Dean Charles E. Kratz Retirement

Dean Kratz's Retirement Party

Charles E. Kratz, Dean of the Library and Information Fluency is retiring at the end of 2019. We celebrated his retirement on December 7th with remarks from some of his colleagues including, Eugeniu Grigorescu, Director of the CTLE; Dean Deb Pellegrino, PCPS; Sheli Pratt-McHugh, Assistant Dean of the Library; Dr. Marian Farrell, Nursing Department; Betsey Moylan, retired Chair of the Library Faculty; and Gretchen Welby from the Friends of the Weinberg Library. Former University Provost, Hal Baillie served as MC for the evening.

For over 28 years, Dean Kratz has lead the Library, from opening the new Weinberg Memorial Library in 1992 and renovating the first floor for its 20th Anniversary to include more collaboration space and technology. He built collections to meet the needs of its students, instituted and extended 24 hour accessibility for study space, and worked with University administration, faculty, and students to improve Library services, spaces, and collections. We will miss his leadership, advocacy, and support. We wish him all the best in his retirement.

More Library Study Space Available

The Library Computer Lab (Rm.306) and an additional Group Study Room on the 4th Floor (Rm.419) are now available for student use. Please note the guidelines posted. And per student request, the Library 3rd floor will again be open 24/7 for dead week and finals week, specifically earmarked for Quiet Study. Good luck with your studies!

Application Deadline for Library Research Prize is Monday, December 9, 2019

Are you working on a research project this semester? Did you use the library’s resources, services, collections, or spaces in order to complete your research? Then the Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize is for you!

The Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize recognizes excellence in research projects that show evidence of significant knowledge in the methods of research and the information gathering process and use of library resources, tools, and services.

Three prizes of $500.00 each will be awarded to the winning individual student and/or group in the following categories: Undergraduate Foundational (100-level courses), Undergraduate Upper-level (200- to 400-level courses), and Graduate. If won by a group, the award will be split equally among the group members. All you need to do is write a 500- to 700-word essay describing your research process and how you used the library in completing the project. Click here for some tips on how to craft the best 500- to 700-word essay you can about your research. 

The application deadline for projects completed during Summer or Fall 2019 is Monday, December 9, 2019 at 4:00 pm. There will be another deadline for Spring 2020 research projects. Winners will be announced at the end of the Spring 2020 semester.

A statement of faculty support from the instructor who assigned the research project is also required for each submission.

For additional information on how to apply, what to include in a completed application, and to access the application, visit the Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize page:  www.scranton.edu/libraryresearchprize

Schemel Forum Rountable Cancelled for Monday 12/2

This event has been cancelled due to the weather.

Citizens and the Culture of Corruption: What Can We Do? A Roundtable

The Schemel Forum in collaboration with the Office of Community & Government Relations

Monday, December 2nd – 5:30pm to 7:00pm

Please contact Alicen Morrison, 570.941.6206, Alicen.Morrison@scranton.edu with any questions.

Library Closed Sunday and Monday

The Library will be closed today and tomorrow due to the inclement weather. Students can swipe into the first or second floors while the library is closed. Stay safe out there!

Gaming Marathon Charity Event in RLC this Saturday!

The Extra Life Gaming Marathon event benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals will be held in the Reilly Learning Commons on Saturday, November 23rd at 2PM. The 12-hour event will run until Sunday, November 24th at 2AM.

Free Pizza, Snacks, and drinks will be provided! All students are invited to join in the fun!

Wii, Switch, and Playstation 3 will be set up in the pods with games including MarioKart, Super Smash Bros., Rock Band, and more! A variety of new and exciting board/tabletop games will also be available!

Sponsored by The University of Scranton Gaming Club, Late Night at Scranton, Commuter Student Association, the University of Scranton Anime Club, and the Weinberg Memorial Library.

 

Apply Now for the Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize!

Are you working on a research project this semester? Did you use the library’s resources, services, collections, or spaces in order to complete your research? Then the Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize is for you!

The Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize recognizes excellence in research projects that show evidence of significant knowledge in the methods of research and the information gathering process and use of library resources, tools, and services.

