The Heritage Room will feature an exhibit of the medieval material from the McHugh Family Special Collections. The Library has long held a collection of three complete manuscripts and seven books printed before 1500. These were traditionally called incunables, which translates loosely from Latin as books from the cradle of printing. During the past 25 years, Special Collections has added a few dozen manuscript leaves and fragments as well as facsimiles of medieval manuscripts. This exhibit will showcase the oldest and rarest material owned by the Library. The exhibit will run through December 12. On November 13 at 5:30 Prof. Michael Knies will speak on the production and use of medieval manuscripts and early printed books in the Heritage Room. Please contact Special Collections Librarian, Prof. Michael Knies at Michael.Knies@Scranton.edu or (570) 941-6341 for more information.
Monday, October 5th marks the beginning of Banned Books Week. During this week, librarians and educators aim to raise awareness about efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to certain books. With challenges reaching all-time highs and disproportionately affecting members of already marginalized communities, it’s more important than ever that we advocate for our freedom to access all stories and ideas, even when they differ from our own.
Here at the Weinberg Memorial Library, we believe that everyone should have the freedom to explore and express their ideas and should have access to books that not only affirm their worldview but also challenge it. We believe that books are not only windows to other worlds and experiences but mirrors that affirm our lived experiences and how we fit into the world at large. We believe that by providing access to these books, we help create a richer, more inclusive, and more empathetic world.
We invite you to learn more by visiting our Banned Books Week display on the 2nd floor of the Library from Monday, October 5th through Friday, October 10th. Stop by to find out about some frequently challenged titles, and let us know what books you’re glad to have the freedom to read!
Rebecca Dzikowski, Cataloging Assistant, earned the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) Certificate of Merit. This recognition is well deserved and reflects both her leadership in the Weinberg Memorial Library and her contributions to the broader library community.
Rebecca serves as chair of PaLA’s Mentorship Program where she has strengthened and expanded opportunities for library professionals across Pennsylvania. The Mentorship Program matches seasons librarians and library workers with new or mid-career librarians who are hoping to expand their knowledge and careers. In the library, Rebecca also serves as a vital member of the Support Staff Meeting Planning Committee.
Please join me in congratulating Rebecca on this well-earned accomplishment!
The University of Scranton invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track Research & Instruction Librarian for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The regularly scheduled hours for this position will be primarily Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm, with occasional hourly adjustments as needed. The successful candidate will be appointed to the rank of Assistant Professor and will be compensated according to the collective bargaining agreement, see https://www.scranton.edu/academics/provost/FAC/fac_contract.shtml. A generous benefits package is offered, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plan, paid vacations, holidays, research leave, and tuition remission. All full-time faculty members also have the opportunity to join our faculty union which serves as the local chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP).
The Research & Instruction Librarian for STEM contributes to the Library’s campus-wide focus on transformative teaching and learning in the Ignatian tradition. In addition to regular faculty responsibilities, the Research & Instruction Librarian for STEM engages in information literacy instruction, research support, and collection development.
Essential Duties:
Teaches in support of the Library’s Information Literacy Curriculum, which includes information literacy instruction in core general education courses as well as upper-level disciplinary courses
Provides research services and scholarly assistance to members of the University community both in-person and online
Serves as subject liaison to academic departments supporting the natural sciences and mathematics (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Engineering, etc.), a role that includes providing course-integrated information literacy instruction and collection development. May be assigned to additional departments and programs as dictated by department needs and expertise developed after hire
Develops and delivers instruction and professional development opportunities that focus on AI and the research process, both in and out of the Library
Preferred Qualifications:
Familiarity with subject areas in the natural sciences and mathematics (e.g., biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, etc.)
