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Blueprints: Falvey Library
Contents: November 2001
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Nevertheless, it was the piloting of the ship of state by President Franklin Roosevelt during the storm and fury of World War II that gave him the celebrity status and heroic public persona which is still being promoted in such films like the recent motion picture "Pearl Harbor." With all the mythology surrounding F. D. R. how can one discern fact from fiction? Persico’s scrupulously written volume on Franklin Roosevelt and his personal involvement in the "secret" war in the Pacific and European theaters of operation and on the home front is one excellent source.
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Most Americans idealized Roosevelt during his presidency, when many facts were kept undercover, which caused him to be idolized. Works like Persico’s give us a painstakingly researched and yet highly readable perspective on the reality of F. D. R. and World War II espionage.
Of course, as chief executive and commander-in-chief one would expect the president of the United States to be informed of the intelligence activities of the Allied forces in the effort to defeat fascism. The intimate involvement of Franklin Roosevelt, though, in espionage and intelligence services explains why he "wove it into the very fabric of government," even to the chagrin of President Truman who said "America does not need a Gestapo."
As a college student at Harvard, Roosevelt kept a personal journal in code. During the second world war it was Churchill who fancied "signals intelligence," code breaking and such, while Franklin Roosevelt preferred "spy’s and covert operations." Franklin D. Roosevelt was a "master manipulator" who "enjoyed subterfuge for its own sake." In fact, President Franklin Roosevelt devised a scheme whereby his "socialite pals" would become a spy ring called "The Club" which would engage in secret even "illegal" activities on behalf of his administration. F. D. R. therefore always seemed to have a penchant for "mystery, the audacious, and the covert," according to Persico, because "Roosevelt loved daring do." He concluded his talk by describing Franklin D. Roosevelt as a "warship hidden behind a smoke screen with a moral compass."
Mr. Persico’s book enlightens everyone as to Roosevelt’s role in the "behind the scenes" war from the 1930's until his death in office in 1945. It was enjoyable to have this popular historian on campus to share his views and entertaining words in person. A native New Yorker, Persico was among other things an officer in the U. S. Navy and Consumer Advocate for the Governor of New York. Later he worked for the U.S. Information Agency in Latin America, and as a speech writer for Nelson A. Rockefeller from 1966-77.
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In 1977 he began his career as a free-lance writer. His previously published works include Piercing the Reich: The Penetration of Nazi Germany by American Secret Agents during World War II, and Nuremberg: Infamy on Trial. Books on Nelson Rockefeller, Edward R. Murrow and former CIA director William Casey are his previous biographical studies. The event, facilitated by interim library director Louise Green, was part of the Falvey Memorial Library’s Distinguished Lecture series. It was co-sponsored by Villanova University’s department of political science, whose chair Dr. Craig Wheeland introduced the guest of honor. In addition to the lecture, a book signing and refreshments were a part of the occasion. |
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Darren Poley is a reference librarian and cataloger, as well as the librarian liaison to the political science department.
by Paul Steege
On the night between October 1 and October 2, 1943, German authorities in occupied Denmark launched an operation to seize Danish Jews and deport them into the Nazi camp system. The operation failed miserably. This action, designed to unleash the decisive resolution of the "Jewish question" in Denmark, in fact provoked one of the most significant acts of resistance to the Nazis’ program to murder Europe’s Jewish population.
Thousands of Danes mobilized to conceal their Jewish friends and neighbors and eventually smuggle them across the narrow stretch of sea to neutral Sweden. More than 7,000 Danish Jews escaped. The Nazis managed to seize only 481 persons for transport to the Theresienstadt camp outside of Prague.
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Beginning November 8 Falvey Library will host an exhibit that explores this fascinating chapter of twentieth century history. A series of over thirty posters utilizes text and images to explore the background, the actions and the aftermath of the October 1943 rescue operation. Prepared by the Danish historian Therkel Str?de, this traveling exhibition seeks to introduce American audiences to a moment of profoundly moral action in the midst of a world that, in spite of massive evidence, remained largely indifferent to Nazi Germany’s genocidal project. Most often, we seem to associate a "heroic" willingness to aid Jewish targets of Nazi extermination with the moral courage of individuals: Raoul Wallenberg, Corrie Ten Boom, or Oskar Schindler. The events of October 1943, however, at least suggest the possibility for mass action, for a truly collective act of resistance. |
While Denmark’s Jewish population was, compared to other European countries, rather small, the effort to ferry it to safety in Sweden demanded truly broad participation. Where did a country that had been able to offer almost no resistance to the German invasion three years before find the means to undertake such an action? The motivation and the context for this broad willingness to take such a stand surely merit our attention.
