A Newsletter from The Weinberg Memorial Library
FALL 2024
Royden B. Davis Distinguished Author Award to be Given to Brandy Schillace, Ph.D.
The Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library are thrilled to invite you to the 2024 Royden B. Davis, S.J., Distinguished Author Award Gala, honoring Brandy Schillace, Ph.D. The event will be held in The University of Scranton’s McIlhenny Ballroom on Nov. 16, 2024. After a public book signing, the ticketed gala will feature fine hors d’oeuvres, dinner, desserts and cocktails. The award presentation will include remarks from The University of Scranton’s administration and the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library.
Tickets are currently on sale, but we also invite you to consider sponsoring the event to benefit the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library in its mission to support the Library's resources, services and spaces. Many sponsorships come with complimentary tickets. Please visit www.scranton.edu/ authaward for more information or call Kym Fetsko at 570-941-7816.
Our toastmaster and emcee for the evening is Scranton alumnus Christopher Banks, CEO and President of the Autism Society of America. His leadership and commitment to advocacy make him the perfect host for this celebration. After the award is presented, Dr. Schillace will deliver a keynote address and conclude the evening with questions from the audience.
Brandy Schillace, Ph.D., is a celebrated author, historian, and medical humanities scholar. Her work has been widely recognized for its interdisciplinary approach, blending science, history and storytelling to explore the human experience of medicine and mortality.
Her recent novel, The Framed Women of Ardemore House (Hanover Square Press), showcases her ability to craft compelling narratives that blend contemporary mystery with historical intrigue. The book follows the story of Jo Jones, a neurodivergent, hyperlexic book
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From the Dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library
Dear Friends,
As we embark on another exciting academic year, I am pleased to share the latest news and events from the Weinberg Memorial Library. Our dedicated staff and faculty have been hard at work, ensuring our Library remains a vibrant center for learning, research and community engagement.
I am thrilled to announce that Brandy Schillace, Ph.D., will be honored with the 2024 Royden B. Davis, S.J., Distinguished Author Award. Dr. Schillace’s remarkable contributions to literature and medical humanities enrich our understanding of the human experience. You can read about the celebration of Dr. Schillace’s achievements in this issue, but I invite you to join us on Nov. 16, 2024, for a gala celebration in her honor. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit www. scranton.edu/authaward or call Kym Fetsko at 570-941-7816.
Other events in the fall include a McHugh Family Special Collection exhibition entitled "Gems of Flourishing from The Zaner-Bloser Penmanship Collection.” This exhibition will showcase the artistry of penmen from the 19th and early 20th centuries, featuring intricate flourishes and designs that highlight the beauty of handwriting. The Hope Horn Gallery also has a fantastic exhibition schedule planned for the fall semester, featuring the exhibits “The Natural Advantage,” “The Lackawanna River and Watershed: History and Environment,” and “The Hudson River and Delaware Valley: Selections from the Paul Biedlingmaier Collection.”
The spring semester’s exhibitions include “The Hudson River and Delaware Valley: Selections from the Mark Biedlingmaier Collection” and “The Lackawanna River and Watershed: Art and Interpretation.”
Our efforts to enhance Library resources continue with the completion of the ILS migration to FOLIO and the installation of a new catalog product called Locate. While FOLIO is primarily a “back of the house” product, its installation will help us better serve our community in terms of improving access to e-resources and turning on advanced user features. Locate brings a new streamlined catalog interface for finding the Library’s print and physical materials and will serve as a
solid supplement to the integrated Library search we introduced last summer, which we coined Royal Search. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the implementation team for their dedication and hard work in making this migration as seamless as possible.
As we’ve worked hard to improve accessibility to our resources, we’ve also worked on expanding our collections. I’m pleased to share the founding of the Dr. J. Timothy Cannon Collection, which features titles focused on his research interests. The collection is a testament to his impact on psychology and neuroscience. Later in the issue, we describe how his friends developed and funded this new collection of print materials. We also established a Textbook Reserve Collection. Thanks to the generous contributions from our student government and the Arrupe House End-ofYear Drive, this collection will provide students with essential textbooks, supporting their academic success.
Last spring, we celebrated our students' achievements with the Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize. The exceptional research projects submitted by Emma Torok, Charles Cavin Sylvester, Gabrielle Allen and Julianna Lunt reflect our University's high caliber of scholarship. We proudly support their academic journeys and look forward to their continued success.
The Library also took time to honor our employees. We hosted our annual work-study celebration, where we thanked student workers for their vital role in Library operations and gave well wishes to our graduating seniors. We also took a little time to celebrate National Library Worker’s Day. The event was a small get-together but an excellent opportunity to express our gratitude to the Library staff and faculty for their unwavering support of the Library’s mission. Collectively, their efforts ensure that the Weinberg Memorial Library remains a cornerstone of excellence at The University of Scranton.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and celebrations.
