Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Davis Library will close at 4:30pm on December 23rd, 2014, and will reopen with our Jan term hours from 7:30am until 8:00pm on January 5th, 2015.

From Godey's Lady's Book in December of 1850, courtesy of the Samford Special Collection

We wish everyone in the Samford family a safe and happy holiday season!

Fall Finals Stress-Busters @ Samford University Library

Finals are coming up next week at Samford University, and we've got a few things planned here at the library (in addition to our long study hours) to help you keep calm and do well during your exams.

Sunday night, 12/7, we're going to have coffee, cookies, and tutors, provided for your edification and enjoyment, on the 2nd floor of the library.  On the first floor, near the front doors, we're going to be handing out trail mix, courtesy of Parent Programs.

On Tuesday night (12/9), we're going to have late night pizza-- free!  Make sure you're here between 11:00 and 11:30 pm Tuesday night to score some delicious Papa John's slices on the first floor next to the circulation desk.

We're continuing our holiday tradition of asking students to help us decorate our Christmas trees with snowflakes, and we've got a snowflake station right near the front doors where you can take a break and get creative.

If you decorate and address an "I survived finals @ Samford University Library" postcard for us, we'll mail it for you!  You can find the postcards and supplies near the snowflake table, starting Sunday (12/7).

Finally, if you need a study break, we've got just the activity for you.  Grab one of the Goodwin Scavenger Hunts from the front desk (or anywhere else you might find some), and if you complete it correctly and return it, you can get a sweet reward-- a full sized candy bar!

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or follow Goodwin on Twitter, for any updates!

So don't stress next week, Samford-- visit your library!

Celebrating the Life of C. S. Lewis

This month, the Davis Library is celebrating the life and literary legacy of C. S. Lewis.

C. S. Lewis, November 29, 1893-- November 22, 1963

The library is fortunate to have a generous donor who has provided us with a comprehensive collection of works by and about Lewis.

Torrie Richardson, Fine Arts

In honor of the anniversary of Lewis' birthday this month, we held a contest among our visual arts students to create a piece of art commemorating Lewis that would be featured on a bookmark commissioned by our donor.

Hunter Longley, Graphic Design

Ryan Ivey, Graphic Design

We had some incredible entries from very talented students.  Lindsey Hall, Graphic Design major, had the winning design.

Lindsey Hall, Featured Artist

Our donor hoped to put one of the finished bookmarks in the hands of every Freshman on campus, which we attempted to accomplish with the help of our professors.

We currently have displays in the library featuring each of the entries for the contest, as well as a timeline of C. S. Lewis' life and major works.



From the bookmark:                                                       

"Through the gift and direction of a generous local donor, University Library has added 86 titles by and about C. S. Lewis (1898—1963) since January 2012. The enhanced collections attempt to provide a complete catalog of novels, poems, theological and philosophical monographs, literary criticism, children's books, essays, and memoirs by this highly influential Christian scholar. The aims for the collection now include adding audio books and DVDs, a process that has already begun, as well as secondary works about Lewis.

"It's hard to overestimate the influence Lewis had and continues to have on generations of scholars and the public. His science fiction, children's literature, and devotional writings persist in popularity, while his scholarly works continue to be studied and analyzed. Derivative works such as movies and plays entice young audiences and lay the foundation of a generous and beautiful Christian theology. Lewis' prodigious body of work can be found throughout the library."

The Davis Library welcomes you to stop by and take a look at the featured art of our talented students as well as portions of the fantastic collection of Lewis' works that we have here at the library.

Library Hours for Thanksgiving Week

"Male north american turkey supersaturated".
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Male_north_american_turkey_supersaturated.jpg#mediaviewer/
File:Male_north_american_turkey_supersaturated.jpg

It's almost Thanksgiving, everyone!  

Here are the library's hours for next week:

Monday, 11/24-  7:30am until Midnight

Tuesday, 11/25-  7:30am until 6:00pm

Wednesday, 11/26-  8:00am until 2:00pm

Thursday, 11/27 through Saturday, 11/29- CLOSED

Sunday, 11/30-   6:00pm until Midnight

Stay tuned for our extended Finals hours.

