Hi, I’m Rebecca Amrick, Falvey’s newest Cat in the Stax! I’ll be writing articles covering a broad range of topics, from academics to hobbies to random events. All the while highlighting how Falvey Library can enhance your Villanova experience!

This Friday, Sept. 15, marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the cultures and people of Hispanic and Latino descent. More specifically, recognizing and honoring the influence and achievements of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

In honor of the approaching holiday, I would like to highlight three important figures and their contributions to the Hispanic/Latinx community.

Julia Alvarez (Photo by Brandon Cruz González

Julia Alvarez

Though born in New York City in 1950, Julia lived in the Dominican Republic until she was ten years old, which was when she and her family moved back to the United States. She attended Middlebury College and graduated in 1971 before moving on to Syracuse University to earn her Master’s in Creative Writing. A prolific writer, much of Alvarez’s work explores the immigrant experience and bicultural identity, as seen in her novel How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents.

Dolores Huerta (Photo by Jay Godwin)

Dolores Huerta

Dolores Huerta was born in April of 1930 in New Mexico. After graduating from Delta College, she taught elementary school in Stockton, CA before she was moved to help improve the working conditions of migrant laborers. She joined the Community Service Organization in 1955 where she met Cesar Chavez, and the two later founded the United Farm Workers Union. Huerta fought for to provide workers livable wages, safe working conditions, and protections through non-violent protests, boycotts, and strikes. Her negotiations with companies on workers’ behalves earned her the nickname “The Dragon Lady.”

Jorge Ramos (Photo by Bill Ingalls)

Jorge Ramos

Jorge Ramos is a bilingual journalist who was born in Mexico in 1958 and later moved to America. In 1986, he became the anchorman for the Spanish broadcast Noticiero Univision. As an anchor, in both English and Spanish programs, he interviewed many presidents and international leaders such as Barrack Obama, Fidel Castra, and Nicolas Madura. Ramos is known for asking tough questions and holding leaders accountable as well as for advocating for immigrants.

Rebecca Amrick is a first year graduate student in the English Department and a Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.

Today, Sept. 11, is the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, the morning terrorists hijacked four American airplanes resulting in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people, including fifteen alumni.

Falvey Library honors the Villanovans, all those who lost their lives, and the first responders, by displaying a tribute each year to mark the tragic anniversary. The display, located in the lobby, lists the names of the Villanovans killed on 9/11 and is juxtaposed against flag designs and vases containing red, white, and blue flowers.

Photo courtesy of Jadyn Piotrowski.

As summer winds down, we’ve been seeing some of the prettiest sunsets.

Jadyn Piotrowski ’26 VSB, Communication & Marketing Student Assistant at Falvey Library.

ICYMI…Welcome to our new faces at Falvey!

Brittany Gunning

• Research Services and Scholarly Engagement Coordinator
• 610-519-7433
• brittany.gunning@villanova.edu
• Research Commons (Falvey second floor)

Emmett McAndrew

• Access & Collections Coordinator
• 610-519-6007
• e.mcandrew@villanova.edu
• Access Services (Falvey first floor)

Gabbi Pettineo

• Executive Administrative Assistant
• 610-519-5693
• gabbi.pettineo@villanova.edu
• Admin Office, Old Falvey 202

Migena Rrapushaj

• Access and Collections Specialist
• 610-519-4278
• migena.rrapushaj@villanova.edu
• Access Services (Falvey first floor)

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

Check out our website and social media every day for the latest library news, resources, and fun stuff!

WEEKLY BLOGS

Monday

• “Peek at the Week”
• Author: Annie Stockmal, Communication Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.
• A brief rundown of the week’s events and happenings at Falvey Library.
• Latest blog: https://blog.library.villanova.edu/2023/08/28/peek-at-the-week-august-28/

Tuesday

• “Resource Highlight”
• Author: Multiple contributors.
• Spotlighting one of the many resources Falvey Library has to offer.
• Latest blog: https://blog.library.villanova.edu/2023/08/24/falvey-offers-grove-art-online/

Wednesday 

• “Cat in the Stax”
• Author: Rebecca Amrick, English Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.
• Weekly reflections on Amrick’s graduate experience at Villanova University, and how the library community might aid you in your academic journey.
• Latest blog: https://blog.library.villanova.edu/2023/08/30/cat-in-the-stax-national-zoo-day/

Thursday

• “Throwback Thursday (TBT)”
• Author: Multiple contributors.
• A fun look back at our favorite Villanova memories and other memorable occasions.
• Latest blog: https://blog.library.villanova.edu/2023/08/31/tbt-and-our-full-days-now/

• “The Curious ‘Cat”
• Authors: Rebecca Amrick.
• Amrick interviews Falvey Library patrons for answers to our latest burning questions.
• Latest blog: https://blog.library.villanova.edu/2023/05/04/curious-cat-study-snacks/

Friday 

• “Weekend Recs”
• Author: Annie Stockmal.
• A compilation of weekend reading recommendations based on the latest current events.
• Latest blog: https://blog.library.villanova.edu/2023/08/25/weekend-recs-good-vibes/

• “Foto Friday”
• Author: Kallie Stahl, Communication and Marketing Specialist at Falvey Library.
• A weekly photo of happenings on campus.
• Latest blog: https://blog.library.villanova.edu/2023/08/11/foto-friday-changeable-canvas/

SOCIAL MEDIA

• Facebook (@FalveyLibrary)
• Twitter (@FalveyLibrary)
• Instagram (@villanovalibrary)
• YouTube (Falvey Memorial Library)
• Pinterest (@falveylibrary)

Photo courtesy of Jadyn Piotrowski.

