LMU Library News

Are you a Senior? Would you like to earn $20 cash?

Hannon Library and the Office of Assessment are conducting a large-scale assessment of Information Literacy skills and knowledge among LMU students. In this assessment we wish to learn about the information-seeking methods known and used by students. Only aggregate, anonymous results will be reported and used, and your participation will help us evaluate and improve our library instruction program. Your individual responses and your identity will be kept strictly confidential. All participants will receive $20 cash after completing the iSkills test.  Read more...

 

iSkills Test Dates

Tuesday, February 7th, 12:15-1:45pm

Wednesday, February 8th, 3:00-4:30pm

Thursday, February 9th, 12:15-1:45pm

Tuesday, February 14th, 12:15-1:45pm

Wednesday, February 15th, 3:00-4:30pm

Thursday, February 16th, 12:15-1:45pm

Tuesday, February 21st, 12:00-1:30pm

Wednesday, February 22nd, 4:30-6:00pm

Thursday, February 23rd, 12:15-1:45pm 

Location:  The library E-classroom, WHH 118 

Sign up today!

 

 

What do Father Greg Boyle & George Clooney have in common? Catholic Schools Week 1/29 – 2/5

On the heels of Mission Day comes Catholic Schools Week, a week devoted to honoring the mission of Catholic education and its impact on individuals and the community.

Before enrolling at LMU, did you attend Catholic school? According to the LMU Admissions Office more than 25% of incoming freshmen matriculated from a Catholic high school. Although you may share this experience with many classmates, nationwide you are a small minority. According to the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA), back in the 1960s more than 5 million children, or half of all Catholic children in the U.S., attended parochial schools. In 2010, although there are now more Catholics, only 15%, or 2 million, attended. This decline is due to both economic and cultural reasons.

Attending a Catholic school has made a mark on you, for better or worse. The Experience Project even has a category devoted to former Catholic school attendees.

In honor of Catholic Schools Week let’s browse a list of the famous, and infamous, who attended Catholic schools. Some attended for just a short time, while others spent 12 years there.

(from top left: Megan Fox, Paris Hilton, Lady Gaga, Madonna)

The trio of Kardashians, - Khloe, Kourtney and Kim - attended one of LMU’s namesake schools, Marymount High School in Brentwood.

Their East coast counterpart Paris Hilton, and sister Nicky Hilton, were at Convent of the Sacred Heart with Lady Gaga who claims she avoided them.

The two famed USC Matts – Barkley and Leinart, attended Mater Dei before becoming Trojans.

Other Catholic school boys include vampires Ian Somerhalder of the Vampire Diaries, Peter Facinelli of Twilight, and David Boreanz of Angel.

Darren Criss and Jenna Ushkowitz performed in their Catholic high school theater productions before starring in Glee.

Batman and Robin stars, George Clooney and Chris O’Donnell, share a common Catholic schooling as do Transfomers stars Josh Duhamel and Megan Fox.

Maybe it was those plaid uniforms and corduroy pants that have inspired designing fashionistas Jennifer Lopez and Victoria Beckham, and designer/ rapper  Sean P Diddy Combs.

Kristin Cavallari and Jordana Brewster also wore the plaid skirt and knee socks look at one time.

They appear not to have much in common but if they ever meet Madonna and President Obama could discuss their Catholic school experience.

Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, and the individual that exemplifies the best of a Catholic school education, attended Loyola High School and LMU. Good company.

Know of other Catholic school celebs? Tell us.

 

–Guest post by Education Librarian Silvia Gutierrez

 

We love our student workers! Meet Tom.

The William H. Hannon Library is open 146 hours each week during the academic year. We collect, organize, manage, and provide access to a library collection with over 500,000 physical objects and millions of digital artifacts. Last year, over half a million people visited the library.

To provide these services for our community, we have a full time dedicated professional staff of 50... but did you know that we also have 100+ student workers whose daily efforts keep this place running smoothly?

Tom Costello was nominated by his supervisor, Reggie Melonson. Reggie asked Tom a few questions about his experience working here... 

