Library 2016 Holiday Hours

We've made it through another round of final exams, and extra-special CONGRATULATIONS to all our December graduates who get to see their #SamfordStories culminate with Fall Commencement tomorrow!

The University Library will begin holiday hours today.  Our holiday schedule is:

• Friday, December 16th -- 7:30am - 5:00pm

• Saturday & Sunday, December 17th & 18th -- CLOSED

• Monday, December 19th through Thursday, December 22nd -- 7:30am - 5:00pm

• Friday, December 23rd through Monday, January 2nd -- CLOSED

We will reopen with Jan Term hours on January 3rd. 

From the Howard Crimson, 1941, courtesy of the Samford Library Special Collection

We wish you and yours peace, love, and joy this holiday season.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

אנו מאחלים לכם שלום , אהבה ,ושמחה בעונת החגים

نتمنى لكم السلام والمحبة و الفرح في عطلة هذا الموسم

我们祝你平安，爱和喜悦这个假期

Ni deziras al vi pacon , amon kaj ĝojon ĉi ferio sezono

우리는 당신에게 평화 , 사랑, 기쁨 이 휴가 시즌 을 기원합니다

Мы желаем

вам мира , любви, радости и в этот праздничный сезон 

私たちはあなたの平和、愛、喜び、このホリデーシーズンにしたいです

Vi önskar dig fred, kärlek och glädje denna feriesäsong.

tam, bang je yImaq DaneHchugh maH maqtagh QI'lop

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!

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 

Extended Hours For Midterms

March 11-13, 2013

We're open until 2 AM!

Photo by Holocene View

You asked; we answered. With the popularity of extending Library hours during Finals, we are also going to stay open late during Midterms - March 11-13. All regular library operations will be available until 2 AM, including Ask Us Chat, reference, study rooms, and circulation services. 

Special Collections and the Academic Computing Lab on the ground floor will follow normally posted operating times.

Liz Wells first Samford Brand Ambassador

Wells the "Face of Samford"

The first in a new Marketing initiative, Liz Wells was named a Brand Ambassador, along with junior journalism and mass communications major Clayton Hurdle. Liz was nominated by a Samford alum for her outstanding work and presence as head of the Special Collections and Archives at Samford Library. 

The person who nominated her wrote, "Mrs. Wells was the face of Samford to all of these people who might not interact with anyone else while on campus. ...I witnessed her treat each visitor as a welcomed VIP, and she ensured that her student workers and full-time employees also treated the visitors with the same warmth. And she also took the time to mentor, counsel, and love each of her student workers. When many people across the country think of the face of Samford, they think of Liz Wells and they think well of Samford because of her."

Each month, the Office of Communications and Marketing will name Brand Ambassadors from nominated individuals who positively represent Samford University. At the end of the year, all Ambassadors will be honored in a year-end event.

Liz was previously honored in 2012 with the Jennings Marshall Service Award for significant and sustained service contributions to the University.

Congratulations, Liz, on this fantastic honor!
For the full news release, please visit this link.

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

"Small Space, Big Impact"

Presentation Room Now Open!

You may know it as Study Room 214, but thanks to Alfa Insurance, this room is now a high-tech, fully enabled space for you to practice a presentation, record, and save multimedia scholarship. 

Dr. Westmoreland confessed to preferring to stand beside the podium.

After introductions by Randy Pittman and David Hakanson, Dr. Westmoreland helped commemorate the space, saying "students are expected to stand and deliver." In this room, you can prepare and perfect your ability to do that... Literally.

 

 The furniture is all on wheels, from the collapsible tables to the white boards. So, you can arrange the room for however suits your group's needs - board meeting or lecture style. The console allows you to bring your own device (including Apple mobile devices) or bring your file on a flash drive.

Groups can reserve the room through the Library's Circulation desk. Any other time, availability is first come, first serve for two hour periods, like our other study rooms.







So check this new space out -- and Ask Us! (or the Lower Level Computer Lab) if you have any questions about using the space. 

Marliese Thomas
User Engagement Librarian

It's Brad Radice!

See you at Convo!

The Library will be closed for University Convocation,

 9:45 - 11:00 am

on Tuesday, January 29th.

 

We can't wait to see all of you! Thank you for allowing us to make these adjustments and take part in the Samford community.

Marliese Thomas

User Engagement Librarian

Miles to go...

Robert Frost

Welcome back!

Whether you spent Jan Term abroad, with your family, or on campus,

we are looking forward to Spring semester with you! 

Closed Monday, Jan 21st

In observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, 

the Samford Library will be closed on 

Monday, January 21st. 

Portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. By Betsy G. Reyneau; Donated Collections; Record Group 200; National Archives and Records Administration

“Intelligence plus character -- that is the goal of true education.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

  For questions about library hours, please visit our Hours web page or call our Hours hotline at (205) 726-2015.

Neither Rain, nor Sleet...

There may be snow falling from the sky (for the moment), but we are still open and planning on staying open for all regular hours tonight. 

Police Chief Wayne Pittman sent this message about road conditions on and around campus:
Montague Drive has some slick spots and Facility Services is putting sand on the roadway.  It appears that the snow is slowing down and should leave the area by 5pm.  Officers have driven the campus and stated that the roads seem to be getting better since the snow has slowed down.  According to the National Weather Service the temperature should rise to 38 degrees by 5pm today and not go below freezing until 2am on Friday morning.  Please drive carefully on campus.

Driving tips:

• Drive with your headlights on for extra visibility.
• Leave extra space between you and the car in front of you.
• Slow down when approaching elevated areas and look for icing conditions.
• In the morning watch for black ice on the roadways.