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editor and divorced New Yorker transplanted into the English countryside. After losing her job, her mother and her marriage all in one year, she couldn’t be happier to take possession of a possibly haunted (and clearly unwanted) family estate in North Yorkshire. But when the body of the moody town groundskeeper turns up on her rug with three bullets in his back, Jo finds herself in potential danger – and she’s also a potential suspect. At the same time, a peculiar family portrait vanishes from a secret room in the manor, bearing a strange connection to the dead body and Jo’s mysterious family history.
Dr. Schillace's meticulous research and vivid prose bring the novel's world to life, immersing readers in the atmospheric setting and complex inner lives of her characters. The novel has been praised for its feminist themes, exploration of the psychological toll of oppression, gripping plot twists and powerful representation of a neurodiverse main character.
The Framed Women of Ardemore House has garnered critical acclaim. Library Journal has named it a Recommended Read for Autism Acceptance Month, while The Washington Post notes that “the book is more than just a mystery: It’s an autistic woman’s journey of selfdiscovery.” The Wall Street Journal writes, “It’s a delight to spend quality time with the morethan-capable Josephine Jones,” and Publisher’s Weekly exclaims that “Schillace, who’s autistic herself, draws a marvelously believable heroine in Jo, and sets her up with an expertly constructed mystery. Readers will be hungry for a sequel.”
Dr. Schillace is also the author of several acclaimed non-fiction books. Her nonfiction work showcases her unique ability to bridge the gap between the humanities and the sciences. Her nonfiction work includes Mr. Humble and Dr. Butcher (Simon & Schuster), which was described as “delightfully macabre” by The New York Times, “fascinating” by The Wall Street Journal, and “spirited and breezily provocative” by The Washington Post. She is also the author of Death's Summer Coat (Pegasus Books) and Clockwork Futures (Pegasus Books).
As a medical historian, Dr. Schillace has made significant contributions to the field, shedding light on the social, cultural and political aspects of medicine throughout history. Her work has been supported by grants from prestigious institutions such as the Arthur P. Sloan Foundation for Science Communication and the Ohio Arts Council.
As a Research and Public Engagement Fellow at the Dittrick Museum, she played an integral role when the museum received a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant to create an interactive exhibit highlighting the evolution of medicine in America.
Dr. Schillace's work has been featured in numerous publications, including Scientific American, Wired, The Huffington Post, Undark, CrimeReads and The Wall Street Journal. She has also been interviewed by The Washington Post and The New York Times. Additionally, she has appeared on television shows such as "Mysteries at the Museum" with Don Wildman and "The Unbelievable" with Dan Aykroyd.
In addition to her writing and research, Dr. Schillace holds a Ph.D. and has been a dedicated educator and mentor. Truly interdisciplinary, she has held positions in English literature and History departments and worked for a decade for a medical anthropology journal. Previously an assistant professor at Winona State University, she later taught at Case Western Reserve University, where she inspired students to explore the intersections of science, history and the humanities. Dr. Schillace is presently the Editor-in-Chief of BMJ's Medical Humanities, where she continues to work for accessibility and social justice. Her work continues to enrich our understanding of the human experience and the role of medicine in shaping our lives and societies.
I hope you can join us on the evening of Nov. 16, 2024, to celebrate Dr. Schillace’s literary and scholarly achievements.
Her work has been widely recognized for its interdisciplinary approach, blending science, history and storytelling to explore the human experience of medicine and mortality.
George Aulisio, Ph.D., DeanoftheWeinbergMemorialLibrary
George Aulisio, Ph.D., Dean of the Library
Professor Marian Farrell Retires Alumni Author Visit
Nursing professor and long-time chair of the Library Advisory Committee (L.A.C.) Marian Farrell, Ph.D., retired at the end of the spring semester. Dr. Farrell has led the L.A.C. through many changes, assisted with decision-making that might impact Library users, and advocated on behalf of the Library. We wish Dr. Farrell a long and happy retirement!
Dr. Farrell cuts a cake with George Aulisio, Ph.D., at her last Library Advisory meeting before retirement.
Student Worker Celebration
On Friday, May 3, 2024, the Library hosted a celebration for our student workers in the Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room. Library faculty and staff were in attendance, along with the students they supervise from the Dean’s Office, Media Resources, Circulation Services and Technical Services. Our 2024 graduates were the guests of honor, marking the kickoff to a bittersweet time of the year filled with excitement for what’s to come.
University of Scranton alumnus Brendan Deneen ’95 visited the Weinberg Memorial Library to give a talk about his career as an author and his position in the publishing industry. Deneen was enthusiastic and engaging as he shared stories about his writing and how his career developed from novels to comic books to graphic novels, with original stories, retellings and reimagining classic superheroes and modern characters. He also shared stories about his time in Scranton, in English classes, and performing in the theater. Many faculty members from the English and Theatre Department, including his former professors, attended the event, which he remarked was touching and intimidating. The Library co-sponsored the talk with the English and Theatre Department.
