Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. John Lukacs

Image retrieved from VISTA.Today

An admired educator, author of 35 books, historian and finally, Pulitzer Prize Nominee.  This man led a celebrated life and, sadly, at the age of 95 he passed away due to congestive heart failure. The gentleman that I am describing is Dr. John Lukacs, an educator whom the Chestnut Hill College's community will sorely miss.

Dr. Lukacs chaired the History Department for 27 of his 47 year tenure at Chestnut Hill.  During this time he was beloved by colleagues and students, writing insightful books that have been translated into numerous languages.

It was quite a journey for this Hungarian citizen who would finally reside in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. He came to the United States after fleeing Budapest during the Soviet-Allied invasion during the end of World War II.  His experience in his homeland made him a expert on this war - especially on the history of Winston Churchill.  

This Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940-45 and again in 1951-55 became a topic of many books by Dr. Lukacs, especially "Five days in London, May 1940," which was the basis for the 2017 highly acclaimed film, "Darkest Hour."  

The film won the actor, Gary Oldman who portrayed Churchill, numerous awards which included a Critics Choice, Screen Actors, Golden Globe and an Academy Award.

The Logue Library is celebrating Dr. Lukacs' long tenure at Chestnut Hill College with a display created by the Dean for Library and Info Resources, Sister Mary Jo Larkin,  who points out that Dr. Lukacs' insight into European history of the forties and fifties is reliable and well-documented.  Sister included a thought-provoking quote from "Confessions of an Original Sinner,"  in the library's tribute in which Dr. Lukacs observes, "because of goodness of God, I have had a happy unhappy life which is preferable to an unhappy, happy one."  May the happiness of his long and fruitful life carry him on to the blessings of eternity.

Here is a display in the Logue Library dedicated to Dr. Lukacs' Legacy

Now, let's talk about the Logue Library.....

If you search on the topic of Dr. John Lukacs you will receive over 1,200 results in our catalog which includes over 21 eBooks and 55 Print books on this popular author.

Some of our books include:

Confessions of an Original Sinner - This book is considered Dr. Lukacs "Autohistory"

A sketch of the history of Chestnut hill College 1924-1974

Philadelphia, Patricians & Philistines, 1900-1950

Last Rites

Remembered past: John Lukacs on history, historians, and historical knowledge : a reader

June 1941 : Hitler & Stalin

You can also see some of the books mentioned in this blog on our Dr. John Lukacs  page.

Feel free to comment on this blog.
What book listed above would you most likely read?

Posted by J Presley, Systems Management Librarian

Special Thanks to Sister Mary Jo Larkin, Dean for Library and Info Resources for creating the display.

"Thankful for our Student Workers in Logue Library”

The Logue Library's Student workers deserve so much recognition for their hard work - and we are "Thankful."

“There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each others light
So for tonight, we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day, we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us, to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more
There's so much to be thankful for”

These lyrics above are from a song called, “Thankful,” sung by Josh Groban.  

Alas, it’s that time of year when the term is winding down and the Commencement is fast approaching.  And the Logue Library's student workers are soon signing off for the summer.  

I have noticed something that makes me smile every day, our very nice, intelligent and sincere student workers. Ask any of our staff members here at the library and all of them would say that we would be lost without them.  

They sit at the front desk and greet you with a nice hello when you enter or leave the library. Furthermore, they are helpful to the patrons with circulation, printing concerns, shelving or helping us blow up balloons for a library event.  We are so thankful for these young individuals.

Two of our students will be graduating and we wish them so much success in their careers.

However, the remaining students will hopefully be returning to the library in the fall term: 

Feel free to comment on this blog.

Posted by J. Presley, Systems Management Librarian

Basketball, Books and "Man vs. Ball"

Basketball Display in the Logue Library

He passes...shoots,...and he scores!!!   Yeah!!!  These are the remarks sports announcers are making during the Philadelphia 76ers  games during their extended season in the NBA Playoffs.

I am not going to discuss what may or may not happen if they win or lose. However,  I would like to thank some of the players and their coach for an exciting season:

Joel Embid, Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, J. J. Redick,  Tobias Harris and of course, Coach Brett Brown.

Now, let's talk about the Logue Library.....

If you search on the topic of Basketball you will receive over 5,700 results in our catalog which includes over 12 eBooks and 61 Print books on this popular sport.

Some of our books include:

"Man versus ball: one ordinary guy and hi extraordinary sports adventures," by Jon Hart
                                                  

"Mathletics: how gamblers, managers, and sports enthusiasts use mathematics in baseball, basketball, and football," by Wayne L. Wilson

     

"Michael Jordan and the new global capitalism," by Walter LaFeber

"The rise of the National Basketball Association," by David G. Surdam

                                             

"Sport, culture and the media: the unruly trinity."  by David Rowe

                                             

"The National Basketball Association: business, organization and strategy,"
by Frank P. Jozsa

Honorable mentions:

 "Hoosiers, Third Edition: the Fabulous Basketball Life of Indiana," 

     by Phillip M. Hoose and Bobby Plump

 "Under the boards: the cultural revolution in basketball," by Jeffrey Lane

 "Integrated: the Lincoln Institute, basketball, and a vanished tradition," 

       by James W. Miller

  

  "When basketball was Jewish: voices of those who played the game,"

      by Douglass Stark

  "Basketball in America: from the playgrounds to Jordan's game and beyond," 

     by Bob Batchelor

  "Basketball belles: how two teams and one scrappy player put women's hoops  

     on the map," by Sue Macy and Matt Collins

This semester is about to end so maybe it's time to sit back an read a book about a fascinating and popular sport.  Click on the word Basketball to see some of the books in our collection.   You can also see some of the books mentioned in this blog on our Sports  page.

Feel free to comment on this blog.
What book listed above would you most likely read?

Posted by J. Presley, Systems Management Librarian

“Long Night Against Procrastination”

The poster above was from an event held on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 in the Logue Library.  Our new Technical Services & Information Literacy Librarian, Kelly Liberona developed an event that was a first at Chestnut Hill College was called, “Long Night Against Procrastination.” 

This party involved the following:  a therapy dog, along with faculty who were available to help students with their assignments, massages to relieve stress and plenty of food and tasty snacks. 

The event was separated in two parts.  From 11:30 am until 1:00 pm, free massages were available for staff and students.

The second part of this event according to the Logue Library's Facebook page mentioned that, "from 6p-2a Tuesday, April 30th for FREE fun and study time.  We'll have food courtesy of out Alumni Association, The Bagel House, and Bruno's; therapy dog, P!nky, accompanied by her owner Polly, our Director of Security; study help by librarians, Writing Department faculty, and Writing Center/various subject peer tutors; activities; and prizes, including gift certificates generously donated by @chestnuthillbrewingcompany, @thecedarshouse, and @chcbkstore!! Don't miss out!"

This event was very successful with over 50 people attending this, “Anti-Procrastination Party.”

But now it’s time to discuss what the library catalog has to offer with Procrastination and Study Skills.

   

   

Now, let’s talk about the Logue Library…

Our catalog contains some books to help students who are indeed true Procrastinators.

Hopefully the resources shown below will be helpful.

Procrastination: why you do it, what to do about it now  - by Jane B Burka and Lenora M Yuen  

Eat that frog! : 21 great ways to stop procrastinating and get more done in less time  - by Brian Tracy

The role of the library in the first college year – by Larry L. Hardesty

Feel free to comment on this blog.
What book listed above would you most likely read?

Posted by J Presley, Systems Management Librarian