Due to inclement weather, Mullen Library will be closed on Sunday, January 19th.
Author: Stephen Connaghan
Mullen Library closed Jan 7th
The campus of the Catholic University of America, including Mullen Library, will be closed on Tuesday, January 7th, due to winter weather.
Mullen Library closed Jan 6 due to weather
The campus of the Catholic University of America, including Mullen Library, will be closed on Monday, January 6th, due to winter weather.
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
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.
No Overnight Hours Tuesday (11/15)
There will be no overnight service in Mullen Library the night of Tuesday, Nov 15th, due to a scheduled power outage during the early morning hours. Mullen Library will open at 8am on Wednesday, Nov 16th.
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.