Archiving Abroad: Archives in Jos, Nigeria

Emily Siegel, Archives assistant, had the opportunity to travel to Nigeria to help the train the Sisters there in archival work. We are so excited for her to share her knowledge with us. There is an exhibit of her experience in the Archives exhibit space on the main floor of Kistler Library.

In October 2017, I was welcomed by the Sisters of the African Province of the Society of the Holy Child to visit their communities in Nigeria and to train a few Sisters in how to complete archival work in connection with my archival work here for Rosemont College and the American Province Archives of the Society of the Holy Child.

(Chapel on the Society of the Holy Child compound in Jos)

In Jos, I stayed on a compound that houses the novitiate, the Archives office, and the Center for Renewal, a retreat center.  (A novitiate is a place where an individual who desires to enter religious life lives before taking vows so they may discern whether or not they feel called to this way of life.)

I spent all of my waking hours with the community of Sisters and novices. It was a pleasure to live with the novices because it gave me the opportunity to get to know the young women who desire to become Holy Child Sisters. At the time there were 13 novices living there who came from various locations in West Africa. Some of them were from local tribes near Jos, others were from other parts of Nigeria (both east and west of Jos) and there were a few from Ghana, another location in West Africa where the SHCJ are present. I was warmly welcomed by everyone I met and they were just as eager to tell me about their own homes and culture as they were to learn about my own. They were such a welcoming group that I never even had the opportunity to be homesick.

(The Novices! L to R standing: Celine Ezeoke, Patience Muoto, Bernadine Ekeh, Louisa Ayirah, Mercy Duru, Philomena Sam, Victoria Ikwen, Euphemia Igwe, Marcy Oveghawo, Mary Aker  

Kneeling L to R: Chinyere Ugwoke, Augustina Ayinga, Veronica Akumsiyiga)

During the day I spent my time working in the Archives helping and educating four SHCJ sisters (The African Province Archivist, Sr. Juliana Onyeoke, Sr Calistar Igbo, Sr Elizabeth Njoku and Sr Chinyere Nwafor ) in how to properly archive materials. We were collectively tasked with organizing the disheveled collections of papers, photos, and other documents. I showed the Sisters the best techniques for working in Archives and then we all worked together to implement them. The Society’s presence in West Africa dates back to 1930 so this was an amazing opportunity to work with materials that dated back to that time period. It was also exciting for the Sisters to work there because in many ways this history was something they only previously had been taught by word of mouth.

While I was in Jos, the Society celebrated their foundation day, the day that the Society of the Holy Child Jesus was founded in Derby, England on October 15, 1846. It was wonderful to enjoy the Africans' take on such a celebration and it gave me the opportunity to meet SHCJ Associates local to Nigeria.

It was such an honor to have the opportunity to get to know the Society in West Africa and to be able to help the Sisters learn the best techniques for saving their own history. Everyone I met made me feel so welcome and at home in a place so different than the east coast of the United States.  

Here are some more pictures of the compound and photos of Jos.

Play Like a Girl: A History of Athletics at Rosemont College, 1960-1990

Play Like a Girl: A History of Athletics at Rosemont College, 1960 - 1990

This is the second of what I hope will be 3 exhibits on athletics at Rosemont. Archives Assistant, Emily Siegel, ‘14, curated the first part of this exhibit, which portrayed Rosemont athletics from 1923 - 1960. It showed that women’s colleges were places where women could be athletic, in a safe, accepting environment, during a time when this may have been frowned upon in other places.This was eye-opening to me.

I had a similar realization over the summer, when I saw the movie Wonder Woman. I was moved by its portrayal of strong, athletic women, which was not salacious. I hadn’t realized the novelty of this image until I saw it there. Diana and her sisters enjoyed their athleticism and physical strength. They were confident in it. I wanted to select photos of Rosemont students who were enjoying themselves, strong and proud and excelling in sports; who displayed the same attributes as those fictional women.

