This week we are highlighting one of Haverford’s greatest assets behind the scenes in Magill Library! Margaret Schaus has been as staple part of the Haverford community for 25 years and her research knowledge seems endless. You may know her from personal experience or from listening her explain research tools in a Humanities class, but whatever the reason, she is known and loved around campus for her incredible skillsets and eagerness to help students learn.
Name: Margaret Schause
Hometown: Swarthmore, PA
Position: Lead Research and Instruction Librarian
How long have you been working at the Haverford College Library?
25 years.
How did you first become interested in being a Research Librarian?
I fell into it because I was in Graduate school and it was the period of time when not many people were being hired in Academia, so I decided that would not be a successful route. So, I started working in a library and really fell in love with the research part of the job, such as answering people’s personal questions. I was working in a public library and enjoyed being able to help people with things actually important to their lives. For example, a Chinese-American I talked to was going to apply for Social Security and they needed to translate some documents. It was in those kinds of life altering moments that I was able to help as a research librarian.
What is a typical day like for you at Haverford?
My typical day often includes meeting with a class to give some instruction and resources for projects. In addition, I answer emails about research questions and meet with people individually. I am also constantly buying material for Humanities classes so I pick out new titles from publishers, read reviews, and track materials down…Finally, in the evening I will work on my Mediaeval Women’s Database (Feminae), an open access index on medieval women and gender that I started in 1996.
What is your research specialty?
I trained in History and French as an undergraduate, so History is the discipline I have the most background with.
If you could have dinner with any historical or literary figure (dead or alive) whom would it be and why?
It would have to be Christine de Pizan, who is a French author from the 15th century. She was widowed at an early age and educated by her Italian Father. She wrote many literary works about the political situation at court, including a text about Joan of Arc, advice to political rulers, and “The City of Ladies.” Pizan is a strong figure because she was opposed to the generic character representations of women in the 15th century.
Magill has been a central part of the college’s campus since the 1860s. What is your favorite hidden gem about the library?
I particularly like the Gummere Morley room on the first tier because it is filled with books about the history of Haverford College. Since I created the space I have been adding things in there that reference Haverford – this includes not just books with an obvious connection to the college history, such as titles that reference a Haverford professor or student. Whenever I add a book I include a little note of the history associated with the college.
There is a myth on campus that the upper tiers of Magill are haunted. Have you ever experienced any paranormal activity in the library stacks?
I have heard the story that Jimmy Magill is afoot, but have not seen the ghost myself. However, I was working here late one night at 2am and when I went out front to use the printer, I came across a student walking around. I was scared and he was scared because we were not open at that point. He ended up to be a student staying over in the library overnight to work, which apparently is on the Haverford “bucket list“ to do before you graduate.