Annual Juried Haiku Exhibition

Inspired by the success of Black History Month and Women's History Month, the Academy of American Poets founded National Poetry Month in 1996.  Among their goals was a desire to increase support for poets and their works by increasing media attention and encouraging additional distribution (and publishing) of poetry books.

In 2014, the Samford University Library began its tradition of observing National Poetry Month with our annual juried haiku exhibition featuring short poems submitted by members from the Samford faculty, staff, students and library patrons.  We will continue that tradition next month and we're asking YOU to submit your best haiku!

Image source: Wikimedia Commons 

Haiku painting from 1688 by famous Edo period poet Matsuo Bashō.  English translation:

Quietly, quietly,

yellow mountain roses fall –

sound of the rapids.

The next haiku exhibition is scheduled to be installed on Thursday, April 6th and will remain beside the grand staircase on the 1st floor of the library until Friday, April 28th.  If you would like to submit your meditations following the short form structure of haiku, please fill out this short form below or tweet to us at @SamfordULibrary.

You may submit your haiku anonymously or with your name.  The best haiku may be displayed in the library and/or shared via the library's social media.

Samford University wasn’t always named Samford University

In 1841, Samford University was founded as Howard College. Originally located in Marion, Alabama, Rev. James Harvey DeVotie advocated naming the college after the 18th century philanthropist and English prison reformer, John Howard.

To a modern audience, John Howard seems a strange choice for a small Baptist college in Alabama. He was not Baptist, nor was he heavily involved in church matters. Rather, John Howard was a member of the merchant class of Britain and attributed for being the first English prison reformer. He traveled across Europe documenting the deplorable conditions of prison.

As for his dedication as a prison reformer, Howard viewed his work as humanitarian. In the 19th century, prison reform was a topic of heavy debate which is perhaps why DeVotie chose to name the school after the renowned John Howard. He was widely revered as a model of Christian compassion.

 If you’d like to read more about John Howard, check out Dean Chapman’s article for Season’s magazine in Spring 2005 or come visit the Special Collection. The Special Collection in the University Library holds a first edition, 1777, of John Howard’s book on English prisons and a second edition, 1791, of his book on European prisons, as well as a letter by Howard and several other items of interest, all thanks to the generosity of a donor.

So, why aren’t we still Howard?  In part because when Howard College became a university in 1965 there already was a Howard University. The name was changed to Samford University in honor of Frank Park Samford and the Samford family’s contribution to the university. The Howard College of Arts and Sciences retained both the name and the legacy of this great humanitarian.

On Tuesday, September 3rd, the University Library will celebrate John Howard’s 287th Birthday with cake and coffee at 10:00  am.   Come Join the Celebration!

Wednesday: ALFA Presentation Room

ALFA Presentation Room

Did you know there's a place in the library specifically so students can practice class presentations?

In February, Samford dedicated its new ALFA Practice Presentation in library room 214. With funding from the ALFA Foundation, the facility was renovated and outfitted with the latest technology to help students practice and refine presentations for classes, seminars, conferences and thesis defense. In addition to dedicated recording software, the room features an automatic screen, projector, video camera and confidence monitor.

Although the room is reserved for student use, this open house will introduce the facility to the entire university community and public. For more information, visit our exhibits page.

Please join us Thursday between 10-11 am, for the open house.

Popcorn will also be served on the Library Porch from 10-11.

This year National Library Week is all about how Communities matter @ your library. Gifts to the University Library provide valuable opportunities for enhancements to existing library resources and services. Developing and maintaining a scholarly library and center for learning now and in the future is a long-range enterprise that requires a wide base of support to ensure preservation of and access to key information resources for scholarship. The Samford University Library has been the beneficiary of many generous gifts through the years that have enabled it to provide additional key resources that significantly enhance our offerings that nurture persons learning and knowledge in direct support of the mission of the institution.

This week we highlight five gifts: ALFA Presentation Room; The Saint John's Bible, Heritage edition; The Pilgrim's Choice and other hymnals; C.S. Lewis and other fictional works; and the Hellenic Scholars' Library.

Wednesday: C.S. Lewis Collection

CS. Lewis Collection

Through the gift and direction of a generous local donor, University Library has added 72 titles by and about C. S. Lewis since January 2012. The enhanced collections 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 goals 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.

Help us celebrate C.S. Lewis and our other favorite authors by creating a collage inspired by YOUR favorite work! Just add it to Pinterest or Tweet using the hashtag #sulibrary (and be entered again in our daily drawings). 

This year National Library Week is all about how Communities matter @ your library. Gifts to the University Library provide valuable opportunities for enhancements to existing library resources and services. Developing and maintaining a scholarly library and center for learning now and in the future is a long-range enterprise that requires a wide base of support to ensure preservation of and access to key information resources for scholarship. The Samford University Library has been the beneficiary of many generous gifts through the years that have enabled it to provide additional key resources that significantly enhance our offerings that nurture persons learning and knowledge in direct support of the mission of the institution.

This week we highlight five gifts: ALFA Presentation Room; The Saint John's Bible, Heritage edition; The Pilgrim's Choice and other hymnals; C.S. Lewis and other fictional works; and the Hellenic Scholars' Library.

Monday: St. John's Bible

St. John's Bible joins Samford Library

The Saint John's Bible is a monumental work capturing the spirit, scale, materials and techniques of the great medieval European bibles, while bringing them into the present with a New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) text.

This exceptional new addition to Samford's collection is the culmination of more than 40 years of research and artistic labor by Welsh artist Donald Jackson and a host of theological advisors and craftspeople. This amazing work was graciously donated by Samford Faculty members Dr. Jeff and Lori Northrup.  

Please join us Monday, 10:30am, for the reception. 