You can always find accurate opening and closing times for the library under the "Hours" tab at library.samford.edu, or here: http://library.samford.edu/about/hours.html 

We wish the entire Samford family a safe and happy holiday!

P.S. Did you hear that story about Benjamin Franklin suggesting that the North American Wild Turkey be the National Symbol? Well, it's not entirely true. Find out more about the symbols on our Great Seal of the United States here: http://diplomacy.state.gov/documents/organization/101201.pdf

A Look Back: The Laws of Howard College 1846

Cover of the Laws of Howard College published in 1846. Call Number: LD2281.24.L3 1846

Howard College, now Samford University, was founded in 1841. Classes began in 1842 and started with nine students. The student body grew, but remained very small in the early days. 

In 1846, the college published a document entitled, “Laws of Howard College, Enacted September 18th, 1846” (Call Number: LD2281.24 .L3 1846). This very slim document outlines the procedures of Howard College beginning with the board of trustees, briefly covering the student enrollment and admission. The dining hall is, of course, discussed and then the document talks about the library. 

Being a library ourselves, it’s interesting to read the rules of Howard College’s Library in 1846. For example, students were permitted only to check out two books and admonished from lending them to other or taking them out of the town. 

You can read the full text of the library rules below. 

Laws of Howard College 1, Caption: Page 7 of the Laws of Howard College, LD2281.24 .L3 1846

Laws of Howard College 2, Caption: Page 8 of the Laws of Howard College, LD2281.24 .L3 1846

After the library rules are completed, there are a few other rules, such as one forbidding students from throwing trash out of windows. That seems reasonable enough. 

If you’d like to see the whole document, feel free to come down to the Special Collection and ask for the Laws of Howard College (call number: LD2281.24 .L3 1846). 

Thanks to Rachel Cohen of the Special Collection for text and photographs.

The Howard College Library Club in 1949

Generally, Special Collection struggles to identify large group photos, so we couldn't have been more pleased when we found this photo of the Library Club of 1949 with every member identified.

Library Club tea held January 16, 1949. Left to right: Miss Mabel Willoughby, Librarian, Mrs. Burton (tea table), Betty Shaffield, Gloria Tucker, Ellen Hall, Virginia Casey (secretary), George Ricker (President of the Library Club), Carolyn King, Peggy Baker, Violet Fuson, Jimpsky Marphree, Mary Vesta Barnard, Miss Evelyn Sellers, Dean of Women (seated)

 A fun vintage photo of campus activities in the late 1940's.

Celebrate National Archives Month with the Special Collection!

October is American Archives Month and Special Collection in the University Library is celebrating with our annual Open House. 

Come join us from 1 to 3 pm on Wednesday the 29th of October for some refreshments and a chance to see everything from Civil War medical kits to Howard College's first set of student records. 

Visit the Special Collection Treasure Chest to check out some of the priceless items that can be found in our collection.  

The Special Collection Welcomes the William E. Hull Collection

Some of the boxes of the 475 linear feet of the Hull collection, neatly stacked and waiting to be transferred into proper storage.

Last week, the University Library Special Collection department received the final installment of the William E. Hull Collection. The collection consists of approximately 475 linear feet of records, including book manuscripts, articles, correspondence, sermons, and research notes. Samford’s Special Collection was honored to be selected back in 1995 by Dr. Hull himself as the archive to receive his materials.

Dr. William Hull as a Senior from the Entre Nous 1951.

William E. Hull enrolled at the University of Alabama in 1948 to study medicine. During his sophomore year he felt a calling to ministry and transferred to Samford University, then Howard College, for his junior year. After graduating from Howard College in 1951, he went on to earn a master of divinity and a Ph. D from Southern Seminary in Kentucky. In addition, he did advanced studies at Harvard University and the University of Gottingen in Germany.

Dr. William Hull speaking at Samford Commencement in 2008.

