The DNL Report

Looking for a leadership role for your resume? Have ideas to improve the Library? Do you want to learn about the Library while connecting with other students and staff?

Our Library value's student voice and perspective. Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to apply to share theirs and apply for a spot on the Student Library Advisory Board. Students do not need to be a library super-user to apply. We are interested in all class years and majors, students living on and off campus. Meetings are held just 2-3 times per semester. Fully online students or students taking classes at the Bellarmine or Austin campus are encouraged to apply, and special meeting accommodations will be provided to attend virtually or provide feedback outside of scheduled meeting times.

Visit the Student Library Advisory Board webpage for more details and apply (by 9/26/25): fairfield.edu/slab

Updates:

• Over the summer, Facilities added six new classrooms to the Upper Level of the Library. There may be some additional activity in the building over the coming days as Facilities continues to prepare the spaces and clean the building.
• Students taking classes in these new classrooms, 312 A - F, can find them at the back of the Upper Level though the book stacks. There is even a new entrance to access the classrooms more directly, accessible via StagCard, on the Bannow side of the building. To help maintain a quiet environment for visitors and students studying in the building, please be mindful of your noise level when walking through the building to classes.
• The DVD collection has been moved to the lower level of the building, near the book stacks.
• Curriculum Collection and Young Adult (YA) books are still on the upper level but now are located near classrooms 312 A - F.

Let’s start the academic year strong! Here’s how we can support you….

• DiMenna-Nyselius Library building hours are posted on our homepage under the large catalog search box. There is also 24/7 study space in the Innovation Lab and Cafe via StagCard swipe. View hours here.
• Access our resources by searching our catalog, or through our Research Guides. We also have Citation Guides and Tutorials.
• Our friendly librarians are here to help you! They can help you find and cite sources, brainstorm topics and research strategies, and provide study tips. View all the ways to get help from a research librarian. Drop-in hours start on 9/2. FYI, our 24/7 chat box is staffed by real librarians – it is not an AI tool!
• Reserve our study rooms from the Library homepage by clicking our Reserve a Room link.
  • Need a space to work with a group and you didn’t book a room? Try the “Collaboratories” on the lower level, which is a drop-in space for group work.
• Your StagCard is your Library card! Borrow materials at the Library Services & Information Desk. View borrowing policies here.
• We have a lot to offer but we don’t have everything so if you need a journal article or book, we can try to get it for you (at no cost to you) through our InterLibrary Loan service. Just sign in with your NetID, or make a quick account if you are a first-time user, and submit your requests.
• We ship physical items to 100% remote students and faculty (at no cost to you)!
• Make appointments to meet with Writing Center and Math Center tutors. Appointments should be available starting the second or third week of the semester and hours will be posted to their sites. The Science Center posts tutoring times on Life@Fairfield.
• We recruit members for the Student Library Advisory Board at this time each year. Apply by 9/26.
• We have added a TON of new events to our library calendar from academic to wellness to civic engagement. View all library events here. And please view our Study Skills programming flyer below.
• We will be presenting an archival exhibition this semester, First Day Covers: Remembering Historical Events through Stamp Collecting (1942-1953), curated by librarian and University Archivist, Elise Bochinski. The exhibit will be on view through the end of the semester.

There’s much more we offer to our students, faculty, and staff at Fairfield University. Follow us @fairfieldulib on Instagram and visit our website fairfield.edu/library.  

Would you like to collaborate on an event, book display, exhibit, or anything else? Email Lisa Thornell lthornell@fairfield.edu

Events the first week of classes:

At the end of each spring semester our Library awards two annual $1,000 prizes, presented to an undergraduate and graduate student winner or team, recognizing exemplary scholarship through effective research strategies and demonstrated use of the DiMenna-Nyselius Library’s resources, services, and staff expertise. This year an honorable mention was also awarded with a $500 prize. Winners were honored at a reception in the Library auditorium on May 1st, attended by librarians, library staff, faculty, administrators, and family. The winners of the 2025 Library Research Prize are...

