On Tuesday, April 28th 2020, Marissa Bartone and Mohammed Thajudeen Syed Mustafa were awarded the 2020 Library Research Prize of $1,000. The committee also presented a honorable mention to Teresa Sauer.
True to tradition, the winners of the 11th annual Library Research Prize were honored on the first reading day of the Spring semester. This time, for the first time, it was a virtual celebration. There were no ceremonial large checks, no photo-shoot with administration and judges, no cheese and cracker reception. But despite all of this, a gathering of 56 Fairfield University community members came together on Zoom for an hour to listen and learn from our accomplished scholars. Deans, library staff, faculty, staff, the Provost, and President Mark Nemec all appeared in their individual zoom boxes but it truly felt like we were together in one space.
Marissa Bartone won the undergraduate Library Research Prize. Her paper, entitled
As we all know, this finals week is different than previous semesters. Many of you have found focus, productivity, stability, and comfort in studying, researching, writing, and collaborating (or maybe a little procrastinating) in our library building during this busy time of year. You came to our building early in the morning to stake out your favorite seat, brought ample snacks to power you through the day, or you waited patiently on a line for the free midnight coffee/snack cart. You followed the colorful paw prints on the ground to therapy dog events, took breaks at our coloring/lego tables, or participated in "group scream" on the lawn, among many other activities to to relieve your stress and come together as an academic community to bond over the shared hurdle ahead that is finals week.
We loved seeing the "library regulars" (you know who you are if you are reading this) and also the newer faces that maybe didn't frequent the building until the final days of each semester. We loved helping you find books in the stacks, explaining in-person how to cite your sources, giving away study supplies (or ear plugs when you needed them because the person next to you was typing too loudly), lending you a charger when you were in need, or just saying hello and that "you've got this."
Handwritten notes from the Library Staff and their kids/pets
We know that we can't replicate all of these things virtually. However it wouldn't be right if we didn't share a couple virtual de-stress activities, cheesy library-themed things, AND also remind you of the useful academic resources that can help you power through your research and writing.
Here is a reminder about the following library resources that you may find helpful during this time:
Research Guideswill help you pick the right databases and resources.
Don't forget to take study breaks! These may help:
Virtual De-Stress Fest featured on the latest #SeparatedTogether newsletter on Life@Fairfield. Brought to you by the Fairfield University Health & Wellness Committee.
Download and print our coloring book, which we made earlier this year. There are also 100s of other coloring books available on the #ColorOurCollections platform, created by other libraries, archives, and museums.
Many libraries, organizations, and talented individuals have also created virtual escape room challenges. Some of them were made using humble tools like Google Slides! Check out this google doc list of the digital escape rooms that one library compiled.
Our Spotify account has playlists to help you focus or get energized
If you're feeling really nostalgic for the DiMenna-Nyselius Library you can:
Pretend you are here by saving one of the images of the library (see below) and making it your Virtual Zoom Background! We tested it this week during a Zoom meeting and got a chuckle out of some faculty and staff.
Send your friends a virtual postcard via email or share on social media. Yes, we know it's not the same as the printed cards we provide on the first reading days and mail to your family and friends, but it can still be a nice way to tell your study buddies that you're thinking about them. Download below.
Follow us on Instagram @fairfieldulib and keep in touch. : )
So good luck Stags! And don't forget to reach out to us if you need help.
With love and admiration for all your hard work,
Your Library
Virtual Postcards, vertical and horizontal (right click and save)
Virtual Zoom Background Images (right click and save)
It's National Library Week (April 19-25, 2020) and we thought we would showcase some things you may not know that the DiMenna-Nyselius Library offers VIRTUALLY:
24/7 chat service. You may have used it but you may not know that after business hours it is staffed by librarians through the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) library consortium. Our librarians also help answer questions that come from other Jesuit University students.
Access to old yearbooks, student newspapers, university photos, and other University records in the Fairfield History Online.
Streaming video platforms that provide access to academic films and documentaries, classics, and indie films.
We have a new coloring book! It can be found on the New York Academy of Medicine's 2020 #ColorOurCollections website along with 100s of other museums and libraries coloring books.
People from around the world can download faculty scholarship, through our open access Institutional Repository, DigitalCommons@Fairfield
Browse, read, and monitor scholarly journals across disciplines with BrowZine to make your own digital newsstand.