Brendan Deneen is the author of the awardwinning coming-of-age novel The Ninth Circle, the horror novel The Chrysalis, and Morbius: Blood Ties, an original novel set in the SpiderMan universe for Marvel/Titan. He’s also the author of the bestselling four-volume Night Night Groot picture book series for Marvel; the original middle-grade graphic novel Green Arrow: Stranded for DC Comics; the upcoming novel Guardians of the Galaxy Annihilation for Marvel/Titan; and the upcoming sci-fi romance novel Tracer for Blackstone Publishing. His other graphic novel work includes multiple volumes of Flash Gordon, an original Island of Misfit Toys book, a Casper the Friendly Ghost reboot, Phoenix (with Jim Krueger), Solarman (a reboot of a Marvel/Stan Lee series), Scatterbrain, and two upcoming graphic novels, The Bones of the Gods and Mortimer the Lazy Bird His short stories and essays have been published by St. Martin’s Press, Reader’s Digest Books, 13Thirty Press and Necro Publications.
The evening was lovely, and we shared good food, music, laughter and – most of all – each other’s company. After dinner, a short program began, during which Dean Aulisio expressed his thanks and congratulations to all the students. Supervisors spoke briefly about each of their graduating seniors, presenting them with a certificate of appreciation, a gift card and a signature Weinberg Memorial Library pin to wear at graduation. Afterward, everyone mingled inside and outside on the balcony, which was a special treat.
We value our student workers and appreciate everything they do to ensure the smooth operation of our Library day and night. We look forward to welcoming back our undergrads who will return to work with us this fall. By now, our 2024 graduates have moved on to new jobs, different schools and new adventures. Wherever their journeys take them, we hope the time they spent and the relationships they’ve made working at WML will serve them well and contribute to their successes.
—Patricia Savitts, Circulation Services Coordinator
Billie Tadros, Dr. Susan Méndez, Brenden Deneen, Dr. John McInerney, Professor Rich Larsen, Dr. Michael Friedman and Dr. Stephen Whittaker.
3 Caption?
1 Dean George Aulisio with Dr. Madeline Gangnes, Dr. Susan Méndez and Brenden Deneen.
2 English and Theatre Department Faculty with Brenden Deneen. From left to right: Dr. Madeline Gangnes, Professor Emeritus Carl Schaffer, Dr.
Attendees left to right, front row: Sharon Finnerty, Pat Savitts, Augustine Brapoh, Nora O'Connell, Maggie O'Connell, Annamarie Palermo, Julia Brown and Kdenyc Clay. Back row: Kym Fetsko, Molly Rosario, Leeangie Marte, Jace Nelson, Dean George Aulisio and Professor Marleen Cloutier.
Graduates, left to right, Molly Rosario, Augustine Brapoh, Nora O'Connell, Jace Nelson, Annamarie Palermo and Julia Brown. Missing from the photo is Grace DiGiacomo.
Colleen Farry was awarded tenure and promoted to Associate Professor.
Marleen Cloutier was promoted to Associate Professor. Ian O’Hara was promoted to Associate Professor.
Elin Woods resigned from the Library faculty as the Research and instruction Librarian for Student Success on July 26, 2024.
2024 Bonnie W. Oldham
Library Research
Prize Winners (Left to Right): Undergraduate Foundational category
Honorable Mention awardee Andrew Mauriello, Undergraduate UpperLevel award winner Charles Cavin Sylvester, and Graduate Level winners Gabrielle Allen and Julianna Lunt Not pictured: Undergraduate Foundational category winner Emma Torok,
Honorable Mention awardee in the Undergraduate UpperLevel category Gabrielle Bingener Honorable Mention awardee in the Undergraduate Upper-Level category Victoria Smulowitz and Honorable Mention awardees Graduate category Catherine Casola and Kiera Harvey as well as Honorable Mention awardees Graduate category Lauren Colella, Erin O'Shaughnessy, Michele Felice Rovaris and Sydney Walters
Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize Winners Announced
George Aulisio, Dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library, awarded the 2024 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize in the Undergraduate Foundational category to Emma Torok, a first-year Early Education major. The 2024 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize in the Undergraduate UpperLevel category was awarded to Charles Cavin Sylvester, a senior Environmental Science major, and the 2024 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize in the Graduate category went to Gabrielle Allen and Julianna Lunt, students in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.
Currently celebrating its 13th year, the Weinberg Memorial Library inaugurated the Library Research Prize in 2011 to recognize excellence in research projects demonstrating significant knowledge of research methods, the information-gathering process, and effective use of Library resources, tools and services. In 2017, the prize was named for Professor Emerita Bonnie W. Oldham, who founded the prize at the University. Fully endowed in 2019, the Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize awards $500 to winning projects in each category: Undergraduate Foundational (100-level projects), Undergraduate Upper-Level (200- to 400level projects) and Graduate. In the academic year 2022-2023, the Library updated the selection criteria to be more inclusive and diverse regarding the types of projects and researchers it honors.