Amidst the chaos of semester’s start, we find time to catch up with old friends. Take advantage of the mild weather and snag a seat outside!

Jadyn Piotrowski ’26 VSB, Communication & Marketing Student Assistant at Falvey Library.

Find your subject librarian using this subject list. Not sure which librarian to contact?

Email ref@villanova.edu or fill out this form.

Nicole Daly

• Communication, Sociology and Criminology, College of Professional Studies
• 610-519-5207
• nicole.daly@villanova.edu
• Falvey 225

Nancy Foasberg

• Scholarly Communications Librarian
• 610-519-5075
• nancy.foasberg@villanova.edu
• Room 218C

Nikolaus Fogle

• Philosophy, Ethics
• 610-519-5182
• nikolaus.fogle@villanova.edu
• Room 227

Alfred Fry

• Engineering, Nursing, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics and Statistics, Computer Science
• 610-519 4283
• alfred.fry@villanova.edu
• Room 224

Linda Hauck

• Business, Human Resource Development
• 610-519-8744
• linda.hauck@villanova.edu
• Room 222

Erica Hayes

• Digital Scholarship, Digital Humanities
• 610-519-5391
• erica.hayes@villanova.edu
• Room 218B Main

Robert LeBlanc

• ACS, First-Year Experience
• 610-519-7778
• robert.leblanc@villanova.edu
• Room 226

Laurie Ortiz Rivera

• History, Art History, Education and Counseling
• 610-519-3907
• laurie.ortizrivera@villanova.edu
• Room 229

Darren Poley

• Theology and Religious Studies; Humanities and Classical Studies
• 610-519-6371
• darren.poley@villanova.edu
• Room 230

Jutta Seibert

• Global Interdisciplinary Studies
• 610-519-7876
• jutta.seibert@villanova.edu
• Room 228

Merrill Stein

• Political Science, Psychological and Brain Sciences, Public Admin., Naval Science, Geography and the Environment
• 610-519-4272
• merrill.stein@villanova.edu
• Room 221

Sarah Wingo

• English Literature, Theatre, and Romance Languages and Literature
• 610-519-5183
• sarah.wingo@villanova.edu
• Room 223

By Shawn Proctor

There’s so much lingo to learn at Villanova, especially for new students.

One example. If someone wants to meet you for lunch at The Oreo, Spit, or the Pit, for which one should you plan to bring along your food?

Answer: The Oreo. Despite its tasty-sounding name, the so-called Oreo is just nickname for “The Awakening” sculpture near the Connelly Center. It is so not edible.

At Falvey, we have some acronyms of our own. Don’t worry, they aren’t ones you have to memorize, since you can just stop back here anytime and get oriented to the Library’s services and resources.

Access Services

The friendly faces at the front desk and the hardworking people who handle borrowing and lending, equipment loans, interlibrary loan services (ILL) and EZ-Borrow collection maintenance, and course reserves so students can easily read, study, and succeed.

C&M (Communications & Marketing)

The team who handles library events, publications, signage, social media, and this very own news blog.

DCDE (Distinctive Collections & Digital Engagement)

This includes several important areas in the Library: Special Collections, University Archives, and Villanova’s Digital Library.

RSSE (Research Services & Scholarly Engagement)

Do you know your subject librarian? Have a question about research or how to navigate the resources on the Library’s website? Start here. Dedicated librarians will help you find what you need and more.

Bonus:

Three Library partners are located within the building: The Learners’ Studio and CASA (Center for Success and Achievement) on the second floor and IIE (Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship) on the ground floor.

CASA aims to recruit, retain, and graduate underrepresented, first generation, and Pell Eligible students through holistic support in a culturally diverse and academically excellent environment.

IIE’s Idea Lab is a gathering space for individuals from all corners of campus to collaborate on innovative, creative, and cross-curricular projects.

Shawn Proctor, MFA, is Communication and Marketing Program Manager at Falvey Library.

Hi, I’m Rebecca Amrick, Falvey’s newest Cat in the Stax! I’ll be writing articles covering a broad range of topics, from academics to hobbies to random events. All the while highlighting how Falvey Library can enhance your Villanova experience!

First, I would like to welcome everybody back to campus (or simply welcome you to Villanova if this is your first year)! I hope your first week of classes went well and that you’re excited to begin this new semester.

Seeing as how tomorrow is National Zoo Day, I thought I would talk about America’s oldest zoo: The Philadelphia Zoo.

A little history lesson for you: the Philadelphia Zoo opened to the public on July 1, 1874, 15 years after its charter was signed. The opening of the zoo was greatly delayed due to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.

The Philadelphia Zoo is one of many firsts: not only was it the first zoo in the United States, but it was also the first zoo in the world to build an on-site animal care center. It is the site of America’s first successful orangutan and chimpanzee births. It is also opened the country’s first Children’s Zoo.

The zoo’s website shows their commitment to wildlife conservation, as it houses over 1,700 endangered animals. Additionally, the Philadelphia Zoo is AZA Accredited. This means that the zoo has been evaluated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and was determined to meet the highest standards of animal care and welfare.

If you’re passionate about animal rights and wildlife conservation, you can learn more by checking out Falvey’s Environmental Science Subject Guide. The Library has many resources on all aspects of this subject, from wildlife management to the moral and ethical aspects of zoos.

Here are a few such texts:

• Zoo Ethics: The Challenges of Compassionate Conservation by Jenny Gray
• Wildlife Conservation and Management by Ashok Kumar Bishoyi
• Wildlife: Perceptions, Threats and Conservation by Cheryl Ward
• Wildlife at the Zoo–Documentary Series

Rebecca Amrick is a first year graduate student in the English Department and a Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.