University Libraries

By Hector Escobar, Erik Ziedses des Plantes and Henry Handley

In July 2023 and again this year, the University of Dayton Libraries hosted doctoral students from Anáhuac University during a weeklong immersion with the School of Engineering. While here, students conducted research using library databases, toured local industries and presented their research topics to members of the School of Engineering.

Making Research Connections

To complement their campus experience, they took a tour of Roesch Library, explored the print collections and received instruction on using library resources such as journal articles and engineering standards that could assist them with their research topics.  

One goal was to make the guests feel welcome and comfortable at the library.

“From a culture perspective, it’s great to connect with them and speak to them in Spanish and talk to them about my experiences growing up along the border and traveling within Mexico,” said Hector Escobar, associate professor and social sciences and data support librarian. “I was surprised to learn that one student graduated from my undergraduate institution, and we knew a few acquaintances. Talk about a small world.”

The students shared their life experiences and the research interests that came about as a result of them.

“It’s one of the things I love most about my job,” said assistant professor and research and scholarly engagement librarian Erik Ziedses des Plantes. “The Anáhuac groups have brought such unique and varied work to our table each year, and their passion as scholars is palpable.”

Highlighting Marian Library’s Cultural Artifacts

Henry Handley, assistant professor and rare books and print collections librarian, showcased materials from Mexico that Marian Library staff and faculty had selected for the group, including rosaries, rare books and retablos (altarpieces).

Since the Marian Library is an international collection, the students’ visit was an opportunity to share the library’s cultural heritage materials.

“We brought a variety of items from Mexico collected over the last 80 years, such as devotional art made in thanks for answered prayers and Marian sermons printed by women in the 17th and 18th centuries,” Handley said. “The students found connections to art and devotion in their families and communities, including in the Nativities and the Mirror of Hope installation on display in the library year-round.”

Experiencing UD

The School of Engineering dean’s office launched this program and partnership with Anáhuac University in 2023.

“We are looking forward to growing our partnership in coming years and have already begun imagining the many ways we might work together to grow collaborations in academics and research endeavors,” said Kimberly Bigelow, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and interim associate dean for academics and student success.

The hope is to build on this summer program to include additional research collaborations and exchanges.

— Hector Escobar, associate professor and social sciences and data support librarian; Erik Ziedses des Plantes, assistant professor and research and scholarly engagement librarian; Henry Handley, assistant professor and Marian Library rare books and print collections librarian.