Emma Torok, winner of the 2024 Bonnie
W. Oldham Library Research Prize in the Undergraduate Foundational category, submitted her paper titled “Analyzing the Effectiveness of In-Person Learning vs. Online Learning,” completed in Professor Dawn D’Aries Zera’s Writing 107: Composition course. Emma began her research in class and in an information literacy session with a faculty librarian, where she learned about various resources, including books, videos, online journals, interlibrary loan and more. Emma used the Library’s main search tool, Royal Search, to find peer-reviewed articles using limiters and Boolean logic. She balanced her argument with various sources, including scholarly research articles and news articles from The New York Times and NPR. Emma emphasized the importance of maintaining an open mind during research to avoid confirmation bias. She stated, “There have been times when I began my research, specifically looking for articles that agreed with my predetermined thoughts. However, for this project, I deliberately searched for articles that stated the benefits of both online and in-person learning. I am so thankful for all that I learned in the Library program and on the Library website because, without learning other perspectives, my paper would not have been formulated fairly.”
Emma also discussed embodying the Ignatian characteristic of Cura Personalis through her research process. She noted, “My research paper demonstrated this in two main ways: my open perspective to research and my personal connection to my topic. Before conducting any research, and even before finalizing my topic, I ensured that I educated myself on both sides of the debate. Just like St. Ignatius would do, I appreciated and thought critically about both perspectives before deciding my opinion.”
The 2024 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize Undergraduate Foundational category Honorable Mention award was
presented to first-year Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology major Andrew Mauriello for his project titled “Gene Therapy: An Effective Treatment for Some of the World’s Deadliest Diseases,” completed in his Writing 107: Composition course taught by Prof. Dawn D’Aries Zera.
In the Undergraduate Upper-Level award category, Charles Cavin Sylvester submitted the paper titled “Environmental Review of CFCs and their Replacements; the Montreal Protocol Plan,” completed in the course CHEM 390: Chemical Literature and Writing, taught by Dr. Michael Fennie. Charles relied on Library databases, such as Academic Search Elite, ProQuest Central, and the American Chemical Society publications, to identify pertinent peer-reviewed primary source literature. He also used secondary sources like textbooks and white papers to obtain governmental information regarding the Montreal Protocol. Charles accessed three crucial papers through the Library’s interlibrary loan system and used the citation management software Zotero to organize his sources, noting how this tool streamlined his research process.
Charles mentioned, “I wanted to choose something that affects everyone, something that is applicable to everyone’s daily life, something that would help better the lives of all. Pope Francis calls us to be stewards of the Earth. Most recently in his Laudato Deum, he specifically called out the United States for not being good enough. Therefore, embracing my Jesuit values, I wanted to write an impactful paper on the Montreal Protocol Plan to assess if we were doing enough to protect ourselves from the tragedy of ozone depletion by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).” Regarding his research process, Charles said, “I have done many research projects throughout my time at the University, but this one truly taught me the notion of not giving up before I found the right data. My
strive for Magis drove me. To write a fair and accurate paper, I needed specific data for CFCs and their three replacements concerning ozone depletion potentials, pathways for tropospheric sinks, radiative efficiencies, lifetimes, and global warming potentials. It was not an easy task, but I am extremely satisfied that I was successful in doing so. It made my paper so much more complete. The accomplishment will stick with me, and it taught me a lasting lesson about researching.” His research is timely and describes high-level scientific processes in a readable and straightforward manner. His work details a truly successful application of science as a change agent for improvement in environmental policy.
Honorable Mention awards in the 2024 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize in the Undergraduate Upper-Level category were presented to Gabrielle Bingener, a third-year Neuroscience major, for her project titled “Transposing The Wounded Storyteller,” completed in the course ENLT 224: Perspectives in Literature about Illness taught by Dr. Billie Tadros; and to Occupational Therapy major Victoria Smulowitz for her paper titled “The Impact of Breast Cancer Survivors' Participation in Society Due to a Loss of Occupational Engagement,” completed in the course OT 250: Scientific Writing and Information Literacy taught by Dr. Carol Coté.
(Left to Right) George J. Aulisio, Ph.D., Dean of the Library; David Dzurec, Ph.D., thenInterim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Charles Cavin Sylvester, Research Prize winner; Michael Fennie, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry; Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., former Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.
TOP: George J. Aulisio, Ph.D., Dean of the Library, gives remarks at the 2024 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize Awards Ceremony. BOTTOM: Professor Donna Witek, Information Literacy Coordinator, presents the 2024 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize awards.
Ph.D., Dean of
Library; Victoria Castellanos, Ph.D., Dean of the Leahy College of Health Sciences; Gabrielle Allen and Julianna Lunt Michelle, Research Prize winners; Marlene Morgan, Ed.D., Professor of Occupational Therapy; Carol Coté, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy; Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., former Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.
At the graduate level, Gabrielle Allen and Julianna Lunt were awarded for their project titled “The Changing Role of Occupational Therapy in Neonatal Care,” completed in the course OT 544: Leadership Principles, Ethics, and Pragmatics, taught by Dr. Marlene Morgan. Gabrielle and Julianna chose a topic beneficial for the occupational therapy profession, focusing on vulnerable populations affected by advancements in occupational therapy, ultimately selecting neonatal care. For this historical analysis, they utilized various Library resources, from print to digital and archival, and sought assistance from librarians. Initially intimidated by the research process, they began to feel “a bit like detectives” as they progressed. In true Jesuit tradition, they were pushed to become better researchers and to reflect on their findings.
