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

Stress, Snowflakes and Slices

Finals are, understandably, a time of great stress among Samford's students... so we at the library plan stress-busting activities for those who need a break from their caffeine-fueled marathon study sessions.  Two of the most popular diversions this semester have been the make-a-snowflake station by the Circulation Desk and the late-night pizza break.  Thanks to everyone who participated in each (or both) of these stressbusters!

197 Years of Statehood

On this day in 1819, the Sixteenth Congress passed a resolution declaring the admission of Alabama as the 22nd state of the United States of America.

Click here to read the full text of the resolution, courtesy of the Library of Congress


This map shows what the state looked like in 1819 along with the number of representatives to the Alabama Constitutional Convention from each of the counties.  According to the 1820 census, the largest city in the new state was Mobile with 1,500 residents.

From Alabama Congressional and Legislative Representation by William Letford, courtesy of the Samford University Library Special Collection

December 5th, 1841, S.S. Sherman accepts presidency of future Samford University

175 years ago today, Samuel Sterling Sherman accepted a leadership position for a new school founded in Marion, Alabama.  

Sherman's acceptance letter, p. 1

Sherman's acceptance letter, p.2

At that time, Sherman was 26 years old and studying under Basil Manly, President of The University of Alabama. 

Dr. Manly, his mentor, recommended to Sherman that he not take on the new school. He believed there would not be sufficient funding and the school would not last long. 

A young Samuel Sterling Sherman, first President of the future Samford University

However, Sherman was hopeful. He resigned his tutorship at The University of Alabama and committed himself to commanding the new enterprise. That school is what became Samford University.

To learn more about Sherman's acceptance letter and for a better look at the text, visit the Special Collection Treasure about the letter.

Thanks to Jennifer Taylor, Head of the University Archives and Special Collection for providing text and photographs.

Library Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

The library will be closed Wednesday, November 23rd, through Saturday, November 26th, 2016, for Thanksgiving.

We will re-open at 6pm on Sunday, November 27th.

We wish all of the members of the Samford family a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Photograph of female student gathering ingredients as part of Home Economics department, 1966.  For the record, the author was unable to locate photographs in the Samford Digital Archives featuring men cooking.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Library Open House, Friday, November 11th, 10am-2pm

In celebration of Samford’s 175th Anniversary, several events will be taking place in the library on November 11th,  including an open house on the first floor of the library.  

The first matriculation record, where President Sherman listed the names of the first students to attend Samford University (Howard College) in January 1842. 

From 10am until 2pm we will host Samford Memories and Treasures: 175 Years in Review, showcasing Samford history through treasured artifacts and documents that have been preserved since our beginnings in Marion, Alabama. 

A Navy V-12 Uniform that belonged to J.B. Davis.

In the afternoon, honored dignitaries will be gathering on the second floor in preparation for the 175th Anniversary Convocation taking place at 2:30 in the Wright Center. 

You are invited to join us and participate in these once in a lifetime events. 

Light refreshments will be served on the first floor during the open house.

To find out more about Samford’s history and all of the events surrounding the 175th anniversary celebration, visit https://www.samford.edu/175/. 

We hope to see you there!

Getting materials related to President Sherman and Marion, Alabama ready for display.