Knowledge of current trends in academic librarianship related to research and instruction, such as knowledge of the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education and connections between AI and information literacy concepts in the research process
Experience creating engaging learning opportunities for student, faculty, or community audiences
Proficiency in the use of technology, such as social media and other emerging technologies and platforms, for the delivery of library services
Strong desire to explore pedagogical approaches and learning theories that can enrich teaching practice
Familiarity with assessment methods and techniques
Coursework or experience in instructional design
Additional Skills Required:
Willingness to develop the knowledge required to provide information literacy instruction for the natural sciences and mathematics
Ability to deal well with members of the public
Excellent interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills, and presentation skills
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Ability to work effectively both as a team member and independently
Ability to work creatively and collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and community-at-large
Professional commitment to user-focused library services
Professional commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
Ability to engage in scholarship and service in order to meet qualifications for reappointment and tenure, as defined in the Faculty Handbook
Ability to attain a second Master’s degree in a subject field, or the completion of thirty graduate credits in a discipline that improves professional competence, as a requirement for tenure (if not already accomplished at the time of hire)
Minimum Education Requirements: Possession of an American Library Association (ALA) accredited Master’s degree at time of appointment.
Preferred Education: Additional graduate level degree or subject expertise in a STEM field preferred
Minimum Job Experience Requirements:
Experience working in a library or archives
Experience working collaboratively with others to pursue, manage, and complete projects
Schedule/Work Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., with occasional adjustments as needed.
The Weinberg Memorial Library actively engages in the life of the University to meet the community’s scholarly, academic, social, and cultural needs. We achieve this through mindful curation of and investment in resources, collections, services, and programs that support and empower a diverse community of scholars and learners.
We value teaching, research, and lifelong learning, and we are committed to intellectual freedom, preservation, accessibility, and sustainability. Our work environment is forward-looking and participatory, with an emphasis on transparency and faculty/staff development.
The University of Scranton is a regional institution of more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students located in northeast Pennsylvania near the Pocono Mountains. Recognized nationally for the quality of its education, Scranton is one of the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States. It is committed to providing liberal arts education and strong professional and pre-professional programs in the context of Ignatian educational principles, especially the care and development of the whole person. Drawing on the strengths that have made it a recognized leader in the Northeast, Scranton is committed to a culture of scholarship and excellence in teaching and is moving into the front ranks of America’s comprehensive universities.
Official University of Scranton Non-Discrimination Statement
The University is committed to providing an educational, residential, and working environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Members of the University community, applicants for employment or admissions, guests and visitors have the right to be free from harassment or discrimination based on 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 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in its educational, extracurricular, athletic, or other programs or in the context of employment.
To Apply
Applicants must apply online at https://universityofscrantonjobs.com and include a cover letter summarizing qualifications and strengths, a curriculum vitae (or résumé), and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin immediately with a start date in August 2026. See a direct link to the job posting here: https://universityofscrantonjobs.com/postings/8306. Prof. Kate Cummings, Research & Instruction Librarian for Business, serves as the Search Committee Chair.
The project to remove the compact shelving from the Media Resources Center has been completed. The room is now open for use, and EdLab Materials are directly available again. The remaining construction is not scheduled to begin until after the Fall Semester is over.
On Monday 9/15/25 removal of the compact shelving in the Media Resources Center will begin. Work is expected to continue all week. This means that EdLab Materials will not be available. We will assess the state of the room at the end of next week, and post further information at that time.
As we start the new semester, the Library is excited to introduce two new electronic resources designed to support your academic and professional research.
HeinOnline Academic
This comprehensive database offers access to a rich collection of journals, government documents, and primary sources across disciplines such as history, political science, criminal justice, and more. It also includes Fastcase Premium, a powerful legal research tool that enables quick and intuitive searching of federal and state case law.
Dynamic Health: CDS and Skills
Tailored for nurses and other health professionals, this evidence-based resource provides training materials, patient education handouts, lab and test demonstrations, and skill-building exercises. Developed by the same expert team behind the CINAHL database, Dynamic Health is an invaluable tool for students and faculty in the health sciences.
