University of St. Francis Library Archives

On March 31, 2001, noted author and theologian Monica Hellwig came to the campus of the University of St. Francis and spoke on Social Justice in the Moser Performing Arts Center. While she was on campus, Sister Clare Edward Whalen took the opportunity to ask her to sign one of her books from the Library's collection. Ms. Hellwig consented and signed the copy of Jesus, The Compassion of God: New Perspectives on the Tradition of Christianity (1983). The signed book is now in the USF Library Archives' Autographed Books Collection . To view this and other books autographed by authors or illustrators, please visit the Archives on the 2nd floor of the Library. In addition to the book signed in 2001, the Library has 12 other titles by Monica Hellwig in the general stacks. Click here to search the catalog to read more by this author.

The University of St. Francis Library Archives has a handful of books in the special collections about Abraham Lincoln, including one that features reproductions of two letters written by him during the Civil War. During February 2009, we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, and the Archives will be featuring a small display of books and information about Lincoln. So stop by, view the display and feel free to ask for more information. "Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith let us to the end dare to do our duty as we understand it." ~ February 27, 1860 "'A house divided against itself cannot stand.' I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved - I do not expect the house to fall - but I do expect that it will cease to be divided." ~ at the Republican State Convention in Springfield, IL - June 16, 1858 "In giving freedom to the ...

From September 27th through October 4th, 2008, libraries all across the country will be celebrating Banned Books Week . This is a week in which we recognize our freedom to read and we remind Americans not to take this freedom for granted. "Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. After all, intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met." -American Library Association The USF Library Archives' John L. Raymond Special Collection and Rare Books Collection both include a number of books that have been banned or challenged throughout history: Stories from the Arabian Nights - retold by Laurence Housman (398 A658h) -Banned, along with Aristophenes' Lysistrata , Chaucer's Canterbury Tale...

An item from the USF Catalog Covers digital collection was featured on the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries of Illinois (CARLI) blog today. There's also very insightful information about the graphic design of the cover related to the time period. Click here to head on over and take a look.

For the 2008 Founder's Day Display in Tower Hall (see informational post below), a video was created that shows the images that are on display. There is no sound, but it's full of great photographs both old and new. Please watch and enjoy.

Founder's Day at the University of St. Francis is the day when we celebrate the Sisters of St. Francis who founded our school. The USF Library Archives was honored to be asked to create a display in Tower Hall for the day. The theme of Founder's Day and of the display is "From Our Past, We Pave Our Future". The display includes photographs and other memorabilia contrasting the past and the present. I hope you're able to stop by Tower Hall to take a look at the display, but if not here is a picture.

Did you know that the USF Art Department has created numerous brochures, invitations and programs that have been used throughout the years at USF events, like concerts, art shows and theater productions? You can find some examples of our talented students' work in the Art Department Collection , newly opened in the USF Library Archives. Come and take a look through the collection to see the artwork and photographs that are included, and to observe the trends as they change throughout the years. The USF Library Archives is open Monday-Friday, 9-4.