English 1201/1202 and Business Writing Workshop

Visit University Libraries for a drop-in workshop for English 1201/1202 and Business Writing students.  Students can get one on one help from our librarians with their research assignments 5-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29th in the Common Area at Walsh Library.

More information and registration here.

Additional sessions will be held on Thursday, April 13th from 2-4:00 p.m. (in person) and Tuesday, April 18th from 6-8:00 p.m. on Teams.

More great resources!

English 1201 Library Guide

English 1202 Library Guide

Questions?  Please contact Gerard.shea@shu.edu

 

The Éire of Library Exploration

March is Irish Heritage Month. With this observance in mind and at hand, there are an abundance of resources to share with you.

We are delighted to announce the successful conclusion of our Irish history project at the archives which was generously funded by the New Jersey Historical Commission, Irish Immigrant Solidarity in New Jersey, 1870-Present.  This project hired an advanced graduate student in Library Science, Quinn Christie, to process the papers of several Irish fraternal organizations.  The cornerstone of the project was processing the papers of the historian of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, John Concannon.  This enormous collection of 120 linear feet (120 banker’s boxes of materials) had to be rehoused in archival boxes and folders, organized in a logical way and described so that researchers could find what they were looking for by a simple keyword search.  In addition, a collection of 63 fragile registers which recorded the membership records of the Knights of Columbus, had to be preserved, which entailed building custom size boxes for each one from archival materials.

Example of St. Patrick’s Day Historical Resources found in our Special Collections

Our project archivist was so efficient that she completed this work ahead of schedule, allowing time for her and her colleague Sean Cureton to digitize substantial portions of the collections, build digital exhibits, and create a display window just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.  In the end, over 1,200 files were digitized, comprising almost 29 GB of data.  The digitized materials can be found by exploring the finding aids here:

The Papers of John Concannon and the Ancient Order of the Hibernians

https://archivesspace-library.shu.edu/repositories/2/resources/500

James MacFarland Collection

https://archivesspace-library.shu.edu/repositories/2/resources/505

Ancient Order of the Hibernians – New Jersey Collection

https://archivesspace-library.shu.edu/repositories/2/resources/506

Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Daughters of America – New Jersey Chapter

https://archivesspace-library.shu.edu/repositories/2/resources/507

James Comerford Papers

https://archivesspace-library.shu.edu/repositories/2/resources/508

Gloria Schneider Papers

https://archivesspace-library.shu.edu/repositories/2/resources/510

Please visit our digital exhibits:

Irish-American Organizations: The Power of Connection by Quinn Christie

James Comerford: Irish American History and Culture by Sean Cureton

“Irish American Organizations and Political Advocacy Exhibit.” Window Gallery, Walsh Library

And stop by the first floor of Walsh Library to see our window exhibit!

In addition, a vast selection of information resources can be found related to Ireland “Éire” within the Seton Hall University Libraries.

Publications related to the Irish experience cover a wide range of specific topics including culture, history, literature, and religion to name just a few of the interesting themes that await discovery.

You are welcome to access our Library Guide as a starting point for specific Ireland and American Irish-centered content . . .

Ireland & American Irish Studies

We also feature a specialized research site dedicated to Irish Literature created and maintained by Professor Gerry Shea . . .

Irish Literature: Celtic Revival to Present

The Irish have been a popular subject for study on our campus for decades and we have featured specific aspects of our collections within past news stories published over the years. Please feel free to explore more specific highlights found within our archived blog entries . . .

Irish Featured Research Blog Posts – University Libraries

Irish Featured Research Blog Posts – Archives & Special Collections Center

Example of Irish inspired Cover Art representing various volumes found in our Irish-Themed Book Collections

“Happy Reading” or “Sásta Taighde!”

Need more help? Book a research appointment here: Research Appointment Site

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Coronation of Pope Pius XII

by Jeanne Brasile

80 years ago Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli was elected Pope, assuming the name Pope Pius XII

Photograph of Pope Pius XII with red cloak wearing cross
Pius XII with tabard by photographer Michael Pitcairn, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

As we approach the 84th Anniversary of Pope Pius XII’s coronation, which took place on March 12, 1939, the Department of Archives and Special Collections and the Walsh Gallery are poised to receive a large bequest of materials from the Estate of Sister Margherita Marchione, a Roman Catholic sister, educator, author and scholar of Pope Pius XII.  Sister Marchione joined the Religious Teachers Filippini of Morristown in 1938 at the age of 16 just one year before the coronation of Pope Pius XII.  This event must have made an indelible impression on the young sister, for she would go on to author numerous books about himIn her later years, she was an ardent supporter of his canonization, establishing a small research facility and museum on the grounds of Villa Walsh where the Filippini Sisters live and teach

Religious sister in nun's habit standing next to shelf of memorabilia of Pope Pius XII
Sister Margherita Marchione in front of one of the many displays she created at Villa Walsh to honor Pope Pius XII. Dated 2010, from her personal collection.