Name: Thomas Costello

Year: Sophomore

Major: Political Science major, Music and Computer Science minor.

Hometown: Stockton, CA

Where do you work in the library / what do you do here?:

I work in the Media and Reserves Department on the second floor of the library. I help patrons check out media items and reserve books, as well as put books on reserve for professors so multiple students in their class can access them. I also aid patrons in any problems they may have, check DVDs for quality, and keep the library shelves clean and orderly.

 What do you like best about working in the library?:

I enjoy going down to the library basement because it reminds me of the secret government storage room at the end of Indiana Jones, with rows of tall shelves filled with books and other items. I also like being able to help my fellow students know and understand the library, because doing so truly helps with writing papers and conducting research.

Do you ever shush anyone?:

I actually never have. Although I have had to kick patrons out of viewing rooms for refusing to leave after their time is up and other students are waiting, which is sometimes necessary.

Do you have any insider library info that our readers might not know about?:

There is a new policy at the library that allows students to check out DVDs for a 3 day period (as long as they are not on reserve for a class) rather than watch them in the library. Since many popular movies are not on reserve, they can be checked out pretty easily. With Megavideo shut down, I know many people will be looking for a new place to get free movies, and the library is definitely a place to go.

What is the last book that you enjoyed?:

  I read a lot of political and economic books in my free time. One of my favorites is Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt (editor's note: no relation to yours truly). It offers an excellent, concise explanation of free market economics. I am currently in the middle of reading The American Way of War by Tom Engelhardt, which analyzes American foreign policy through a rational perspective politicians should pay more attention to.

What is the strangest DVD that you've ever come across in your job?:

There are a handful of odd movies hidden in the shelves, but I once briefly glanced at a DVD titled I Still Worship Zeus. Hopefully the title is satirical.

Exhibit: LMU Family of Schools & Sustainability

Starting on January 20, the LMU community is invited to view the 3rd annual LMU Family of Schools art exhibit showcasing K-5 students’ artistic interpretations of the theme “Sustainability.”

The exhibit will be on display in the third floor atrium of the William H. Hannon Library through February 3, 2012.

The LMU Family of Schools is dedicated to promoting student success and educational equity within the Westchester/Playa schools. For more information, please visit the FoS website, call 310-258-5472, or email fosinfo@lmu.edu.

1/24 Film Screening: The Purepecha

Tuesday January 24*

7-8:30 p.m.

Von der Ahe Family Suite

A young Latina ventures out one summer day to discover a place called Duroville in the Eastern Coachella Valley - a mere two and a half hours from her own home in a disadvantaged neighborhood. She always thought she was poor until she discovers firsthand the conditions under which these migrant families live and work. Lauded by both First Lady Michelle Obama & Oprah Winfrey, "The Purepecha: Poorest of the Poor" documents the historical ruling by then U.S. District Court Judge Stephen Larson, who realized that those providing our fruits and vegetables are being caught in the crossroads of our Nation's incongruous immigration and agricultural policies.

His ruling, which provided adequate and safe housing for a community of 2-6,000 poor families, (several whom are uneducated, disenfranchised and in many respects exploited) stated "On the one hand, the U.S. portends that the undocumented workers lack legal status while at the same time predicating the economic efficiency of an agricultural industry on their hard work. It appears that the U.S. has once again, established a rather 'peculiar institution' to service our agrarian needs."

After the screening, a guest panel will discuss the film and the issues covered. Guest Panelists include: Former U.S. District Court Judge, Stephen Larson, LMU Chair/Assoc. Professor, Chicana/o Studies, Dr. Karen Mary Davalos, UFW President, Arturo Rodriguez, and two time CINE Golden Eagle Award-winning filmmaker, Cheryl Quintana Leader (Indivision 2000 Productions)

The screening is free, but the courtesy of an RSVP is requested. To RSVP, email KarenMary.Davalos@lmu.edu.

This event is sponsored by the Chicana/o Studies Department and the Latina/o Staff Assocation

*An earlier version of this post listed the date as 2/24, which is incorrect.