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.

Water Main Break

There has been a Water Main Break in Scranton. Please do not use the water fountains in the Library until further notice.

Bike Scranton 2019 Ends Today

The 2019 Bike Scranton Season has ended today. Preliminary reports indicate a substantial increase in borrowing this year. We are happy to be participants in this green initiative. Plan to join us again next April!

Leaves of Class XXI – August, September & October Winners!

OCTOBER ~ Congratulations to Suzanne BeLaus, who won the following prizes:

Culinary Delights:  Backyard Ale House ($50 gift card); La Trattoria ($30 gift card); Metz Culinary Management  — Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse ($25 gift card); POSH @ The Scranton Club ($25 gift card); Ragnacci’s Family Restaurant ($25 gift certificate); Sibio’s Restaurant ($50 gift certificate); State Street Grill ($75 gift card); Terra Preta Prime ($50 gift card); Thai Rak Thai Restaurant ($50 gift card); The Settlers Inn at Bingham Park ($50 gift card).

Mindfullness:  Barnes & Noble Booksellers – Allentown (books: Thirteen Ways of Looking by Colum McCann and Corrupted by Lisa Scottolini); Carroll & Carroll Booksellers (book:  After Anna by Lisa Scottolini); Library Express (fall themed book basket).

Wellness:  American Candle (one large jar candle); Best Friend Basket (Stately Pet Supply ($25 gift certificate); PetSmart ($25 gift card); Target ($50 gift card)).

And More!:  Library book quilt by Quilt Crush; Montecillo Rioja wine (one bottle – courtesy of Gretchen Welby);  Starbucks (four – $10 gift cards – courtesy of William Varady).


SEPTEMBER ~ Congratulations to Jean Nebzydoski of Pleasant Mount, who won the following prizes:

Culinary Delights:  Bar Pazzo ($30 gift card); Café Classico ($30 gift certificate); City Market & Café ($25 gift card); Cooper’s Seafood House ($25 gift certificate); La Cucina Restaurant ($25 gift card); DOMA Importing Company ($25 gift certificate); Gerrity’s ($25 gift card); Gertrude Hawk Chocolates ($25 gift card); Great Temptations ($25 gift certificate); Mansour’s Market ($25 gift card); Metz Culinary Management – Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse ($25 gift card), TGI Fridays ($25 gift card), Lucky’s Sporthouse Kitchen & Cocktails ($25 gift card); Peculiar Slurp Shop ($25 gift certificate); The Sanderson St. Tavern ($25 gift certificate).

Mindfulness:  BAM! ($25 gift card); Dear Evan Hansen recording and book and a signed copy of Getting Off at Elysian Fields (courtesy of Charles Kratz).

Wellness:  Tim Wagner’s Sports Corner, Inc. ($25 gift certificate).

Tres Chic:  Liztech Jewelry (“Hope” pin – handcrafted and signed); Kohl’s – Stroudsburg ($25 gift card); The University of Scranton, University Advancement (basket of University ‘Swag’); Handmade, crocheted purse (courtesy of Patti Davis).

And More!:  Nimble Hill Vineyard & Winery (three bottles of red wine);  Java City (coffee gift basket); Amazon ($50 gift card – courtesy of Charles Kratz).


AUGUST ~ Congratulations to Frances Stepkovitch of Archbald, who won the following prizes:

Entertainment:  Roba Family Farms (four VIP admission tickets); The Schemel Forum (one annual couple membership); The University of Scranton Players (two theatre subscriptions).

Culinary Delights:  AV ($50 gift card);  Applebee’s ($25 gift certificate).

Wellness:  Total Hair Solutions: ($50 gift certificate); Uno Fitness (one 3-month membership).

And More!:  Nimble Hill Vineyard & Winery (three bottles of red wine); Fidelity Bank (Coleman Roadtrip Grill).


Didn’t win this yet? That’s ok, because you still have TWO more chances!

 

To request mailed brochures, contact Kym Balthazar Fetsko – kym.fetsko@scranton.edu, 570.941.7816, or stop in the Library to fill one out.

 

Follow us on Instagram @uofslibrary

 

Thank you & good Luck!

Sheli Pratt-McHugh Receives PaLA Certificate of Merit!

Assistant Dean Sheli Pratt-McHugh was recently honored by her colleagues when she was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA).

Certificates of Merit are presented to individuals that make outstanding contributions to libraries and the Pennsylvania Library Association. Awardees must be nominated by a PaLA member. Notably, Sheli’s nominator wrote:

“Sheli has an outstanding love for libraries and librarianship. This statement is apparent to anybody who knows her and has seen her unwavering and enthusiastic commitment to service. […] [T]here are few librarians in PA that Sheli does not know and have a solid rapport with. […] I truly cannot think of a more meritorious person when it comes to continued and sustained library service, and I highly recommend her for receiving a PaLA Certificate of Merit.”

Well done, Sheli, and congratulations!

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.