Gabrielle and Julianna wrote, “Whether it was the discernment of choosing a research topic that would benefit the future of OT and help advocate for the infants in the NICU, or learning how to navigate new equipment to access archival journals on microfilm, this project fostered growth in many different ways.” They added, “We found ourselves discussing our gratitude to receive a Jesuit education while completing this research project,” and applied the Jesuit concept of Contemplatio ad amorem to their work, stating, “The research process incorporated active parts and also included reflection of the findings.
It was in these moments of reflection that we were able to uncover themes throughout history and have ‘breakthrough moments.’ Most importantly, our research was driven by the love of God because we sought to choose a topic that would improve the quality of life for His most vulnerable creations.” In this way, Gabrielle and Julianna illustrated how the research process can transform both the researcher and those whom the research will serve.
Honorable Mention awards in the 2024 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize Graduate category were presented to Master of Occupational Therapy students Catherine Casola and Kiera Harvey for their project titled “The History of Occupational Therap y in Neurological Conditions,” completed in the course OT 544: Leadership Principles, Ethics, and Pragmatics, taught by Dr. Marlene Morgan; and to Doctor of Physical Therapy students Lauren Colella, Erin O'Shaughnessy, Michele Felice Rovaris and Sydney Walters for their project titled “Mental Health Factors and Exercise Adherence in Women with Breast Cancer Interventions: A Systematic Review,” completed in the course PT 773: Scientific Inquiry III for PT, taught by Dr. Anthony Carusotto. Prize winners were honored at an awards ceremony and reception on Friday, May 17, 2024, at 1 p.m., in the Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room of the Weinberg Memorial Library. Information about the Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize can be found on the website: www.scranton.edu/libraryresearchprize. For more information about the Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize, contact Professor Donna Witek, Information Literacy Coordinator, at donna.witek@scranton.edu.
—Associate Professor Ian O’Hara, Research and Instruction Librarian for Health Sciences
Textbook Drive and Textbook Reserve Collection Donations
In a project initiated by the 2023-2024 Student Government Academic and Scholastic Affairs Committee (USSG), University of Scranton student senators Caitlin Doughton, Brian Castrogiovanni and Brigid Carlin worked with the Dean’s Office of the Library to organize and host a used textbook drive during the last two weeks of the 2024 spring semester. Students donated 154 books during the event. The textbooks collected as part of this drive, as well as additional textbook donations received from the Arrupe House End of Year Drive, will be added to a new Textbook Reserve Collection. The collection will be housed at the Library Services Desk, searchable within Royal Search, and can be borrowed on a one-day loan unless placed on reserve for a specific class for the 2024-2025 academic year. To find textbooks that are part of the collection, search “textbook reserve collection" in Royal Search.
The catalog gets an upgrade: WML migrates to FOLIO
The Weinberg Memorial Library is very excited to announce that on May 29, 2024, the Library moved to a new open-source Library Services Platform (LSP) called FOLIO. This new LSP enables Library staff to acquire and manage our print and digital collections. FOLIO replaced our Integrated Library System (ILS), known as Sierra, which had been in place since 2012. FOLIO has been integrated with our Discovery Layer, Royal Search, and a new platform called Locate. Locate’s Library Catalog user interface provides a real-time view of the Library’s physical inventory and print or media course reserves. Locate will be utilized on the kiosks found throughout the Library and will be searchable from the Library’s homepage.
—Associate Professor Marleen Cloutier, Editor Cataloging and Metadata Librarian
(Left to Right) George J. Aulisio,
the
Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize Winners Announced continued
Circulation Supervisor Pat Savitts checks out a book to Dean Aulisio for the first time using FOLIO.
Hope Horn Gallery Special Topics
Workshops Held in Spring 2024
In Spring 2024, the Hope Horn Gallery hosted two Special Topics Workshops to support campus initiatives. These included a “Call to Action Poster Workshop” with Emmanuel Wisdxm, organized in celebration of Black History Month 2024, the focus of which was African Americans and the arts, and “An Earth Day Celebration with Pictures Moved by Strings,” featuring artists John Bromberg and Samuelle Green, held at the Scranton Iron Furnaces in conjunction with the Hope Horn Gallery exhibition “Our Common Home: Selections from the Collections of The University of Scranton and Friends.”
On Saturday morning, March 2, 2024, 30 University of Scranton students gathered in the Kane Forum of Leahy Hall for a “Call to Action Poster Workshop” presented in a Zoom and hands-on format with Philadelphia-based artist Emmanuel Wisdxm. Known in the Scranton community as the painter responsible for the expressive lettering on the city’s Martin Luther King mural on Mulberry Street, Wisdxm has worked on numerous public art and poster projects incorporating text and images related to Black art and culture. Following Wisdxm’s Zoom presentation, where he discussed the basics of persuasive graphic design, students could produce their own posters featuring inspirational phrases. Art materials, including poster paper, drafting rulers, pencils, erasers and brush markers, as well as a simple lunch, were provided. The workshop, supported by a Diversity Initiatives Grant through the Office of Equity and Diversity, was accompanied by an installation in the Weinberg Memorial Library’s fourth floor Quiet Study Room featuring
“Afro-Constructivism: Posters by Emmanuel Wisdxm.” Student posters produced during the workshop will be added to the display in summer 2024.