Important Update
Please note that Dynamic Health: CDS and Skills will be replacing Nursing Reference Center Plus, which is being discontinued by the vendor at the end of the semester.
The Weinberg Memorial Library is pleased to welcome the Class of 2029 to The University of Scranton!
Sign up for the Heritage Hunt, an interactive introduction to the Library and its resources for first-year students!
Watch our welcome video to learn more about the Weinberg Memorial Library.
You can consult with a University of Scranton Librarian during our service hours by asking for research assistance at the first floor Library Services Desk, by calling 570-941-4000, or by using theAsk a Librarian chat boxes on our website which are available 24/7.
The Library’s Research & Scholarly Services department, located on the second floor, can assist you with research, such as finding, evaluating, and citing information. Look for the purple “Research Librarian on call” signs to locate a librarian available for drop-in research assistance. Research consultations can be scheduled by using the Ask a Librarianchat box or by contacting yoursubject liaison librariandirectly by email.
To find resources, such as books, journals, and media, use Royal Search on the Library’s home page. The Library’s large collection of eBooks, electronic journals, and streaming media is available 24/7. To access the Library’s online content, you must first authenticate through my.scranton.edu.
The staff at the Library Services Desk on the first floor can help you borrow and return print materials and laptops. You can also pick up items on reserve, books placed on hold, and interlibrary loan materials. In the lobby area in front of the Library Services Desk you will find New Books recently added to our collection, our Recreational Reading Collection which offers a variety of new and popular fiction and nonfiction, our new Graphic Novels collection, and our Featured Media Collection that contains recently acquired and popular DVDs.
The Weinberg Memorial Library has five floors and offers a variety of spaces to support your study and research needs including computer workstations, individual study space, group study rooms, quiet study areas, and the Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room.
The Reilly Learning Commons (RLC), located on the first floor, is a collaborative space with access to computers, video and audio recording rooms, and reservablegroup study rooms equipped with whiteboards and monitors.
The Media Resources Collection on the third floor includes media items in a variety of formats which are available for borrowing. The EdLab Collection, located within the Media Resources space, consists of children’s literature, K-12 textbooks, and materials useful for student teaching. Media Resources is currently undergoing renovations. The space is open as a study space and the EdLab Collection is accessible, however the media typically held in this space is currently not available. The Media Resources Collection will be back in a newly renovated space by Spring 2026. In the interim, check out our Featured Media Collection on the first floor or our streaming media collections online.
The Library is pleased to announce that on Monday, June 23 we will be implementing OpenAthens Compass to simplify authentication and provide more secure access to library resources, both on and off campus.
What’s changing:
On campus: No changes for the user – the Library will continue to provide an IP authentication service for on-campus access, allowing for seamless access to library resources.
Off campus: When accessing library resources, you will be prompted to log in once with your R number and My.Scranton password to activate a renewable 8-hour session. During that session, you will not be asked to authenticate again, regardless of the different platforms you visit
What does this mean for you?
If you have saved permalinks or reading lists using the old proxy prefix (https://login.ezp.scranton.edu/login?url=), they will need to be updated with the OpenAthens link generator: https://go.openathens.net/generate/scranton.edu/81849554.
Copy your old link (remove the beginning part that reads: https://login.ezp.scranton.edu/login?url=)
2025 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize Undergraduate Upper-level award recipient Miriam M. Van de Water.
Miriam M. Van de Water is the winner of the 2025 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize in the Undergraduate Upper-level category, which is awarded to the winning project completed in a 200- to 400-level course.
Miriam is a graduating senior Mathematical Sciences and Neuroscience double major with a minor in Philosophy and a concentration in Biology. She submitted to the competition her Honors thesis titled “Examining the Outcomes of Collective Decision Making Over Time,” completed in the course MATH 489H: Honors Project II, advised by Dr. Jason Graham. Miriam explains in her description of research that her Honors research topic, which was “to explore how collective decision-making and sociality influence population fitness,” led her to “discover the importance of breaking large research questions into manageable pieces—whether determining which parameter to test, learning to build simulations, or choosing the best way to visualize complex results.”