For 17 years, Dr. Hull was a professor of New Testament at Southern Seminary and served as dean and provost there before becoming the pastor at First Baptist Church in Shreveport, LA in 1975. He returned to teaching after taking the position of provost and professor here at Samford in 1987.

Dr. Hull was famous for saying the same benediction at many occasions, and this is one of the copies of it.

In addition, Hull, was a world-renowned scholar, writer, and theologian. He authored 21 books on Christian topics and theology and contributed to 24 additional works. Hull was a popular speaker both locally and worldwide preaching approximately 7,500 sermons between 1949 and 2008 with a ministry reaching beyond those years.

One drawer of the many filing cabinets storing Dr. Hull's clippings, research notes, and sermon drafts.

Dr. Hull passed away on December 10, 2013 from ALS. The University Library, Special Collection department is honored to be a part of preserving his legacy. 

Text and Photographs provided by Jennifer Taylor of the Special Collection.

READ with our Scholar Athletes

Jay Galloway, Football, Communication Studies Major

This fall, the Library and the Athletics Department have teamed up to promote reading by bringing you an exhibit featuring handpicked Scholar Athletes from each major sport at Samford.

Fares Kilani, Men's Tennis, Accounting Major

Brandon Hayman, Men's Basketball, Accounting Major

The American Library Association's READ campaign started in 1985 and has featured nearly two hundred celebrities holding their favorite books, all to promote one thing-- reading.

Caroline Wilder, Softball, Nursing Major

Hope May, Freshman Selfie Volunteer

This may be just the beginning of Samford's READ campaign.  We'd love to get other team members, professors, and administrators on their own READ posters.  We also invite you to come by the library, take your very own READ selfie, and tag us with #DavisLibrary on social media.

Lauren Caballero, Women's Tennis, Marketing Major

Stop by the library today and take a look at our READ posters, or visit us on Facebook where we'll be highlighting our featured READ poster students over the next couple of weeks.

Most importantly: get out there and READ, Samford! 

A Look Back: Oxford's photographs of Marion, Alabama

Howard College, now Samford University, was originally located in Marion, Alabama.

Alexander Christopher Oxford, known as A.C. Oxford, was a photographer active in Alabama from the 1870s until the 1880s. He died in 1925.

Marion, Alabama 1872

Marion, Alabama 1872

The Special Collection is blessed to have an album of Oxford’s photographs (SCAV 1324) that contains photographs of Marion, Alabama in 1872.

Text and Photographs contributed by Rachel Cohen of the Special Collection.

Play it again, Samford: the 1984 Return of Football to Campus

Samford team members celebrate a score against Arkansas Monticello in 1984.

In 1973, the football program was dissolved on Samford’s campus. Football returned as a varsity sport in 1984.

Georgia Southwestern team vs. the Samford Bulldogs in their 1984 season.

Though not a scholarship sport (that wouldn’t happen until 1988), the 1984 season was crucial in establishing administrative and student support for a robust football program. 

Alpha Phi Omega members show off "SU," a live mascot they donated to the Athletics Association.

The return season record was not particularly impressive, but the campus rallied to support the program. 

Cheerleaders hold up a sign for the team to run through at the 1984 Homecoming game.

During the 11 years that Samford University did not have an official football team, homecoming was celebrated during a basketball game. The return of football meant, among other things, the return of football games at homecoming. 

Arkansas defender stops Samford tailback Greg Switzer in the 1984 season.

Football became a scholarship sport in 1988, and in 1989, Siebert Stadium opened. With two NCAA playoff appearances in the 1990s, football continues to be an important part of campus life.

Thanks to Rachel Cohen, of the Special Collection, for text and photographs.

Vineyard Family Services benefits from Davis Library Book Fair

You may remember that, back in April, the Davis Library hosted a Book Fair in conjunction with the Books are Fun company.

One of the great things about Books are Fun is that 10% of the pre-tax proceeds from the Book Fair went to benefit the charity of our choice!  