GRADUATE TEAM WINNERS: Alexa Greco, Emily Sgritta, & Alexandra Giuffra

Alexa Greco, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, graduating Winter ‘25; Emily Sgritta, School Counseling, graduating Spring ‘26; Alexandra Giuffra, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, graduating Winter ‘25

“The Impact of Types of Parental Involvement on the Treatment of Anxiety Symptoms in Children Eight to 12 Years Old”. COUN 6568: Research Methodology, Spring 2025, Dr. Jocelyn Novella, Assistant Professor of Counselor Education

In their essay submission, the team demonstrated how they conducted a literature review to identity a gap- how "parental involvement" is defined- and propose a research question and framework for a study. They determined that "parental involvement" could be broken down to attendance at counseling sessions vs. psychoeducation provided at a distance and used quantitative and qualitative research articles to provide the most valuable data, methodology, and statistical support for backing their research proposal. Dr. Novella, who invited librarian Vic Johnson to lead a research class each semester, said she feels that "the iterative process of presenting each research step to peers in the class (literature review, developing a research question, choosing a qualitative or quantitative method) developed in these students a thorough understanding of this level of inquiry."

UNDERGRADUATE WINNER

Max Limric, Class of 2025, Majors: English and Spanish. Minors: Educational Studies and Latinx, Latin American, & Caribbean Studies

“Linguistic justice: The evolution of translation theory in a 19th and 20th-century translation of Cabeza De Vaca’s exploration narrative”. ENGL 2031: Early American Literature, Fall 2024, Dr. Elizabeth Petrino, Professor of English

In praise of Max's work, Professor Petrino stated: "He is an avid researcher and writer who used the library resources available to him to write a dual-language essay that draws from a variety of sources, employs library services in its preparation, and demonstrates his excellence in research." Max shared in his submission essay: "I utilized the library’s online resources to find many translated versions of Cabeza de Vaca’s “Reclación”, his exploration narrative; but because of his identity as a Spanish explorer, his relation is written in Spanish and I needed to find the original copy. After finding it, I needed to analyze it through a translation theory lens and note biased translations in contemporary translations of de Vaca, which library journals provided." Max incorporated sources spanning a variety of disciplines such as social history, journalism, indigenous studies, and translation. He started with texts on "Course Reserves" at the Library and drew on other secondary sources from two literary and language traditions, and other media such as films from the Library's Kanopy database, and requested a book of interviews through InterLibrary Loan, to give a fully rounded and rich understanding of Cabeza De Vaca’s cultural history and relevance, both in early America and in the contemporary world.

UNDERGRADUATE HONORABLE MENTION

Samantha Gulachenski, Class of 2025, Major: International Studies and Politics, Minor: Philosophy

“Breaking Barriers from the Top: The Role of Government Initiative in Rwanda's Gender Equality Transformation” INTL 4999: Senior Capstone Seminar, Fall 2024, Dr. Alfred Babo, Associate Professor of Sociology & Anthropology.

Samantha's paper explores "the unique gender development trajectory of post-genocide Rwanda and analyzes the successes and setbacks of the state-led approach." Her research methods combined a theoretical framework with anthropological analysis, statistical data, interview testimony, and case studies. She mentioned a library instruction session and utilizing the advanced search and filters which helped hone her research strategy to ultimately review over sixty sources. "Fairfield has taught me that the strongest research is built on reputable, peer-reviewed scholarship, and strengthened by prioritizing current material (especially when addressing an ongoing gap in the literature.)...As my focus shifted from feminist analysis to government-led gender policy, my searches evolved as well—from broad inquiries like “Is Rwanda feminist?”, which yielded few relevant sources, to more precise questions such
as “How does the Rwandan government implement and enforce women’s rights policies?”, which created the necessary evolution to my thesis."

We would like to thank the 2025 LRP judging committee, which was comprised on librarians and faculty from the Faculty Library Committee: Carolina Añón Suárez, PhD, Assistant Professor of Spanish, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures; Tiara Arnold, MLIS, Research Services Coordinator, DiMenna-Nyselius Library; Brendan Aucoin, MA, MSIS, Head of Systems, DiMenna-Nyselius Library; Vic Johnson, MLS, Assessment Librarian, DiMenna-Nyselius Library; Regina Kim, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Managment; Jennifer Mottolese, MLIS, Research & Outreach Librarian, DiMenna-Nyselius Library, Jennifer Schindler-Ruwisch, DrPh, Associate Professor of Public Health & Chair of the Faculty Library Committee.

To learn more about the Library Research Prize criteria, or view the judging rubric, visit fairfield.edu/libprize

We are excited to announce that we hired a Research & Learning Librarian for the new Fairfield Bellarmine campus: Ivelisse Maldonado.

Ivelisse will provide on site research services and instruction, access services, tech support, and offer programming for academic support and community building. She started working at the DiMenna-Nyselius Library in August and is already integral to developing library services and outreach to meet Bellarmine student needs and looks forward to working with Bellarmine faculty to identify information literacy opportunities. Prior to coming to Fairfield, Ivelisse worked at Naugatuck Valley Community College as their Danbury Campus Librarian.

