It is wonderful to see so many new and returning faces on campus as Saint Peter’s begins to ready itself for a new academic year.  The SPC library staff at both the Jersey City and Englewood Cliffs campuses have worked diligently over the summer to meet the ever evolving information needs of our students and faculty.  We’ve planned and vetted new research databases, have been busy refreshing print and digital collections, are exploring new virtual services, are preparing for new exhibits, and on top of all these communal and good works, we continue to make physical changes to the library space to improve access to all our information services.

We added two new extraordinary and exciting research databases over the summer. This includes the addition of JSTOR and ArtSTOR to our online offerings.  SPC faculty has been requesting these two databases for years, but because of high up-front costs, the libraries couldn’t afford them. But with some fancy budget re-allotments and good old savings in other areas, we’ve finally been able to make the purchases.  We’ve also added several databases in support of the Title 5 grant for a more multi-cultural emphasis on learning and readiness to research for students who may not read or research primarily in English.

Our eBook Collections, found through the libraries online catalog and website, now has over 50,000 titles.  The materials touch on all aspects of the College’s curriculum and every discipline is represented in the materials which have been made accessible through this media.  The wonderful thing about eBooks is that more than one person can read the work at a time. When a traditional book is borrowed from the library, it is not available to others for however long the loan period may be for the item. With eBooks, they never leave the library and are as close are your personal or library’s Internet device. In addition, we continue to do significant weeding of the print collections, so the work of blending access to print and digital media continues.

We’ve also updated our Subject Guides to make them more accessible and easy to use.  This will help students and other researchers find databases and other online information from across the curriculum that is truthful, accurate, timely and unbiased.

We also are continuing to transform the physical space inside the O’Toole Library. We’ve added a third group study room located on the second floor of the library.  The instructional classroom has gone through a significant transformation as well.  The room now holds 30 computers (26 laptops; 4 PCs), is ADA accessible, has two new overhead projectors, and there is a new podium and instructor PC station. In addition, the instructor PC also has classroom control software installed which we’d be happy to show faculty how to use during their use of the room.

The Guarini Center for Community Memory will officially open in October, although the space is active for archives staff and researchers alike.  The space holds the congressional papers and other objects and materials of Congressman Frank J. Guarini.  The Center also holds the library’s rare books and special collections. Use of the Center space is by appointment and you should contact the archivist (x6462) or the librarian staff (x6440) for access to these important collections.

But with all these great changes we’re never really done! The Common Reader exhibit is now up for viewing on the main floor of the library and all of the library’s exhibit spaces have all been booked for future programs coming throughout the year. Our book discussion group is again ready to start. We’re reading Anne Rice’s, Interview with a Vampire.  Plus we’re ready to help teach and show all our patrons how to access and use all of the library’s complex and in depth information resources.

So please join us on what will be another extraordinary academic year of fun, learning and research.  We are here for you and continue to work to meet your information needs, whatever they may be.  Our golden rule is to always collect, preserve and provide access to information.  That is something will all take very seriously in the libraries and it is our commitment to you for this semester and the future.

Warmly,

Dr. David I. Orenstein

Director of Library Services