Our Mission
The mission of Warner Memorial Library is to promote and facilitate scholarly engagement by providing access to both traditional and cutting-edge resources, creating innovative spaces and cultivating excellence in teaching, learning and research in service to the mission of Eastern University of Faith, Reason and Justice.
Our Vision
The purpose of Warner Memorial Library is to contribute to the fulfillment of the University’s mission core values.
- To select, acquire, organize, maintain and make accessible a collection of printed and non-printed, primary and secondary materials which will support the educational, research, and public service programs of the undergraduate and graduate schools of the University.
- To respond accurately and efficiently to the breadth of the needs and pursuits of the academic community through liaising with faculty, students, staff, and administration in the implementation and review of library services and resources"
- To provide essential services to University students, faculty, and staff to enhance research and promote learning.
- To provide an orientation program to any class/course who requests in order to enhance each student’s educational journey with the added understanding of how the library's resources and materials can assist them. This includes accessing research information and relevant materials.
- To provide library users with point-of-use instruction, personal assistance in conducting library research, and other reference services.
- To provide an environment conducive to the optimum use of library materials and an appropriate schedule of hours of service and professional assistance.
- To participate in any overall University-wide computing resources plan, and to provide for full library utilization of automation technology and for physical facilities and equipment adequate to process, catalog, and store the materials.
- To implement a policy for the recruitment, retention, and development of qualified service-oriented librarians, and of support staff.
- To enhance the library's resources and services through cooperative relationships with other libraries and agencies.
Library Building
Warner Memorial Library is centrally located on campus as part of the Harold C. Howard Center. The building is wireless throughout and has three floors.
- The Main Level encompasses the Information and Checkout/Reserves Desks, 12 computer workstations, ready reference books, print newspapers and journals, Social Justice collection, new book display, board games, and the juvenile and young adult fiction sections. The Cushing Center for Counseling and Academic Support (CCAS) Annex is also located on the Main Level.
- The Upper Level houses the central part of our lending stacks, four study rooms, Edison Space, Mazie Hall African American Heritage Space, Sports corner study space, Faculty Scholarship collection, and the ARC (Academic Resources Center), including the Writing Center and Testing Room.
- The Lower Level contains the remaining lending book collection in compact shelving, a small study room, and the Archives & Special Collections, including theses and dissertations. Individual quiet study desks are also available on this level. The Campolo Center for Ministry reading room is located in Room 119 on this level.
Faculty Scholarship Collection
Books written by Eastern University current and emeritus faculty as well as administrators are located at the beginning of the shelving on the Upper Level of the library, closest to the elevator. Books are circulating and may be checked out.
Mazie Hall African American Heritage Space
In 2006 Eastern University had the privilege of receiving approximately 550 print books from the private collection of Mazie Hall. Mazie B. Hall was an educator, mentor, civil rights activist, and community leader. She grew up in the Mt. Pleasant section of Tredyffrin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. A lifetime resident of Philadelphia’s Main Line, Miss Hall was significantly involved in the civic and community affairs of her community.
Her accomplishments include her crusade for fair housing practices in the area. Her efforts helped to influence the formation of the Pennsylvania Fair Housing Act. She was the founder of both the Mt. Pleasant Community Center and the Main Line Business and Professional Women’s Club.
As an educator, historian, and civic leader Miss Hall received many awards and certificates. Among them are service awards from the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., the Links, Inc., Kids’ First Now!, the Second Baptist Church, Wayne, PA., and the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. Other recognitions included the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the House of Representatives Citation, and an award from the Pennsylvania Abolition Society. On her 98th birthday, a park was dedicated in her name in Mt. Pleasant. Additionally, the West Chester University (her alma mater) maintains a scholarship fund in her honor.
Mazie Hall’s private book collection reflects African American history and culture. The collection includes biographies of famous black men and women in sports, politics and the military as well as music books related to black musicians and composers. As a poet herself, Mazie assembled wonderful collected poetry and literature works by black authors; the like of Langston Hughes. As an educator this was and is Mazie Hall’s legacy continuing through Eastern University. This collection is available at the beginning of the shelving on the Upper Level of the library, closest to the elevator, and may be checked out. There is also a study space in front of the collection, including a glass case containing memorabilia from Miss Hall's life and framed photos and clippings on the wall.
The Edison Space
The Thomas A. Edison Space is a study space used by the campus community. This space houses a wonderful collection of Edisonia artifacts and photographs and it is located on the Upper Level of the library, close to room #333 towards the back left.
The collection first arrived in 1971 and was loaned to Eastern University by the Edison Foundation, Lake Lenape, NJ. Charles Edison, former governor of New Jersey was instrumental in Eastern’s acquisition of this collection. Artifacts include photographs of Edison in his workshop, original hand written notes and drawings by Edison on the walls, the first 100 volt electric fan on display behind glass along with an Edison cylinder phonograph record with case, rock drillings with notes, a still photo from the first ever motion picture "The Great Train Robbery," and more.
The collection is the only one of its kind in the Delaware Valley.
George H. Rothacker Gallery
George Rothacker, a Villanova resident and well-known local artist, painted a series of 13 paintings titled “Seasons of Eastern” as a fundraiser for the Friends of the Library, Warner Library in 2007. These paintings along with several others depicting the area of West Philadelphia are on display in Warner Library. The fundraiser was very successful raising over $40,000, in which half went to Friends of the Library for various projects for the benefit of library users and the campus community. The paintings are hanging in the Main Level of Warner Library.
Our Collection
Our collection of 126,531 physical books and media has been rated "A" for size according to the Association of College and Research Libraries. We have more than 43,000 periodical titles in paper and electronic format. We have access to over 1 million e-books. We also maintain a collection of about 90,000 video recordings, most streaming but also in physical format.