Three prizes of $500.00 each will be awarded to the winning individual student and/or group in the following categories: Undergraduate Foundational (100-level courses), Undergraduate Upper-level (200- to 400-level courses), and Graduate. If won by a group, the award will be split equally among the group members. All you need to do is write a 500- to 700-word essay describing your research process and how you used the library in completing the project. Click here for some tips on how to craft the best 500- to 700-word essay you can about your research. 

The application deadline for projects completed during Summer or Fall 2019 is Monday, December 9, 2019 at 4:00 pm. There will be another deadline for Spring 2020 research projects. Winners will be announced at the end of the Spring 2020 semester.

A statement of faculty support from the instructor who assigned the research project is also required for each submission.

For additional information on how to apply, what to include in a completed application, and to access the application, visit the Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize page:  www.scranton.edu/libraryresearchprize

Job Opportunity: Evening Circulation Services Clerk

We invite applications for the full-time Evening Circulation Services Clerk.

The Evening Circulation Services Clerk works under the supervision of the Circulation Services Coordinator to perform the duties listed below.

Essential Duties:

  • Provides patron assistance at the Circulation Desk. This includes:
    • Conducting circulation transactions (charging, discharging, reviewing, recalling, placing holds, and collecting fines and fees).
    • Registering new patrons.
    • Assisting with maintaining equipment (i.e. photocopiers, laptop computers, IPads, security gates), replenishing supplies, and reporting equipment malfunctions.
    • Answering telephone calls and assisting with circulation questions. Referring reference questions to Research and Scholarly Services.
    • Assisting with the sending of faxes.
    • Responding to and documenting violations of theft and damage to Library materials.
    • Processing monetary transactions.
    • Assisting patrons with use of the public catalog for finding material, especially reserves.
  • Maintains good order in the Library stacks. This includes:
    • Supervising work study students’ re-shelving of materials, and re-shelving materials in the absence of student assistants.
    • Overseeing the condition of materials on the shelves, including the pulling of books for mending.
    • Supervising small shifts of the collection to ease crowding. Participation in the planning and execution of larger collection shifts as needed, including any related furniture layout/repositioning.
    • Maintaining the New Book Shelves.
  • Assists with the supervision of student employees, including training and assigning work. Communicates with students about departmental issues in person and via the Circulation Services Blog. Monitors student attendance.
  • Closes the library building by unlocking/locking specific doors and gates and adjusting elevator settings.
  • Participates in the maintenance of basement storage, which includes materials from the collection and Friends of the Library Book Sale Materials. This includes:
    • Serving as a point person for book donors, including collecting information for acknowledgment letters and coordinating the pick-up of gift books if needed.
    • Selecting materials for the Friends Book Sale shelves.
    • Trainings/Supervising students who search the Library catalog to determine if gift books are candidates for addition to the collection.
    • Assisting in the set up and take down of the annual Friends Book Sale.

Additional Responsibilities:

  1. Oversees and is responsible for Library services and building operations during evening hours when Research and Scholarly Services Librarians are not present.
  2. Selects materials and produces posters for special displays.
  3. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Education Requirements:

High school diploma or equivalent

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree

Minimum Job Experience Requirements:

Minimum of 4 months library work experience; including familiarity with an automated library circulation system, on-line catalog searching, Internet searching, and use of Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working with/supervising college age students.

Additional Skills Required:

  1. Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of users – students, faculty, administration, and public patrons, and to handle communications with tact, courtesy and discretion.
  2. Ability to instruct/direct student work.
  3. Excellent organizational/record-keeping skills.
  4. Must be able to lift and move heavy cartons of books, weighing up to 40 lbs.
  5. Must be able to respect, support and contribute to the University’s Catholic and Jesuit mission.

Schedule/Work Hours: Sun-Thurs 3:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. (35 hours per week), with some fluctuations in the summer and at exam times.

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.

How to Apply

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. The position will be open until filled. Review of applications will begin on Monday, December 2, 2019.

For questions regarding this position, please contact the search committee chair: Patricia Savitts, Circulation Services Coordinator, The University of Scranton, Weinberg Memorial Library, patricia.savitts@scranton.edu.