Associates Hold Spring Programs

Three standing-room only programs were sponsored by the Library Associates during the spring semester of 1991.

Fascinating Maps

In late January the library was privileged to host an exhibit of reproductions of Portugaliæ Monumenta Cartographica. The major exhibition, "Portugal-Brazil: The Age of Atlantic Discoveries" had been shown at the New York Public Library during the summer of 1990 and then moved to Lisbon. Thanks to the cooperation of the Embassy of Portugal and the Portuguese Department at Georgetown, the reproductions were loaned to the library for two weeks. To mark the event, on January 27th Wilcomb E. Washburn, director of the American Studies Program at the Smithsonian, spoke to the assembled audience on "Portuguese Cartography in the Age of Discoveries." Other books relating to the topic, a gift to the library from the Commission for the Commemoration for the Portuguese Discoveries, were also on display.

Gender Difference

One month later the Library Associates were privileged to be able to listen to one of Georgetown's own faculty who has made the bestseller lists. Deborah Tannen, on February 28th, spoke on "Women and Men in Conversation," a takeoff on her book, You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation. Dr. Tannen established excellent rapport with her listeners, and prompted a lot of response. Members of the university community mingled with Library Associates to fill the auditorium in the Intercultural Center for the occasion.

Jesuits in Story

To commemorate the Ignatian year, on April 17th Father Royden B. Davis, S.J., dean emeritus of the College of Arts and Sciences, pleased the Associates with a talk on "Fictional Jesuits I Have Known." Much loved during his tenure as dean, Father Davis drew a crowd of friends who enjoyed his recollections of these imaginary characters. Father also had prepared a list of titles which he distributed to those who wanted to pursue fictional Jesuits on their own. Since this program, word has come that Father Davis has been appointed rector of the Jesuit community and the high school in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He will be much missed on the Georgetown campus.

Trustees Assemble

To top off the year, the meeting of the Library Associates Board of Trustees was held on May 10-11. Beginning on a Friday afternoon, the trustees were welcomed by University President Rev. Leo J. O'Donovan, S.J. After an hour devoted to business, they had the opportunity to tour Lauinger and Woodstock libraries at a time of full occupation in regard to both staff and patrons. Members of the board said it was an enlightening experience. Following the tour the trustees attended the dedication of the Blommer Information Center (see article this issue). Father J. Donald Freeze, S.J., provost, and Dr. Marie-Helene Gibney, associate provost, joined the Blommers and the trustees at a reception and dinner in the Riggs Library. The trustees held the final session of thei meeting from 9 a.m. till noon on Saturday.

Under the leadership of Chairman Cornelius Moynihan (C'61), the board considered such items as terms of trustees, additional committees which would involve all board members in activities supporting the library, as well as the review and discussion of the library's mission statements and the strategic planning process on which it is engaged. While the matters of the board terms and committee structures are still under consideration, the board decided to hold semiannual meetings in the future. In accord with this decision, a meeting is planned for fall 1991, date yet to be determined.