W. J. Shepherd named 2023 Belanger Awardee

W. John Shepherd, University Archivist & Head of Special Collections, has been selected as the recipient of the Edward J. Belanger Jr. Staff Award for Excellence in Service for 2023.

John was recognized by his colleagues for his “highest level of professionalism, competence, and dedication to ensuring the preservation of and access to the intellectual and cultural heritage of the Catholic University of America and, as such, the Catholic Church in the U.S.”

One co-worker shared:

John Shepherd has served in multiple roles over his career in the University Libraries, but throughout it all, he has been a force for change, professionalism, and good stories (and Churchillian wisdom) in Special Collections and archives. John brings to each task an expertise and in-depth knowledge. During his tenure, he has supervised generations of emerging LIS professionals, navigated the archives through the transition into the digital age, and weathered (with humor and patience) challenges as varied as the archival move to Aquinas Hall to the COVID pandemic. He is a supportive and friendly colleague and strong advocate for the well-being of his staff, patrons, and the collections he curates.

Ed Belanger worked for the university for over 40 years before retiring in 2002 as the Libraries’ business manager. His service and dedication to his fellow staff was extraordinary, and he was one of the most positive, up-beat, and good natured people you will ever meet. After his retirement, his children made a donation to the Libraries for the creation of an award in his honor. Each year the Libraries select a staff member of the year who not only contributes outstanding service to the library but also shares Ed’s good nature. Past honorees serve as the award committee, selecting from among nominations submitted by library staff.

Taras Zvir named 2022 Belanger Awardee

Taras Zvir, Theology & Religious Studies Librarian, has been selected as the recipient of the Edward J. Belanger Jr. Staff Award for Excellence in Service for 2022.

Library staff noted his willingness to take on a wide breadth of tasks for the better of the university: from the advanced research & instruction needed for our ecclesiastical programs to shifting collections because of facilities emergencies. Many library patrons have shared their experiences with the quick, courteous service provided by Taras and an appreciation of his deep subject expertise.

One library staff colleague wrote in their nomination:

The research requests he receives are often complicated and require the use and understanding of resources in several languages. … His library instruction is well-received, with many graduate students seeking his assistance for one-on-one consultations. … He politely and quickly responds to all inquiries, providing well researched answers, in plain language that the student or faculty understands. He assumes all assignments willingly and steps in, as needed.

Ed Belanger worked for the university for over 40 years before retiring in 2002 as the Libraries’ business manager. His service and dedication to his fellow staff was extraordinary, and he was one of the most positive, up-beat, and good natured people you will ever meet. After his retirement, his children made a donation to the Libraries for the creation of an award in his honor. Each year the Libraries select a staff member of the year who not only contributes outstanding service to the library but also shares Ed’s good nature. Past honorees serve as the award committee, selecting from among nominations submitted by library staff.

Water Outage in Mullen Library

Update Jan 28 12:45pm: Water has been restored to Mullen Library.


Due to a water main break on campus, water will be shut off to the following buildings tonight (Friday, Jan 27) at 6pm:

  • Mullen Library
  • Shahan Hall
  • Crough Center
At this time we anticipate having the repairs completed and water restored to the affected buildings by 5pm tomorrow (Saturday, Jan 28). Updates will be provided if necessary.
Restrooms will be available in McGivney and Pangborn during the water outage.

Studying Mullen Library Itself

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the construction of Mullen Library in 2028, Facilities has hired the architectural firm SmithGroup to:

  • make a preliminary study of the existing conditions & history of Mullen Library;
  • assess the space needs for collections & library services; and
  • rough out some options & pricing for possible future renovation work.

Later this spring, the firm will organize focus group meetings with stakeholders on campus to discuss space needs for library collections and services. By the end of the summer, the architects are expected to develop some test fits and share some rough options for future renovations for the university to consider.

As one of the first steps in their study, during the winter intersession SmithGroup took a 3D scan of Mullen Library. As of today, their reference points are still mounted throughout the inside and even outside of the building awaiting confirmation that all the data collected is good. The interior scanning was primarily done by walking the building while wearing the scanning apparatus, but the exterior scan and transition to the inside was done by tripod mounted scanners. These scans will allow for the most exact architectural drawings of Mullen ever done and will help the firm experiment with and mock up any proposed renovations to the building.

Appointment of New Lima Library Director

Provost Aaron Dominguez is pleased to announce that Livia Lopes, JD has been appointed the new Director of the Oliveira Lima Library of The Catholic University of America beginning July 1st, 2022. On August 1st, Livia’s appointment as the Director of the Institute for Latin American and Iberian Studies (ILAIS) also began. She will serve in these positions concurrently.

