Gleeson Gleanings

The Digital Repository is sponsored by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) Library Deans to showcase historic images from AJCU libraries and archives that document the tradition of Catholic higher education.

You can find Gleeson Library’s contribution by selecting “University of San Francisco” in the “Browse by Institution” pull-down menu.

Most of the library’s DVDs and VHS tapes are acquired when professors want their classes to see a film. As a result our video collection is an eclectic blend of documentary, educational, and feature films, with a few popular Hollywood movies thrown into the mix. For instance we have quite a few titles from California Newsreel’s Library of African Cinema, a collection of silent and early Treasures from American Film Archives, films originally produced by the BBC, and a lot more.

The videos are kept behind the front circulation desk so Ignacio, the library catalog, provides the best path to finding out about them. One way to browse the collection is with a subject search. In Ignacio, click the “Subject” search option and enter “feature films” or “documentary films”. The resulting list can be limited or sorted with a few clicks.

Make a note of the call numbers and ask for the videos at the Circulation Desk.

Videos on VHS or DVD may be checked out for one week, and renewed up to three times for additional one-week periods, but must be returned if recalled by another library user.

Faculty can now submit an online request for Gleeson Library to add a new journal subscription. Requests must be accompanied by a written statement justifying the need for the journal and should fit the criteria outlined in the policy Considerations for acquisition of new Periodicals.

Links to the policy and online form can be found on the library web pages under:

• Faculty Services – Library Liaisons
• Faculty Services – Requesting Materials
• Information – Periodicals

The USF catalog provides the following description of the Davies Forum:

It was established by Mrs. Louise M. Davies of San Francisco to enhance the University’s efforts to produce future leaders dedicated to public service and committed to ethical leadership. The continuing theme of the Forum is “The Search for Values in Contemporary America” and, each semester, a different group of selected students — called Davies Scholars — participate in the interdisciplinary Davies Seminar under the direction of a Davies Professor.

Spring 2008, the topic for the Davies Forum is “Digital Literacy” and it is being taught by Professor David Silver, Assistant Professor in the Department of Media Studies.

The most wonderful thing about the Davies Forum is that it includes a lecture series that is open to the community! Professor Silver has put together an incredibly interesting group of speakers who will talk about their experiences in our digital environment and share how identity, social networks, collaboration and other intellectual endeavors can come together to create a digitally literate society.

David has shared his syllabus on his blog, with all the readings and links to the speakers’ web pages or blogs. Also, for those of us who no longer take classes, the Davies Forum syllabus along with the one for David’s Digital Journalism class provide wonderful windows into the objectives and expectations USF faculty have for students enrolled in their classes. Thanks David!

Due to facilities issues related to safety, the Library Atrium will not be available for 24/7 student study at the beginning of the Spring 2008 semester.

USF’s Facilities Management department is working on the issue and has tentatively forecast 4-5 weeks before we have a resolution. During this interim period, the Atrium will be open the same hours as the main library and there will be no outside entrance. Access to the Atrium will only be available from inside the library.

Library staff provide tours to new or curious students, faculty and staff. Please come and join us on any of the dates and times below:

Library Tour
Meet at front circulation desk.
Jan 18, 2 pm

Library Tour
Meet at front circulation desk.
Jan 22, 11 am

Library Tour
Meet at front circulation desk.
Jan 23, 4 pm

Library Tour
Meet at front circulation desk.
Jan 24, 12:30 pm

Library Tour
Meet at front circulation desk.
Jan 25, 10 am

Gleeson Library’s Thacher Art Gallery welcomes the 2008 Faculty exhibit, Between the Lines.

The exhibit features work from many media and includes paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, installation works, and architectural and graphic design.

There will be an opening reception on Friday, January 25, 2008, from 3 – 5 pm.

We are currently looking for a Part-Time Library Assistant IV for Digital Projects. Its main responsibility is to digitize selections of the Gleeson library collection and requires 20 hours of work per week.

The detailed job posting can be found on USF’s Job Site: select the “Part-Time” button and you’ll see the position listing. Apply through the website.

(Click to enlarge)

The Donohue Rare Book Room is currently hosting an exhibit called Books (?) by Poets (!), which is an installation of books made by the members of Jaime Robles’ MFA workshop. The books feature unique poems written by the artists.

Stop by and take a look!

Donohue Rare Book Room

Third floor of the Gleeson Library, opposite the north elevator.

Regular hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Exhibit dates: Nov. 28 – Dec. 16; Jan. 2 – Jan. 11

Artists include:

Kelci Baughman McDowell, Joseph Clarke, Erika Hanson, Johnathan Lay, Jenny Skogen, Anna Sopko, and Cynthia Wuthmann