Miriam describes the Library as playing a central role in her research journey. She discusses using the Library’s resources, spaces, and services to structure and support her work; she says, “Being immersed in that space helped structure my thinking and reinforce the seriousness and excitement of the work I was doing.” She describes working on the Library’s second floor while preparing a literature review and using the Library’s computer labs to build simulations and write early drafts of her research paper. She also recounts a research consultation with a faculty librarian that revealed overlooked areas in her honors project, stating: “her input reminded me that research is ultimately about communication, and that excellence isn’t just technical—it’s also about clarity, accessibility, and collaboration.”
Miriam’s research journey is also characterized by reflection and personal transformation. She discusses living out the Ignatian principle of Contemplation in Action which helped nurture her character and clarify her professional goals. Miriam explains: “My work was rooted in long, quiet hours of focused thought, literature review, and coding—but it was always oriented toward application. I wasn’t just thinking for the sake of thinking; I was using those insights to build something, to contribute to a broader scientific conversation.”
She concludes her description of research by sharing the following reflection about her work on this project: “This project did more than fulfill a graduation requirement. It taught me how to break down big questions into manageable pieces, how to reach out for help, and how to sit with uncertainty until clarity emerged. It showed me that research is not only about discovery but also about formation—about becoming a person capable of asking better questions, communicating ideas thoughtfully, and navigating complexity with humility and care.” She further reports that her work on this project has helped develop her confidence as a researcher as she prepares to begin her PhD in Biomathematics at North Carolina State University in the Fall.
The Honorable Mention award in the Undergraduate Upper-level category was presented to Faith Montagnino, a third-year English major with Writing and Philosophy minors in the SJLA and University Honors programs, for her project titled “Reading and Writing to Heal: Poetry Therapy as a Tool for Person-Centered Group Therapy,” completed in the course HONR 385H: Poetry as Therapy for Dr. Paul Datti.
Kiera Mooney and Jessica Tsu are the winners of the 2025 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize in the Graduate category.
From left to right: 2025 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize Graduate award co-recipients Kiera Mooney and Jessica Tsu.
Kiera and Jessica, graduate students in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program, submitted to the competition their project titled “The Role of Gender Throughout the History of Occupational Therapy,” completed in the course OT 544: Leadership Principles, Ethics, and Pragmatics, taught by Dr. Marlene Morgan. This historiographical research project explores the role of gender makeup on the occupational therapy workforce over the past century and incorporates evidence from primary sources from the 1910s to present day.
Kiera and Jessica found this evidence by searching a multitude of Library databases including SAGE Journals, PubMed, MEDLINE, EBSCO, JSTOR, and JAMA Network, as well as the Internet Archive and the Library’s microfilm collection. On the latter, they noted in their description of research, “Looking at the microfilm took an unexpected amount of patience, but it became an immersive experience for us to participate in that further expanded our education.” They also utilized the advanced research technique of citation chasing, which taught them that research “will not always be as simple as typing in one keyword and finding the perfect article.”
Initially looking for why there were more women than men in the field, the research process evolved for Kiera and Jessica as they found other gender inequities towards women, such as wage gaps, discrimination, and gender stereotypes. They discovered these other dimensions of their topic through the research process, which required that they reassess and change their approach to searching, which “steered [them] in an unexpected direction.” They found this process and discovery enlightening as they confronted the struggles of working women throughout time.
Kiera and Jessica were pushed by this project to become better researchers and embodied the Jesuit principle of magis, or the “restless desire for excellence.” Realizing they were the first students to choose this topic for their research in this course, they knew they had their work cut out for them. They share, “The hours that we spent scouring databases, citation chasing, using microfilm, and digging through archives exhibit our determination and perseverance in creating a detailed paper that accurately showed the whole story of this topic throughout history.”