If we have any change to operational hours, it will be posted on this website as well as our Twitter and Facebook feeds. Please be safe!

In Honor of New Year's

Though the day be dreary

and you a little weary, 

we are quite cheery for your return. 

We hope, with time off, that

your Twitter and Snapchat

also rested as you embraced family.

With Spring now approaching

(this cold feels encroaching),

it is now again time to learn.  

Happy 2013, everyone!

Memorial Bell Tolls For Sandy Hook Victims

On Friday, Dec. 21 at 8:30 a.m., the bells of Samford University’s Rushton Memorial Carillon will toll 26 times in memory of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newton, Conn.

Samford carillonneur Steve Knight will perform the service as part of a memorial observation that will enlist the bells of colleges and churches throughout the nation.

The Rushton Memorial Carillon, so familiar to Samford students from the late 1960s through the present, is among the finest in the nation. The 49 bells of the original set, together weighing more than five tons and covering four octaves, were cast in Asten, Holland, at the renowned Schulmerich-Eljsbouts Bell Foundry. The carrillon was first installed in the bell tower of the university's Reid Chapel in 1968. It was expanded and relocated to the library’s bell tower in 1979. For more information about the Carillon, please visit this page.

Holiday Reading We Love

Now that the semester has come to a close, students (and faculty!) are looking forward to a break from their classes, clubs and jobs. The next few weeks provide the perfect opportunity to catch up on all the books you’ve been meaning to read but could never find time for during the fall. Here at the library, we did a lot of reading throughout the year.

For the first time ever the library faculty and staff members have made a list of the top books we’ve read this year. The list contains classics and newer releases and plenty of titles for fans of science fiction and adventure. We also made sure to include titles for those who prefer nonfiction and memoirs. Several of these books or similar works by the authors are available at the library (those linked). For anyone looking for a great book during the holidays, we’ve made this list with you in mind:

• Revelations by Elaine Pagels
• The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides
• The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson
• The Poet of Tolstoy Park by Sonny Brewer
• The Window and the Tree by Sonny Brewer
• My Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos
• Wool by Hugh Howey
• Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
• Living In More Than One World: How Peter Drucker’s Wisdom Can Inspire and Transform Your Life by Bruce Rosenstein
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter
• The Bones by Seth Greenland
• Poseidon’s Arrow by Clive Cussler
• Astrid and Veronika by Linda Olsson
• Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
• Star Wars: Millennium Falcon by James Luceno
• The Millennium Falcon Owner’s Workshop Manual by Ryder Windham, Chris Reiff and Chris Trevas
• A Rare Titanic Family: The Caldwells’ Story of Survival by Julie Williams
• Night by Elie Wiesel
• I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith

For those who prefer to purchase your own copy, you can support the library while you shop online. Click here for links to participating companies include Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, AbeBooks, Alibris and Family Christian Stores. When you go through this page to make your online purchase, you can help earn a commission to support the library at no additional cost to you. For more information please visit the Shop Online page of the Samford Library website.

Marci Solomon, Circulation Assistant

Extended Hours During Finals

Open Late!

Students are knee-deep in final presentations, study groups, and paper-writing, and Samford Library will continue extended hours through next week. Don't forget to Ask Us any questions about research, citing sources, or technical problems you have accessing our materials!

Here's the full breakdown:

Wednesday, Dec 5:   7:30 am - 2:00 AM

Thursday, Dec 6:    7:30 am - 2:00 AM

Friday, Dec 7:   7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday, Dec 8:   10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Sunday, Dec 9:   1:00 pm - 2:00 AM

Monday, Dec 10:   7:30 am - 2:00 AM

Tuesday, Dec 11:   7:30 am - 2:00 AM

Wednesday, Dec 12:   7:30 am - 2:00 AM

Thursday, Dec 13:   7:30 am - 6:00 PM

Friday, Dec 14:   8:00 am - 4:30 pm

For a look at all of our holiday hours, including those during winter break, visit our Hours website or call the library information hotline at (205) 726-4015. 

Advent: Wake from your Sleep

"Do this because we live in an important time. It is now the time for you to wake from your sleep, 

because salvation is nearer now than when we first believed."

Romans 13:11

Today begins the Advent season, and growing up, that meant Sundays of lighting candles, a calendar with chocolate, and making Christmas ornaments in pre-school. But what does the Advent season really mean, and how can we take advantage of it to develop in our paths to salvation? Is it just a means to an end (Christmas), or is the journey as important as the final lesson, like so many things in life?

My minister, Dr. Conrad Sharps of Independent Presbyterian Church, recently wrote something in our church newsletter that really resonated on this topic:

"Advent is a reminder to us that we are children of God and that Christ will one day return. It is a reminder to us that salvation is from God and from God alone. It is sin that is an intruder into our lives and into our world. An intruder which is hostile torward every good thing which God intends for his children. 

"This season is a time when all people of faith are called to a time of repentance and preparation, for Christ is coming into the world! We don't know when, but it shouldn't matter. That God should be born to us in a manger, live for us, die for us, rise from the dead for us says to me, it doesn't matter when he's coming, but that he's coming that matters."

Advent is part of Christmas, not just something your church might recognize before the Big Day. It shouldn't be dismissed as part of the holiday any more than our experiences can be ignored as part of who we each are.

As you are working on your final papers, studying for exams, buying presents for your family and friends, take a moment to think about the journey that has brought you here. What did you learn about yourself and the way you learn this semester that can be carried forth into your future work and relationships?

How the Nation Voted

We all know what our own ballots looked like, but here's a great Prezi presentation on a breakdown of election results from across the nation, including some controversial state propositions (However, I would comment that Florida seems to be a closer margin that is implied in the presentation):

Election Results Prezi on Prezi