like game played with tiles rather than cards). Frequently meeting her sisters for meals, Smith recommends visiting “Dining Under the Stars” in Media, Pa. (once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted). She recommends Hidalgo—”They have the best Mexican cuisine.” Catching up on some reading, Smith is excited to begin The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. The novel centers around “four Chinese American immigrant families in San Francisco who start a club [The Joy Luck Club] playing Mahjong for money.”

Reminiscing on her time at Falvey Library, Smith voiced her gratitude for her colleagues. “There are so many people responsible for helping me get to where I am today. From reference librarians, to tech services, to friends in the Library helping me along the way, offering their time and expertise…I just want to say thank you. Its been a wonderful learning experience. I thank everyone who has worked with me for their help and support over these 26 years. I would like to especially thank my fellow Finance & Administration team members. Their help, support, advice, guidance and friendship will never be forgotten and is truly appreciated.”

The entire Falvey staff thanks Smith for her 26 years of service to the Library and Villanova University community! Best wishes, Jackie, and enjoy retirement. Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat!

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

Photo of Jee Davis, courtesy of Rob LeBlanc, First Year Experience & Humanities Librarian.

Over the past four years, Jeehyun “Jee” Davis has made significant contributions to Falvey Memorial Library. She joined Collections and Stewardship in 2017 as Associate University Librarian for Collections and Stewardship and helped “build healthy and robust library collections through active conversations with campus communities and strong collaborations with internal and external partners.”

Davis recently accepted the position of University Librarian for the American University Library. The entire Falvey staff and University community wishes her well in her new role. Davis earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and English Literature from Mokpo National University, South Korea, and a Master of Science in Information Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. She recently earned a Master of Public Administration from Villanova University in May 2021. Before joining Falvey Library, Davis held positions in cataloging and metadata services at the University of Texas Libraries and the University of Missouri-Columbia Libraries.

As Associate University Librarian, Davis established the Collections Management Committee and coordinated the collections review project, working closely with subject librarians and Villanova faculty to “assess the quality and appropriateness of new and existing resources and collaborate in both the selection and deselection of those resources.” In addition to her contributions to the Library’s new strategic plan, Davis helped create the Affordable Materials Project (AMP), a university-wide collaboration between the bookstore, Falvey Library, CASA, and the Office of the Provost, to “provide faculty with resources and options for selecting high quality, affordable course materials and create student awareness of affordable options for obtaining course materials.” Whether working to replace Falvey’s integrated library system, or collaborating with colleagues to develop contactless services during the COVID-19 pandemic, Davis has aided in adopting Falvey’s collections to meeting the changing needs of the University community.

Reflecting on her tenure at Falvey and looking ahead to her new position, Davis shares what experiences may carry over in her new role:

“Working at Falvey in the last few years as the Associate University Library (AUL) for Collections and Stewardship has been tremendous and rewarding experience. This AUL position was new to the Library, and I had both great opportunities and challenges in building the division of Collections and Stewardship.

There are many initiatives and projects that I led and/or participated in during my tenure at Falvey. Particularly, I am very proud of my involvement in the creation of the Affordable Materials Project with various campus partners, the development and establishment of the Collection Management Committee, the collaborative Collection Review Project between Library staff and faculty, and the creation of various safe services at Falvey during the pandemic.

What I am most proud of and will miss enormously after leaving Villanova is the culture of Collections and Stewardship that I led to build. Transforming a work culture is not an easy task and it takes time and effort with perseverance and intentionality by a leader. It requires every member to be accountable for one’s own action and exhibit mutual respect and a sense of benefit of the doubt among colleagues. Falvey staff, particularly in Collections and Stewardship, have demonstrated consistent exemplary professionalism at work regardless of any challenging situations and have displayed altruistic and service-centered behavior at all times. I will remember and miss their collegiality and professionalism for many years to come.

All the accomplishments, trials and errors, and encouragement from colleagues at Falvey will be part of my leadership foundation at American University and help me continuously strive to be a better and ethical leader as the University Librarian.”

On behalf of Falvey Library, congratulations, Jee! We wish you all the best at American University!

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

Photo of Laura Hutelmyer, courtesy of Rob LeBlanc, First Year Experience & Humanities Librarian.

Tell me about the beginning of your Falvey Memorial Library journey. How did you hear about the opportunity? What was Falvey Library like in the 90s?