The Honorable Mention award in the Graduate category was presented to Doctor of Physical Therapy students Nicolette George, Mary Kallberg, Julia LeMay, and Stephanie Patullo, for the project, “Physical Therapy versus Complementary and Alternative Medicine Effects on Post-Episiotomy Pain: A Systematic Review,” completed in PT 773: Scientific Inquiry III for PT for Dr. Lori Walton.
2025 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize Undergraduate Foundational award recipient Myira Vilchis Bruno.
Myira Vilchis Bruno is the winner of the 2025 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize in the Undergraduate Foundational category, which is awarded to the winning project completed in a 100-level course.
Myira is a first-year Political Science major with a Legal Studies concentration who submitted her paper titled “Directly American,” completed in Prof. Dawn D’Aries Zera’s Writing 107: Composition course. Tasked with researching an argumentative contemporary issue related to her major, Myira chose to research and write on how direct democracies are more beneficial than representative democracies. On her motivation for researching this topic, Myira notes in her description of research, “I am always finding new ways to expand my knowledge of our current democracy and how it alters the law.”
Myira began her research in an information literacy class taught by a faculty librarian where she learned how to search for materials in a variety of formats that contained evidence she could use to support her argument. In the A-Z list of databases, Myira found the EBSCO database Academic Search Premier, which became one of her most utilized databases for finding useful and relevant sources. She describes using the search filters to narrow her results to peer-reviewed academic journal articles published between 2018 and 2025. Myira also notes the usefulness of the article saving feature in the EBSCO platform, which allowed her to save articles to refer to later while continuing on with her research process. She describes how using different keywords related to her topic enabled her to extend her research beyond analyses of the United States to such countries as Germany, Britain, and Botswana.
Myira also shares that learning about the Library’s Publication Finder tool in her information literacy instruction session prompted her to use it to locate specific journals related to the field of Political Science, such as the Journal of Regional Science and the American Political Science Review, which helped her focus her research more directly on scholarly work related to her essay topic. This tool also enabled her to easily explore streaming media related to her topic that was accessible through the Library, which was a format requirement for one of her sources for this paper.
In reference to her research project, Myira states: “Before sufficiently navigating the library databases, I would spend more time finding sources than writing. This caused me to doubt my writing because I thought it was inaccurate. I grew unmotivated to write, and I no longer enjoyed it like I did before. However, I kept in mind the Ignatian value of Cura Personalis or ‘Care for the Person.’ I was still passionate about making sure I had full support on my side of the argument.” She further notes, “Research on democracies across the globe was a special interest of mine because I hope to practice international law in the future. To advance my future, I had to focus on the present.”
The Honorable Mention award in the Undergraduate Foundational category was presented to first-year Psychology major Erin Augusiewicz, for the project, “Psychedelic Treatment?” completed in WRTG 106: College Writing II for Prof. Dawn D’Aries Zera.
Currently celebrating its 15th year, the Weinberg Memorial Library inaugurated the Library Research Prize in 2011 to recognize excellence in research projects that show evidence of significant knowledge of the methods of research and the information gathering process, and 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 in 2011. The Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize was fully endowed in 2019 and consists of a prize of $500 awarded to winning projects in each of the three categories: Undergraduate Foundational (100-level projects), Undergraduate Upper-level (200- to 400-level projects), and Graduate.
Prize winners were honored at an Awards Ceremony & Reception on Friday, May 16, 2025 in the Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room of the Weinberg Memorial Library.
2025 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize Award and Honorable Mention Recipients. From left to right: Erin Augusiewicz, Miriam M. Van De Water, Myira Vilchis Bruno, Kiera Mooney, Jessica Tsu, and Faith Montagnino; Not Pictured: Nicolette George, Mary Kallberg, Julia LeMay, and Stephanie Patullo.