Over 90 campus and community members walked to the Scranton Iron Furnaces on the afternoon of Thursday, April 25, 2024, to participate in a special site-specific performance, “An Earth Day Celebration with Pictures Moved by Strings,” featuring regional artists John Bromberg and Samuelle Green. This event was presented in conjunction with the exhibition “Our Common Home: Selections from the Collections of the University of Scranton and Friends,” organized in honor of Laudato Si, a recent encyclical written by Pope Francis that calls for care of the environment. While works of art displayed in the gallery related to themes of nature, they also functioned as touchstones for larger sites and collections found in "our common home" of Scranton. The exhibition was specifically extended beyond gallery walls by the performance at the Scranton Iron Furnaces, co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s Anthracite Heritage Museum. The celebration featured music, puppets and performers commenting on environmental issues through short skits staged with basic props. Allegorical characters, including Winged Beings, the Earth Mother, the Jackal, Big Feet, Big Boots, and Truth, interacted with structural forms such as pyramids and plant stalks to tell the story of growth and change within human civilization and its environmental impact. The audience participated in call-and-response interaction with the performers and received cards printed with phrases such as kindness
For over three decades, the Hope Horn Gallery has presented exhibitions and programming that complement the University's curricula, encourage campus and community collaborations, support regional artists, provide arts in education opportunities, and showcase students' work. Look for our upcoming schedule of events for 2024-2025!
—Darlene Miller-Lanning, Ph.D., Hope Horn Gallery Director
Upcoming Hope Horn Gallery Exhibits
September 3 through October 11, 2024
The
Lackawanna River and Watershed: History and Environment
Presented in cooperation with the Lackawanna River Conservation Association as the first of a two-part exhibition series, this curated show explores the historical and environmental context of the Lackawanna River through comparative maps, photographs, and artifacts from local collections. It is sponsored in part by the Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area in partnership with the National Park Service, and the Ellacuría Initiative at The University of Scranton. Thomas Matchko, The University of Scranton Class of 2025, serves as curatorial assistant.
SPECIAL EVENTS • Friday, September 6, 2024
Gallery Lecture at Pearn Auditorium, Brennan 228 • 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Public Reception at Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland 405 • 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
October 21 through November 22, 2024
Hudson River and Delaware Valley: Selections from the Paul Biedlingmaier
Jr. Collection
Inspired by family ties to the watersheds of the Hudson, Delaware, Lehigh, and Lackawanna Rivers, the Biedlingmaier brothers have collected art related to these regions for over forty years. As the first of a two-part exhibition series, this show highlights nineteenth century works by artists of the Hudson River School from the collection of Paul Biedlingmaier Jr., The University of Scranton Class of 1976.
SPECIAL EVENTS • Friday, October 25, 2024
Gallery Lecture at Pearn Auditorium, Brennan 228 • 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Public Reception at Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland 405 • 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
September 3 through October 11, 2024
Hudson River and Delaware Valley: Selections from the Mark Biedlingmaier Collection
Inspired by family ties to the watersheds of the Hudson, Delaware, Lehigh, and Lackawanna Rivers, the Biedlingmaier brothers have collected art related to these regions for over forty years. As the second of a two-part exhibition series, this show highlights twentieth century works by artists of the Delaware Valley region from the collection of Mark Biedlingmaier, The University of Scranton Class of 1980.
SPECIAL EVENTS • Friday, February 7, 2025
Gallery Lecture at Pearn Auditorium, Brennan 228 • 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Public Reception at Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland 405 • 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
James Hope. Rainbow Falls. Watkins Glen Oil on panel. 1871. The Paul Biedlingmaier Jr. Collection.
Thomas Matchko. Abandoned Mine Drainage Near Panther Creek Digital photograph. 2024.
Owen Cullen Yates. Interior of a Wood. Oil on canvas. Undated. The Mark Biedlingmaier Collection.
Introducing Our Staff: Tiffany Ash
Tiffany joined the Weinberg Memorial Library Technical Services Department in 2021 as our Acquisitions Clerk. Marleen Cloutier (MC), Information Update co-editor, recently interviewed Tiffany (TA).
MC: Can you tell us a little bit about your position? What does an Acquisitions Clerk do?
TA: I order the books for the Library. I work from a list that the Library liaisons send me. First, I check the catalog to make sure we don’t already have a copy. Then I order them from our vendors. After, I make a quick order record in our system. When the books get here, I pay for them and invoice them in our system. Finally, I process them and send them off to cataloging.
MC: Can you tell us a little about your background and how you discovered librarianship? Did you work in libraries before joining us here at The University of Scranton? Or what was your first library job?