Hutelmyer: I found the advertisement in the newspaper and decided to apply for the job. I was interviewed and began work on the same day! I was the Microfilm and Student Aide Supervisor, and my job was to supervise 25 students who retrieved bound journals from the Bound Stacks (now Falvey West). I also assisted with and maintained the microfilm machines. In 1996 we had six microfilm machines. I started out as a part-time employee working Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I shared the job with Jim Fox who worked at the Library for many years but has since passed away. We were bringing in a new Library system, Voyager, at the time, so I added another day to my schedule to help create the 3,000 plus journal POs and check-in records that needed to be created before we could get rid of the Kardex, the old pencil and paper-based check-in system.

Falvey in the 1990s was a much stricter place. There was no eating in the library and no talking! I can remember students hiding food from us and being required to ask students to please keep quiet. All 3,000 print periodicals were in the room that now houses Holy Grounds. That was considered the Periodical Room. Very few, if any, titles were available electronically. I became a full-time employee in 1997. To my part-time job was added Interlibrary Loan duties to create this full-time job. I reported to Susan Markley for periodicals and Merrill Stein, Political Science Librarian, for Interlibrary Loan.

You worked in so many areas over the course of your 25 years at Falvey Library: circulation, communication and marketing, acquisitions, etc. Could you recount a bit about your time in each department?

Hutelmyer:

Circulation—I began working weekends as the door checker. There was a desk that sat in the middle of the floor right inside the double doors, and it was my job to check students’ IDs as they entered the building. Later, I worked the Circulation Desk on Monday and Wednesday evenings as an information assistant.

Communication and Marketing—I served on the Communication and Marketing team for many years. In the beginning we wrote articles for the Library portion of Blueprints (no longer in publication). I can remember walking to the University Communication offices across Lancaster Avenue to sit and correct galley proofs with a red pen! We also worked on Compass, a library publication that went to staff, alumni, and other constituents and the Library blog. For four years, I was responsible for hosting the Library’s Graphic Novel event. We partnered with the Writing Center and hosted panel discussions and speakers.

Archives—I worked in the University Archives for two years. Fr. Dennis Gallagher, OSA, was the Archivist, and I spent every Thursday from 2-4 p.m. helping label folders, identify photographs, and plan exhibits.

Special Collections—I also worked on the Special Collections team. I scanned many vintage newspapers and worked to put together an exhibit on newspapers in Special Collections (see below).

Acquisitions—This was always my main job. In 25 years, I went from shelving and checking in print journals to managing electronic journals and database subscriptions. I worked closely with RSSE, vendors and the Finance Office.

English/Modern Languages Liaison Team—I worked on this team for two years and helped Librarian Judy Olsen with varied tasks.

How did your Special Collections exhibit come about? How was your experience curating that project? 

Hutelmyer: The exhibit was called Extra Extra! Newspapers in Special Collections. Michael Foight, Director of Distinctive Collections & Digital Engagement, asked me if I would be interested in contributing to this exhibit because I’d written my Master’s thesis on Gertrude Mossell, an African American female journalist who wrote an advice column in the New York Freeman in the 1880s. I had collected all her columns as part of my research. Michael knew I was interested in primary materials so he thought this would interest me. I really enjoyed researching the publications in the exhibit and working on this with Laura Bang, Distinctive Collections Librarian, as well as Jean Lutes, PhD, Professor, Department of English (my thesis advisor). I was proud to have my name associated with the exhibit and even made some of my family members come see it!

When did you begin your MA in English at Villanova University? 

Hutelmyer: I started my masters in 1999 or 2000 and finished in 2007. It took me six or seven years, taking one course at a time plus writing a thesis, to finish. The department started sending me emails saying my time was running out and that I needed to finish, otherwise, I’d probably still be researching. I love every aspect of the research process and hope to revive my project, this time looking at how exchange publications worked in the 1800s and early 1900s, after I retire. My thesis advisors were Jean Lutes, PhD and Crystal Lucky, PhD, Associate Dean of Baccalaureate Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Associate Professor of English. They were fun, inspiring, and wonderful to work with.

Was there an annual event at Falvey Library or Villanova University that you looked forward to every year? Favorite memories?   

Hutelmyer: The only annual event that comes to mind is the staff picnic, which was always held right after graduation. It was nice to see all the university employees and enjoy a day in the sunshine. Personally, I was a member of a small book club that was started by four Library employees in 1997. We would meet at Guilifty’s after work, have dinner, and go to Borders bookstore for coffee and a book discussion. Memories of those meetings are very special to me. I also hold a special fondness for some of my earliest co-workers. Those people not only trained me to do a good job but passed on a lot of institutional knowledge. I also enjoyed going to the plays in Vasey Hall with an assortment of co-workers. We’d always go to dinner and come back to campus for the play.

What is your favorite place on campus, outside of the Library building? 

