Saint Louis University Libraries Newsletter

Current Events and Exhibits

In Level 1, Pius Library
The Writing & Works of John Prendergast, 3/31/13-5/31/13

In Level 1 Lobby, Pius Library
Women’s History Month, 2/29/13-5/31/13

In Level 2, Pius library
Happy Birthday Father Ong!,
11/29/12–5/31/13
Department of Communications,
3/6/13-7/31/13

Upcoming Events and Exhibits

Archives and Rare Book Reading Room, 3rd Floor, Pius Library
Father Daniel Lord and the Catholic Church in the Twenty-First Century, 10/10/11–5/31/13

VFL Reading Room, 1st Floor, Pius Library
Recollected Forms, 2/1/13–8/1/13

Billiken Club / Firecracker Press Collection
9/1/13 - 12/30/13

The 40th Annual Saint Louis Conference on Manuscript Studies
10/11/13 - 10/12/13

The Lowrie J. Daly Lecture on Manuscript Studies
10/11/13

University Libraries Special Collections lecture and panel discussion on the 1949 Exorcism at SLU
10/29/13

A Vision for the Future of the Saint Louis University Libraries: Major Issues, Goals, and Actions

Academic libraries today are in process of redefining themselves in a digital information age that has allowed us to expand our mission. Many changes have occurred within the modern academic library, largely driven by information technology, spiraling e-journal costs, new approaches to teaching and learning, new models for scholarly communication, and changing expectations in the ways information is discovered, shared, and used.

Woodstock Letters

Ninety-eight volumes comprising almost 50,000 pages and occupying 13 linear feet of shelf space provide an invaluable record of the American Jesuits throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Issues feature historical articles, updates on work by the Jesuits, eyewitness accounts of historic events, book reviews, obituaries, enrollment statistics for Jesuit schools, and other items of interest to the Society.

University Archivist Receives Catholic Library Association Award

Earlier this spring, University Archivist John Waide received a signal honor from the Greater St. Louis Chapter of the Catholic Library Association — its Fons Sapientiae (or Seat of Wisdom) Award, given annually to recognize “meritorious contributions … promoting the purposes and goals of professional library organizations.” John has been University Archivist in Special Collections since 1989 and a member of the Saint Louis University Libraries since 1974

A Fishbowl View of Food Trucks

Thanks to the Midtown revival this has changed, and SLU employees and students now are afforded a multitude of dining options, yet none of these has quickened my pulse as has the arrival on Lindell, just outside my window, of food trucks and their wares—from Greek to Korean/Mexican fusion, Vietnamese to Deli style, from savory to sweet, heart-healthy to decadent comfort food.

Assessment at Pius and Medical Center Libraries

Assessment is not a new concept to any of the SLU librarians. We had been involved in a few specific assessment information literacy projects for decades and two rounds of LibQUAL+™ in 2003 and 2006, but we began to take assessment even more seriously in July 2007 when I was appointed Assistant University Librarian for Research & Assessment.

A Graduate Student Curator in the Vatican Film Library

I have had the pleasure of being the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (CMRS) Graduate Student Research Assistant in the University Libraries Special Collections Vatican Film Library (VFL). This position was awarded to me by Saint Louis University’s CMRS in support of my doctoral work in the Department of English.

Billiken Club / Firecracker Press Posters in Archives

In the Archives and Manuscripts unit of Special Collections we often work with material that represents a significant or interesting moment in time. Usually this is a document of some kind – a record, letter or perhaps a photograph capturing some noteworthy event. Occasionally we also collect material whose value lies in what it is, rather than what it represents – a painting, piece of music, or other work with some artistic merit in and of itself.

Medical Center Library Hosts Program to Dedicate and Bless New Service Desk

Central to the mission of the Medical Central Library is providing a comfortable, well-appointed setting for quiet study and research. A new centerpiece of ongoing updates to the library is our multi-function service desk, which combines reference and circulation access points and offers better coordination of our services with improved functionality in our high traffic entrance area.

Brother Mel's Art at Pius XII Memorial Library

A new and interactive addition is now part of the art collection of St. Louis University’s Pius XII Memorial Library. Created by local, internationally renowned artist Brother Mel Meyer, S.M., it is known simply as “Innovative Mobile.” It hangs from the ceiling and extends for five floors filling the open space adjacent to the main stairwell