Author: Alan Delozier

LGBTQ+ Pride Month Resources & University Libraries

LGBTQ+ Pride Month, is a month-long observance dedicated to celebrating the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer culture and community. Since the very first observance in 1970, honoring the LGBTQ+ community has continued and grown significantly over time and continues strong to this day. The University Libraries is proud to provide our research community with more details on the LGBTQ+ experience.

There are several resources found within our collection that covers the value and connects everyone to knowledge about the LGBTQ+ community. A fine starting point can be found within the LGBTQ+ University Libraries Research Guide that showcases various helpful resources of note.

The Guide is further complimented by numerous circulating book titles that can be found within our Book Catalog and via the SHU Search site along with specific LGBTQ+ Databases for additional perspective.

For additional information please feel free to contact us via e-mail via the University Libraries Homepage.

World Cup Soccer Championship – Library Guide

The University Libraries joins the global community in celebrating the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) sponsored World Cup Championship. This tournament has been contested every four years since 1930 (with the exception of 1942 and 1946 due to World War II) and the current edition will take place across various venues within North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico) between June 11-July 19, 2026.

The creation of a special World Cup Library Research Guide by Walsh Library student employees (and Football/Soccer enthusiasts) Ms. Rivan Youssef and Mr. Alex Ralli has been created with assistance from Professor David Frank, Access Services Librarian.

This valuable guide provides a selection of SHU Library Resources to support interest in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the history of the World Cup, along with useful outside resources related to the event. Please be sure to fill out our Questionnaire!

For additional information please feel free to contact us via e-mail via the University Libraries Homepage.

New App for Reading eBooks Offline – EBSCO eBooks

By Amanda Buettner, MLIS – Electronic Resources Librarian

Beginning May 19, 2026, reading full-book downloads of EBSCO eBooks offline will require the Thorium Reader application. Thorium Reader replaces Adobe Digital Editions for reading rights-protected full-book downloads. This change does not affect chapter downloads or eBook reading online. At this time, Thorium Reader does not have a mobile app.

Thorium Reader supports screen reader compatibility and adheres to current digital accessibility standards. The application offers functionality such as:

·  Text-to-speech

·  Note taking, highlighting, and bookmarking

·  Font type and size adjustments

·  Customizable display options

If an eBook requires Thorium Reader for full-book downloads, it will be noted when accessing the book. To read an eBook in Thorium, the EBSCO platform will generate a one-time passkey to enter in Thorium Reader when downloading the eBook. You will only need to enter a passkey the first time the book is accessed in the Thorium App.

For further details on how to use Thorium with EBSCO eBooks, see:

·  EBSCO eBooks – LCP & Thorium – Frequently Asked Questions

·  Downloading EBSCO eBooks – Tutorial

https://connect.ebsco.com/s/article/Downloading-EBSCO-eBooks-Tutorial?language=en_US

For additional information please feel free to contact us via e-mail via the University Libraries Homepage.

Leisure Reading for the Summer of 2026 & University Libraries

The phrase “Reading Is Fundamental,” is a common refrain when it comes to involvement within the educational experience and with support from the University Libraries this becomes an ongoing exercise in mutual learning and intellectual support.

With the Spring semester over and the observance of “Get Caught Reading Month” which is celebrated in May, the opportunities for finding a book(s) to read for pleasure becomes easier and a satisfying way to build on your own growing levels of knowledge.

The University Libraries offers several titles that are designated as volumes for borrow within our “Leisure Collection” which offers the students the opportunity to read non-academic focused works alone. This is a growing collection and the pleasure reading segment can be found within the SHU Leisure Titles catalog.

For additional information please feel free to contact us via e-mail via the University Libraries Homepage.

Graduation Resources & University Libraries

The goal of any student who follows their program of choice through to completion anticipates the reward of receiving their diploma after all of their coursework is completed. Therefore, the terms “Commencement” or “Graduation” are ones that create a milestone for all who earn a degree from Seton Hall University.

Along with offering congratulations to all who achieve this major accomplishment, the University Libraries provide resources that have helped those who aspire to reach this goal. Another aspect of research potential that we offer is background information on the traditions and celebratory aspects of “Commencement” and “Graduation” over time.

From here you can find relevant resources within our SHU Books and SHU Search databases. Specific aspects can be looked up via these helpful tools along with checking out specific Education-Centered Databases  site via the University Libraries Homepage.

In addition, more information on the most recent graduation at Seton Hall University can be found via the SHU 2026 Commencement site.

For additional information please feel free to contact us via e-mail via the University Libraries Homepage.

