Book launch for "Thomas Merton and the Celts" on Monday November 14th

On Monday, November 14th, the library will be hosting a book launch from 4-5 pm.  There will be refreshments!

We are celebrating the release of Thomas Merton and the Celts: A New World Opening Up by Nazareth Professor Emerita of English Monica Weis.

Here is the publisher's description:

"Thomas Merton and the Celts offers a new lens through which to view Merton’s life and spirituality. By examining unpublished letters, notebooks, and taped conferences for the Trappist novices–previously unavailable to the general reader–the author breaks new ground in Merton studies, revealing Merton’s growing fascination with his Welsh ancestry, Celtic monasticism, and early Irish hermit poetry. Merton, having immersed himself in reading about Celtic Christianity–not just about liturgy, but about household rituals, illuminated manuscripts, high crosses, and hermit poetry as well–recognized in these ancient hermits who lived on “water and herbs,” experienced kinship with creatures, and wrote poems about the birds a mirror of his own desires. Indeed, in a profound way and at a deep level, Merton discovered himself in Celtic Christianity." (Pickwick Publications)

The Thomas Merton room in Lorette Wilmot library is a favorite of students, faculty and staff.  You can find more information about it on our Services page.

More information:

• Book Launch Announcement

Ribbon Cutting at the Charles Mills Writing Center

The Writing Center is holding a Ribbon Cutting ceremony tomorrow, Friday October 21st, from 4-5pm.  You should go!

The Writing Center recently moved to the lower level of the Library, Room 129, and it is a great resource for any student looking to improve their writing skills.

You can find out more about the Writing Center on their website.

And just for fun, here are some articles on the links between utilization of writing centers and student academic achievement. Enjoy!

• Bielinska-Kwapisz, A. (2015). Impact of writing proficiency and writing center participation on academic performance. The International Journal of Educational Management, 29(4), 382-394. Available at:  http://0-search.ebscohost.com.libra.naz.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip&db=eric&AN=EJ1061478&site=eds-live 

• Bredtmann, J., Crede, C.J. and Otten, S. ( 2013 ), Methods for evaluating educational programs - does writing center participation affect student achievement?, Evaluation and Program Planning , Vol. 36 No. 1, pp. 115 - 123.  Available through Interlibrary Loan:  http://0-search.ebscohost.com.libra.naz.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip&db=edsgao&AN=edsgcl.310714388&site=eds-live

• Jones, C. ( 2001 ), The relationship between writing centers and improvement in writing ability: an assessment of the literature, Education , Vol. 122 No. 1, pp. 3 - 20.  Available at:  http://0-search.ebscohost.com.libra.naz.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip&db=edsgbc&AN=edsgcl.80856249&site=eds-live 

• Lerner, N. ( 2001 ), Choosing beans wisely, Writing Lab Newsletter , Vol. 26 No. 1, pp. 1 - 5.  Available at:  https://wlnjournal.org/archives/v26/26.1.pdf 

Coloring for stress relief--is there any scientific basis?

A Google Image search for "mandala"

Over the past few years, the adult coloring book market has increased dramatically.  Coloring is not just for kids anymore!  Many adults are enjoying the meditative state that coloring complex designs can bring.  But is there any scientific basis to this effect?

Scholars in the field of Art Therapy have been looking into the scientific background of coloring in order to discover how and why it might affect stress levels.  For example:

• Scholars van der Vennet and Serice (2012) found that coloring mandalas (traditionally Indian or Sanskrit, but now the term denotes any geometric pattern that replicates the universe) was more effective at stress relief than coloring plaid patterns or plain sheets of paper.  LINK.
• Kersten and van der Vennet (2010) studied how students chose different types of color (warm or cool) to color mandalas, and whether that might correlate with their stress levels.  LINK.
• Curry and Kasser (2005) also studied undergraduates, and found that coloring pre-illustrated patterns was more effective than working on blank sheets of paper in reducing anxiety levels.  LINK.

Overall, it seems that there is at least a correlation between coloring and a reduction in stress and anxiety levels, although there is definitely room for more research in this area!   

You can find more sources (both popular and scholarly) on our Study Breaks Research Guide.  Enjoy!