In the Spotlight

As Serials Specialist, Marilyn checks all of the new journals, magazines, and newspapers as they arrive and makes sure they get on the shelves quickly. She coordinates with Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore librarians to maintain accurate holdings information in the library catalog. Increasingly, Marilyn spends much of her time managing electronic resources, including full-text scholarly journal collections like JSTOR as well as the many databases to which the College subscribes. Prices, delivery methods, and license restrictions change frequently, and Marilyn has her hands full making it possible for Haverford students and faculty to find and access the many articles they use in their work.

As Manuscripts Librarian and College Archivist, Diana is responsible for all of the non-book treasures in the Special Collections Department as well as every item relating to the College's long history. She helps researchers from around the country find the photographs, letters, or artwork they need. Increasingly she creates access to these materials by building digital archives that may be accessed around the world. Diana keeps everything organized and preserved properly so that scholars will continue to be able to use Haverford's collections far into the future. If you have a burning question about some aspect of College history or its manuscript and art collections, Diana can probably point you in the right direction!

Haverford's collection of DVDs and videos is one of the most popular resources in the library. Take the staircase next to the Magill entryway down to the first tier to browse the shelves. Or browse Tri-College Videos online by genre or country. You can use the "request" button to have any available video at Bryn Mawr or Swarthmore be delivered to your favorite Haverford branch, and it should arrive in less than 48 hours.

As Bibliographic & Digital Services Assistant in Acquisitions, Johanna Riordan orders and receives books, DVDS, and other items for the library from a number of booksellers and vendors from around the world. Johanna works extensively with the library's bibliographers to obtain resources in a number of subject areas for the library's collection to support coursework and research at Haverford. When she is not ordering and receiving materials, Johanna also spends some of her time working in Serials where she checks in and shelves journals, magazines, and newspapers for the library's periodicals collection.

Managed by the Comic Book Club since 1984, the comic book collection includes hundreds of classic and contemporary comics and graphic novels. The collection is housed in the basement of Magill Library. Although the comics cannot be taken from the Library, a nearby table and several chairs provide convenient spots to relax and read.

As Circulation Services Supervisor, Dawn Heckert is responsible for the smooth operation of the Circulation Desk and the stacks of the Library. This is where patrons come to check out & return materials, get reserves, request carrels, ask directions and questions about the library and other college-related topics. She supervises the 27 or so student assistants who staff the front desk. She also works with her counterparts at Swarthmore and Bryn Mawr to make sure that materials move back and forth amongst the Tri-Co libraries in a timely manner and that the circulation policies are compatible. You will probably see her behind the Circulation Desk assisting a patron or working at her computer.

LIz Romano is Haverford's Circulation Services Specialist and Evening Supervisor. You'll see her solving problems and answering questions in the public areas of Magill Library from 3pm to 11pm every weekday during the school year. She has a particular gift for finding lost or misshelved books, so if there is a book, article, or DVD you're having trouble finding on the shelf, the chances are Liz can point you in the right direction.

In 2007, the Haverford libraries started a mural program. The initiative is designed to enhance the appearance of our libraries, to provide a more welcoming atmosphere, and to highlight the arts at Haverford. The first mural, a colorful landscape depicting the seasons on our campus, is now complete and installed on the third tier of Magill Library, just around the corner from the elevator. This project was overseen by visiting faculty Elizabeth Whalley and Owen Schuh. Many students worked on the project, from introductory level students to art majors.

Bruce Bumbarger has served as the Library's Conservator for about 20 years. He is responsible for the care of the physical collection. Bruce oversees the rebinding of books from the general collection as well as the conservation of materials from Special Collections. To accomplish all this, Bruce typically has 5 students working for him on various projects.