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month – University Libraries Support

The Asian American and Pacific Islander experiences are ones that have enhanced local and world history in several ways over time. The University Libraries continues to support the varied paths of study related to these cultures and offers various print and e-books devoted to learning more about this subject area.

A helpful starting point is our Asian Studies Library Guide which can be supplemented by various titles related to Asian American and Pacific Islander titles in general which can be found within via our SHU Books and SHU Search catalogs. This collection continues to grow as new publications are created along with having traditional resources to rely upon as our students and faculty continue to explore the Asian American Pacific Islander story in more depth over time.

For additional information please feel free to contact us via e-mail via the University Libraries Homepage.

Resources Related To Volunteering & The University Libraries

In honor of April being the National Month of Volunteering, the University Libraries has various resources related to the act of giving and sources for helping others.

Within our collection, you will find several resources related to the field of “Volunteering” via our SHU Book Catalog, SHU Search site and in support of the numerous Volunteer Organizations that are active campus-wide.

For additional information please feel free to contact us via e-mail via the University Libraries Homepage.

Petersheim Exposition & University Libraries 2026

The University Libraries has a long and successful relationship with organizers, presenters, and attendees at the annual Petersheim Academic Exposition sponsored by Seton Hall University which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026.

Counted among the successful presentations sponsored through the University Libraries included the following events . . .

Wednesday, April 22nd 2026

2026 Petersheim Faculty Research Expo 
Organizers: Maria Alonso; Norma Rubio 
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Walsh Library, 24/7 Study Room
This year, we proudly celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Petersheim Academic Exposition—a milestone that reflects three decades of curiosity, innovation, and scholarly excellence at Seton Hall University. Throughout its history, the Exposition has shown the remarkable diversity of ideas and research that define our academic community. This year’s event invites us to witness how bold questions, disciplined inquiry, and the pursuit of truth can spark new possibilities. It is a testament to the power of research to illuminate challenges, inspire solutions, and help shape a better, more thoughtful world.

Muse: Art and Design Student Exhibition
Organizer: Christine Lhowe
5 – 7 p.m. | Walsh Library, Gallery
The College of Human Development, Culture, and Media, along with the Walsh Gallery, will be hosting an opening reception for Muse—a student art and design exhibition. While this is the 22nd annual exhibition, the exhibition has been held virtually since 2020. We are excited to be back in person this year. The exhibition will showcase approximately 100 projects from students in 15 classes in the Art, Design and Interactive Multimedia program. With a range of disciplines including graphic design, fine art, digital art, package design, user experience and interface design, game design, and animation it will be an evening of inspiration and community!

Thursday, April 23rd 2026

DataLab: Advancing Research Through Student-Faculty Collaboration
Organizer: Samah Alshrief, Ph.D. 
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Walsh Library, 2nd Floor Common Area and Virtual (Click to join the event on Microsoft Teams »)
This DataLab session highlights interdisciplinary student research supported by Research Data Services in collaboration with faculty mentors across multiple departments. Students will present projects demonstrating the application of data analysis, computational methods, and research technologies to address real-world research questions. The following presentations showcase the work of DataLab student researchers and their faculty mentors across participating departments.

  • “Themes in Diverse vs. Non-diverse Jury Deliberations”
    Student Researcher: Nadia Aboukaram, Psychology
    Faculty Mentor: Dr. Amanda Bergold, Department of Psychology
    RDS Representative: Dr. Samah Alshrief, Michael Murphy, Emily Cerri
    Abstract: This project analyzes conversations from juries deliberating in a mock criminal trial to identify themes in decisionmaking across diverse and nondiverse juries using qualitative coding methods in Atlas.ti.
  • “Testing a New Sphere Packing Algorithm”
    Student Researcher: Chris Henderson, Physics
    Faculty Mentor: Dr. Peter Morse, Department of Physics
    RDS Representative: Dr. Samah Alshrief, Natalie Lau, Victor Carrillo
    Abstract: This project evaluates a recently developed sphere packing algorithm by testing its performance in lower physical dimensions through computational modeling using Python, C++, and MATLAB.
  • “Testing a New Sphere Packing Algorithm”
    Student Researcher: Daniel Gilliland, Physics
    Faculty Mentor: Dr. Peter Morse, Department of Physics
    RDS Representative: Dr. Samah Alshrief, Natalie Lau, Victor Carrillo
    Abstract: This research investigates the efficiency of a new sphere packing algorithm in lower dimensions using computational simulations to understand scaling behavior and potential applications in data storage and cryptography.
  • “CyberSmart”
    Student Researcher: Marco Ponce, Computer Science
    Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shajina Anand, Department of Computer Science
    RDS Representative: Dr. Samah Alshrief

