Libraries are not just repositories of books but also serve as dynamic educational and community spaces that actively promote inclusivity through our programming initiatives. Through the development of exhibits, lecture series, and outreach events, the Merrill-Cazier Library regularly provides opportunities for Aggies to engage with complex topics and examine the human experience. This month Marginalia examines several impactful programs for which generous collaborators and donors, including our Friends organization, have provided significant support.
We are grateful to the Baskerville Institute, whose work with the Heravi Peace Institute funded a student intern to design a library atrium exhibition documenting the more than one-hundred-year history of educational and research collaboration between Iran and Utah State University. Dr. Mehdi Heravi also endowed two student fellowships, which were awarded for the first time this year, funding students to gain meaningful pre-professional experience working with cultural heritage materials in our Special Collections & Archives.
Our semiannual Friends lecture series brought in two scholars during the most recent year to engage the public on topics of regional interest. In October, Dr. Lisa Gabbert from the USU Folklore program
highlighted the cultural connections that link Beaver Mountain and skiing to our community. This spring Dr. David Parrott, Assistant Director of the Great Salt Lake Institute, engaged a lively audience on the effects of climate change on the health of the Great Salt Lake.
Finally, in collaboration with USU’s Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Libraries have worked with Dr. Rebecca Bayek for the past two years to honor Black History Month by creating library displays, designing digital exhibits, and presenting invited lectures, such as Dr. Kyle Bulthuis’ talk on the history of slavery in the United States.
Our goal is to serve as a catalyst for connection by fostering empathy and curiosity toward varying viewpoints and interests. As we continue to navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the University Libraries remain steadfast in our commitment to enriching the local and campus community by celebrating the range of human experiences and providing different forums for their examination.
Jennifer Duncan, Dean of Libraries
USU and Iran: 100 Years of People-to-people Relations Exhibit
The Libraries hosted an exhibition titled “USU and Iran: 100 Years of People-to-people Relations” to commemorate a century of ties between USU and Iranian students. The exhibit, curated by student Jacob Sagers in collaboration with Baskerville Institute and the Department of Political Science, showcases photographs, letters, and articles reflecting Iranian experiences at the university. The items are part of Special Collections & Archives.
USU and Baskerville recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to make online educational material available to Iranian students through the Baskerville Institute Digital Friendship platform. The signing of the MOU marked the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Iranian students at USU. The exhibit commemorated this anniversary.
The Library was also honored to have Heravi Peace Institute Founder Mehdi Heravi visit the exhibit. Heravi is an accomplished alumnus and supporter of the Library.
HERAVI SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHTS
Heravi scholar Ann Marie Humble has worked at the library for over a year and has been a key member of the processing team working with ArchivesSpace, the record management system for materials in Special Collection and Archives. This gives her the opportunity to work both with archival materials and with the computer systems that help make them accessible to researchers. Her experience prepares her for a future in her chosen field of Computer Science.
Cooper Page
Heravi scholar Cooper Page has worked in the Government Information department of Special Collections and Archives since September 2022. He is majoring in International Studies and minoring in Environmental Studies. Cooper has had the opportunity to be a part of several team projects and become more familiar with the government information collections and processes. His work at the library has exposed him to various types of government literature and research, which will help him in his future career as he hopes to become a diplomat or environmental lawyer.
Ann Marie Humble
USU Libraries Celebrates and Honors Black Experiences and History
For the past two years the Libraries have worked with USU’s Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to celebrate Black History Month with a heritage display, reading recommendations, and a special lecture.
Dr. Rebecca Bayek, from the Department of Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences has been instrumental in this work and this year, with support from the USU DEIA office, curated a new digital exhibit, Living While Black: A Journey to Unveiling Unsung Resilience and Excellence, examining the often unknown and even hidden excellence of Black Americans.
In conjunction with this exhibit, Dr. Bayek worked with Dr. Kyle Bulthuis, Associate Professor of History at USU, who presented a lecture entitled “Why Slavery Still Matters: Learning from the Past,” focusing on the relationship between slavery and racism.
