Library Research Prize Winners!

Brian P. Conniff, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Kathleen Reilly, Research Prize winner, Susan Poulson, Professor of History

Kathleen Reilly is the winner of the 2017 Library Research Prize for undergraduate students. To complete her Honors Thesis, Girls at the “U”: A History of Coeducation at the University of Scranton, she spent “countless hours” gathering information from primary documents located in the Helen Gallagher McHugh Special Collections and University Archives and on the Library’s Digital Collections website.

The Weinberg Memorial Library inaugurated the 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.

Carol Coté, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, Marjorie Toron and Christina Gavalas, Research Prize winners, and Debra Pellagrino, Dean of the Panuska College of Professional Studies

Honorable Mention awards in the undergraduate category included Mariah Ruther, a senior Nursing major; Kerry Ann Randall, a junior Occupational Therapy major; and Michael Ramsthaler, a sophomore Exercise Science major.

Christina Gavalas and Marjorie Toron are the winners of the 2017 Library Research Prize for graduate students. They completed a group project for OT 501: Leadership in Occupational Therapy. Their research gathering included items on microfilm, items in the basement, and items in databases far removed from occupational therapy. In their application essay, they said how invaluable library staff members were to them.

An Honorable Mention in the graduate category was given to a group of Physical Therapy students–Katelyn Moyer, Daniel Dolphin, Robert Roncek, and Steven Roughton.

Prize winners were honored at a reception on Thursday, May 11, 2017 in the Heritage Room of the Weinberg Memorial Library.

Information about the Library Research Prize can be found on the website: http://www.scranton.edu/libraryresearchprize

 

Spotlight on Student Worker Cathy Dolisca

Cathy Dolisca is an Exercise Science major with a concentration in Nutrition. She also minored in Educational Studies. Before coming to The University of Scranton, Cathy went to the Academy of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station, NJ. She is originally from Maplewood, NJ but she currently resides in East Hanover, NJ. Over the summer, she will volunteer with EPOCH, an afterschool and summer program that helps special needs children.

Cathy has worked as Reference Department Student Worker for two years. As one of the first students to work at the Reference Desk for many years, Cathy helps students with their library-related questions and assists the reference librarians with their projects. While on the job, Cathy has learned a lot about the library and doing library research through the databases and other resources that the library provides. The skills that Cathy has learned on the job have enabled her to help her peers, and she enjoys interacting with her fellow students. Cathy takes her work very seriously, and she knows her job is very important because she gets to help her classmates on their way to success. We agree, Cathy! And you do an excellent job of helping the students that come to the desk!

Cathy is currently applying to go to nursing school with the goal of earning a BSN degree. Her career goal is to become a travel nurse, which is a nurse who temporarily relocates to hospitals all across the country. Becoming a travel nurse would allow her to explore and spend time in various places around the country.

In addition to her studies and job in the library, Cathy is a member of the Sustainability Club and the Exercise Science Club. She is also a huge fan of movies and enjoys discussing movies with friends and some of her library colleagues. She especially loves horror movies, but she also enjoys comedies, dramas, and movies that make you think. For example, she recently saw Ex Machina, and she loved the twist ending. She liked that the movie made her think a lot about the future and where technology and society might be heading. Cathy is also an avid reader, and she really enjoys poetry books. Currently, she is reading Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur. Next on her reading list is So Sad Today by Melissa Broder and The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Cathy also has a creative side, she likes to write as a way to get all of her thoughts out, and she enjoys drawing as well.

Cathy is a dedicated worker who is always very reliable. The librarians could always count on Cathy to ably handle staffing the reference desk and appropriately answering student questions. Cathy is well liked by her fellow student workers and all of the librarians. She will be greatly missed!

Thank you, Cathy! Best wishes on your way to success!

 

Library Computer Lab (WML 306)

The Library’s computer lab will be open for student use during the hours that the Library is open beginning Monday, May 8 through Friday, May 19 for the 2017 Spring Semester. Please take note of the student use policy that is posted in the room.

Spotlight on Student Worker: Kyle Kasman

Kyle Kasman is in the student-worker spotlight this week.  Hailing from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Kyle began working in Media Resources/Edlab two years ago while pursuing his doctorate in Physical Therapy. Kyle has an outgoing personality, and he most enjoys connecting with other people and finding new movies and books about their interests. Kyle’s excellent organizational skills and attention to detail have helped to keep Media Resources running smoothly. His advice to other students is to take advantage of all the services the Library has to offer and to ask the librarians for help.

A member of the PT Club, Kyle is involved in Seniorcise, an exercise program for seniors, and he assists in coordinating a local wheelchair basketball tournament. His hobbies include playing guitar, photography, hiking, kayaking and camping. You might be surprised to learn that Kyle used to sing and play guitar in a band that was almost signed to a record label!

Kyle is currently completing his clinical internships. His favorite professor is Dr. Leininger and his favorite class is Orthopedics, so it’s fitting that one of Kyle’s career goals is to become a Physical Therapist who specializes in Orthopedics.

Thank you Kyle, for all you have done here! We wish you all the best in the future.

