MarkForBlogHappy Birthday to the Salzmann Selections blog!!!  May 18th is the first birthday for this blog, which has been an absolute joy to write, and, I hope, to read. Today’s selection is going to be a little look back at all that has happened this year at the library.?

We received a grant of 224 books from the International Society for Science and Religion that has been a great addition to the library. The DVD collection has grown by leaps and bounds, not just in size but also in popularity as many DVDs are returned just in time to be checked out again. These include movie favorites as well as documentaries such as the ever-popular “Catholicism” series. The new books we are buying are proving extremely popular to the patrons. Two of our bimonthly book clubs had the author present when we discussed the book, a nice treat. We have been able to make several trips to St. John Cathedral to display our books there. We’re also working to do the same with other parishes. The article in the Catholic Herald has helped people realize the library is available and they’ve stopped in. Our circulation numbers have steadily improved, including handing out more than 150 library cards to new patrons. The shelf-shifting of the entire library collection is almost complete with only three shelves left…approximately 65,000-70,000 titles moved.?

Things have really changed personally for me as well. During this past year, I became engaged to Rachel Skogseth, with the wedding being this October. I have purchased a house in Cudahy, becoming a south-sider, something I never would have thought possible. I have seen my hours increase to full-time status here at the library, and thus been able to quit my second job and devote myself more to the library. Although I’ve listed only three things, I find them rather major developments that seem to consume most of my time.?That is a brief look back at some of the things that have happened over the past year, and I look forward to what I can say next year when we look back on the Salzmann Selection’s second birthday.

As always, if you have any ideas and comments for things I could change, please let me know. If you have any books that you have read or have read the books I mention, please leave a comment. We here at Salzmann also want to know what people are reading. Comments are always appreciated – anything I can do to make this better I will strive my best to accomplish.

Here is some basic information about the library:

  • Our standard hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, 12 to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
  • Our address is 3257 S. Lake Dr., St. Francis, WI 53235, right next to Henni Hall, due west of the South Parking Lot.
  • The library’s phone number is (414) 747-6479. If you would like to contact me through email, it is mschrauth@sfs.edu.
  • There is free Wi-Fi available.
  • “Like” us on Facebook – Salzmann Library.
  • The library catalog is available online.