Films to Stream During Black History Month

February is Black History Month which offers us a chance to reflect on the contributions African Americans have made to the United States and the history of our country. Here is a short list of films from some of the Library’s streaming media collections that are available to current University of Scranton students, staff and faculty.

The Souls of Black Girls  is an award-winning news documentary that raises the question of whether women of color may be suffering from a self-image disorder as a result of trying to attain the standards of beauty that are celebrated in media images. It features interviews with young women and social commentary on the disconnect between the people in control of mainstream media and the lives of Black girls and women.

I Am Not Your Negro

I Am Not Your Negro is an examination of racism in America through the lens of James Baldwin’s unfinished book, Remember This House. Intended as an account of the lives of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, Jr., each of whom James Baldwin personally knew, only a 30-page manuscript of the book was ever completed. Combining Baldwin’s manuscript with footage of depictions of African-Americans throughout American history, I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO uses Baldwins words to illuminate the pervasiveness of American racism and the efforts to curtail it, from the civil rights movement to #BlackLivesMatter.

Description from Kino Lorber.

Boss: The Black Experience in Business

From award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson comes a film that examines more than 150 years of African American men and women who have embodied the qualities that are at the heart of the American entrepreneurial spirit.

John Lewis: Good Trouble

A fascinating look at the life and times of U.S. representative and activist, John Lewis. Using interviews and archival footage, the film delivers an intimate account of Lewis’s legacy and contribution to the Civil Rights Movement.

Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom

Go beyond the legend and meet the woman who repeatedly risked her life and freedom to liberate others from slavery. One of the greatest freedom fighters in U.S. history, Tubman was an Underground Railroad conductor, a Civil War scout, nurse, and spy. Directed by Oscar®-nominated filmmaker Stanley Nelson and Nicole London, the film is narrated by Emmy® Award-winner Alfre Woodard.

Description from PBS.

 

 

 

Introducing the Kanopy Base Collection

The Weinberg Memorial Library is pleased to offer Kanopy Base, a collection of over 10,000 educational and feature films. This greatly expands the films available from Kanopy, and access to the new films is through the already existing Kanopy database.

Benefits of Kanopy Base are unlimited, simultaneous access to the collection, and multidisciplinary coverage including World Cinema, Film Studies, Education, Ethnic Studies, and Sciences. Suppliers include PBS, Kino Lorber, and New Day Films.

To explore the Kanopy Base collection, visit the Library’s A to Z database page or click here.  Chrome is the recommended browser for streaming films.

Job Opportunity: Media Resources Clerk – Part Time, Evenings/Weekends

We invite applicants to apply for the part-time Media Resources Clerk. To apply and see the full job description visit: https://universityofscrantonjobs.com/postings/5462

Position Title: Media Resources Clerk – Part Time, Evenings/Weekends

Job Purpose

The Media Resources Evening/Weekend Clerk is a part time position which works under the supervision of the Media Resources Coordinator to provide services for the Media and Ed Lab Collections during the weekend and evening hours of the Center’s operation.

Essential Duties

– Supervises work-study students in the absence of the Media Resources Coordinator.

– Conducts circulation transactions (check in, check out, search, renew, change due date, course reserves) for Media and Ed Lab materials.

– Processes faculty requests for classroom and non-classroom use of media.

– Participates in the evaluation of and recommendation for purchase of equipment and media.

– Assists in the preparation of monthly and annual statistical reports. Also assists with analysis of statistics, and makes policy and procedure recommendations as warranted.

– Maintains the security and copyright integrity of the Media Resources Center equipment and collections.

– Sends overdue notices.

-Previews media for quality and informs Media Resources Coordinator of any problems.

– Compiles monthly list of new materials by title, department and format.

– Notifies faculty members that media they have requested have been received.

– Transfers media to more current formats as needed.

– Advises patrons of the availability of streaming media and can advise them of the existing features. Provides faculty and students with share link.

– Places material on Course Reserve and removes them as needed.

– Re-shelves materials, and maintains good order in the stacks.

Additional Skills Required:

– Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of users – students, faculty, administration, and public patrons, and to handle communications with tact, courtesy and discretion.

Ability to instruct/direct student work.

– Excellent organizational/record-keeping skills.

– Must be able to respect, support and contribute to the University’s Catholic and Jesuit mission. 

Minimum Education Requirements:

High school diploma or equivalent

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree

Minimum Job Experience Requirements:

One year customer service experience, including policy interpretation and enforcement. Experience with Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications:

– Library work experience with training in Library circulation systems, on-line catalog searching, Internet searching.

– Experience working with/supervising college age students.

– Familiarity with online meeting platforms.

Schedule/Work Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 4:30-10 p.m.; Sunday Noon – 7 p.m. (17.5 hours per week), with some fluctuations in the summer and at exam times.

 

Is There an App for That?

Faculty and students are streaming video more than ever, and some of our database providers offer another way to view their films. Swank Motion Pictures, Kanopy, and Films on Demand all have free mobile apps giving users another option to stream educational content, documentaries and feature films from their tablet or mobile device (Apple iOS and Android). If you haven’t tried any of these streaming providers, this may be the perfect time to start.

Access is limited to current students, faculty and staff members of The University of Scranton.

Feature Films for Education

Looking for a movie to enhance your learning experience? Try Feature Films for Education, our newest video streaming database.

