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FALL 2021

Hammermill Library partners with Better World Books to stay mission focused

Since 2009 the Hammermill Library has partnered with an organization called Better World Books (BWB) to handle library books that are deaccessioned from the library. While the library has in past newsletters discussed BWB, it is worth noting again, as we have increased considerably the number of titles being shipped to them. Essentially, BWB got its start as an idea with several graduate students at Notre Dame. To read their history, visit their website here.

There are many reasons that Hammermill utilizes BWB to off load its outdated, underutilized titles. For one, BWB will do all the leg work to remarket all titles, and nothing goes to a landfill. Secondarily to that those titles that BWB can resell provides a monetary donation to several literacy programs that the donor can choose from. Our Library and ultimately Mercyhurst University chose the Literacy Grant fund, "which funds specific projects by literacy and education nonprofits and libraries on the front lines of the fight to reduce global poverty through education".

Currently at the Hammermill Library the "need to weed" continues as relevant collections from the Ridge Library in North East are being reviewed and redirected to this campus. Space is always premium in the library and by pulling content not relevant to the curriculum here at Mercyhurst, the library staff are making room for the content of value from the Ridge Library.

Therefore, titles pulled from Hammermill are going to "Better World Books, which is an award-winning, for-profit social enterprise and a global e-retailer that collects and sells used books online with a matching donation for each sale. Since its launch in 2003, Better World Books has raised more than $28 million for libraries and literacy, donated more than 26.5 million books, and reused or recycled more than 326 million books."

The chart below shows how the Hammermill Library has contributed to environmental responsibility by redirecting all books through BWB. To-date the library and University have contributed in the following manner towards a greener Earth:

Environmental Metrics

Account	End Destination of Book	Total Books ReUsed or Recycled	Books (lbs)	Trees	Water (g)	Green-house Gases (lbs)	Landfill Space (cu yd)	Electricity (kwh)
Mercyhurst University-Erie: Hammermill Library		1,593	2,179	25	12,447	3,377	2	5,217
	Recycled	1,152	1,576	18	6,691	2,422	2	3,741
	Reused	441	603	7	5,756	955		1,476
Recycled Totals		1,152	1,576	18	6,691	2,422	2	3,741
Reused Totals		441	603	7	5,756	955		1,476
Grand Totals		1,593	2,179	25	12,447	3,377	2	5,217

— Darci Jones

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month

Since 2014, The Hammermill Library has partnered with SafeNet in Erie to raise awareness about domestic violence. SafeNet is a domestic violence agency in the city of Erie. They provide services to people victimized by domestic violence and relationship abuse. For two weeks in October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the library places Safenets "Silent Witness" Silhouettes in the library as a reminder that domestic violence affects women, children, and men regardless of age, race, income, or educational level. The red silhouettes represent individuals who have lost their lives to domestic violence. The library also provides various handouts for anyone interested in learning about Domestic Violence, prevention, and help.

— Nora Arkelian

SEE MOVIES for "free" ON KANOPY

Kanopy is a video-streaming platform for libraries and educational institutions. Faculty can request access to films that support the curriculum they are teaching in the classroom. Once a title is licensed it becomes available to everyone on campus, not just the students in a particular class. The library has created a page for the Mercyhurst Community to view what is available to watch. Have a look at our collections and see what titles you would like to view.

https://youtu.be/Xz9g4B4Kl6g

—video by Karen Niemla

Library Student Worker Fall Highlight

Photo by Colleen Keane (click to enlarge)

This year, Hammermill Library has welcomed back a complete student staff to aid in providing the Mercyhurst community with a calm environment to work and research in. Among the friendly new faces is Kate Marabella, a social work major in her senior year. As a seasoned library assistant, Kate has long since been adding to the library's atmosphere with her friendly disposition and willingness to help. When asked why she chose Mercyhurst, Kate attributed her decision to Mercyhurst's close proximity to home and small, beautiful campus. She chose the library out of all the work study positions because, "I loved the library when I toured the school. It was very pretty and peaceful, so when I saw the opportunity to work here, I jumped at it!" Though Kate is a very dutiful student, she likes to wind down by cooking, taking walks and long drives when it's nice out, yoga, and watching shows with her roommates. You can find her favorite book series, Harry Potter, in the stacks here at the library.

Photo by Colleen Keane (click to enlarge)

There may be a few faces you don't recognize on our staff this year. Colleen Keane, senior, is a first-time library assistant but fits right in with her kind personality and eagerness to jump in to help. She joined the library because, "I thought working at the library would be great experience in helping and working with people. I also loved the library environment, and wanted my workplace to be in a welcoming and calm environment…" Her favorite spot in the library is Walker Reading Room because it's a nice environment for studying. Colleen is involved on campus, working with her clubs and major to do her part to make the world a better place, but she also finds time for herself by hiking and creating art— photography in particular. You can check out a sample of her work featured in this article.

Both Kate and Colleen are looking forward to their internships in the spring where they'll apply all the knowledge and skills they have acquired here at Mercyhurst. We know they'll do great things!

— Tessa Sayre

Get the Erie Times-News Every Morning from the Library

Do you want to keep abreast of local news without getting a rolled-up newspaper each day or paying for an online subscription? In the past year the library has added a subscription to the Erie-Times News in Newsbank that lets you see the newspaper online in a full-color print layout, just as it is in print, on the day it comes out! Students and employees can access it here right now.. You can also access older historical Times-News issues in Newsbank.