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Library Welcomes New Director
By Jennifer Luksa

Misericordia University and the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library staff is very happy to welcome our new Director of Library Services, Dr. Barbara Burd. Dr. Burd comes to Misericordia from Colgate University where she held the position of Head of Reference and Information Literacy.

Barbara has a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University and a Masters in Library Science from State University of New York at Albany where she completed course-work for academic libraries and school library media specialist.

Barbara’s start date at the Bevevino Library is Tuesday, November 1. Please be sure to stop by the library and welcome Barbara to Misericordia University.

The Friends of the Library
By Calli Berg

The Friends of the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library enjoyed a very successful inaugural evening with honored guest, David Eisenhower, grandson of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. David, a young White House “insider” during his grandfather’s presidency, spoke to those assembled, on the Changes in Presidents’ White House Styles and Philosophies, and their Perspectives on America’s Character, 1952-2004.

David is a senior fellow and co-chair of the Foreign Policy Research Institute’s History Academy in Philadelphia, and a public policy fellow and Professor, in the Annenberg School of Communications, jointly with the School of Arts and Sciences, at the University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches, the history of America’s political structures.

It was a great evening of historical discussion in support of the intellectual pursuit of research and knowledge, while additionally benefiting the students, faculty and supporters of the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library. As a result of this first, formal fund raising event, $5,000 was raised on behalf of the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library.

We are planning a Speakers’ Series to be held in the Spring, involving four Misericordia Faculty members, sharing their re-search interests, in order to generate cross-disciplinary interest and discussion, on a campus-wide basis and to benefit not only our students, but the faculty, as well as the community at large.

The Libraries of Misericordia University
By Harrison Wick

Misericordia University’s library has always been at the center of campus. For seventy five years, the college library was located on the second floor of the Administration Building, which was rededicated in 2002 as Mercy Hall. As the library holdings grew, the space was expanded in the 1970s and renamed the Sister Francesca McLaughlin Library, after Sister Francesca, who was College Librarian from 1938 to 1965. The Founders Room occupies the same space as the original library reference desk.

The college library grew to encompass the entire second floor of Mercy Hall, and by the 1990s, plans were underway to build a new library building adjacent to Mercy Hall. Named in honor of Mary Kintz Bevevino, alumni of the Class of 1987, the Library was dedicated on Mercy Day, September 24, 1999. The new library is located at the heart of the campus between Mercy Hall, and McHale and Gildea Residence Halls. It now houses over 70,000 print resources and 3,000 videos. The Bevevino Library is host to the McGowan Conference Center and the Alden Trust Computer Lab and Classroom.

In 1990, the Misericordia University Archives was established as part of the library in Mercy Hall. In 1997, the Sister Mary Carmel McGarigle Archives was dedicated in honor of the first archivist of Misericordia University. Today, the Archives is located on the third floor of the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library. The Archives offers access to over 50,000 photographic images and 600 linear feet of archival collections, spanning Misericordia University’s 81 year history. The Archives actively collects photographs, files, college publications, MU memorabilia, promotional materials, and oral history interviews. Additionally, the Archives works in collaboration with the Luzerne County Historical Society to collect photographs of the Back Mountain area including Dallas, Harveys Lake, Lehman, Shavertown, and Trucksville. These images can be viewed at www.backmountain.org. Please contact the Archivist, Harrison Wick, at 674-6420 or archives@misericordia.edu to donate materials to the Sister Mary Carmel McGarigle Archives or to learn more about Misericordia University, the Sisters of Mercy, and the Back Mountain community.

Information Literacy Subcommittee News
By Lizah Ismail

The committee would like to welcome the following new members:

Dr. Allan Austin (History)

Dr. Mitchum Huehls (English)

Dr. Diane Madras (Physical Therapy)

Marion Rogers (Institutional Advancement)

Library Welcomes “Youngest” Scholars By Colleen Newhart

They quietly make their journey across campus on any given Friday morning, discussing their favorite author or the latest book that they have read. You may mistake their discourse for that of any young scholar, but for the fact that they are just over three feet tall!

If you frequent the library on Friday mornings, you may meet our newest patrons, ten extremely well behaved ladies and gentleman between the ages of four and five, from the Adventures in Learning Child Care Program at Mercy Center.

When complimented on their demeanor, their mentor, Lori Russell, said, “They put on their ‘library voices’ as they approach the building. The young patrons consciously work very hard to follow all the library’s rules, as this makes them feel “grown up”.

