O’Neill Library

Hi, I’m the Answer Wall! I’ve been perched in the O’Neill Library lobby at Boston College since February 2017, except for a year in 2020 when I went fully online. Ask me a question by posting a post-it on me in O’Neill Library. I’ll answer within a day on weekdays. I snooze on the weekends, because answering questions is hard work!

What is your opinion on Brehon Law, the old Irish Law codes.

What is your opinion on Brehon Law, the old Irish Law codes.
What is your opinion on Brehon Law, the old Irish Law codes.

Humans are so fascinating. Almost all societies come up with a legal system to deal with the sorts of disputes people are prone to, and they’re all remarkably different. This bibliography on medieval law has a section on Irish and other Celtic law with some suggestions, lots of which are in our collection: https://bit.ly/bc-brehon

I cannot afford to live off campus next yr, what do I do? I feel so stuck :(

I cannot afford to live off campus next yr, what do I do? I feel so stuck :( Appeal
I cannot afford to live off campus next yr, what do I do? I feel so stuck 🙁 Appeal

It’s frustrating to not know where you’re goin to live next year. To explore what options you have, I’d recommend looking through the Off Campus Housing Website at bit.ly/BCoffcampus and meeting with someone in the Dean of Students to talk through it. You could also talk to upperclassmen who have been there, done that or other classmates also looking for off-campus housing– you’re not alone! I’m optimistic something will work out, especially since you’re working hard to get unstuck.

I’m scared for my future. What should I do?

I’m scared for my future. What should I do?

Ask for help! Your best protection in scary times is other humans. Depending on what you’re fearful about, talking to family and friends can be helpful by itself. Maybe you need some financial advice, or career advice. Maybe a doctor or psychologist or a religious authority. If you’re a BC student, you can start with the Student Wellness office and they can help direct you from there: https://bit.ly/4k98aCG

Should I commit to BC?

Should I commit to BC?

I’d love it if you did! But you also need to do what’s best for you. If BC has what you want (academically, socially, spiritually) and it falls within your budget, by all means commit!

I’m so tired :( I don’t wanna do my thesis anymore

I’m so tired 🙁 I don’t wanna do my thesis anymore

That is such a real feeling, you have all my sympathy. Here’s one of the secrets: taking care of yourself so that you can finish the project is part of the project. I highly recommend focusing on getting good sleep, eating reasonably good meals, and doing a couple of other things that make you feel in control and on top of things. Then take another look at your project after a couple of days and see if it looks less daunting. And ask for help if you need it! Your adviser, your friendly librarians, the folks at the Connors Learning Center, we’re all here to help you through.

I looked online and I have a question… why is Bapst the only library without a head librarian? Also who are the people in charge at Bapst?

I looked online and I have a question… why is Bapst the only library without a head librarian? Also who are the people in charge at Bapst?

Bapst Services and Collections are managed by a team that divides its time between the Bapst and O’Neill Libraries. Collection Development is overseen by my talented colleague Nina Bogdanovsky, while library services are managed by Lida Supernaw (Daytime) and Morgan Wilson (Evening), with support from other colleagues at O’Neill and a team of student employees. Bapst currently has no Head Librarian due to a decision made several years ago to shift collection development responsibilities to O’Neill.

Best new fiction by women authors?

Best new fiction by women authors?
Best new fiction by women authors?

I polled BC Libraries staff. They say these are all worth your attention:

  • The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
  • When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén
  • Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (2 votes)
  • The Antidote by Karen Russell
  • Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One by Kristen Arnett
  • Colored Television by Danzy Senna
  • Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
  • Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister
  • The Pretender by Jo Harkin
  • Tell Me Everything, Elizabeth Strout
  • Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino
  • The Names, by Florence Knapp
  • These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean
  • A/S/L by Jeanne Thornton
  • The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling
  • The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko
  • Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
  • The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis (2 votes)
  • The Names by Florence KnappBroken Country by Leslie Hall