The Feature Films for Education Collection offers hundreds of full-length feature films from 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight for educational instructional purposes. Brought to you in partnership with Infobase and Global Eagle, this outstanding collection focuses on both current and hard-to-find titles, including dramas, literary adaptations, blockbusters, classics, science fiction, environmental titles, foreign films, social issues, animation studies, and Academy Award® winners.

A link to this resource can be found by logging into the My.Scranton portal and clicking on the “Library” link and clicking on the “Databases” link under “Library Resources” and finding Feature Films for Education under the letter “F” in the A-Z database list. Individual titles may be accessed by searching the Library’s catalog. Access is limited to current students, staff and faculty of The University of Scranton.

Some Feature Films titles contain mature themes or content; viewer discretion is advised.

Explore the Catholic Faith with FORMED On Demand

With the season of Advent upon us it’s a good time to take a look at the new streaming media subscription to FORMED On Demand. The Augustine Institute partnering with Ignatius Press launched FORMED as an online service designed to help users explore the Catholic faith.  FORMED provides access to Catholic movies, audio talks, e-books, and video-based studies from the Augustine Institute, Ignatius Press, Catholic Answers and more.

FORMED was designed with Catholic parishes in mind as a way for parishioners to learn and grow in their faith. Much of the content is available in English and Spanish. Students, faculty and staff will need to register on the platform to access the material.

FORMED on Demand may be accessed from the A-Z list of databases and from the Theology/Religious Studies and Streaming Media databases by subject.

Free Film Resource for Educators

POV is a free resource for documentary films that have been shown on PBS. Every year POV premiers 14 to 16 new and innovative programs. POV (a cinema term for “point of view”) is television’s longest-running showcase for independent non-fiction films. POV films are known for their intimacy, their unforgettable storytelling and their timeliness.

POV is now offering free resources for educators, including 200+ online film clips connected to 100+ standards-aligned lesson plans, discussion guides and reading lists. The lesson plan themes include Documentaries & Media Literacy, Women’s History, Environmental Issues and the Politics of Elections. To use this resource, you will need to create an account with POV. Registered educators may borrow DVDs from their lending library to host free community and classroom screenings, staff trainings and workshops. If you’d like to try this great source, visit the POV website for more information.

Spotlight on Student Worker Christie Serzan

For the past two years Christie Serzan, a Physical Therapy major from Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, has worked in Media Resources and has provided friendly, knowledgeable service to the students, faculty and staff of The University of Scranton. Christie has an outgoing personality and a strong work ethic.  She’s always happy to learn new technologies and work an extra shift. Her favorite part of the job is getting to experience new films she wouldn’t normally watch. Her advice to other students is to talk to a librarian to learn about the Library’s great resources.

Christie has been involved in many University activities. She was a member of the Dance Team, the Physical Therapy Club, and she volunteered at the Leahy Clinic. She enjoys dancing, baking and cooking.

Currently Christie is completing a clinical internship. She’s is a huge football fan and would love to work with professional athletes in the future.

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation, Christie!  We wish you all the best!

Spotlight on Student Worker Karen Zumba

Since she spent so much time in the Library, Karen Zumba, an Accounting major from Manhattan, decided to apply for a job here, and we’re very happy that she did! In the three years Karen has been working in Media Resources/EdLab she has provided excellent customer service, transferred dozens of archival VHS tapes to DVDs and helped keep the stacks in order. Her friendliness and organizational skills have made her a great fit for the department. Karen’s favorite part of the job has been getting to know faculty members she would not otherwise get to see and meeting her fellow work-study students. Karen’s advice to other students is to take advantage of borrowing DVDs because they are very entertaining.

Karen has done some traveling during her years at Scranton. In 2016 she went to Jamaica with Campus Ministries International Service Program, and in 2017 she studied abroad in Uganda where she had the memorable experience of witnessing a baby being born.

In her free time Karen enjoys hiking, biking and painting. Her favorite class was Christianity of Africa and her favorite film is Seven. After graduation her career goal is to become a CPA.

Thank you Karen for your contributions to the Library. Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! We wish you all the best in the future!

Spotlight on Student Worker Alexandra Mueller

Focused, knowledgeable and gracious are just three words that describe Alexandra Mueller, a Neuroscience major from Stamford, Connecticut who has been working in Media Resources/EdLab for the past three years. As Alexandra’s graduation date approaches, the Library would like to recognize her hard work and dedication.

Over the years Alexandra has been instrumental in helping with the transfer of archival VHS tapes, setting up table displays and assisting patrons. She enjoys working in such a friendly and helpful environment. Her advice to other students is to utilize all the resources the Library has to offer. She’d also like students to know that Media Resources has films for both education and entertainment.

Alexandra is involved in many University organizations. She’s a member of the Equestrian Team, and she’s a Peer Health Educator.  She participates in research in the Language and Memory Lab and took advantage of the Study Abroad program to study in Copenhagen, Denmark for a semester in her sophomore year.

Alexandra’s favorite book is The Kite Runner and her favorite movie is Rushmore. An interesting fact about Alexandra is that she is a direct descendent of the first king of Hawaii!

Alexandra career goal is to become an epidemiologist, and with her strong work ethic and determination, she is sure to achieve that goal.

Thank you Alexandra! Best wishes for a happy and successful future!