Patricia Lindell Scholar Projects and Paper AwardsFolke Bernadotte Memorial Library

Creation of a LibGuide to Jewish Studies & Processing Donation of Jewish Studies Books (Allison James)

In order to facilitate increased understanding and study of Jewish religion and culture and promote awareness of a major donation to Gustavus Library's Judaica Studies collection, senior religion and biology major Allison James undertook the creation of a research guide to Judaica studies and assisted in processing materials for the collection. The guide outlines diverse Jewish identities from a culturally relativist perspective, and highlights Jewish beliefs, customs, and history as well as ancient and modern Jewish literature. The guide also incorporates a visual glossary of Judaica objects and provides resources for studying key topics such as Jewish Enlightenment (Haskalah) and emancipation, the history of the state of Israel, and the Holocaust.

Improving the Library Website to Meet Student Needs (Aimen Zara)

Junior marketing major Aimen Zara analyzed the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library’s website in order to make recommendations that would render the website more easily accessible and navigable by students. Her research consisted of an initial analysis of the library’s website, a comparative analysis between our library website and those of peer institutions around the country, and the development of a targeted survey for students. The last of these will be deployed in the future, and the findings will be used to implement a plan for reorganizing the website. Aimen’s work is especially useful to the library as part of our ongoing efforts to improve the library's website, particularly as we develop strategies for supporting online and hybrid teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research in the Lived Experience of Gustavus Students (Joseph Robbins)

In this small-scale mixed-method study conducted in the spring semester of 2018, the coauthors explored the value of research experiences for students in three majors, asking through interviews and surveys whether they felt their confidence has increased during the undergraduate years, how they felt about particular research experiences, and whether they believed those experiences offered transferrable skills for encountering and evaluating information in everyday life. Faculty in those departments were also interviewed about the development of their own identities as researchers, how they engaged students in research experiences, and whether that kind of learning had value beyond the discipline. Though there were clear distinctions among the kinds of research experiences students had in the three departments reflecting distinctive disciplinary practices and traditions, some themes emerged that have implications for how departments and the library can help students engage in formalized inquiry.

Leisure Reading on Campus (Renee Yong)

Recent studies tell us that college students love to read for fun but they don't have time. What can academic libraries do to promote leisure reading on campus? Our Lindell Scholar researched best practices, analyzed current library spaces with an eye toward making them conducive to leisure reading, and produced six videos of Gusties discussing their reading habits and preferences.

Undergraduate Use of Library Space (Allie Skjerven)

As part of the space study undertaken by the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library in the spring of 2010, this paper will focus on the responses of eight Gustavus Adolphus College students regarding questions of physical space, virtual space, and library assistance. Though it was intended that this paper focus mainly on what could be done to improve the physical qualities of the library, a theme emerged during the course of the interview process that has broader implications for the library: how well-versed students are in using the library, and how their knowledge about using the library could be increased. Therefore, improvements for both the physical space of the library and the students’ acquaintance with the library will be discussed.

Leisure Reading at Gustavus (Amara Berthelsen)

This project was undertaken to better understand the nature of leisure reading, both at Gustavus Adolphus College and at other campuses. Specifically investigating the barriers preventing undergraduates from leisure reading, the intention of the project is to provide possible solutions that the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library can use to address these barriers.

Common Reading Programs in Higher Education (Andi Twiton)

The Reading-in-Common program here at Gustavus Adolphus College is entering its eighth year. Ever since the year 2000, incoming first-year students and their “Gustie Greeters” have been asked to read and discuss a common book as part of the college’s orientation experience. The book is selected the year before by a committee made up of faculty, staff, and students. The book is then read during the summer, discussed during first-year orientation, and, finally, students are given the opportunity to meet the author of the book part way into the fall semester. The program is quite successful and, generally, well-liked. 

