Sojourner Truth Library celebrates faculty authors

In an event attended by faculty and staff across the disciplines, the Sojourner Truth Library (STL) hosted its second annual celebration of SUNY New Paltz faculty authors at the College Terrace on March 24. The celebration honored faculty authors and editors of book-length works published in the past year.

“The publication of a book is a major scholarly achievement, and as you all know, not an easy feat,” said Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Philip Mauceri. “I want to congratulate all of our faculty authors on their notable accomplishments.”

W. Mark Colvson, dean of the STL, also offered his congratulations to the authors, and used the occasion to call attention to a new online database the Library has developed to track and provide easy access to all publications by New Paltz faculty members.

“Last year I promised that we would work hard to recognize the many colleagues who have published books in years prior to the ones we celebrated,” Colvson said. “Our cataloguers have identified over 400 works in our collection, dating back to the 1970s, published or written by faculty here. I’m very proud today to be able to present our Faculty Authors Virtual Bookshelf to everyone in attendance.”

This celebration had a special significance within the context of the STL’s history. Opening remarks were dedicated to Gail Park Logan, alumna and former chair of the Friends of the Library Steering Committee (FLSC), who recently announced that she would be stepping down from her work with the FLSC.

“Gail was a founding member of the Friends of the Library, and her efforts have been essential to our success,” said Jessica Purcell, adjunct professor, EOP advisor and current chair of the FLSC. “Her guidance, good judgment and gentle wit have ensured that the work of the Steering Committee was conducted in the spirit of good will and collegiality.”

Though Logan was unable to attend, her years of service were honored with the presentation of a STL book plate, accepted on her behalf by her granddaughter, Kelsey Logan ’15 (English).

The event also saw the recognition a STL staff member, as librarian Corinne Nyquist’s book, “Resource Sharing Today: A practical guide to interlibrary loan, consortial circulation, and global cooperation,” was among the celebrated publications.

More information about the Sojourner Truth Library is available at its webpage. Faculty authors who would like to be listed on the Library database are encouraged to use this form to submit information about their recent publications.