“They are greatly impressed with the tall stacks of books”, says their weekly guide, Kerri Smee, “along with the number of “big” students that are sitting and reading throughout the library”. When asked what they liked best about their visits, Sydney says, “the books”, as Carlin adds, “I like the art work on the walls, especially the carousel picture, and picking out books.”

At the present time, their favorite topics revolve around horses and nature, and their favorite author seems to be Dr. Seuss. Last week they found the Children’s video section, perhaps next week it will be “Reference” section?

Staff Highlights - Debbie Ickes
By Connie Fleeger

Debbie Ickes has been a member of the Library Staff, since November of 2000. Debbie’s responsibilities, along with general circulation functions, include the processing of Interlibrary Loan requests and billing related to Interlibrary Loan, and the processing of Document Delivery requests for Distance Learners and Faculty.

Debbie, formerly from Emmaus, PA, lives in Dallas with her husband, Jeff, daughter, Leann, an alumna of Misericordia University, and son, Brad, who reconstructs automobiles.

She plans to complete the requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional Studies with a minor in Gerontology by December 2005. Debbie has worked very hard to complete her degree while working “full-time”, and juggling the responsibilities of school, and family. She is looking forward to spending more time with her family after graduation, and she adds that “they have been her strongest supporters” in reaching this goal.

Debbie enjoys doing arts and crafts with the elderly, walking, and traveling to the shore during the summer months. She has a friendly and warm personality, and is a very compassionate person, always going the extra mile to help others. She takes pride in the faculty, staff, and student body, who share this value with her and show by their example, genuine care for others. Debbie stated that, “It is those individuals that I would like to thank for making these past five years at Misericordia University an enjoyable experience".

Library’s Instruction Program
By Lizah Ismail

The library’s Instruction Program got off to a busy start this Fall semester. Faculty began bringing their classes to the library, for instruction on research methods and the use of library resources, during the first week of classes. So far this semester, our library instructors have conducted twentynine instruction classes in a variety of disciplines. This represents an increase in the number of classes completed this Fall, in comparison to the same time period of last year.

The library welcomes and encourages faculty to schedule library instruction sessions for their classes throughout the year. Classes can be customized to meet specific needs, and topics covered during class can include, but are not limited to:

• Library resources and services
• Basic search techniques using the l library catalog and electronic databases
• Advanced search techniques which limit and focus your search
• Evaluation of information sources, including websites

The library does request sessions to be scheduled two weeks in advance so that library instruction staff can be well prepared to conduct the session.

Library instruction sessions may be scheduled by calling the Reference Desk phone at 674-6352 or through email at reference@misericordia.edu.

New Research Databases Available
By Joan Pastorelli

The Bevevino Library has recently added the “Cochrane Library”, to its’ list of Health Sciences databases. The Cochrane Library consists of a regularly updated collection of evidence-based medicine databases. The “library” is the main product of the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization, dedicated to the mission of preparing, maintaining, and promoting the accessibility of systematic reviews of the effects of healthcare interventions.

“Computer Source” was also recently added to the list of available Business databases. This database provides researchers with the latest information and current trends in high technology. Computer Source database offers full text coverage for more than 300 publications, covering topics such as computer science, programming, artificial intelligence, cybernetics, information systems, robotics, and software.

Database access is available from any internet connected, on-campus computer. Remote access is available to students, faculty, and staff of Misericordia University. Please stop in at the Library, or call the Reference Desk at 570-674-6352, for information regarding the databases, or to “set up” an account for remote access.

New On The Reference Shelves
By Amber Konek & Lizah Ismail

The following books have recently been added to the reference collection:

New immigrant literatures in the United States: a sourcebook to our multicultural literary heritage/ edited by Alpana Sharma Knippling; Emmanuel S. Nelson, advisory editor
REF 801.992 N42

Theatre world/ by John Willis
REF 792 W87

Encyclopedia of the romantic era, 1760-1850/ by Chris-topher John Murray
REF 700.4 EN1 V.1
REF 700.4 EN1 V.2

Encyclopedia of social theory/ editor George Ritzer
REF 301.01 EN1 V.1
REF 301.01 EN1 V. 2

Wound Care essentials: practice principles/ by Sharon Baranoski, Elizabeth A. Ayello
REF 617.1 B23

Encyclopedia of rape/ edited by Merril D. Smith
REF 362.883 EN1

Bergey’s manual of determinative bacteriology/ edited by John G. Holt
REF 589.9 B45 2000

Staff of Book Marks:

Calli Berg

Connie Fleeger

Lizah Ismail

Amber Konek

Jennifer Luksa

Colleen Newhart

Joan Pastorelli

Harrison Wick