Curiosity in the Classroom (Elizabeth Appleton)

A qualitative study about the manifestations and affects of curiosity in the classroom was conducted in two survey level English courses. A sense of connection, autonomy in work, and course grading/evaluation were found to significantly affect curiosity and student learning. Implications for librarians and the role of libraries will also be explored.

Majority Muslims: Non-Arab Islam in Africa, Asia, Europe... (Carrie Reiling)

Because of the high visibility of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the United States? antagonism toward Iraq, the Muslim countries Americans identify more are the Arab countries in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Arab and Muslim are not synonymous, however, despite the government?s, the media?s, and the people?s perception. Because of these reasons, Western perceptions of Islam are that it is practiced by bearded Arabs who believe that the holy words should be fought for?literally. In fact, the opposite is true. The majority of Muslims live their lives with their religion much as Europeans and Americans live their lives as Christians. Includes brief descriptions of non-Arab Muslim countries and geographical areas, and a bibliography for more in-depth research.

Rebuilding a Greater Gustavus: Opportunities and Enhancements Due to the March 29, 1998 Tornado. (Edward T. Woolford)

On March 29, 1998, a tornado hit the town of St. Peter and the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College with a deadly and devastating force. Thankfully, no students or staff were injured, but all 59 buildings were affected in some way and 90% of the trees were destroyed. Amazingly with such devastation, rebuilding efforts began the next day. Many changes across campus occurred primarily because the rebuilding opened up opportunities for the college to move ahead quickly in areas that previously were not feasible or planned. These changes will impact the future of the Gustavus community for years to come. For this reason, data was collected, faculty interviewed and information researched and archived to document the new opportunities and accelerated enhancements the college has gained due to the aftermath of the devastating tornado that struck St. Peter in 1998.

Located in the Oversize Collection at LD2091.C526 W66 1999

Institutional Research (Sarah Osgood)

This report was prepared by Sarah Osgood, winner of the competitive Patricia Lindell Scholarship, awarded annually through the generosity of the Gustavus Library Associates. Sarah's task was to study the need for institutional research on the Gustavus campus and to locate some potentially useful research resources. Shortly after she completed her report, institutional research responsibilities were formally assigned to a position in the college administration.

Student Research at Gustavus (Michelle Anderson)

This study was undertaken to explore the role of undergraduate research at this college. The intent was to examine past and current student research activities and compile a report on the opportunities, issues, and outcomes of research as a part of the learning experience at Gustavus. Undergraduate research is a feature of the Gustavus curriculum that is highlighted in admissions materials, expressed in the catalog, rewarded through scholarships and opportunities to present at national conferences, and embedded in many majors. However, in spite of a strong record in these areas, the efforts of many members of the community to understand, nurture, and reward these activities are not well coordinated or documented.

Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library Home Page. (Keith Schroeder)

This project was undertaken to fulfill the requirements of the Patricia Lindell Award. It consisted of creating a home page for the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library for use on the World Wide Web.

Group Momentum in the GLA (Colin Klotzbach)

The Gustavus Library Associates, a friends group, assists the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library strengthen communal bonds and heighten enthusiasm for fundraising activities. Since 1977, GLA has sponsored talks, activities during the St. Lucia festival in December and the annual Nobel Conference. The membership dues and other funds raised through the yearly run of events provide a solid, consistent income for the library acquisitions endowment, but the largest portion of funds produced have come from a major event called A Royal Affair.

An accompanying scrapbook, focusing on the 1993 GLA activities, won the American Libraries Association's John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award.

Arboreta, Gustavus Adolphus College Campus Development and Linnaeus Arboretum History (Janeen Laatsch)

The Linnaeus Arboretum of Gustavus Adolphus College belongs to a rich heritage of arboreta in our country, and symbolizes the long-term commitment of a community or institution to the care and beautification of a place. This paper will discuss the definition of an arboretum, including the factors involved in defining such an establishment. It will also discuss the considerations which must be made for the continuing support of an arboretum, and will look into the establishment and development of several arboreta which have connections with institutions of higher learning. The tradition of arboreta in our country, as well as the history of Gustavus Adolphus College, has shaped and will continue to shape the Linnaeus Arboretum.

