Hidden Gems of the Library- AJCU Drawings
By Hannah Herrlich, Emerging Technologies Librarian
In this series, “Hidden Gems of the Library,” we take you behind the scenes and beyond the stacks, revealing the University Libraries’ most clandestine attributes, and highlighting its often overlooked treasures.
Author and poet, Walter Savage Landor once said, “Nothing is pleasanter than exploring a library.” Indeed, roaming the stacks can guide you through impossible worlds of riveting adventures and endless possibilities. Okay, perhaps this take on libraries is a tad dramatic, but we’re admittedly a little biased. And regardless of what stories you may stumble upon while exploring a library, there are plenty of other mysteries that lurk beyond the books. For example, last month we took a look at Dr. Bert Twaalfhoven’s collection of 16th, 17th and 18th century maps of New Netherland, New Amsterdam and New England that hang in the Walsh Reference Room. And yet- there are more hidden gems of the library to reveal!
So for now, let’s travel up to the 3rd Floor of the Walsh Library.
The 3rd Floor houses our general collection with call numbers ranging from F to P. Similar to the 2nd Floor and 4th Floor, it also has a separate space for the Oversize book collection.
It looks like this:
However, differing from the 2nd and 4th Floors, the 3rd Floor Oversize section has a thematically curated collection of artwork hanging on its walls.
What could it be?
Aha! These are sketches of none other than the universities that make up the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU).
It’s no secret that Fordham is both Catholic and Jesuit in identity. In fact, there are about 30 Jesuit priests who reside in the Fordham Jesuit Community who are full-time professors or administrators at the University. You can also view video clips with long-time members of the Fordham Jesuit community through our digital collection of Jesuits in Conversation.
Now, we couldn’t help but wonder if these AJCU drawings are of the universities’ libraries or of other monumental buildings on their respective campuses (but really, what building is more important than the library??). Let’s explore some of these art pieces and find out!
The AJCU Artwork
Boston College
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College (or BC as the locals call it), has approximately 9,300 full-time undergraduates and nearly 5,000 graduate students. Now according to our top-secret investigative research (we Googled), we suspect that might be the Burns Library in the background, though we aren’t 100% certain. What do you think?
Georgetown University
Next up we have Georgetown University, located in our nation’s capital- Washington D.C. Georgetown is the oldest of the AJCU schools, founded by Bishop John Carroll in 1789. And pictured above has to be the Lauinger Library pictured below…right?
Loyola University
Moving further down south, over to the bayou of Louisiana, there’s Loyola University, located in the jazzy city of New Orleans, or the “Big Easy.” Now we’re not so sure whether or not this drawing is of the Monroe Library. We better take a trip to New Orleans and find out.
Xavier University
You don’t have to be a Joe Burrow fan to know that Cincinnati is the home of great chili and Xavier University. Based on this guide, we’re fairly certain that this is not a picture of the McDonald Memorial Library. Ah, well.
Marquette University
Lest we forget the cheese capital of the United States, Milwaukee, WI. Besides cheese, cheese, and more cheese, Milwaukee is also home to Marquette University. But is this drawing also the home of Marquette’s Raynor Memorial Library? It’s hard to say. It’s hard to focus now. Our thoughts are consumed entirely by cheese.
Fordham University
How could we forget? Last but certainly not least, there’s Fordham University. And yes, we know that this is not a portrait of the Walsh, Quinn, or Fordham Westchester Libraries, but that’s alright- There are plenty of beautiful buildings across all three campuses. We’re lucky to have ‘em!
In total, there are 28 universities within the AJCU. Though, we couldn’t fit every school onto this blog post, you can see a complete list here. Or better yet, take a trip to the 3rd Floor of Walsh Library and see the AJCU artwork for yourself!
Library Privileges at AJCU Institutions
Current students of Fordham University have access privileges at AJCU institutions with presentation of a Fordham ID, and Fordham faculty have both access and borrowing privileges with an AJCU passport and a Fordham ID. To find out more about how you can access other AJCU Libraries visit our Privileges at Other Libraries page.
As always, if you have any questions about how to access other AJCU institutions, or about the Fordham Libraries in general, visit our library homepage or Ask a Librarian.