The staff and faculty of the library got together and chose Backpack Buddies as a cause worthy of our support.  Backpack Buddies is a program where food is distributed to students who likely only get to eat regularly through school lunch and breakfast programs, and who probably would otherwise go hungry on the weekends away from school.  The food is given out discretely so that students can store the food in their backpacks to take home for the weekend and do not appear to be the recipients of charity.  

Locally, Backpack Buddies is managed by Vineyard Family Services, and they distribute food to over 600 elementary and middle-school students.  They are "a faith-based agency that works to decrease the effects of father absence by feeding kids in need, promoting responsible fatherhood & aiding families in crisis."

Today we were finally able to contribute our donation from the book fair to this worthy organization.  We encourage you to visit their Facebook page and find out more about how you can help.

Ward Williams, Director of VFS, accepts our donation.

A Look Back: Samford Football, 1930's through the 1970's

Cheerleaders in the 1940 Entre Nous.

From the 1930’s until the 1970’s, the history of football at Howard College and then Samford University continued fairly strong. The campus teams, both varsity and freshmen, might not have won a lot of games, but they played with discipline and vigor, according to much of the sports reporting of the era. 

The 1934 season varsity football squad.

In 1934, the Howard College Bulldogs were coached by “Shorty” Propst, during his first year of coaching. The team played seven games, winning 3, tying 1, and losing 3. 

The 1940 varsity football team, as featured in the 1940 Entre Nous.

In 1940, the team played six games. For many years, the big game of the season was known as “The Battle of the Marne” and was played between Birmingham-Southern and Howard College, the two city colleges at that time. In 1940, Howard College lost that game 9 to 6.  

The varsity team in 1945.

During World War Two, football on campus continued. In the 1945 year, the Howard College football team consisted of 36 “sailors”, members of the Navy, and 3 “civilians”. They played only five games in an abbreviated season. 

The homecoming game in 1953.

In 1953, the Howard College team played nine game and won only one of them. The coaches that year were James Sherman, Earl Gartman and Bobby Bowden. 

The 1957 Howard College varsity team.

In 1957, Howard College moved from East Lake in Birmingham to Homewood. The football team in the 1957 season had the best season since 1953 by winning 4 of their 5 games. 

Howard College cheerleaders in 1965.

In 1965, Howard College became Samford University, though we played the 1965 season under the Howard name. 

The 1966 homecoming game.

Our first “Samford Bulldogs” football team won six of their nine games in the 1966 season. 

The 1973 Samford varsity football team in action.

The 1973 football season would end up being the last season for almost a decade. 

In 1974, the varsity football program was ended by President Wright and the board of trustees. The primary reason for this decision was the cost of the program. Dropping intercollegiate football saved the university 300,000 dollars in the 1974-1975 budget.   Students who had entered Samford on football scholarships were permitted to keep their scholarships until graduation and those who wished to transfer to another school to continue playing football were assisted by the university to find placements. The coaching staff was hired by a nearby school which had recently lost its head coach. 

The 1973 Samford varsity football team.

There were a few student protests on campus, but by and large the football program ceased quite quietly and the school turned its focus to basketball. 

Football would return to campus under President Corts in the early 1980s and continues today as one of the important activities on campus. 

Go Bulldogs!

Thanks to Rachel Cohen of the Special Collection for text and photographs.

Archibald's Next Big Thing, by Tony Hale, Samford Alumnus

Emmy Award-winning actor and Samford alumnus Tony Hale has co-authored a delightful new children's book, Archibald's Next Big Thing, and the Davis Library has its very own copy!

From the publisher:
           

"Archibald is a newly-hatched chicken looking to find his place in the world and feeling insecure about his abilities, especially when compared to his talented siblings and classmates.  He sets out on an adventure to s4eek out his own Next Big Thing, a journey that takes him to wondrous places and incredible people, all the while searching for something more, not realizing every moment he faces is it-- Archibald's Next Big Thing.  Will he ever find his place?  Follow Archibald in this imaginative store of learning to live in every moment."

Tony Hale lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Martel, and his daughter, Loy.  

Mr. Hale will be on campus in November for "An Evening with Emmy Award Winner Tony Hale," organized by the Samford Alumni Association.