Located in the Oversize Collection at QK480.U62 G875 1993

The Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library’s Children’s Literature Collection: An Evaluative Study. (Christy Ross)

During the spring of 1992 a study was conducted to evaluate the quality and depth of the Folke Bernadotte Library’s Children’s Literature Collection in order to identify specific needs and to aid the decision-making in retrospective and on-going collection efforts. The evaluation focuses on three major questions: Are books owned representative of quality standards as established by three or more review? Do books owned represent an acceptable percentage of recommended titles? Are students of children’s literature satisfied with the resources of the collection? The results indicate that the quality and quantity of the collection is adequate; however, students perceive the collection to be less than acceptable. These observations have resulted in a number of recommendations that focus on improving the general organization and accessibility of the collection. The results also indicate a need to establish a consistent acquisition policy for children’s literature materials.

Ingrid and the Quest for Security in The House with the Blind Glass Window. (David Randolph)

Taking a deeper look at the character of Ingrid in Herbjorg Wassmo’s The House With the Blind Glass Window, this paper examines the character’s search for security and the ways in which she attempts to find it. 

Sameatnam [Saamiland and Its People]... (Miriam Walesko)

Since perhaps a thousand authors have already written about Sameatnam (Lapland), it would be an immense task to compile all of the works. Therefore this bibliography is limited to works in English. Cites works from early 1800s to late 20th century, covering anthropology, geography, history, linguistics, religion, the arts, economics, medicine and law.

Women Authors of the Developing World: An Annotated Bibliography. (Marisa Squandrito)

Particularly in the last half of this century, women all over the world have been making their voices heard after a very long silence. This bibliography is intended to provide a selective crosssection of literature by women of the developing world, in English or English translation, for professors looking for class materials, librarians building library collections, and people with personal interest. The literature included is comprised mostly of novels and short stories, autobiographical writings, poetry, and a few plays. For each of the four areas dealt with, one author was chosen for more in-depth study, not as a representative author, but as a fairly available author with at least some books still in print.

Located in the Oversize Collection at PN479.S78 1989

The U.S. Constitution: An Annotated Bibliography Compiled for Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library. (Kim Posch)

Given its awesome role in creating the framework of national government, one would assume the American people to have carefully and diligently examined the history of the Constitution. However, the average citizen seems content to blindly accept the document without reading it or fully understanding its meaning and significance. We can use the resources listed here to learn from the Founding Fathers by understanding both what their intentions were and how they proceeded to implement them. Through tireless persistence and dedication to both practicality and ideals, these hall of fame politicians forged a framework of government strong enough to unify the states, yet malleable enough to permit growth and change.

Located in the General Collection at JK146.P6 1987

Foreign Students at Gustavus Adolphus College (Michael Reed)

Gustavus Adolphus has always educated students born in foreign countries, beginning with its origins as a preparatory school for Swedish immigrant children in 1862. Copies of Gustaian Weekly articles document the arrival and experiences of a representative portion of college students since 1921. Survey questions answered by contemporary international students give insights into the perceptions of students in an informal setting.

Women at Gustavus...1900-1930 (Sara Thompson)

After reading material in the Gustavus archive, Thompson decided to initiate research into women on campus during 1900-1930 by conducting oral histories. Violet Mattson Towley, daughter of a former Gustavus president, spoke about her mother, Emma Olson Mattson, who acted as president?s wife with great dignity, endless patience, and a sense of humor. Clara Tederstrom served as preceptress of Johnson Hall, supervising and caring for the young women who lived there. Catherine Towley Chapman and Josephine Osborne revealed much about student life in the late 1920s. In the history of writing history, women have been overlooked as contributing members of society. Their functions, like those of Mattson and Tederstrom, are often private, quiet enterprises, unheralded, and mostly ignored as contributions.

Documents related to Sara's research are located in the College Archives.