The 60’s saw many advances in women’s rights. Title IX was enacted in 1972. Yes, we’ve come a long way, but women still strive to be taken seriously in the sports arena (and in others). I hope that this series of exhibits will encourage further thought and discussion on that subject within the Rosemont community.

Elena Sisti

Information Commons Exhibit: George Bernard Shaw

This year, Kistler Library Notes will be highlighting the exhibits located throughout the Library. Today, we will be highlighting the Information Commons Exhibit. 

Check out Kistler Library's newest Rare Book & Art exhibit celebrating the 160th birthday of George Bernard Shaw. Born in Dublin in 1856, he was a “playwright, critic and polemicist.” Shaw was awarded a number of honors including the Nobel Prize. He died in 1950. Rosemont’s copy of his St Joan play was printed in a limited edition of 750. Its cover design is elegant and its pages are untrimmed. The illustrations in this edition were done by Charles de Sousy Ricketts (1866-1931), who is known for his work in the design of books as well as his work for the theater. This book resides in the Rosemont College Rare Book Collection.

Shaw is known for his “brilliant” quotations a few of which are shown here:


“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”


“No question is so difficult to answer as that to which the answer is obvious.”


“People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.”

Please enjoy this exhibit through the end of September!

On Display: Kistler Family Serving Ware

The College has collected an assortment of serving ware over the years, including several tea sets, dishes, flatware, and serving pieces. The Kistler family donated many of their beautiful serving sets and other items to the College posthumously. The Kistler items are usually monogrammed with the initials "K" for Kistler or "BKK" for Bertha Kaul Kistler. A selection of items from this collection from the College Archives are currently on display on the first floor of Gertrude Kistler Memorial Library. Please stop by to see these beautiful pieces in person.

On Display: Ireland, Early 1900's

The Rosemont College Archives will be celebrating Saint Patrick's Day throughout the month of March with a vintage postcard collection. The display features postcards from eleven counties in Ireland from the early 1900's. The collection itself houses hundreds of postcards. Rumor has it that Mother Mary Ignatius (President of Rosemont College 1924-1939) collected the postcards on a trip home for the SHCJ. The collection also includes postcards from England, Scotland, and France.

For more information please visit the Archives display case on the first floor of the Gertrude Kistler Memorial Library.

On Display: Ethics in The Lord of the Rings

A new and interesting display is now available in the Upper Reading Room of the library. Learn about J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth and the ethical themes within “The Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings.” Tolkien’s major works are also on display and are available for check out. 

Archive Display: "In Memoriam" John F. Kennedy Memorabilia Collection

By Melanie McBride
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination, the Rosemont College Archives will display the E. Considine McManus John F. Kennedy Memorabilia Collection for the month of November.

The collection features Ms. McManus' scrapbook of President Kennedy's life and death, magazines memorializing the death of the President, correspondence from the White House and Jacqueline Kennedy thanking Ms. McManus for her condolences, and a postcard collection of President Kennedy's life.

The display will also feature recollections from Rosemont community members of the President's assassination and death. The Archives welcomes all members of the Rosemont community and beyond to share their experiences at archives@rosemont.edu.

Kistler Library to Host Cheddar & Red Quilt Exhibition

The Friends of the Rosemont College Library are proud to present a special exhibition of 19th century Pennsylvania German quilts from the collection of Joanna S. Rose. Mrs. Rose previously provided the quilts for the American Folk Art Museum's acclaimed exhibition "Infinite Variety: Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts" in New York City, and has personally selected the thirteen "Cheddar and Red" quilts to be displayed at Rosemont. These quilts have never been shown before. Hope to see you there.

DATE: October 15 and 16, 2013

TIME: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Tour and lecture each day at 3:00 PM

PLACE: Gertrude Kistler Memorial Library, Front Reading Room

INFORMATION: 610-526-2973

Ink Blot Challenge Results

By Melanie McBride

Thank you to everyone who participated in our "Ink Blot Challenge." Congratulations Erin Wright! You won 3 free books at the Library's Book Sale.