Hutelmyer: In recent years, I’d take a daily walk at lunch to West Campus, up around Picotte Hall at Dundale, the pond, and the soccer field. I’d have to say that is one of my favorite loops because it so peaceful and quiet. It gave me a new perspective of the campus.

How has Falvey changed in the last 25 years? What direction do you see the Library moving towards in a (post-pandemic) future?

Hutelmyer: The biggest change would be the transition from print to electronic. Of course, the buildings have all changed and so have most of the people, but the mission to serve our constituents has remained the same. In the future, I see more remote work and virtual services and an emphasis on open source and free access.

What are you most looking forward to in retirement? Which local historical and cultural institutions do you plan on volunteering with? Is there a specific place that you’d like to travel? 

Hutelmyer: I’m looking forward to scheduling my own days! I’ve been a potter for six years, learning and working at the Community Arts Center in Wallingford. My goal is to ramp up to a more professional level. I’m on the board of the Undercover Quilters Quilt Guild and a co-chair for the fall biennial Quilt Show. That will keep me busy for the immediate future. I’m on the board at the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation and am also a natural dyer. I help with the dye gardens at the site and I plan to expand my dyeing techniques. Last but not least, I have these eight fantastic grandchildren. My family is my top priority, and I’d like to spend time with them while they still want to spend time with me! Before the pandemic, I would have given you a list of places I plan to visit, New Mexico and the Lake District of England being at the top, but right now I just want to get in the car and wander.

What are your summer reading recommendations? Which hiking trails would you recommend?   

Hutelmyer: I’m a Wyeth fan so I would recommend The Wyeths: the letters of NC Wyeth 1901–1945. I’d also recommend Andrew Wyeth: A Secret Life by Richard Meryman. I love them for their local history. They will make you want to take your easel and go sit in a field, a wonderful thing to do in the summer! I recommend the Rocky Run Trail off Route 1 out near the Wawa Plant. The trail wanders along a stream, into an open field, into farmland. It continues to the Cornucopia Trail which goes around the Old Darlington Family Farm. This is my next hike.

The entire Falvey staff thanks Hutelmyer for her 25 years of service to the Library and the Villanova University community! Best wishes, Laura, and enjoy retirement. Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat!

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

Photo of Abby Cengel courtesy of Rob LeBlanc, First Year Experience & Humanities Librarian.

Over her three years at Falvey Memorial Library, Abby Cengel became a familiar and welcoming presence for patrons at the service desk. She joined Access Services in 2018 as the Access and Collections Coordinator and helped “ensure access to the Library facility, coordinate borrowing of the Library collections, and manage resource sharing requests from patrons and other libraries.”

Recently Cengel accepted a position with Bucks County Free Library in the Yardley-Makefield branch as their new Assistant Library Manager, a professional librarian and leadership position. The entire Falvey staff and University community wishes her well in her new role.

Originally from Cincinnati, OH, Cengel earned a BA in History from Wittenberg University (Springfield, OH), and an MA in Museum Studies from Indiana University – Purdue University – Indianapolis (IUPUI). She began her online MLIS program in the fall of 2018 at Kent State University (Kent, OH).

During her three years at Falvey, Cengel made significant contributions to the Library including the introduction of LibCal, a system that allowed patrons to book study rooms online, which has since been used to manage curbside service and faculty browsing appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to her contributions to web team efforts, various Collections and Stewardship projects, and numerous virtual (and in-person) service desk shifts, Cengel implemented SubItUp, a cloud-based scheduling system for which she was honored with the 2020 Work Process Improvement Award (WPI). The system helped maintain and organize shifts for 50 Villanova students working at Falvey Library.

“No matter what we needed, or in what area of the department, Abby’s answer was always, without exception, ‘Sure. No problem,’” said Luisa Cywinski, Director of Access Services. “She was completely undaunted by challenges and seemed to thrive on projects, especially when she could take them from A to Z. On a personal note, she had an impressive collection of Funko Pops on her desk ranging from Harry Potter to Lord of the Rings. She loved to come up with activities for the student staff, including crafts, candy, and other fun things for the end of year department reception and for holiday celebrations. I will miss her positive energy, can-do attitude, and sense of humor.”

On behalf of Falvey Library, congratulations, Abby! We wish you all the best on your next professional adventure!

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

National Library Worker’s Day is next Tuesday, April 6. As a way to show appreciation for those who work and have worked in Falvey, here’s a throwback picture of Librarian Rev. Louis A. Rongione, OSA, overseeing work on a library project from the 1968 Belle Air. That same year, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for library expansion.

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