UNIVERSITYVOLUME 2 LIBRARIES ISSUE 6 SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITYPAGE 1

University Libraries

February 2009

John Updike, Prolific Author & St. Louis Literary Award Winner Passes Away at 76

Formidable writer John Updike died of lung cancer in Danvers, Massachusetts. An author of over 50 books, Updike is best known for his “Rabbit” series: Rabbit, Run; Rabbit Is Rich; Rabbit at Rest, and others. Both Rabbit is Rich and Rabbit at Rest won the Pulitzer Prize. As an American novelist, he also wrote poetry and short stories in About 1 billion addition to being an Valentine’s Day art and literary critic. cards are John Updike delivered received the St. Louis each Literary Award in year! 1987.

Wilma Messing, St. Louis Literary Award Founder, with John Updike Inside This Issue

1 John Updike Passes Away 2 History of the Library Associates Save the Date!! 2 Associates Make Generous for the 42nd presentation of the illustrious Gift Saint Louis Literary Award 3 Join the Associates Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009 4 Jewish Literature Event Late afternoon 5 Exhibits & Events Place, time, and awardee TBD!

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History of the Saint Louis University Library Associates

The Saint Louis University Library Associates, Inc. was founded in 1964 by Father Paul C. Reinert, S.J. President of the University with the help of Henry J. Scherck and J. Barry McGannon, S.J. The goal was to build a closer relationship between the University and the community and enhance the prestige of Saint Louis University as one of Saint Louis’ most important and sustainable organizations. The mission of the Library Associates is to enhance the visibility of Saint Louis University libraries in order to promote the development of their collections and services. SLULA is known for presenting the annual Saint Louis Literary Award. This prestigious Award was first presented as The Wilma and Roswell Messing, Jr. Award in 1967. In the decades since, literary giants from around the world have traveled to our community to accept this award. Past awardees include Joyce Carol Oates, Joan Didion, Antonia Fraser, Tom Wolfe. John Updike, and many more. The honor today is presented annually by the Saint Louis University Library Associates and a select group of Patrons. Members are invited to participate in the Evenings at Home. The Evenings at Home series began in 1981 with literary programs being held in private homes. Presentations are made by authors and scholars of local and international merit.

Saint Louis University Library Associates Make a Generous Donation to the University Libraries

The Saint Louis University Library Associates (SLULA) has made another generous donation to the three libraries here at SLU. “SLULA is our strongest supporter,” says Dr. Gail M. Staines, Assistant Provost for University Libraries. “Their gift enables the University Libraries to purchase special scholarly materials that we could not normally afford.” SLU has been able to acquire such master works as the beautiful facsimile of the Anglo-Catalan Psalter with SLULA’s support. This year the SLULA Board approved a special gift in honor of St. Louis Literary Award founder Wilma Messing who recently passed away. Books representative of the Literary Award winners will be purchased for Special Collections housed in Pius Library. The collection will be known as the Wilma Messing St. Louis Literary Award Collection. All three libraries – the Omer Poos Law Library, the Medical Center Library, and the Pius XII Memorial Library – will benefit from this year’s gifts.

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Join the Saint Louis University Library Associates TODAY!

SLULA members enjoy many benefits including:

• An exclusive invitation to the annual Saint Louis Literary Award Dinner at which such distinguished contributors to the literary world as W. H. Auden, Barbara Tuchman, Tennessee Williams, James A. Michener, and others have been honored.

• Invitations to membership-only socials and programs of substance and variety held in private homes and unusual settings.

• Borrowing privileges from Pius XII Memorial Library.

• Access to the unique resources of Saint Louis University Libraries, including the Vatican Library microfilm collection.

• Priority invitations to join Associates-sponsored trips.

Membership is a very reasonable $75.00/year. Student membership is $25.00/year. For more information, please visit: http://www.slu.edu/libraries/associates/index.html

Twelve Brave Souls Trudge through the Snow to Attend Book Series Event

On January 27th, despite inclement weather, 12 participants turned out for the first book discussion in the “Let’s Talk About It Jewish Literature” series. The series theme is “Between Two Worlds: Stories of Estrangement and Homecoming” led by Dr. Julia Lieberman, Associate Professor of Spanish Language and Literature at SLU. Dr. Patricia Gregory, Associate Professor/AUL for Research and Assessment, University Libraries, is the project director for the grant that supports this series, awarded by Nextbook and the American Library Association. This initial session focused on Exodus: The Second Book of Moses. Session Two, Eva Hoffman’s Lost in Translation, will be held on Tuesday, February 10th, from 10am-11:30am, Knights Room, Pius Library. Event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Patricia Gregory at 314.977.3107 or [email protected]

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2009 Pius Library Exhibits

50 Years of Pius Library – (atrium, main floor) “Let’s Talk About It Jewish Literature” – (atrium, main floor) Twilight Series (2nd floor) World’s Fair (2nd floor – Gallery) NASA 50th Anniversary (Lower Level)

Pius XII Memorial Library 50th Anniversary Events for 2009 (visit libraries.slu.edu for more events)

February

10th, 10:00am-11:30am Let’s Talk About It: Jewish Literature Series-Between Two Worlds: Stories of Estrangement and Homecoming Program-Eva Hoffman. Lost in Translation, Knights Room, Pius Library. Event is free and open to the public.

17th, 4:00pm – 8:00pm Game Night Knights Room, Pius Library, For SLU students only. Free! Light refreshments will be served.

24th, 10:00am-11:30am Let’s Talk About It: Jewish Literature Series-Between Two Worlds: Stories of Estrangement and Homecoming Program-Moacyr Scliar. Centaur in the Garden Knights Room, Pius Library. Event is free and open to the Public.

March 10th, 10:00 -11:30am, Let’s Talk About It: Jewish Literature Series-Between Two Worlds: Stories of Estrangement and Homecoming Program-Allegra Goodman. Kaaterskill Falls, Knights Room, Pius Library. Event is free and open to the public.

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March

19th, 11:30am – 12:30pm Mission & Ministry Brown Bag Series: Father Macelwane: His Legacy at SLU. John Waide, University Archivist, will talk about Father Macelwane’s legacy. This will be followed by a tour of an exhibit on Father Macelwane in the St. Louis Room (Pius Library). Knights Room, Pius Library. Event is free and open to the public. Feel free to bring your own brown bag lunch. UNIVERSI TY LIBRARIES PAGE 5 24th, 10:00am -11:30am Let’s Talk About It: Jewish Literature Series-Between Two Worlds: Stories of Estrangement and Homecoming Program-Andre Acimen. Out of Egypt. Knights Room, Pius Library. Event is free and open to the public.

April ASPCA: Help Us Help Animals! During the month of April, the University Libraries will be collecting donations of items for local area rescue shelters. Items such as puppy and kitten collars and leashes, puppy/kitten/cat/dog food, play toys, kitty litter, etc. are most welcomed. Cash and check donations will also be accepted. Drop off points are the Circulation Desk at Pius Library & the Circulation Desk at the Medical Center Library. Visit the exhibit of library employees’ rescued pets that will be located in the Atrium of Pius Library.

September

Happy 50th Birthday Pius Library!! Events TBA.

October

15th Time TBD Books ‘N Brews at Humphrey’s. For SLU faculty and staff. A chance to celebrate all that is SLU libraries. More information forthcoming.

16-17 Manuscripta Conference. Pere Marquette Gallery/Grand Room, DuBourg Hall, Registration information forthcoming.

December

1st. 4:30pm – 7:00pm. Gallery. 2nd floor. Pius Library. Holidays @ Pius Library. More information forthcoming.