The St. Augustine Library was established to enrich the teaching and research activities of the Magdalen College community. The library acquires, organizes, preserves, and makes readily available collections of scholarly materials that support the program of studies and the philosophy of education of the college. The library provides a quiet, welcoming, environment for reading, reflection, and, in collaboration with faculty, promoting the achievement of literacy in all areas of the curriculum.
Current students, faculty, and staff may use the library and its resources; they have borrowing privileges and may participate in our state and national interlibrary loan systems. Exceptions to this must be made in consultation with the Librarian, in order that the focus of library resources and services be on our primary audience, the college community.
The library is open seven days a week during the school year. Hours are posted at the beginning of each semester.
Reference assistance is available Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm; requests for information may be submitted via email at any time.
Books and AV Materials may be borrowed for one month and are renewable in-person or via phone.
In special circumstances, library staff my override the monthly due date and allow for extended borrowing periods.
Periodicals and Reference Books do not circulate.
Limits—patrons may borrow up 20 items; exceptions may be made for special research needs.
The privacy of all users is respected in compliance with state and federal laws; library staff maintain the confidentiality of circulation and interlibrary loan records, except to the extent permitted or required by law.
Food and uncovered drinks are not allowed in the library. This helps us protect the
equipment and collections for current and future users.
Use of cell phones is prohibited in the library.
Skype and other forms of social networking via computer are not allowed in the library.
Library computers, whether public workstations or private laptops, are to be used for assignments and for research. Other uses, such as participation in chat rooms, game-playing, video streaming, and the like are prohibited.
Under the guidance of Student Life staff, movies and television may be watched in the Student Lounge or other designated places on campus.
Computers will not be used for any activity that violates federal, state, or local laws, or to access illegal materials. All college policies pertain to student behavior when accessing information online.
The library is a member of the New Hampshire Automated Information System (NHAIS) and the Online Computer Library System (OCLC). NHAIS allows us to borrow items, free of charge, from any public library in New Hampshire. These items are delivered via a State Library van once a week. OCLC provides WorldShare, an international database of library holdings, through which we have access to books, media, articles, and documents for the purposes of interlibrary loan. We are governed by the policies of each lender library in terms of our access to their collections. Loans are usually for one month; photocopied materials we may keep and are subject to copyright law.
The library is a place for quiet study. Other gathering places, such as the student lounge or dining room, are appropriate places for socializing. Therefore, students who show a lack of respect for those seeking to work and study in the library will be asked to leave.
No personal belongings are to be left in the library. Study carrels and tables will be cleared at closing. This is to assure that other students have adequate study space.
While there are no charges for overdue items, monthly overdue notices are sent to those who have not returned items on the date due. After 30 days overdue, items are considered “lost” and the borrower will be billed a replacement fee plus processing fee. If recall notices have been ignored, or if library materials have been lost or damaged, library privileges will be revoked, and a final bill sent to the patron.
The Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Library Director will assist with questions regarding the “fair use” of copyrighted materials for classes and research purposes. In general:
Under certain conditions specified in law, libraries are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction.
The photocopy or reproduction should be used for private study, for research purposes, or for classroom use. Using material for other purposes may put one in violation of copyright law.
Students will have the opportunity to take one of the following courses for college credit. Taught in Socratic-style seminar discussions, each course enables students to explore a particular interest and consider whether they might like to pursue that academic discipline as a potential college major. Students will spend 3.5-4 hours in class each day, have some assigned homework, and spend the remaining time in prayer, liturgy, sacred music, relaxation with new friends, and a wide range of extra-curricular activities.
Theology of the Body: The Deeper Meaning of Love, Sex, and Marriage (1 credit) – Dr. Ryan Messmore
LIMITED SPOTS REMAINING
When it comes to romantic relationships and marriage, today’s culture is awash in confusion. The Church calls people to see a deeper meaning to sexual desire and marriage. But what is that, and how can it be pursued in modern times? Saint Pope John Paul II has provided valuable teaching in this area. Along with his “Theology of the Body,” this course will explore the nature of love, the meaning of betrothal and marriage, and sexual ethics from a Christian perspective. Class discussions will be theological and philosophical as well as practical.