TA: I went to school for Museum Studies. When I was doing my internship at the John L. Wehle Gallery at the Genesee Country Village & Museum, I learned how to catalog textiles. After school, I was able to find a job cataloging for the Scranton Public Library’s (SPL) Technical Services Department. While working at the SPL, I also worked at a sporting goods store where I ordered the sporting equipment for
WML Implementation Team Members
ILS migrations involve a tremendous amount of preparation and planning. Over the last two years, a team of Library faculty and staff worked diligently to ensure this transition happened as smoothly as possible with minimal disruptions to the University community. The Library extends its gratitude to each team member for their hard work on this migration:
local schools’ sports teams. I think that all that experience combined helps me in this position.
MC: How does this new role differ from your previous experience?
TA: All of my library experience has been in Technical Services, so I didn’t feel like it was a huge leap. The types of responsibilities in Technical Services don’t really change, just the way you do them. I did have to learn how to use a new ILS (Integrated Library System) and LSP (Library Services Platform), though. Also, I had experience working with vendors and invoicing. Just now I buy books instead of soccer nets and jerseys.
MC: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
TA: I like reading, watching movies and walking with my son.
MC: Do you have a favorite book or author?
TA: When I think about books that made me love reading, I think about Dr. Seuss and Roald Dahl, but now that I’m older, I wouldn’t say I have a favorite author. I like lighthearted books (and TV) that I can just shut my mind off with.
Earth Week Round-Up
The Weinberg Memorial Library celebrated Earth Week 2024 with the annual Environmental Art Show and invited Artist Talk. We also held a trail cleanup at the Lackawanna Heritage Trail adjacent to the Quinn Athletic Fields.
Marleen Cloutier
Kate Cummings
Sam Davis
Jennifer Galas
Mary Kovalchin
Jean Lenville
Sylvia Orner
Tiffany Ash
During April, the Library displayed book and DVD selections on environmental topics.
The 2024 Environmental Art Show ran April 15-24 with an opening event featuring an Artist Talk with Theresa O’Connor, artist and Gallery Director of the Artists for Art (AFA) Gallery in Scranton, pictured here with Prof. Marleen Cloutier and Dean George Aulisio.
To close out Earth Week activities, the Library held its annual Spring Trail Cleanup on Wednesday, May 1. Library employees and students cleaned a one-mile stretch of the Heritage Trail from 7th Ave to Elm Street.
Artwork displayed at the 2024 Environmental Art Show. This year’s theme was Creating Connections, and artists were encouraged to develop artwork that shares their connection with nature or a sustainable practice.
Upcoming Heritage Room Exhibits
“Gems of Flourishing from The Zaner-Bloser Penmanship Collection” will be the autumn Heritage Room exhibit. “Flourishing” is the act of adding sweeping, decorative strokes to penmanship. Many professional penmen went beyond decorative strokes, creating flourished artworks. Since writing before the 19th century was usually done with a bird feather quill, penmen often paid tribute to their tools by drawing birds. The exhibit will feature flourished birds, as well as other animals and designs, by some of the greatest 19th- and early 20th-century penmen and calligraphers. The exhibit will run from September 9 until December 15. Please contact the McHugh Family Special Collections Department at 570-941-6341 or email Michael.Knies@Scranton.edu for more information.
J.
The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex / Charles Darwin; Introduced by Richard Dawkins Folio Society, 2008.
Leaves of Class XXV Winner
May 2024 Denise Gilroy
Grand Prize: Fox Hill Country Club (gift certificate for one round of golf for four, including carts)
Tres Chic: Hand-knit Shawl (courtesy of Bonnie Strohl); Liztech Pins (small dragonfly and flower – courtesy of Charles Kratz and William Varady)
Wellness: Greater Scranton YMCA (six-month family membership)
—Professor Michael Knies, Special Collections Librarian and University
Timothy Cannon Collection
Archivist
Dr. J. Timothy Cannon was a professor in the Psychology Department from 1981 to 2022 and the Director of the Neuroscience Program at The University of Scranton from 1987 to 2011. To honor Dr. Cannon's memory and work, many of his friends from The University of Scranton’s faculty and staff came together to develop a collection of titles and fund their purchase.
The collection, which focuses on Dr. Cannon’s research and scholarly interests, contains seminal works on evolution, biology, neuroscience and psychology. It includes works by Charles Darwin, E.O. Wilson, Richard Dawkins, Steven Pinker, Daniel Dennett, David Buss, S. Marc Breedlove and Eric Kandel, to name a few. Sixty-seven titles have been included in the collection to date, including the purchase of a rare 1872 edition of The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life by Charles Darwin. This 6th edition, added to the McHugh Family Special Collections and University Archives, was one of 3,000 copies printed by John Murray and is considered the first edition in which the word “evolution” occurs.