Faculty Scholarship Exhibit

During the month of May, the Weinberg Memorial Library hosts its annual Faculty Scholarship Exhibit in the Library’s 5th floor Heritage Room. The exhibit features books and articles produced by University of Scranton faculty members since 2015. The exhibit, organized by academic department, provides an overview of the diversity and quality of scholarly accomplishments by the University’s faculty. For more information, please contact Special Collections Librarian Michael Knies at michael.knies@scranton.edu or call 570-941-6341.

Additional Group Study Room Available

The study room in the back corner of the library’s 4th floor, which is usually reserved for faculty, is now open for student use. This room is for group use and can not be reserved. Please follow the posted guidelines, and best of luck as you prepare for exams!

Spotlight on Student Worker Mackenzie Thompson

Mackenzie Thompson, from Breezy Point, NY, is a senior Occupational Therapy major with minors in Psychology and Counseling and Human Services. Mackenzie has worked as a technical consultant in the Reilly Learning Commons since its opening in August 2014, where she loves working with people, helping them with technology and using the library. Over the past three years, Mackenzie has helped implement new technology in the Library and is always happy to share her knowledge with others.

Mackenzie is very active on campus working with the Royal Signers on the Executive Board, serving as Co-Director of the Royal Ambassadors, and a member of the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), and Wishmakers. Mackenzie is also a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, Alpha Epsilon Delta, and Psi Chi.

Mackenzie’s hobbies include drawing, reading, and decorating for holidays. Mackenzie’s favorite book is Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and her favorite movie is Anastasia. You might be surprised to learn that Mackenzie has FOUR dogs! Two 8-year-old Golden Retrievers, Brooke and Lucky, and two rescues, a Siberian Husky named Indigo, age 3.5, and a St. Bernard, Indigo, age 5.

Mackenzie hopes to become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. Mackenzie’s favorite professors have been all of her OT professors who share their enthusiasm for the field with their students.

After graduation in May, Mackenzie will continue with her education in pursuing a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Scranton.

Thank you, Mackenzie! Best wishes with all your future endeavors!

Poem in Your Pocket Day

You may know that April is National Poetry Month, but did you know that Thursday April 27 is “Poem in Your Pocket” Day? People are encouraged to “celebrate by selecting a poem, carrying it with them, and sharing it with others throughout the day”. I am choosing to share here a poem by Contemporary Canadian Poet Sheniz Janmohamed called”The Road Ghazal”. Pick a poem to share tomorrow – either in person or at #pocketpoem.

http://sites.scranton.edu/library/files/2017/04/Road-Ghazal.pdf

 

Support the Friends of the Weinberg Library

The Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library book sale is almost here. Volunteers, faculty, and staff are preparing for our annual sale, which supports our collections and services. The event is this weekend with a special preview sale for current Friends of the Library & Schemel members and University of Scranton students on Friday, April 28.

A donated collection of 40 Harbour Lights Lighthouses will be for sale individually at the tag sale portion of the Book Sale. These lighthouses are collectible replicas of historic lighthouses and were created in limited production each with its own numbered edition and individual serial numbers. All lighthouses are in excellent condition and include the original box and Certificate of Authenticity.

The Book Sale is Saturday, April 29, from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Sunday, April 30, from noon until 8 p.m., in the fifth floor Heritage Room of the Weinberg Memorial Library. Join the organization if you would like to take advantage of the special preview. Click here for membership information.

We are unable to take any more donations at this time. Please contact us in the middle of May to make donation arrangements for next year’s sale. The library will accept any hardcover or paperback books in good condition, including children’s books, cookbooks, fiction, and non-fiction. In addition, the library is collecting media and tag sale items.

For additional information or to volunteer, please contact Barbara Evans at 570-941-4078.

Spotlight on Student Worker Chaleekorn Thamrato

Chaleekorn Thamrato is a Master of Business Administration graduate student focusing on Finance and International Business. Before coming to The University of Scranton, Chalee earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand. She is originally from Bangkok.

Chalee has worked as Reference Department Student Worker for one year, and the reference department relies heavily on her. What Chalee enjoys most about her position in the library is interacting with people. She appreciates the importance of listening and communicating with the people that come to the reference desk to better understand what type of assistance they need. Chalee takes pride in helping people navigate the library and finding what they need.

In addition to her studies and job in the library, Chalee has contributed to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services by giving a presentation on Thailand. The presentation was open to students, staff, and faculty. Chalee’s hobbies include listening to music, especially Bossa nova. She also enjoys watching television series and movies that feature detective stories.  Her favorite pleasure reading involves mysteries and detectives as well. Chalee has kept busy working with the library and pursuing her studies; she has developed time management skills that help her to excel at each of her endeavors.

Chalee  is a capable and reliable student worker and a good colleague to her fellow student workers and the library’s staff; she enjoys communicating with her coworkers and learning more about their professional and personal interests. After graduation in May, Chalee plans to travel around the United States for a few months to see as much as she can before she returns to Thailand. Her career aspirations involve working in corporate finance.

Thank you, Chalee for all that you have contributed to the library! Best of luck in all your pursuits!