A Shrinking Great Salt Lake
Dr. David Parrott of the Great Salt Lake Institute and Westminster University delivered a timely and important lecture about the Great Salt Lake and the effects of climate change as part of this semester’s Friends of the Merrill-Cazier Library lecture. Dr. Parrott described how the salt content of the lake is increasing as levels are dropping, hitting a historic low in November of 2022. With more salt, there is less biodiversity and more dust entering the ecosystem. While Parrott warned of excessive water use in agriculture and domestic use, he also left the audience with hope—as we discuss the shrinking lake, we are also discussing solutions.
Oral Histories of Beaver Mountain
Lisa Gabbert, Director of the USU Folklore Program, delivered “Beaver Mountain: Oral Histories of Snow” last fall as part of the Friends of the Merrill-Cazier Library Lecture Series. Gabbert delved into the history of Beaver Mountain Ski Resort, which is touted as the longest continuously family operated and owned ski resort in Northern Utah.
In 2022, Gabbert and her students conducted oral history interviews with Beaver Mountain staff, family, friends, owners and users to compile a digital collection. Many of the interviewees attended the lecture and shared additional comments and thoughts.
Celebrating 70 Years of the Hatch Room
This year the Merrill-Cazier Library celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Hatch Room, a hidden treasure located behind the Tanner Reading Room in Special Collections & Archives (SCA). The materials in the Hatch Room include both rare books as well as period furniture, donated to the library by L. Boyd and Anne McQuarrie Hatch in 1953. The book collection focuses on literature, history, religion, politics, art, and horticulture. Highlights include the Geneva Bible (1612), John Gerard’s Herball (1633), and the second edition of Dr. Johnson’s Dictionary (1756).
At an open house that included a small exhibit, handouts, refreshments, and games, more than 200 attendees joined SCA students, staff, and faculty in commemorating this generous gift to the university. History graduate student Zoe’Swanna McGee created an online guide with more information about the history of the Hatch Room and its contents, available at the attached QR code where visitors can also find information about accessing the room.
If you’d like to visit the Hatch Room, scan the QR code for a helpful LibGuide!
WELCOME NEW FACULTY
Joe LaSure | Discovery Services Librarian
Before becoming USU’s Discovery Services Librarian, Joseph “Joe” LaSure was a community college library technician on the East Coast. He has also taught middle school social studies with the non-profit Teach for America and worked in retail management in central North Carolina. He earned his Master of Library and Information Science from UNC Greensboro and his Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Pennsylvania. Hailing from Appalachia, he is delighted to now live near the glorious Rocky Mountains.
As Digital Archivist, Sarah Berry is excited to be a faculty member of USU’s Special Collections and Archives. Sarah has a Master's degree in Public History and a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies. Past projects include coordinating digital archival and transcribing work for the Brigham Young Papers Project, teaching medieval cooking and culinary history for Salt Lake City's Granite School District, and serving as Executive Director for nonprofit organizations based in Utah and Kenya.
Sarah Berry | Digital Archivist
Stephanie Western | Collection Analyst Librarian
Stephanie Western earned her MLIS from Loughborough University in England. Her dissertation focused on the global Access to Knowledge movement, which links access to knowledge goods with equity, innovation, and economic development. Stephanie joined USU Libraries in 2021 as the Open Educational Resources (OER) Program Manager. As the new Collection Analyst, Stephanie is excited to enhance the Libraries’ collection strategies, ensuring that USU Libraries continue to meet the evolving needs of students, faculty, and researchers. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys traveling, reading, knitting, walking her goofy dog, and eagerly accepting crumbs of affection from her cat. Cache Valley has been her home for 15 years, and she loves having adventures here and elsewhere with friends and family.
Healthy in a Hurry!
Students, faculty, and staff were delighted by the Library’s latest addition: a self-serve food option stocked with fresh and healthy snacks. The Clutch, located on the first floor, has been a hit with late-night studiers and busy workers. Operated by USU Dining Services, the Library’s grab-and-go location is just one of many on campus.
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Friends of Merrill-Cazier Library
3000 Old Main Hill Logan, UT 84322-3000
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