Seton Hall University History Book & University Libraries Support

The recent release of the book entitled: Seton Hall University, A History, 1856-2006. (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2023) by Dr. Dermot Quinn is a detailed work that commemorates the development of our institution over its first 150 years of operation. This work is the detailed product of the documentary vision achieved by Dr. Quinn which required the central usage of primary resources housed within the University Libraries and the Monsignor William Noé Field Archives & Special Collections Center in particular. Dr. Quinn noted that our libraries were his “second home” while in the process of researching and writing this volume.

Dermot Quinn is a professor of history at Seton Hal University. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and New College, Oxford, his books include Understanding Northern Ireland (Manchester: Baseline Books, 1993), Patronage and Piety: English Roman Catholics and Politics 1850-1900 (Stanford CA: Stanford University Press, 1993), and The Irish in New Jersey: Four Centuries of American Life (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2004).

As Dr. Quinn wrote in the opening sequence of this tome which provides a helpful introduction to the Story of Setonia: “In 1856 James Roosevelt Bayley, Roman Catholic Bishop of Newark, founded a school in Madison, New Jersey, calling it Seton Hall College in honor of his aunt, Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton. The name was a gesture of piety and a statement of intent. By honoring the greatest promoter of Catholic schools in early nineteenth century America, Bayley wished to continue her work of building American Catholicism through education, charity, and moral instruction. . . . Seton Hall was the seed and fruit of his vision. In the thin soil of mid-Victorian New Jersey Catholicism, he built more than a school. He built a people. . . Bayley’s faith in the progressive value of education, in the pious purposes of Catholic schools, in the powerful generosity of poor people, had to do with the future. . . “ (Quinn, Dermot. Seton Hall University, A History 1856-2006, 1.)

Image of James Roosevelt Bayley, First Bishop of Newark (1814-77). Source: Setonian Diamond Anniversary History of Seton Hall College, 1931

In regard to advance praise, the publisher’s note found on the book jacket of this work expresses the following feelings regarding the effort of Dr. Quinn: “In this vivid and elegantly written history, Dermot Quinn examines how Seton Hall was able to develop as an institution while keeping faith with its founder’s vision. Looking at the men and women who made Seton Hall what it is today, he paints a compelling picture of a university that has enjoyed its share of triumphs but has also suffered tragedy and loss. He shows how it was established in an age of prejudice and transformed in the aftermath of war, while exploring how it negotiated between a distinctly Roman Catholic identity and a mission to include Americans of all faiths.”

When it comes to the size of this volume and the usage of resources perspective from various University Libraries sources total 560 pages total with 60 of those accounting for endnotes that specifically credit each of the sources that represent background information found within the pages of this volume.

Image of the first campus site for Seton Hall College in Madison, New Jersey, 1856-60. Source: Seton Hall University Libraries E-Repository

The University Libraries features copies of the book available for review or checkout from Walsh Library under the LC Call Number: LD4931.S32 Q56 2023. More information on the book proper can be found via the following link = Quinn, Dermot. Seton Hall University, A History 1856-2006

Additional information can be found in the near future within our E-Repository as well –  E-Repository = Quinn, Dermot. Seton Hall University, A History 1856-2006

Resources to aid your own journey through Seton Hall University can be found within the Monsignor William Noé Field Archives & Special Collections Center = Monsignor William Noe’ Field Archives & Special Collections Center and through our University History Library Guide = Seton Hall University History Library Guide

Please stay tuned as we plan to have more recognition of this book and the work of Dr. Quinn during the Fall 2023 semester.

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

Happy Reading and “Hazard Zet Forward!”

Seton Hall Universit Pep Rally. Source: Galleon Yearbook, Seton Hall University, 1951

5 Things for Transfer Students to Know about Seton Hall Libraries

The best place to start familiarizing yourself with the library and our services would be our video tutorials covering a range of topics from how to navigate our site to starting your search, refining your topic, and accessing our vast catalogue of resources.

Be sure to take advantage of our research guides covering a whole range of subjects and disciplines. They curate the most relevant and helpful resources from our databases and across the web, giving you the tools to quickly kickstart your search. Each guide also includes the contact information of the relevant subject liaison librarian, if you have more questions or need more in-depth help.

Our Data Services group provides workshops on how to use different tools and software and consultations to help you find, manage, analyze, and visualize data for your coursework and research.

Not finding what you’re looking for? You can submit a request for a journal article or book not accessible through our catalogue and we’ll be able to borrow it on your behalf from our partner university libraries. An article can be in your inbox within 24 hours or so, physical books will take a longer, so don’t wait till the last minute!

Still have any unanswered questions? Be sure to use the pop-up chat to ask our librarians for help, available Monday-Thursday 10am-6pm and Fridays 10am-12pm. You can also peruse our frequently asked questions or submit your own. For more-depth, be sure to schedule a research appointment with one of our librarians. You can request a specific one or we can help pair you based on your topic.

Research Advice from a Senior Diplomacy Student

Laura Rogers
Laura Rogers, recent Seton Hall graduate and former student library worker

The library has many resources available that I wish I’d known about as a freshman, especially for Diplomacy students. As someone who has worked at the library for the last four years, I’d recommend that all students familiarize themselves with the library’s website, as most questions regarding the library can be answered there. On the website, you can find comprehensive lists of available books and eBooks, which are separated by subject. Many professors will put their textbooks on permanent reserve at the library. I highly recommend taking advantage of this resource, since I know how expensive some books can be and how they add up. Professors don’t always announce when books are on reserve so it’s important to check the website for yourself, especially because some professors use the same textbooks for different classes.

Another aspect of the library that few students know about is the newspaper subscriptions that are available through the website. I know that many professors encourage students to stay up to date on current events, whether it be through news or journal articles. Many of these are available for free online through the library. So, if you need to access to major newspapers like the New York Times or Wall Street Journal among others, I encourage all students to look at the subscriptions the school already has access to.

All disciplines have research guides, which are a great starting point for finding relevant databases and resources. They’re written by expert liaison librarians for each major, so I highly recommend students find out who their librarian is! I personally met with the Diplomacy subject librarian over the past four years by making a research appointment. I met with her several times to discuss papers I’ve written, including my senior thesis. She was incredibly helpful in providing me with tips to locate the sources I needed.

While the website covers most of the resources you’ll need, our subject librarians and circulation staff are always welcome to help any students navigate the resources the library offers in person or over chat or email.

 

Celebrate Black History Month with Kanopy Films

To celebrate Black History month, Kanopy–our on-demand streaming video service–is highlighting a selection of independent films, featuring the stories of extraordinary African American musicians whose talent has shaped today’s music industry. The list of films can be found here.

Kanopy’s entire Black History Month collection of over 300 films is now available to watch here.

Seton Hall University Libraries is pleased to provide Kanopy exclusively to Seton Hall University students, faculty, and staff.

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