A $25 Target gift card will be awarded to a Samford student from the National Library Week entry box. See here for ways to enter.

This year National Library Week is all about how Communities matter @ your library. Gifts to the University Library provide valuable opportunities for enhancements to existing library resources and services. Developing and maintaining a scholarly library and center for learning now and in the future is a long-range enterprise that requires a wide base of support to ensure preservation of and access to key information resources for scholarship. The Samford University Library has been the beneficiary of many generous gifts through the years that have enabled it to provide additional key resources that significantly enhance our offerings that nurture persons learning and knowledge in direct support of the mission of the institution.

This week we highlight five gifts: ALFA Presentation Room; The Saint John's Bible, Heritage edition; The Pilgrim's Choice and other hymnals; C.S. Lewis and other fictional works; and the Hellenic Scholars' Library.

Free Stuff? Love Your Library!

National Library Week

comes to Samford University Library!

April 15-19

On each day, we'll highlight a different cool thing in the Library AND draw for one of many gift cards:

Target, iTunes, the Food Court, and a $50 Amazon card!

You can enter multiple ways:

• Fill out an entry form at the Library Circulation Desk on the 1st Floor
• Comment on our daily blog entries
• Retweet or Share our daily National Library Week stories
• Check in at one of the Library events
• Create a board for our Living In... a Book display and post it to Twitter or Pinterest, tagged #SULibrary (Polyvore is an easy way to get started)

You can enter once per method, and your entry will stay in the drawing box until the end of the week... or you win! You don't have to be present to win, but we'd love to see your smiling face!

For more information about all National Library Week events at Samford, visit the Event Page on the Library Website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 

We can't wait to see you next week!

Marliese Thomas
User Engagement Librarian

Blessed Is the Name

"Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"

 As we begin this (mostly) sunny Easter weekend, we have also been doing some Spring cleaning. 

You'll notice a new display by the Mace of a beautifully illuminated Bible. 

This is the St. John's Bible, a seven-volume work of art in ancient illumination, calligraphy, and modern sensibilities, all to glorify the Word of God. 

The image above is from Luke 23, the Crucifixion. The St. John's website describes it, saying:

"The use of gold conveys the idea of God manifesting himself in His divine love for humanity, represented by the crowd below. Luke’s gospel recounts that darkness covered the earth for three hours, indicated here by the night sky, and that the curtain of the temple, shown as shreds of purple, was torn in two. The contrast of pain with the glory of gold relates this image to current theological discussions concerning the meaning of the Crucifixion in the contemporary world."

Watch for more features from the newest addition to the Samford Family over the next weeks.

Hosanna in the Highest. Save me, Lord. 

Have a wonderful Easter holiday, 

Marliese Thomas

User Engagement Librarian 

Gravity & Grace: Portfolio Exhibit of Prof. J. Michael Hubbs

 "Gravity & Grace"

The Works of James Michael Hubbs

The Library is pleased to host Department of Interior Architecture Adjunct Professor J. Michael Hubbs as he exhibits the outcome of more than four decades of professional work in interiors, landscaping, and residential architecture, as well as artistic endeavors.

This exhibit will be in the Library 2nd Floor Reading Room through March 15, 2013

It's Snowing in the Library!

Need a study break? Help us decorate our Christmas trees by making a snowflake!

You'll find all the materials you need on the First Floor, by Circulation -- scissors, paper, and instructions. 

If you want to get really crafty, check out our Pinterest Holiday board for more snowflake patterns. 

My Precious: 40 Years After Tolkien

A new exhibit has appeared in the hallowed halls of Samford Library, and for many it hearkens back to memories of childhood cartoons, fantasy reading, or maybe just 2003 Orlando Bloom.

Thanks to the generosity of Beeson Divinity student Rebecca Poe Hays and her father, Dr. Hal Poe of Union University, we can (temporarily) bring you the world of Middle Earth, as created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien was a member of The Inklings, a group of literary-minded friends including C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, Nevill Coghill, H.V.D. Dyson, and later, Tolkien's son Christopher. 

Tolkien began with The Silmarillion while living in France during World War I, though it was not completed and published until after his death. This was the beginning of Middle Earth, which included the more famous The Hobbit, first published in 1937. A sequel, The Lord of the Rings, became so detailed and great, that it was unfinished until 1949 and was finally published in 1954-1955 in the three separate volumes we know today: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and Return of the King.

The exhibit JRR Tolkien Forty Years On includes first editions in hardback and paperback (including pirated copies), movie posters, and other documentation related to Tolkien and his amazing world. There is also a photo slideshow, courtesy of Allan and Susan Hammack, from their visit to "The Shire" aka New Zealand, just prior to filming The Hobbit, to be released this December.

We hope you enjoy this flight of fantasy and history. It is our pleasure to maintain the display until January 2, 2013. 

Marliese Thomas, User Engagement Librarian

Reference: Notes of Dr. Hal Poe, Union University
Photos by Eric Allen

Live @ the Library 2012: Randall Williams & Jon Clemmensen

Join us Homecoming weekend for 

The Crimson: My Time as Editor. 

Convo Credit Available

NewSouth Books Editor-in-Chief Randall Williams to present. Presentation to include screening of Another Voice documentary by Samford Professor, Jon Clemmensen. The University Library will host a reception after Mr. Williams' presentation. All are invited to attend. Event Date Saturday October 13, 2012 9:00 am Live at the Library Main Reading Room. 

For more information, click the image above or here.

EXHIBIT

Artist Jean Albright

Plants of the Bible

January-February 2007

Samford University Library hosts the Acrylic and Watercolor Collection of Jean Albright.

Through her generous gift, some of her paintings are now part of our Special Collection. The images are showcased on the main entry level around the grand staircase.

See exhibit: Plants of the Bible