Nearly sixty years ago, the military tide had turned against Nazi Germany. The crushing German defeat at Stalingrad marked the beginning of the Wehrmacht’s long, bitterly fought retreat. Yet, even as German military might began to crumble, Nazi-directed mass murder continued at a feverish pace. In October 1943, Allied leaders met in Moscow and issued a declaration condemning German atrocities and warning of future retribution. At the same time, Danes acted together with their threatened Jewish neighbors to rescue more than 7,000 persons from Nazi persecution. This action remains a powerful statement of the ways in which power is not limited to the great.
The exhibition will run from November 8 through December 14. It can be viewed on the second floor of Falvey Library at Villanova University. Falvey Library is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Questions regarding the exhibition can be directed to Professor Paul Steege in the history department ( 610 519-6963 or e-mail ).
Dr. Steege is an assistant professor in the history department.
by Laura Hutelmyer
The first stage of an ongoing project to improve the outside appearance and safety of Falvey Memorial Library began during the fall semester break. Thanks to the cooperation of Kevin O’Donnell, the superintendent of grounds, and his work crew, the work was scheduled during a time that would cause the least amount of disruption to the Library entrance.
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New concrete laid below the steps at the entrance to the Library matches the design of concrete set during the summer at the top of the steps. The existing stones that form the semi-circular pattern by the front doors were also reset and the old railings leading down the steps were replaced. The sidewalk, walkway and steps that run from the entrance of the Library to the driveway leading to Mendel were replaced and a new drainage system installed. |
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Some of the construction is ongoing. For students, faculty and staff looking for a quiet place to gather, two new landings, complete with benches made from recycled lumber, replace the old concrete landings and tired wooden benches in front of the Library. With aesthetic detail in mind, the paving stones that now line the concrete landings are consistent with those that line the walkway running behind Falvey Library and up to the Mendel Science Center. |
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New lighting has also been installed to create a brighter exterior, and the lights match those that stand along both sides of the entrance to the Library at street level. All of the existing trees have been retained to add to the beauty of the new setting.
The project will continue next summer when a walkway will be constructed from the front of Old Falvey to the Mendel archway. This walkway will join the sidewalk running in front of Falvey Library to a plaza that will be constructed in front of the Mendel archway. To provide a sense of continuity, all the improvements made to the outside of Falvey Library are visually consistent with improvements made elsewhere on campus. Falvey Library’s new exterior will provide a pleasant, safe and comfortable place for students, faculty and staff to gather, read and relax.
Laura Hutelmyer is serials technician.
by Merrill Stein
Villanova faculty, students and staff may now request Circulation staff to retrieve as many as three books per day from the main circulating collection to be picked up at the Circulation desk. To make requests electronically, select "Request Forms" from the Library home page (www.library.villanova.edu), then select "Book Retrieval Service," and complete the form with your personal information and the book information. Library staff will inform you when the book(s) are available for pick-up. If your request is urgent you may call (610) 519-4464 during library hours to initiate book retrieval.
Merrill Stein is head of Access Services.
Falvey Library’s VQI Enhancement Team’s new roster |
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(left to right) Chris Foster, co-leader; Jacqueline Smith; Phylis Wright; Teresa Bowden, co-leader; Kathleen O"Connor and Darren Poley. |
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How to use CLIO Alert new notification service:a notice from the publishers |
The publishers of the important databases, America: History and Life and Historical Abstracts recently added a new feature that will be of interest: a notification service called CLIO Alert.
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CLIO Alert enables users of both America: History and Life and Historical Abstracts to have the actual text of abstracts in their fields of interest e-mailed directly to them. This service is free of charge. |
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Benefits include
Users easily set up and manage their own profiles directly on the America: History and Life or Historical Abstracts web site.
Users can list up to 10 profiles with their fields of interest.
Abstracts are automatically e-mailed once a month.
Allows users to stay current in their area of expertise.
Set up is easy:
Log on to your America: History and Life or Historical Abstracts subscription web site (via the Falvey Library home page under Databases, A-Z).
Click on "CLIO Alert Profile" on the main search page.
Click on "Create a New Profile."
Follow the instructions to create up to 10 tailored profiles.
Search fields include subject terms, author, time period, language and document type.
If you have any questions, comments or feedback, send an email to Technical Support at webtech@abc-clio.com.
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Joan Whitney, director of the Counseling Center, spoke about understanding normal responses to the events of September 11 at a Falvey "brown bag" lunch on October 15, sponsored by Falvey’s VQI Enhancement Team. With Dr. Whitney (second from left) are (l to r) Laura Hutelmyer, Jutta Seibert, Teresa Bowden and Kathleen O’Connor. |
Also contributing to this issue of Blueprints: Judith Olsen, Sue Ottignon, Bente Polites, Jacqueline Smith and Merrill Stein. Photographs provided by Joe Houser, Laura Hutelmyer and Judith Olsen
