“What can you tell me about the exorcism room in Caldwell?” So reads one of the most common questions that Special Collections receives during this time of year. In fact, when I first started as an employee in the archives, I was cautioned that this would likely be one of the most common inquiries I Read More

September 26, 1923 marked the opening of lectures for the 1923-24 academic year at Catholic University. Students hustled between classes in McMahon and Caldwell Halls, on what may have seemed a typical start to a new semester. But on this particular day, a new School opened on campus – the School of Canon Law. Since Read More

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 Read More

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 Read More

Summer has arrived and once again visitors from the United States and from Ethiopia are coming to view and study the Gə‘əz manuscripts at CUA. These 241 Christian codices and 4 sets of codex quires are part of a larger collection of 836 materials, including 377 healing or magic scrolls as well as 218 Islamic Read More

I am glad to place this collection where it will be of so much benefit to students of history, yet I must confess I feel as if I were bidding good bye to friends who have become very dear to me…I have grown to love them for the many hours of pleasure they have afforded Read More

Mullen Library will be closed on Sunday, January 16, 2022, due to the forecast for a winter storm.  Stay safe.

Giovanna Gobbi Alves Araújo  Doutora em Literatura Brasileira, Universidade de São Paulo (CNPq/Fulbright)  Scholar-in-residence at the Brasiliana Guita and José Mindlin Library (BBM-USP) giovannagobbi@alumni.usp.br   Manoel de Oliveira Lima’s efforts in curating a personal library throughout the years dedicated to diplomatic service, teaching, and research built a collection of immeasurable value not only for Latin Read More

Working in the Special Collections stacks, you often see messages from the past. Notes from long-past authors or readers, who have scribbled in the margins or front leaves of books. Some notes are merely the thoughts of a reader or a dedication, but at other times, there is a note directed to you – the Read More

If you were around during the Golden Age of Hollywood, you would have heard of Mercedes McCambridge. She had an Oscar winning role as Best Supporting Actress in the 1949 movie All the King’s Men. She was nominated for the same award in the 1956 film Giant. If you haven’t seen either of those classics Read More