Time Machines Symposium
Organizer: Sarah Ponichtera 
2 – 4 p.m. | Walsh Library, 24/7 Study Room
This session shares the research projects of five undergraduate students who worked in Special Collections, delving into a specific object or collection over the course of an academic year. Attendees will have the opportunity to see the actual objects students worked with, which will be on display as they present their work:

  • Ariel Espinoza (Advisor: Anthony Sciglitano) — The life and legacy of Luna Kaufman, explored through interviews with her relatives and related archival materials
  • Brooke Hurrell (Advisor: Laura Hapke) — The imagery and historical context of the D’Argenio Roman coin collection
  • Justin Lotito (Advisor: James Kimble) — Binary rhetoric in coverage of the 2003 Iraq War in The Setonian
  • Amelia Olson (Advisor: Sara Fieldston) — Seton Hall student reactions to the Vietnam War
  • Agostina Pieri (Advisor: Sara Fieldston) — Early 20th-century Irish pamphlets and the struggle for Irish independence 

In the second hour, faculty will present on their archival research, highlighting shared challenges and discoveries common to both student and faculty research experiences. Professor James Kimble will speak about his research on “the Kid in Upper 4,” an advertising campaign by the New Haven Railroad during World War 2 which highlighted the human cost of the war. Laura Hapke and Emily Handlin will speak about museum research, discussing discoveries made during their work tracing the history of objects in Seton Hall’s collection. Finally, Sarah Ponichtera will discuss the research and preservation work that led to the discovery of the Yiddish science fiction novella she translated.

Connected Events

Exhibit: Ukraine’s People Revealed! Early Eighteenth-Century Paintings of Ukrainian Society
Organizer: Nathaniel Knight
February 25 – May 1 | Walsh Library, Silent Study Room
An exhibit of ethnographic images from the Swedish National Museum in Stockholm.

The Petersheim Committee for 2026 includes Faculty Librarians Natalie Lau, Lisa Rose-Wiles, and Alan Delozier.

For additional information please feel free to contact us via e-mail via the University Libraries Homepage.

 

MUSE: A Student Exhibition

Walsh Gallery, in partnership with the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media, will be hosting an in-person student art exhibition! A tradition for decades until Covid, we are so happy to once again feature the talent of our student artists.  MUSE: A Student Exhibition will run from April 22, 2026 – May 11, 2026.  The SHU Community is welcome to visit the exhibition for free.

Love Data Week 2026 – Revisiting This Important Event

Seton Hall University Libraries’ Research Data Services Team hosted its ninth annual Love Data Week from February 9 – 13, 2026 with workshops on topics including AI, Ethics and the Law, Powering AI within Excel, and a Douglass Day transcribe-a-thon event. This international event, sponsored by the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), the premier social science data repository hosted by the University of Michigan, celebrates data analysis and data science in all its forms.

This year’s Love Data Week theme was “Where’s the Data?” – a way to get people thinking about data’s journey from collection through storage and preservation. The theme opens up exciting possibilities for interactive programming, whether hosting data-themed games, building data literacy skills, or diving into the ethics of responsible data use. Our goal is to connect everyone – from data newcomers to veterans – with the training and resources they need to make progress on issues close to their hearts

Seton Hall University Libraries is a member of ICPSR. ICPSR partners with several federal statistical agencies and foundations to create collections organized around specific topics ranging from the Child and Family Data Archive to the National Addiction & HIV Data Archive Program. Learn more about ICPSR @SHU [here].

Love Data Week also provides international exposure for Seton Hall. Past years’ events have attracted attendees from international institutions, including the University of Cologne, Germany; the Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic; and Krakow University of Economics, Poland. Attendees from U.S. institutions include the University of Michigan, the University of Chicago, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Hackensack Meridian Health Center for Discovery and Innovation and the Health Resources and Services Administration.

According to Samah Alshrief, data specialist, “Love Data Week is one of my favorite events of the academic year because it brings together our community to celebrate the power of data, and what makes it even more exciting is the opportunity to connect with a global community through ICPSR, seeing how universities and institutions worldwide are innovating with data.” Alshrief continues, “There is something special about dedicating an entire week to data. Love Data Week gives us the space to explore new ideas and learn from others.”

We welcome you to our information center in the near future, but in the meantime if you need detailed help through the University Libraries. You can book a research appointment here: Research Appointment Site

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