University Libraries

John E. Buschman, D.L.S., Dean

Walsh Library faculty and staff provide Seton Hall University students with library services on the South Orange campus. During the academic year, the Library can be open as many as 18 hours per day; see Library website for current hours. This four-story, 155,000-square-foot facility opened in August 1994 and houses print book and journal collections, Walsh Gallery, Monsignor William Noé Field Archives, and the Special Collections Center. Walsh Library also accommodates the Teaching, Learning and Technology Center (TLTC), which includes the Instructional Design Team, Computer Training Center, Student Technology Assistant Program, Interactive Television Classroom, and University Media Services.

Walsh Library is home to the Bernard J. Lonergan Institute, Center for Catholic Studies, Chesterton Institute, Valente Italian Library, and Writing Center. The Monsignor James C. Turro Seminary Library is located in Lewis Hall as part of Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology. Along with our print resources, we have a robust collection of electronic databases, e-books, and e-journals that Seton Hall community members can access anytime, regardless of where they are. Visit the library website at library.shu.edu. The Peter W. Rodino, Jr. Law Library, located on the School of Law campus, is separately administered.

The University Libraries

The University Libraries have notable resources, including extensive holdings of more than 2,000,000 print and electronic book volumes, full-text articles in over 100,000 print and electronic journals, as well as document delivery and interlibrary loan services, which facilitates the borrowing of materials from other institutions for the needs of the SHU community. 

Through active participation in resource sharing consortia— including PALCI (Pennsylvania Academic Library Consortium, Inc.), and VALE (Virtual Academic Library Environment of New Jersey) —the vast majority of interlibrary loan requests for journal articles are delivered through e-mail, often arriving the same day. Last year, these services provided more than 6,500 interlibrary loans to students and faculty.

The University Libraries have continuously growing collections in the areas of Health Sciences, Theology, DEI Resources, Judeo-Christian Studies, Italian Studies, Slavic and Eastern European Studies, and other areas of the Humanities. The Information Commons offers soft chair seating, study tables, and computer workstations. All information resources are catalogued and accessible through SHUSearch, the University Libraries’ online discovery system.

Walsh Library accommodates students, faculty, and visitors in a variety of study amenities, including tables, carrels, a silent study room, group study rooms, scholar study rooms, and a 24/7 after-hours study room. The library’s third and fourth floors are designated as quiet study floors to accommodate those students who prefer a quiet environment for their research and scholarship. Last year, more than 310,000 people visited the library, and 14,000 group study room reservations were made, each room accommodating up to 4-6 people. A workforce comprised of full-time professional library faculty and administrative support staff focuses on offering excellent service to Seton Hall’s community of students, faculty, and alumni. The Walsh Library also participates in some reciprocal borrowing programs with the local community, primarily using REBL. The library faculty also provides bibliographic and research services via telephone, email, chat, and individual research consultations. The Library Instruction Program taught approximately 215 separate sessions, and the Libraries also provided 170 research consultations for students, chat services, and online reference. Library faculty serve as subject bibliographers and liaisons to various academic disciplines for collection development and curriculum support.

Technology available in the Information Commons provides users with state-of-the-art Mac and PC computer workstations, printing, scanning, and two dedicated accessibility workstations. University Libraries feature wireless connectivity throughout the facilities, with an electronic reserve (e-Reserve) system providing students access to faculty-assigned readings from any place with internet access. Seton Hall’s University Libraries are committed to keeping abreast of trends in technology with the goal of implementing new systems to better serve our students. There are also SMART boards available in select group study rooms for students to use for their more collaborative projects. 

Students or faculty with visible or invisible disabilities who self-identify at the Circulation Desk may receive special assistance. Individuals may use an array of adaptive equipment that is available to assist persons with disabilities or impairments in the use of resources and facilities in the libraries. University Libraries has partnered with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) to provide a Wellness Room in the library that is available to individual students who may feel overwhelmed or overstimulated. Seton Hall affiliates can request the room by request at the Circulation desk. 

The Interprofessional Health Sciences Library

Located on the first floor of the Interprofessional Health Sciences (IHS) campus contains numerous tables and study carrels, twenty study rooms, a small print reference collection of health sciences resources and books, and computers for database searches.

The IHS Library supports the College of Nursing and the School of Health and Medical Sciences. The library is staffed by a team of two Health Sciences Librarians Monday-Friday from 8 am – 6 pm. Access to databases, journals, electronic books, and interlibrary loans is available online twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. Access to the library’s digital collection, information on how to book study rooms, contact information for the library staff, and much more can be found at the library’s website: library.shu.edu/ihs. For general inquiries, contact ihslibrary@shu.edu.

The Monsignor James C. Turro Seminary Library

The Monsignor James C. Turro Seminary Library is located in Lewis Hall on the South Orange campus. Its collections support the undergraduate and graduate curricula of Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, which is also the major seminary of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. The Turro Seminary Library contains more than 75,000 books, 400 periodical titles, and some audiovisual material. The collection’s focus is on theology and Church history and is particularly strong in liturgical and biblical studies.

Access to the collection is primarily for students and faculty of Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology and other University faculty. Seton Hall University undergraduate and graduate students sign a guestbook to use the library. Borrowing privileges are extended only to those with a valid Seton Hall ID (students, faculty, administrators, staff, and alumni). All others must make requests through the interlibrary loan services provided by the University Libraries, or their home library. Visit the Turro Seminary Library website at library.shu.edu/TurroLibrary.

The Monsignor William Noé Field Archives and Special Collections Center

The Monsignor William Noé Field Archives & Special Collections Center and Walsh Gallery, located on the first floor of Walsh Library, maintains long-term stewardship for the care, research, and display of Seton Hall University’s archival collections. The Archives collects culturally, artistically, and historically significant materials, both digital and physical, that enhance and enrich the mission of the University Libraries and Seton Hall University. Collections are available to both the Seton Hall community and the general public for teaching and research. Researchers have access to a reading room designed for serious research and an adjacent room for instruction and small-group seminars. Microfilm readers are available for reading and photocopying or scanning. The collections are open by appointment to faculty, clergy, administration, students, and the general public. Special Collections accepts donations of materials that fit within its scope. For more information about Special Collections, please consult our website at library.shu.edu/archives or call (973) 761- 9476.

Office of Records Management

The Records Management Center is located within the Monsignor William Noé Field Archives and Special Collections Center. It houses non-current and permanent non-archival institutional records. The Records Management program is designed to create, facilitate, and monitor the official retention schedules for each University department. Files are systematically transferred, stored, and made available for review by the originating University office upon request. The Records Management Center can be reached at (973) 275-2063 or recordsmgmt@shu.edu.

The Walsh Gallery

In keeping with the mission of Seton Hall University, the Walsh Gallery promotes spiritual growth and intellectual curiosity through the presentation of exhibitions that promote critical thinking and cultural appreciation. Last year, the Walsh Gallery had 154 class visits, engaging with Seton Hall students regarding their academics, interests, and identities. Serving both the campus and surrounding communities, the gallery hosts three exhibitions annually. Admission to the gallery and all special events are free and open to the public.

For further information, visit the website at library.shu.edu/walsh-gallery.