Weinberg Memorial Library Awards Inaugural Library Research Prize

Rosemary Shaver, a junior in the honors program with a double major in history and political science, was selected as the winner of the first annual Library Research Prize. The Weinberg Memorial Library at The University of Scranton inaugurated the prize to recognize excellence in research projects that show evidence of significant knowledge of the methods of research and the information gathering process, and use of library resources, tools and services. Undergraduate students who had completed a research project for a credit-bearing course during the summer 2010, fall 2010, intersession 2011 or spring 2011 semesters were eligible to apply.

 

In her application essay, Rosemary states that she "came to understand the importance of allowing one's ideas to evolve through research." Her paper, "Pennsylvania's First Civil Rights Movement: 1639-1900," was submitted for her honors tutorial, PS 385 H, The Civil Rights Movement in the North. She made use of a multitude of library resources and services including such primary resources as newspapers available on microfilm or in online archives, databases such as LexisNexis, the library catalog, the University Archives, Interlibrary Loan, and interviewing a local author. In support of Rosemary's application, William J. Parente, Ph.D., professor of political science at Scranton, states, "The topic itself is rather original."

 

The judges, a panel composed of University of Scranton faculty and staff, evaluated the entries based on the evidence of the applicant's research strategy and personal learning as summarized in the essays describing their research projects that applicants submitted. In addition to the prize winner, they also selected three students to receive honorable mention awards – Courtney Fluehr, Benjamin Redan and William Woody.

 

Fluehr, a senior exercise science major, wrote in her application essay that she has "a deeper respect and appreciation for the library and all the resources it has provided me." Courtney mentioned using RefWorks, which she "discovered … after my research methods class attended an informational session directed by a library staff person." She also made use of previous honors projects in the library's Special Collections, both in print and online.

 

In his essay, Redan, a senior biochemistry major, explained the ways that he used to narrow his searches. According to Ben, these searching skills, "were completely transferrable."

 

Woody, a senior majoring in theology/religious studies, described the research process he used to write his honors thesis in his application essay. He said, "I learned how to keep focused on my research and to narrow my topic, how to effectively sift through the great volume of library resources, and how to incorporate the many materials and resources available for my project."

 

Prize winners were honored at a reception on May 12, 2011, in the Heritage Room of the Weinberg Memorial Library.