Livia Lopes graduated from the Rio de Janeiro State University’s Law School (Brazil) with J.D. and M.A. (summa cum laude) degrees. She also attended the University of Coimbra (Portugal) and the University of Salamanca (Spain) as a visiting student with academic distinction; the Ohio State University (USA), and Georgetown University (USA) as a visiting researcher. Before joining Catholic University, Livia served as an Assistant Director and Visiting Scholar at the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs, affiliated with the Brazil/Latin American Program. She came to Catholic University in 2020 to lead the Latin American and Iberian Initiatives in the Office of Global Strategies. OGS advances academic programs, projects, and partnerships related to Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula. Livia Lopes is a Brasilianista, a researcher on Latin American and Brazilian studies, with concentrations in law, politics and public policy. 

Danielle Brogdon named 2021 Belanger Awardee

Danielle Brogdon, Evening Circulation Supervisor, has been selected as the recipient of the Edward J. Belanger Jr. Staff Award for Excellence in Service for 2021.

In one nomination a colleague wrote:

She has consistently provided outstanding service while keeping a positive attitude. She is attentive to the concerns of both patrons and colleagues. She has adapted to the multitude of changes that have occurred to the Access Services workflow with ease and without complaint.

Another colleague wrote:

Danielle assisted in hiring and training the library student workers for the summer and fall semesters. Her tireless work running interviews when needed and providing training for new and returning student workers has helped the library resume pre-pandemic services.

Ed Belanger worked for the university for over 40 years before retiring in 2002 as the Libraries’ business manager. His service and dedication to his fellow staff was extraordinary, and he was one of the most positive, up-beat, and good natured people you will ever meet. After his retirement, his children made a donation to the Libraries for the creation of an award in his honor. Each year the Libraries select a staff member of the year who not only contributes outstanding service to the library but also shares Ed’s good nature. Past honorees serve as the award committee, selecting from among nominations submitted by library staff.

 

Joan Stahl honored with service award

Joan Stahl, the Libraries’ Director of Research & Instruction, was awarded a special Staff Award for Excellence to recognize her service in the time of COVID-19. During the earliest weeks of the pandemic, she single-handedly provided services to Catholic University students and faculty well beyond what any library in the region was doing at that time. 

One of her colleagues shared:

The amount of work that she did during the most challenging times this year is truly amazing.

In addition to facilitating countless curbside pickups and resolving many issues related to patron requests, Joan did an enormous amount of scanning on demand and provided a lot of support to many of us.

Past honorees of the Edward J. Belanger Staff Award serve as the award committee for the University Libraries staff.

The Archivist’s Nook: Dr. Maria Mazzenga named 2020 Belanger Awardee

Dr. Maria Mazzenga, the Libraries’ Curator for American Catholic History Collections, has been selected as the recipient of the Edward J. Belanger Jr. Staff Award for Excellence in Service for 2020.

One of her nominations cited her accomplishments and collegiality:

She has tirelessly performed endless modes of outreach to archives colleagues, library staff, the CU community and well beyond. From giving tours to making presentations (especially since COVID), serving on committees to writing websites and blog posts, she continuously promotes the history of the American Catholic experience, especially via the holdings of library’s special collections. … [She] is a great work compatriot, smart, funny, and energetic.

Another wrote:

[She] brings expertise and enthusiasm to any task that furthers the public’s knowledge of and access to primary sources and original research. And most importantly for these times, her past and current work has well-positioned Special Collections to rapidly adapt to online instruction and virtual reference.

Ed Belanger worked for the university for over 40 years before retiring in 2002 as the Libraries’ business manager. His service and dedication to his fellow staff was extraordinary, and he was one of the most positive, up-beat, and good natured people you will ever meet. After his retirement, his children made a donation to the Libraries for the creation of an award in his honor. Each year the Libraries select a staff member of the year who not only contributes outstanding service to the library but also shares Ed’s good nature. Past honorees serve as the award committee, selecting from among nominations submitted by library staff.

COVID-19 Update: Limited access to Mullen Library

In order to focus more of our efforts on online support, access to the print collections within Mullen Library will be only by appointment at this time and limited to faculty and graduate students with the approval of their advisor. Please see our COVID-19 Information Guide for instructions on arranging an appointment.

Thank you for your understanding as we continue to support your research and teaching needs, while also promoting the safety and health of our students, faculty and staff through social distancing and supporting those staff who need to care for loved ones during this period.