Changing Channels: The Next Generation of Television

It’s just about time to kick off another year of Technology on Your Own Terms, a series of workshops presented by the Weinberg Memorial Library and the Center for Teaching & Learning Excellence.

On Tuesday, October 18 from 12pm-1pm, Jason Oakey from the Office of Instructional Technology will present on Changing Channels: The Next Generation of Television. In this workshop, we’ll look at new options in home entertainment and media, from HDTV and BluRay to streaming video. We’ll talk about what consumers should look for when purchasing new television screens and introduce new streaming services like Hulu Plus, Netflix, and Apple TV.

All faculty and staff members are welcome, but seats are limited, so if you’d like to come please register at www.scranton.edu/ctleregistration (under Technology On Your Own Terms).  We’ll meet in WML305, and a light lunch will be provided. See you there!

The Swing Set, a New York-Based Trio, is Set to Perform Thursday Evening

Benny Goodman and his Band. Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Benny Goodman’s band popularized many tunes from the “American Songbook,” including Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies,” and “I Got Rhythm” by George and Ira Gershwin. Goodman integrated the big band era when he invited black musicians to join his group starting in 1936. Courtesy of the Library of Congress

The Swing Set, a New York-based trio, will perform selected favorites by songwriters featured in the library’s current exhibit, “A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs, 1910-1965.”

Thursday, September 22, 6-7:30 P.M.

Heritage Room– 5th floor of the library

The event is free and open to the public.


Visit Current Exhibits at the Library to find out more.

To RSVP and for further information, contact Michael Knies at 570-941-6341 or kniesm2@scranton.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

“A Fine Romance” is visiting 55 sites throughout the U.S. in 2011-2012.  It was curated by David Lehman and developed by Nextbook, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Jewish literature, culture, and ideas, and the American Library Association Public Programs Office.  The national tour of the exhibit has been made possible by the Charles H. Revson Foundation, the Righteous Persons Foundation, the David Berg Foundation, an anonymous donor, and Tablet: A New Read on Jewish Life.  A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs  is also a book by David Lehman, published by Nextbook/Schocken.

Presidential Inaugurations through the Years

Walking around campus, you can see preparations are in full swing for tomorrow’s inauguration of the twenty-fifth president of the University of Scranton, Reverend Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., J.D., Ph.D.  As part of the festivities welcoming Fr. Quinn to the university community, we’d like to share a few images from some of the past presidential inaugurations.

Recently appointed as the eleventh university president, Bro. Eliseus Leonard, F.S.C. (1940-42), shakes hands with his predecessor, Bro. Denis Edward F.S.C. (1931-40).

At his inauguration ceremony, Rev. J. Eugene Gallery, S.J. (1947-53), fourteenth university president, receives a copy of the university’s original charter from Rev. Edward G. Jacklin, vice president of the university and dean of students.  Seated at the far left is Orphans’ Court Judge, James F. Brady.

Diamond anniversary convocation and inauguration of the sixteenth university president, Rev. Edward J. Sponga, S.J. (1963-56). He stands with Rev. William G. Kelly, S.J. (right).

The seventeenth university president, Rev. Aloysius C. Galvin, S.J. (1965-70) along with family members present at his inauguration. From left to right, John T. Galvin (brother), Sister Helen Mercedes, SND (sister), Fr. Galvin, and Mrs. Herbert O’Connor, Jr. (sister).

Inauguration of Rev. William J. Byron, S.J. (right), twenty-first university president (1975-82).  He shakes hands with Rev. Edwin A. Quain, S.J., who served as acting president in 1975.

Rev. J.A. Panuska, S.J. (1982-98) (right), twenty-second university president, receives the University Mace, a symbol of educational authority and institutional identity, from Fr. Byron.

“A Fine Romance” Exhibit on Display

The library invites you to view the traveling exhibit “A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs” on display in the Heritage Room until October 21st.  “A Fine Romance” tells the story of the many Jewish composers, such as Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, and George Gershwin, who helped create the great American songbook from 1910-1965.

The best composers of this period combined a genius for melody, a talent for finding the perfect words, and an ability to connect with a wide audience. A large number of them were Jewish—from families that had immigrated to America in the 1800s or had fled persecution in Europe. “A Fine Romance” tells their story.

The exhibit was developed by Nextbook, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Jewish literature, culture, and ideas, and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. The national tour of the exhibit has been made possible by grants from the Charles H. Revson Foundation, the Righteous Persons Foundation, the David Berg Foundation, and an anonymous donor, with additional support from Tablet Magazine: A New Read on Jewish Life.

Poster for Swing Time. Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures Inc./Photofest ©RKO Radio Pictures Inc. Photographer: John Miehle

Two programs/receptions will be free and open to the public:

Thursday, September 22, 6 to 7:30 pm

The Swing Set, a New York-based trio, will perform selected favorites by songwriters in the exhibit

Heritage Room —Weinberg Memorial Library

Tuesday, October 11, 6 to 7:30 pm

Ricky Ritzel, internationally renowned raconteur and cabaret artist will tell tales of the songwriters from his perch at the keyboard

Heritage Room —Weinberg Memorial Library

To RSVP or for further information, please contact Michael Knies at 570-941-6341 or visit http://matrix.scranton.edu/academics/wml/spcollections/exhibits.shtml for details.

