Happy Halloween from McHugh Special Collections!

Today is the perfect time to remember William Friedkin’s classic 1973 horror film, The Exorcist. Featuring a Jesuit priest’s battle against a demonic possession, the film stars alumnus Jason Miller, ’61, H’73 and is based on the novel by William Peter Blatty. The film would earn Jason Miller an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and Blatty a win for Best Adapted Screenplay.

The Exorcist was largely inspired by The Earling Possession Case of 1928, an exorcism conducted by Father Theophilus Riesinger in Earling, Iowa and detailed in 1932 by Rev. F.J. Bunse, S.J. Although copies are extremely scarce, one of two is preserved here at the University.

Job Opportunity: Library Metadata Specialist, Weinberg Memorial Library at The University of Scranton

We invite applications for a part-time Library Metadata Specialist. This position supports the work of the Special Collections Librarian, the Digital Services Librarian, and the Cataloging and Metadata Librarian, in the coordinated cataloging, description, and record-keeping necessary to the preservation, accessibility, and findability of University Archives and Special Collections materials. Working across varied Library information systems, this position creates, maintains, and enhances descriptive, administrative, structural, and preservation metadata of various types for materials of diverse formats.

Essential Duties:
– Creates, maintains, and enhances descriptive, administrative, structural, rights, and preservation metadata for digital objects, following Digital Services, Special Collections, and Cataloging procedures and standards
– Manages implementation of local controlled vocabularies and authority records, following existing standards and schemas where available
– Ensures consistency and integration of descriptive information and records across Library systems, including the catalog, digital asset management system, digital preservation repository, web archiving platform, and local databases
– Assists Digital Services Librarian with ongoing evaluation and implementation of emerging metadata practices, such as linked data
– Collaborates with Special Collections Librarian, Digital Services Librarian, and Cataloging and Metadata Librarian to develop, implement, and maintain project management practices, including workflow, documentation, project tracking, and assessment
– Sorts, arranges, and classifies materials such as correspondence, clippings, and other personal papers in accordance with archival procedures and arrangements for permanent storage. Weeds unprocessed documents for duplicates and unnecessary materials. Boxes and shelves Special Collections materials
– Works with others to create and maintain accession records, inventories and finding aids for born digital and physical materials present in University Archives and Special Collections accessions
– Provides Reference Services and responds to patron inquiries, including digitization of material, regarding University Archives, Special Collections, and Digital Collections materials, working in collaboration with the Special Collections Assistant and Digital Services Assistant
– Curates, prepares, and mounts exhibits in coordination with the Special Collections Librarian

Additional Skills Required:
– Knowledge of library and archival procedures
– Ability to manage multiple projects with different deadlines
– Excellent oral and written communication, record-keeping, and instructional skills
– Ability to perform repetitive, detail-oriented tasks and work independently in an isolated environment
– Must be able to lift at least 30 lbs., climb a step-stool, and be tolerant of different environmental conditions
– Must be able to respect, support and contribute to the University’s Catholic and Jesuit mission

Education and Job Experience Requirements:
Must possess a Bachelor’s degree. A graduate degree in archives, public history, digital humanities or an ALA-accredited master’s degree in library or information science is preferred. Four (4) months cataloging or archival experience and/or classwork is required. Preferred experience: Management/supervisory experience; Familiarity with software and tools related to digital asset management; Familiarity with standards and best practices for cataloging and metadata.

This position will be 17.5 hours per week scheduled Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. from September through May (9 months per year).

Interested applicants must apply online at https://universityofscrantonjobs.com. Please provide a resume, cover letter, and a list of three (3) references which include contact information. Review of applications will begin on January 6, 2020. The position will remain open until filled.


The University is a Catholic and Jesuit University animated by the spiritual vision and the tradition of excellence characteristic of the Society of Jesus and those who share in its way of proceeding. The University is a community dedicated to the freedom of inquiry and personal development fundamental to the growth in wisdom and integrity of all who share it its life. As a Catholic and Jesuit institution of nearly 4,000 undergraduate and more than 1,500 graduate students, The University of Scranton delivers a meaningful education that challenges its students morally, spiritually, and intellectually.

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, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other status protected by 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. The University of Scranton is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Educator. Veterans, minority persons, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Open Educational Resources (OER) Coffee Break

Coffee cupThe Library invites University of Scranton Faculty to join us Friday, October 25th, at 2:00 pm during Open Access Week (Oct 21-25) for a coffee break in the Weinberg Memorial Library room 305 to discuss implementing Open Educational Resources (OER) in the classroom.

Discussion will include an introduction to OER, available resources located in and collected by the Library, and steps to support replacing costly textbooks and other resources with OER. Librarians will also answer questions about OER and the Open Educational Resources Grant, accepting applications until November 15th.

Click here to register by Wednesday, October 23rd.

Feature Films for Education

Looking for a movie to enhance your learning experience? Try Feature Films for Education, our newest video streaming database.

The Feature Films for Education Collection offers hundreds of full-length feature films from 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight for educational instructional purposes. Brought to you in partnership with Infobase and Global Eagle, this outstanding collection focuses on both current and hard-to-find titles, including dramas, literary adaptations, blockbusters, classics, science fiction, environmental titles, foreign films, social issues, animation studies, and Academy Award® winners.

A link to this resource can be found by logging into the My.Scranton portal and clicking on the “Library” link and clicking on the “Databases” link under “Library Resources” and finding Feature Films for Education under the letter “F” in the A-Z database list. Individual titles may be accessed by searching the Library’s catalog. Access is limited to current students, staff and faculty of The University of Scranton.

Some Feature Films titles contain mature themes or content; viewer discretion is advised.

Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon Seminar- Dr. Leonard Gougeon


Brennan Hall, Rose Room, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
$25 per person/ FREE to University of Scranton Staff, Students, Faculty and Schemel Forum Members

For more information and to RSVP contact Alicen.Morrison@scranton.edu / 570-941-6206

For more information on upcoming Schemel Forum events, click here.