University Library 101

Welcome new students! Have you been in the University Library yet? We want you to spend many hours studying & using our resources while you're a SU student. We realize you might have some questions so here's a list of places to find answers:

• Hours
• FAQs
• Floor Maps
• Readings on Reserve
• Circulation FAQs
• Wireless Info
• Local Libraries (Public & University)

Questions? Use Ask Us! to find more answers & all the different ways to contact us.

The Story Continues...Librarians on the Move!

Adding to our theme of Librarians on the Move: Here, There, Everywhere, we have enhanced our support for traditional and online education with a new Research Guide and by adding the option of online library instruction. In addition to in-person instruction, and other services (see our à la carte menu), you can now request this new online service. Librarians can also create videos on how to use the library and help you embed ASK US! (A live chat and e-mail feature where students can get help) inside Moodle or on other online sites.

To request this new online service or traditional in-person library instruction, click here. From there, click on Library Instruction Request form.

Questions? Please contact Dr. Stephanie Rollins.

What happens in the library when the students aren't around?

Lots of things! We're busy planning for the future, taking care of projects that need to be completed before fall semester begins, & trying out new ideas to see what works.

Here are just a few of the things we do during the summer:

• Attend virtual webinars
• Move collections
• Process new collections & manuscripts
• Upgrade computers & software
• Implement new programs
• Order, process, & catalog materials
• Make sure books & materials are shelved properly
• Count everything that doesn't move
• Order supplies
• Ponder a lot
• Schedule future displays & exhibits,
• Handle ILL requests
• & so much more

What? You thought we read all day? Sorry to disappoint you! 

A Baptist History Show and Tell for Alabama Churches

 Since January of this year, the Special Collection department has hosted over 290 people from 20 different churches as a part of special tours offered through the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission. Church groups from all over Alabama travel to visit Samford University and their first stop is usually the Special Collection department.

As the repository for the Alabama Baptist State Convention, one of the primary missions of the Special Collection department at Samford is to preserve, protect, and provide access to materials relating to the history of Alabama Baptists. During these tours, Samford archivists offer visitors a unique opportunity to hear and see for themselves books, documents, and artifacts relating to Alabama Baptist and Samford University history.

Staff from The Alabama Baptist newspaper often visit during these tours to discuss the importance and history of The Alabama Baptist newspaper. In the photograph above, Dr. Bob Terry, president and editor of the newspaper, talks with one of the church groups.

Other stops on the tour include lunch at the university's cafeteria, Hodges Chapel, and the Global Center. For more information about these tours, please contact the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission.

Jennifer Taylor, Archivist, Samford University Library
Rachel Cohen, Archivist, Samford University Library

Wallace's "Stand in the Schoolhouse Door"

On June 11, 1963 Governor George Wallace made his “stand in the schoolhouse door” speech in opposition to the integration of Alabama schools.

The event took place in the doorway of Foster Auditorium on the campus of The University of Alabama in an attempt to prevent James Alexander Hood and Vivian Malone from enrolling in classes.. The “stand in the schoolhouse door” played an integral part in politics and the civil rights movement. Gov. Wallace gained national attention from the event. Later that evening, President Kennedy made a televised speech aligning himself with the civil rights movement.

Lillie Mae Beason, a student at The University of Alabama, watched Gov. Wallace deliver the speech from across the street through her dormitory window. When the event was over, Beason watched Gov. Wallace place a rolled paper in a nearby pipe. Later, she went to retrieve the document. What she found in the pipe was Gov. Wallace’s speech.

The speech is now in the Special Collection department of the Samford University Library.

Jennifer Taylor
Archivist, Samford University Library

Intersession Hours

Please remember that the library has limited hours through June 1st. 

Consult the Library Hours page for details.

Samford University Library Hours

May 2013

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Apr 28 1:00pm- Midnight Apr 29 7:30am- Midnight Apr 30 7:30am- Midnight 1 7:30am- Midnight 2 7:30am- Midnight 3 7:30am- 5:00pm 4 10:00am- 5:00pm 5 1:00pm- Midnight 6 7:30am- 2:00am 7 7:30am- 2:00am 8 7:30am- 2:00am 9 7:30am- 2:00am 10 7:30am- 5:00pm 11 10:00am- 5:00pm 12 1:00pm- 2:00am 13 7:30am- 2:00am 14 7:30am- 2:00am 15 7:30am- 2:00am 16 7:30am- 6:00pm 17 8:00am- 4:30pm 18 CLOSED 19 CLOSED 20 8:00am- 4:30pm 21 8:00am- 4:30pm 22 8:00am- 4:30pm 23 8:00am- 4:30pm 24 8:00am- 4:30pm 25 CLOSED 26 CLOSED 27 CLOSED 28 8:00am- 4:30pm 29 8:00am- 4:30pm 30 8:00am- 4:30pm 31 8:00am- 4:30pm Jun 1 CLOSED