We like to ask new librarians some questions as a way to show their journey to librarianship, their interests, and their advice for students...

What made you want to become a librarian?

IM: As a young girl I always loved to read but absolutely loved to research. The public library was a place for me to read and explore with my siblings. I was inspired to be a librarian because I wanted to help nurture students’ love of learning. The library was a place that changed my life by helping me understand readers are leaders, and knowledge is power.

What are you looking forward to this semester?

IM: I am excited to help support all students and staff members in any way I can. I would like to do monthly events/classes at our campus to support research and literacy. I am also eager to learn more about the students and staff in order to design events that meet their needs and interests.

What makes you excited about working at the Fairfield Bellarmine campus?

IM: I grew up In Bridgeport and it means a lot to me to be serving and giving back to the community that helped me to become the leader I am today. I look forward to inspiring and supporting students in their journey. I believe in the mission of the college which includes to provide an education that is accessible and affordable and empowers underrepresented students to realize their God-given potential and serve their communities.

What trend/topic in the library field are you most excited about?

IM: As a Spectrum alumnus, I feel passionate about the Spectrum scholarship which is offered by the American Library Association and affirms its commitment to diversity and inclusion by seeking the broadest participation of new generations of racially and ethnically diverse librarians to position ALA to provide leadership in the transformation of libraries and library services.

Do you have any library or study tips to share with students?

IM: I think using a calendar, flash cards, note taking and a To Do list is essential to incorporate as a college student.

What is your favorite book or author?

IM: I do not have a favorite author but I do enjoy self-help books. One book that I enjoyed that changed my life is Hot, Flat, and Crowded by Thomas Friedman. In the book it explains how global warming, rapidly growing populations, and the astonishing expansion of the world’s middle class through globalization have produced a planet that is “hot, flat, and crowded. 

Can you recommend a good podcast?

IM: I enjoy the OnPurpose with Jay Shetty.

Favorite random item in your office?

IM: My money tree, positive vibes sign and Puerto Rican flag are definitely some of my favorite things.

Do you have any advice for students?

IM: My advice would be to keep pushing yourself and don’t give up. It is very important to set a long-term goal and keep going back to that whenever you feel defeated. There were many nights as a single mom where I was overwhelmed by my course work and felt like giving up, but I kept remembering why I started. One of my favorite quotes is, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” (Winston Churchill 1871- 1965) Always stay focused with your goals and keep striving for the stars!

Ivelisse can be reached at imaldonado@fairfield.edu

Image of the Library Research Prize Winners, left to right: Isabella DelVecchio, Rhiannya Byrne, Dean of the Library Christina McGowan, Jack Devlin, Thomas Burke, Isabella Poschmann

On May 2nd 2023, Isabella Poschmann '23 and Jack Devlin '23 were each awarded the 2023 Library Research Prize of $1,000 and were honored at a reception in the DiMenna-Nyselius Library. The committee also presented $250 to two projects. Graduate team, Isabella DelVecchio '24 and Rhiannya Byrne '24, and to undergraduate student, Thomas Burke '24. Attendees had the opportunity to hear the students speak about their projects and ask questions. The Library Research Prize plaque in the lobby, listing undergraduate and graduate winners since 2009, will be updated over the summer.

GRADUATE WINNER

Jack Devlin '23

MS Biomedical Engineering

“Chiral Sorting of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes Using Tripeptides”

BIEG 6971/6972: Thesis 1 & 2, Dr. Isaac Macwan, Assistant Professor, Electrical & Biomedical Engineering

Dr. Isaac Macwan shared "The originality of this research project can be observed not only from the vast number of repeated experiments that Jack conducted over the past year but also from the numerous protocols that he combined from various research articles....With this excellent foundation that Jack has built for this project, we plan to continue working on it to accomplish the applications of sorted carbon nanotubes in the fields of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering."

Devlin's thesis on sorting metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotubes using tripeptides benefited from the Library's databases, Interlibrary Loan service to request articles from other libraries, as well as Zotero to manage his citations. His bibliography demonstrated his depth searching the Library's collections for journal articles, conference papers, and scientific reports.

Devlin's research was accepted for presentation at the prestigious conferences of the Materials Research Society in Fall 2022 and American Society for Engineering Education in Spring 2023. This summer he will be heading to RPI to begin the doctoral program in biomedical engineering. While there, Devlin is interested in working on issues related to neurodegenerative diseases and spinal cord repair.