Philosophy & Humanities: Friendship in Western Culture (1 credit) – Dr. Brian FitzGerald and Dr. Erik Van Versendaal
LIMITED SPOTS REMAINING
One of the most important features of human experience is friendship. Drawing on the great books of Western culture in literature, history, philosophy, and theology, from Aristotle and St. Augustine to Jane Austen and C.S. Lewis, this course will reflect on the nature of friendship across the centuries. Why do we need friends? What makes a good one? What are some obstacles to friendship? What happens as friends grow and mature in different ways?
Christ in Scripture (1 credit) – Deacon Karl Cooper
LIMITED SPOTS REMAINING
“Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked with us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” In this course we will seek to meet and understand Christ as he presents himself in all the Scriptures. We will read, discuss, enjoy, and pray through the most crucial texts, and focus our work on the living and present Christ.
$395.00 USD
Tuition includes room and board. The purchase of a book may be required for some classes. Students should bring spending money for off-campus trips.
Students will have the opportunity to take one of the following courses for college credit. Taught in Socratic-style seminar discussions, each course enables students to explore a particular interest and consider whether they might like to pursue that academic discipline as a potential college major. Students will spend 3.5-4 hours in class each day, have some assigned homework, and spend the remaining time in prayer, liturgy, sacred music, relaxation with new friends, and a wide range of extra-curricular activities.
Physics: Understanding Boomerangs, Billiard Balls, and Balance Beam Routines (1 credit) – Mr. John Klucinec
ENROLLMENT OPEN
This course explores the laws of motion as described by Galileo and Newton by reading and discussing these authors and through classroom experiments. Students will gain an understanding of physics in concrete phenomena through studying air flight, fluid dynamics, the aerodynamics of the boomerang, the motion of billiard balls, and the physics of gymnastics and diving.
Poetry and Politics in the Western Tradition (1 credit) – Dr. Mary Mumbach
ENROLLMENT OPEN
This course will examine poetic form and political form in the tradition of the West. Students will explore, in particular, how the Incarnation shapes the roles of imagination, prudence, and the heroic in literature and political philosophy. Readings in poetry, fiction, and American Founding documents will be considered.
Moral Philosophy: How Do We Make the Right Decisions? (1 credit) – Rev. Fr. Stephen Rocker
THIS COURSE IS NOW FULL – A WAITLIST IS AVAILABLE
Natural law morality and utilitarianism are incompatible frameworks of moral reasoning, yet elements of both are mixed in the public mind. Catholic moral teaching and the Western system of law are grounded in natural law. This course will present these two moral frameworks and apply them to moral issues.
$395.00 USD
Tuition includes room and board. The purchase of a book may be required for some classes. Students should bring spending money for off-campus trips.
Students will have the opportunity to earn one college credit by taking one of the following courses offered at Magdalen College. Taught in Socratic-style seminar discussions, each course enables students to explore a particular interest and discover if it could lead to a college major or area of focus. Students will spend 3.5-4 hours in class each day, have some assigned homework, and spend the remaining time in prayer liturgy, and sacred music, relaxation with new friends, and a wide range of extra-curricular activities.
Myth in Philosophy: Seeking Wisdom through Poetry and Story (1 credit) – Dr. Erik van Versendaal
What is the relationship between poetry and philosophy? Why does speaking about ultimate things lead philosophers into the realms of poem and story? This course considers philosophical works that are undertaken in a poetic mode alongside poems that express philosophic truth.
Physics: Understanding Boomerangs, Billiard Balls, and Balance Beam Routines (1 credit) – Mr. John Klucinec
This course explores the laws of motion as described by Galileo and Newton, by reading and discussing these authors and through classroom experiments. Students will gain an understanding of physics in concrete phenomena: through the aerodynamics of the boomerang, the motion of billiard balls, fluid dynamics, air flight and the physics of gymnastics and diving.
Theology of the Body: The Deeper Meaning of Love, Sex, and Marriage (1 credit) – Dr. Ryan Messmore
When it comes to romantic relationships and marriage, today’s culture is awash in confusion. The Church calls people to see a deeper meaning to sexual desire and marriage. But what is that, and how can it be pursued in modern times?
$325.00 USD
Students will experience the joy of learning in a variety of liberal arts fields, including courses in literature, philosophy, theology, and politics. Taught primarily in Socratic-style seminar discussions, these courses allow students to read classic texts and wrestle with big questions across a range of disciplines. Students will spend 3.5-4 hours in class each day, have some assigned homework, and spend the remaining time in prayer, liturgy, and sacred music, relaxation with new friends, and a wide range of extra-curricular activities.
$125.00 USD