I can’t believe that March 2008 marked my 10th anniversary as Director of McQuade Library. Over the ten years, the library has made significant improvements in services, thus fostering the intellectual growth of the Merrimack community of lifelong learners.

McQuade Library is certainly a thriving, evolving academic center for teaching, learning, and research. Statistics show increased usage of the building, databases, media services, and books. However, what I’m most proud of are the connections that the library staff has made with faculty, staff, and administration over the years.

Public Services librarians regularly collaborate with faculty on assignments, coursework, and teaching information literacy instruction classes that are relevant to students’ research. The Media Instructional Center promotes visual literacy through collaboration with faculty, students and departments on special projects. Two recent, widely-acclaimed Anniversary exhibits of photographs and memorabilia from the archives highlighted the connections between library staff and the Alumni Office. Both circulation and interlibrary loan usage have soared over the last 10 years thanks to the connections that our Circulation Department has made with students and faculty. Our Resource Management librarians collaborate with faculty departments to insure that the materials that we acquire directly support the curricular needs of their students. The Technical Services department supports Student Life and Campus Ministry to provide outreach programs through the library. The Library Advisory Committee has been instrumental in supporting so many of our initiatives. These are just a few examples – the list is extensive.

As I reflect on the past ten years, it is this spirit of cooperation, collaboration, and connection that means the most to me. The library works hard to build relationships with the community based on mutual respect, professionalism, and dedication to the educational mission of the College. I am extremely proud of the library staff and I thank all the college community members who have worked with us. It is a most rewarding experience.

~ Barbara Lachance

On Friday, April 18th, nearly 50 members of the senior class at Notre Dame High School in Lawrence, MA spent the day at McQuade Library learning the fundamentals of doing research in an academic library. These students are members of the first graduating class of NDHS, and this was an opportunity for them to learn more about libraries and scholarly research before heading off to college this fall.

Students enjoyed a busy day of activities, including: Library Jeopardy, a game where teams were quizzed about college life, popular culture, and library research skills; a Library Passport competition in which students ‘traveled’ to different areas of the library to learn more about the variety of resources and services offered; and a hands-on computer lab session where students used the library’s online catalog and electronic databases to conduct research for papers they are currently writing in their Senior English class.

Our thanks to the Center for Academic Enrichment, the School of Graduate, Continuing & Professional Education, and the members of the McQuade Library staff, all of whom contributed to the success of this day.

Photograph taken by Kevin Salemme

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz

Day of Tears: A Novel in Dialogue by Julius Lester

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis

What do these books have in common?

All of these books are award winning children's/young adult literature that are located in the Educational Resources Collection at McQuade.

The collection includes current and past award winners such as the Caldecott Medal for the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children, Newberry Award for author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children, Coretta Scott King Award /a> for titles that promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples, and the Scott O’Dell Award for historical fiction.

Come visit McQuade and browse these books on the third floor in the Educational Resources Collection or find these titles in our online catalog.

For the young and the “young at heart” - these books appeal to all ages!

As you prepare for finals, remember that McQuade Library has a designated Silent Study area: the Periodicals Room.

Talking and cell phone use is strictly prohibited in this area. During finals week, Library staff members will try to control noise in the building as much as possible.

If you have problems studying due to disruptive activity or noise, please report it to the Circulation Desk or Reference Desk on the first floor.

The entire McQuade Library staff wishes all students the best of luck during finals!