  

The Secret of Kells Kicks off the Foreign Film Series

Image courtesy of Flickr user Miss a Liss

The Foreign Film Series is happy to present the Irish animated film The Secret of Kells on Friday September 23, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. in Room 305 of the Weinberg Memorial Library.  Dr. Stephen Whittaker will lead a discussion following the film.

Described by USA Today as “dazzling” and “captivating” The Secret of Kells was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2010.  It tells the story of a sheltered boy named Brendan who begins an adventure when a master illuminator arrives from foreign lands with an ancient but unfinished book of secret wisdom.  Brendan wants to help complete the exceptional book, but there is danger along the way….

This event is open to faculty, staff, students and the public, however seating is limited, so please contact Sharon Finnerty at (570) 941-6330 or finnertys2@scranton.edu for reservations.

Doors open at 6:30 P.M.; the film begins at 7:00 P.M.  Light refreshments will be served.

Technology on Your Own Terms: Fall 2011 Workshops

Each semester, the Weinberg Memorial Library and the Center for Teaching & Learning Excellence (CTLE) offer a faculty and staff advancement series called Technology on Your Own Terms. The series introduces University faculty and staff to emerging technologies in order to encourage innovation in the workplace and in the classroom. We’re continuing the series in Fall 2011 with two new workshops:

Changing Channels: The Next Generation of Television
Tuesday, October 18 from 12pm-1pm in WML305

In this workshop, we’ll look at new options in home entertainment and media, from HDTV and BluRay to streaming video. We’ll talk about what consumers should look for when purchasing new television screens and introduce new streaming services like Hulu Plus, Netflix, and Apple TV. A light lunch will be provided. (Taught by Jason Oakey, Office of Instructional Technology)

Tools for Tablets: Apps, Sites, and Widgets for Tablet Computers
Wednesday, November 16 from 12pm-1pm in WML305

This workshop will discuss programs that will enhance your use of personal tablets, like the iPad, so that you can get the most out of these devices. We will look at file storage options, word processing programs, as well as social networks and e-reader applications. A light lunch will be provided. (Taught by Sheli McHugh, Weinberg Memorial Library)

All faculty and staff members are welcome, but seats are limited, so please register for sessions you plan to attend at www.scranton.edu/ctleregistration (under Technology On Your Own Terms).

Special Collections in the News

The Handwriting on the Wall by Nate Pedersen

The Library’s Special Collections department has been featured in the news twice this summer.

One of last spring’s Schemel Forum courses, The Bible As a Book, taught by Special Collections Librarian Michael Knies, explored the physical development of the Bible from Hebrew Scroll through Victorian Family Bible.  The course was positively reviewed in an article about upcoming Schemel Forum programming in the June issue of the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal.

A photograph of the Zaner-Bloser Penmanship Collection exhibit, images from the collection, and information about the collection were included in an article on penmanship titled “The Handwriting on the Wall” by Nate Pedersen in the summer issue of the magazine, Fine Books & Collections.  Pedersen mentions the variety of materials within collection, which includes “examples of astonishing large-form penmanship, handwriting manuals, professional journals, teaching materials for schools, and printing blocks made from original engrossings.”

Light in August: Summer Schemel Forum Events

The Schemel Forum is joining forces as a programming partner with the new Pages & Places @ Anthology to present three programs this August.

Light in August, a series of conversations, is designed to shed light on subjects of both current and enduring interest in a friendly, informal setting.  All programs are free and open to the public and will be held at the Alley Kitchen & Coffee House (formerly Outrageous) at 515 Center Street in Scranton.  Programs begin at 6pm with a happy hour, continue with a 7pm presentation, and conclude with a guided discussion.

Thursday, August 11
Marcellus Shale: Two Citizens Speak Out
Bill Tersteeg, Professor Emeritus at Keystone College
Gretchen Ludders, Tunkhannock Watershed Coalition

Thursday, August 18
What Makes Classical Music Classical? Themes and Variations
Mark Woodyatt, one of the region’s most gifted and virtuosic violinists

Thursday, August 25
Profile of a School that Works
Jennifer Niles, founding principal of one of the most successful charter schools in the country, the E. L. Haynes Public Charter School in Washington, D. C.

 

Schemel Forum fall schedule

It may be 90 degrees outside, but it’s not too soon to start thinking about fall – and the Library’s Fall 2011 Schemel Forum offerings!

We’ve just posted the schedule, so be sure to check out our University for a Day program, our five World Affairs luncheon seminars, three exciting new evening courses, and our bus trip to and guided tour of the Newark Art Museum.

As always, registration is required, so please contact program coordinator Kym Fetsko at fetskok2@scranton.edu to make your reservation or to find out more about our programs.

Library Research Prize Winners

Congratulations to Rosemary Shaver, a junior History/Political Science major, who was selected as the winner of the first annual Library Research Prize!

The Weinberg Memorial Library inaugurated the prize to recognize excellence in research projects that show evidence of significant knowledge in the methods of research and the information gathering process, and use of library resources, tools, and services.

Three students were selected to receive Honorable Mentions–Courtney Fluehr, Benjamin Redan, and William Woody.

Winners will be honored at a reception and awards ceremony on Thursday, May 12, 2011 in the Heritage Room of the Library.