UNDERGRADUATE WINNER

Isabella Poschmann '23

Majors: International Business and Business Analytics, minor in Anthropology

“The Origins of North Korean Refugee Treatment in China and South Korea: A Comparative Study Understanding Chinese and South Korean Relations with North Korea”

INST 4999: Senior Capstone Seminar, Dr. Janie Leatherman, Professor of Politics & International Studies

Poschmann demonstrated incredible personal growth to conduct her research, reflecting in her essay submission " I pushed the limit of what I believed myself to be capable of, overcoming what had once appeared to be daunting and unattainable......the librarians I worked with showed me how to search the databases for the articles I needed. I also came to understand the advantage of using them; ensuring accuracy and scholarly content." Specifically she mentioned one on one research help with a librarian as well as a research class with a librarian, which is always part of Dr. Leatherman's Capstone Seminar.

Dr. Leatherman stated "The Library is the anchor of the work we do in the classroom" and mentioned Poschmann's use of Library resources to produce an extensive bibliography included sources spanning a wide range of subject areas such as journals in economics, Asian and East Asian area studies, comparative politics, peace studies, international refugee law, human rights, Korean reunification, international affairs, defense, psychology, medicine, and public health. Leatherman also said "Her paper was a culmination of her time at Fairfield."

Post-graduation, Poschmann will continue at Fairfield Dolan, and will be getting her MBA with concentrations in Analytics and Management.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Isabella DelVecchio '24 and Rhiannya Byrne '24

MA School Psychology, Sixth Year Certificate

“Specific Learning Disability in Written Language: Characteristics and Implications”

SPED 5413: Theories/Intro to Learning Disabilities, Dr. Evelyn Bilias Lolis, Interim Dean of SEHD & Associate Professor of Psychology & Education

Dr. Bilias Lolis also stated "These students exemplified graduate-level inquiry, synthesis, and breadth is evaluating the trajectory of a learning disability in writing and its impact on the K-12 learning experience, family life, and adult life functioning." She also emphasized the clinical significance of their research and that their work was doctoral level.

DelVecchio and Byrne's project was a "doctoral level synthesis and integration of resources, experiences, and implications" drawing on "action research" within their field, locating peer-reviewed articles from the Library databases, books, and staying up to date on accessibility at the college-level from the Library's digital subscription to The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Thomas Burke '24

Major: History & minors in Classical Studies and Irish Studies

“The Transformation of Elite Political Thought in Ancient Greece”

CLST 3325: Athenian Democracy and Empire, Dr. Giovanni Ruffini, Professor, Classical Studies

In his submission, Burke said " I had the opportunity to learn not only about the classical world, but also to expand my knowledge of the research process, especially through the use of library resources. As I began my research, I was somewhat intimidated by the scope of my project; but through the use of the available resources within the library, I became gradually more confident in my abilities to find relevant information and to develop my thesis through the combination of a wide range of sources."

During the reception Burke talked about his use of tutorials to find and evaluate sources as well as the research guides created by the research librarians such as the Classical Studies Research Guide. Dr. Ruffini's support statement for Burke's research confirmed that his thesis was supported with a rich exploration of the relevant primary and secondary sources calling his project one of the best in the class.

All Library Research Prize applicants submitted an essay describing their research strategies and use of library tools and collections, and staff, along with their research project with bibliography, and a statement of faculty support. The essay helped the judges understand the investigative journey the student undertook to create the project/paper, and how their research skills and understanding/use of library services, resources, and collections have improved as a result.

The selection committee judges submissions on the following criteria:

• Sophistication, originality and/or unusual depth or breadth in the use of library collections, including, but not limited to, printed resources, databases, primary resources, and materials in all media
• Exceptional ability to locate, select, evaluate, and effectively use library resources in the creation of a project in any media that shows originality and/or has the potential to lead to original research in the future
• Evidence of significant personal learning in the methods of research and the information gathering process, and the development of a habit of research and inquiry that shows the likelihood of persisting in the future.

We would like to thank our research librarian team at the DiMenna-Nyselius Library, for creating the new rubric for scoring submissions.

We would also like to thank our 2023 Library Research Prize judging committee:

Danushka Bandara, PhD, Assistant Professor, Computer Science

Julie Berrett-Abebe, PhD, Assistant Professor, Social Work

Curtis Ferree, MLIS, MFA, Associate Dean for Public Services & Coordinator of the Academic Commons Partnership

Jennifer Schindler-Ruwisch, DrPH, Associate Professor, Public Health

Ann Victor, MLIS, Acquisitions & Cataloging Strategies Librarian