Over time, Sister Margherita compiled an immense collection of books and artifacts on Pope Pius XXII including photographs, relics, paintings, artifacts and the slippers he was wearing at his coronation. Sister Marchione’s bequest is to be accompanied by an extensive compilation of rare books and manuscripts from the sister’s archives.  Reviewing the collection in preparation for the transfer of the objects, the gallery and archives staff were amazed by the meticulously organized displays with labels and notes about the artifactsPhotographs were organized with dates, captions and notes about the events and subjects depicted. Objects had notes on their acquisition and display cases kept dust and light from damaging objects. “It is unusual to have a collection come to us with this level of description and organization. It gives us a very real sense of Sister Margherita’s passion and attention to detail – she must have been a force to reckon with having seen all that she had accomplished and her avid documentation of her life’s work, noted gallery staff. 

Sister Marchione in her nun's habit meeting Pope Pius XII in his characteristic red tabard
Sister Margherita Marchioni in 2012 at a mass honoring Pope Pius XII. Photograph from her personal collection.

In her later years, the sister was dedicated to the cause of the canonization of Pope Pius XII.  Born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli in 1876 in Rome, he served in numerous offices before ascending to the papacy; secretary of the Department of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs, papal nuncio to Germany, and Cardinal Secretary of State.  He ascended to the papacy and was crowned on March 12, 1939 serving until his death on October 9, 1958The cause of canonization of Pope Pius XII was opened on November 18,1965 by Pope Paul VI during the final session of the Second Vatican Council. He was declared Venerable by Pope Benedict XVI on December 19, 2009, the first step on the road to sainthood.

pair of ornate velvet slippers, tan with green floral embroidery
Pope Pius XII’s shoes, worn at his coronation, from Sister Marchione’s collection

When these materials come under the care of the archives and gallery at Seton Hall University, they will become part of a large and distinguished collection of liturgical objects, Catholic material culture, rare books and manuscripts that document the story Seton Hall University and the Roman Catholic Church, particularly of the Archdiocese of NewarkExisting collections include a large assembly of vestments, liturgical objects and rare bibles in addition to papal bulls and portraits of Catholic religious leadersBefore objects are made available for research and exhibitions, they will undergo an assessment by gallery staff, including a rigorous process of documentation, detailed description, photography and preservation in custom archival mounts to keep them safe for generations to come.  The end result will be a searchable – and ultimately – public facing online collection that is of high research value to students, faculty and scholars, as well as exhibitions, projects and programs inspired by the collection.  The collection will also be available by request for on-site research in the University Libraries’ Reading Room. 

If you would like to see a small assortment of art and artifacts from the university’s collections, visit Google Arts and CultureThe Walsh Gallery has a considerable collection of fine art, artifacts and archeological specimens for use by faculty, students and researchers. For access to this or other objects in our collections, contact us at 973-275-2033 or walshgallery@shu.edu to make a research appointment.  

The Walsh Gallery welcomes visits for personal enjoyment, research and enrichmentWe also welcome scheduled group visits that use exhibitions or the university’s collections for pedagogy and researchIf you would like to inquire about how the gallery and special collections can support your teaching and learning experience with objects and/or exhibitions, please contact us.  

 

Spring Break and Peaceful Pursuit Ideas

With Spring Break here, the University Libraries is happy to offer ways to relax both the mind and spirit away from the classroom.

Students who are on campus during Spring Break can visit our Wellness Room located on the Fourth Floor of Walsh Library. Funded by a Great Minds Dare to Care grant, the Wellness Room is a private and quiet space that offers a calming environment designed to help lower stress along with improving the mental health and well-being of Seton Hall students. More information can be found here – Wellness Room

In addition, through the vision of Junior Social Work major Ms. Emily Montanez, the University Libraries has created a Leisure Collection of readings that showcases several interesting and inspirational titles. These books can be found in the Reference Section, located on the Second Floor of Walsh Library. More information about this initiative can be found here – Destress Over Spring Break With Leisure Reading

During Spring Break Week, The University Libraries will be closed from Saturday to Sunday, March 4-5 and on Saturday, March 11. Walsh Library will open from Monday, March 6 through Friday, March 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and resume normal hours on Sunday, March 12 at 11:00 a.m.

Have questions? Please feel free to reach out to us here: Research Appointment Site