In August the GMKL staff presented the "What Do You See?" display introducing the Rorschach Test, more commonly referred to as the "ink blot" test. Students and patrons were encouraged to reveal what they saw in the 10 ink blots. Interestingly, no one answer was repeated! Instead of the most common answers the GKML staff have decided on the following:

Top 10 Most Interesting Answers:

1. A Clown Bust
2. Two People Kneeling and High-Fiving Each Other
3. Two Jazz Players
4. Two Rats Dancing
5. A Wolf
6. Aliens Lost in Space
7. Easter Island Statues
8. Two Babies Being Lifted Up
9. Mother Nature
10. Revolution

Don't know what we're talking about? Check out our Ink Blot display on the ground floor of the Library. An example ink blot is pictured above.

More free prize opportunities are coming soon! Don't forget our Oktoberfest Book Sale on October 5th from 12 to 4PM on Alumni Circle.

Kistler Library Announces Saint John's Bible Display

By Melanie McBride

“In 1998, Saint John's Abbey and University commissioned renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson to produce a hand-written, hand-illuminated Bible. We invite you to explore this work of art that unites an ancient Benedictine tradition with the technology and vision of today, illuminating the Word of God for a new millennium.” –saintjohnsbible.org

The exquisite artistry of the Saint John’s Bible is now on display in the Front Reading Room of the Library. The seven volume set contains seventy-three books of the Old and New Testament in total. Each volume focuses on key components of the Bible, combining them according to theme. The set includes the following titles: Psalms, Gospels and Acts, Letters and Revelation, Wisdom Books, Historical Books, Prophets, and Pentateuch.

If you are interested in learning more about the Saint John’s Bible and its creation, our library staff recommends Christopher Calderhead’s “Illuminating the Word: The Making of the Saint John’s Bible (Call Number: BS 191.5 C25 2005). We also encourage those who are interested in the Saint John’s Bible to visit the official webpage at www.saintjohnsbible.org.  

From the Archives: Presidential Memorabilia

By Melanie McBride

The Archives proudly presents "Presidential Memorabilia," an informative display on the lives of the
Presidents of Rosemont College. Located on the first floor of the Library, the display features letters, photographs, personal mementos, and other items of curiosity from the Archive collection relating to the lives of the College's Presidents.

The Archives team has also put together a compilation of Presidential biographies. The booklet begins with Mother Marie Joseph Dalton, who opened the College in 1921, and ends with President Sharon L. Hirsh, a Rosemont alumna. The biography will be available for viewing beginning Thursday August 29th at the Archive display.

Interested in learning more about the lives of the Presidents? Visit the Archives webpage at http://www.rosemont.edu/library/archives/college-presidents/index.aspx

Take the Ink Blot Challenge

By Melanie McBride

What Do You See?

Come to the Library to visit our Psychology Themed Display, titled: What Do You See? The display introduces the Rorschach Test, more commonly referred to as the “Ink Blot” test.  The Rorschach test is used as a psychological character evaluation. Six of the most popular ink blots are displayed on the bulletin board. Test yourself against the most common answers. Search Credo Reference to learn more about the Rorschach Test and how it is used.

Take the Ink Blot Challenge

Located to the left of the “What Do You See” Board are 10 inkblots. Write down your answers and submit them for a chance to win 3 free books at the Book Sale OR tweet your favorite answer to @kistlerlibrary #inkblot for a chance to win 1 free book at the Book Sale.

We will reveal the most common answers for each of the 10 ink blots on Sept 26^th via this blog and announce the Book Sale winners.

SHCJ Commemorative Quilt on Display at the Library

A quilt made to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus' arrival in America is on display in the Main Reading Room of Gertrude Kistler Memorial Library. The quilt features 70 squares celebrating the history and heritage of the SHCJ made by members of the Society and alumnae and associates of the SHCJ schools and ministries, including a square representing the College made by Rosemont's own Executive Director of Library Services, Cathy Fennell. The quilt will be on display through Reunion Weekend in June.