—Associate Professor Marleen Cloutier, Editor Cataloging and Metadata Librarian
Culinary Delights: 3 Jacks Burger Bar ($25 gift card); Cafe Rinaldi ($25 gift card); Fork 'n' Bowl ($25 gift card); Harvest Seasonal Grill ($40 gift card – courtesy of Charles Kratz and William Varady); Jersey Mike's Subs ($10 gift card); Northern Light Espresso Bar ($25 gift card); Panera Bread ($20 gift card – courtesy of Gretchen Welby); Ruth's Chris Steak House ($25 gift card – courtesy of Metz Culinary Management); Stirna’s Restaurant ($25 gift certificate); Susquehanna Brewing Co. ($25 gift card); TGI Fridays ($25 gift card – courtesy of Metz Culinary Management); The 16th Ward ($25 gift card)
Entertainment: Electric City Trolley Museum in Scranton, Pa. (two admissions, including trolley ride); F.M. Kirby Center (four movie passes); Hardback editions of Around the World in 30 Books and Loyalty (courtesy of Charles Kratz and William Varady); Lackawanna County Children's Library (book basket); Sorrenti Family Estate Winery, Distillery & Pizzeria (wine tasting certificate for five guests)
And More!: Alessi Clip Magnets, Crate & Barrel Kitchen Caddy, Rotary Candle Holder; Hand-crafted Wreath (courtesy of Sheli Pratt-McHugh); Hilton Scranton & Conference Center (overnight stay for two including breakfast in Casey’s); Kalahari Resorts – Poconos (gift package including $100 gift card); Live With It by Lora Hobbs (set of two glasses and pitcher); The University of Scranton, Advancement (Royal gift basket)
The Ann Moskovitz Leaves of Class XXV Raffle is an annual fundraiser organized by the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library with proceeds supporting the Weinberg Memorial Library Endowment Fund. We hold four drawings per year and tickets can be purchased online or in person. Visit www.scranton.edu/library for more information.
Faculty and Staff Achievement
Library staff were honored for their exceptional service to Staff Senate. Melisa Gallo, Interlibrary Loan & Collections Assistant, earned the prestigious President’s Award and the St. Francis Xavier Leadership Award. Rebecca Dzikowski, Cataloging Assistant, received an End of Service Certificate for her role as Staff Senator. Congratulations, Melisa and Rebecca!
Several faculty librarians were also recently honored with awards. Professor Ian O’Hara, Research & Instruction Librarian for Health Sciences, received the Provost’s Enhancement Award for Diversity in Learning. Prof. O’Hara leads the Library’s DEIA Committee and serves on the University’s Council on Diversity and Inclusion. Congratulations, Prof. O’Hara!
Professor Kate Cummings, Research & Instruction Librarian for Business, and Professor Elin Woods, Research & Instruction Librarian for Student Success, were awarded the Sheldon I. Rosenberg Union Leadership Development Grant from the Faculty Affairs Council (FAC). This grant provides funding for faculty members to attend the AAUP Summer Institute to learn about union issues, advocacy and shared governance. Congratulations, Profs. Cummings and Woods!
There is still a CHANCE to win this year’s raffle (November). Each drawing is over $2,000 in prizes!
To purchase your chances, visit scranton.edu/leaves.
Searching for the Collection: To find titles in the J. Timothy Cannon Collection in Royal Search, type "J. Timothy Cannon Collection" in the search bar.
Staff Senate President Mark Murphy presents the Staff Senate awards to Melisa Gallo and Rebecca Dzikowski.
FAR LEFT, TOP: Dean Aulisio, Prof. O’Hara and Prof. Pratt-McHugh, Chair
FAR LEFT, BOTTOM: Prof. Elin Woods, FAC Chair, Dr. Stacey Muir and Prof. Kate Cummings
Darwin, Charles. The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or, The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. John Murray, Albemarle Street, 1872.
Darwin, Charles.
Melisa Gallo
Ian O'Hara
Elin Woods & Kate Cummings
Rebecca Dzikowski
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library
Scranton, Pennsylvania 18510- 4634
Library Worker’s Day Celebrated
National Library Week was celebrated April 7-13 this year, with National Library Worker’s Day on Tuesday, April 9. For the first time, the Weinberg Memorial Library marked the occasion with coffee, tea and refreshments for all Library employees. We decorated the staff break room with books adorned with each person’s name, listened to music, and enjoyed an afternoon snack break. We thank WML staff and faculty for their dedication to the Library’s mission.
—Associate Professor Sheli Pratt-McHugh, Editor Department Chair
New Friends of the Library
We would like to thank the newest members of the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library for their contributions:
Joseph Augello
George & Suzanne Belaus
Charles Lyons
Jeffrey Matus
Mark Taffera
A Newsletter from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library
Scranton, Pa 18510-4634
Co-Editors: Sheli Pratt-McHugh and Marleen Cloutier
Dean of the Library: George J. Aulisio
Phone: 570-941-7816
The University of Scranton is committed to providing a safe and nondiscriminatory employment and educational environment. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sex, pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex characteristics, sex stereotypes, age, disability, genetic information, national origin, ethnicity, family responsibilities, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational, extracurricular, athletic, or other programs or in the context of employment. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination and sexual harassment and sexual misconduct policies may be directed to Elizabeth M. Garcia, executive director, Office of Equity and Diversity, 570.941.6645.
