Text UofSLibrary!

Photo courtesy of isla_yelo under a Creative Commons license

Starting today, you can now send text messages to the UofS Library Reference Desk at:

570-687-8787

Send us your library-related questions via text message, and we’ll text you back an answer shortly, if you send the text during normal library hours.

If you text us when we’re closed, we’ll receive your text when we open up the next day, and text you back as soon as we get the question.

Please remember that your cell phone carrier may charge you for each text message sent and received. The library is not responsible for these charges.

More to come on this, but in the meantime, tell your friends! Happy texting!

CNN’s Jill Dougherty Speaks at Schemel Forum

Sondra Myers, director of the University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum, with CNN foreign affairs correspondent Jill Dougherty

CNN foreign affairs correspondent (and Dunmore native!) Jill Dougherty came to campus today to speak to University and local community members on the topic “Who Runs Russia? Deciphering Moscow’s Centers of Power.”

Formerly CNN’s Moscow bureau chief, Dougherty described her experiences as a journalist in Russia, providing character sketches of former President of the Russian Federation Boris Yeltsin, former President and current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, and current President Dmitry Medvedev.  She also discussed the evolving nature of Russian democracy and provided insight on demographic changes, Russia’s relationship to China, the reliance on an oil and gas economy, and the importance of civic society.

Dougherty’s talk was the second of this Spring’s Schemel Forum Insights Luncheons, a series focused on discussions of world affairs.  Next in the series will be Alex Thier of the United States Institute of Peace, who will present on “Enigma and Dilemma: Our Fraught Relationship with Afghanistan and Pakistan” on March 19th at 12pm in the Weinberg Memorial Library’s Heritage Room.

Jill Dougherty speaks in Brennan Hall

Oscar-Scranton-Schemel Connection: Jay Parini’s The Last Station

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTh-vQho7UU]

Now that the Olympics are over, it’s time to start preparing for the next big event – the Academy Awards are this Sunday!  And this year, there’s a Scranton connection.

West Scranton native Jay Parini is the author of The Last Station, a novel about the last year of Tolstoy’s life – and the film adaptation of the novel has received two Oscar nominations.  Helen Mirren (who plays Sofya Tolstoy) and Christopher Plummer (Leo Tolstoy) are up for Best Supporting Actor and Best Actress, respectively.   The Last Station was also nominated for five awards (including Best Feature) at Friday’s Film Independent Spirit Awards.  For more details about the film and Parini’s work, see this article from the February 5 Scranton Times-Tribune.

This Spring, Mr. Parini will be making a special appearance on campus to discuss his book and the film at one of our Schemel Forum “Insights” luncheons.  The luncheon will be held Friday, April 9 from 12pm-1:30pm in Room 509 Brennan Hall.   Registration fees are $20 per person or $30 per couple for the luncheon – and Schemel Forum members get in free. To register, please contact Kym Fetsko at fetskok2 (at) scranton (dot) edu.

Library Love on Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras at the Library!

Thank you all for making our first gaming night at the library a big success! Last night, at least 65 students came by the 5th floor Heritage Room to eat wings and pizza, and get their game on.

Super Smash Brothers was a big hit.

Games that got the most play include Super Smash Brothers and the Wii Fit — even the classic game Scattegories got in on the action.

There was also a raffle, which 67 students entered. There were three $10 Amazon gift cards awarded as prizes. The winners of the raffle drawing are:

Dan Parisi (Senior)

Devin Patel (Junior)

James Costello (Senior)

Winners will be notified via email of how and where to pick up your prizes.

We got enough positive feedback to know that gaming night is something we should do on a regular basis. So, we can all look forward to another gaming night in the library, since this one was such a hit.

But, by far, the best part of Mardi Gras at the Library was all of the *library love* we got from everyone who participated. Thanks for the great feedback guys, and we can’t wait for the next one!

Library Love (aw shucks :) )

(A special shout-out to the Center for Health and Education Wellness for lending us the games, and to our very own Bonnie Oldham and George Aulisio for planning this awesome event. For more coverage of Mardi Gras at the Library, including photos, check out our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/UofSLibrary.)

Mardi Gras!

Just a reminder…

Mardi Gras at the Library is Tonight!

Come to the Heritage Room between 8-11 to enjoy Wii games, Board Games, Pizza, Wings, Chips, Pretzels, Donuts, Soda, M&M’s, Free Beads, and Prizes!!

See you there!

Share those photos!

Good news – we still have seats left for this Friday’s Technology on Your Own Terms workshop on photo sharing.

This time, Library systems staff member and computer training coordinator Vince Yanusauskas will present “Can You See Me Now?: Creating Digital Web Albums to Share with Family and Friends.”  Vince will demonstrate Google’s free Picasa service, which gives users 1 GB of free storage space to save, organize, describe, and share their favorite photos with their favorite people.

The workshop will be held on Friday, February 19th from 12pm-1pm in Weinberg Memorial Library Room 306.  If interested, be sure to register for a seat at www.scranton.edu/ctleregistration, under Special Events.  All University faculty and staff are welcome.

Photo collage (made using Picasa) is courtesy of Flickr user Burnt Pixel, under a Creative Commons license.

Mardi Gras at the Library!

This Tuesday night (Feb 16) from 8pm to 11pm the Library will be hosting a gaming night for Scranton students.

"Come enjoy yourself at the Library on Tuesday Night, with me, Mario!"

Students will have the entire Heritage Room to themselves to kick back, socialize, eat, and play some games!

There will be three Wii consoles on three different televisions and students will have the option to play Mario Kart, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games, Wii Fit, Wii Sports, and Rock Band. For those students who prefer classic gaming over video gaming there will also be various board games set up along the room.

Not yet intrigued?

What if the Library throws in Pizza, Wings, Soda, Chips, and Candy in the mix for you!

Still not enough?

OK, OK. How about three $10 Amazon gift cards that every student who shows up has a chance of winning regardless of one’s gaming skills?

We figured that would get your attention! See you at the Library!

The Ritsuko Sato Exhibit

Artwork of Ritsuko Sato The Weinberg Memorial Library is featuring the artwork of Ritsuko Sato of Kurashiki City Japan. Curator Kazuaki Kishimoto of the Nagi Museum of Contemporary Art stated “Sato’s work is by no means subtle or predictable. Her often deformed motifs dynamically combine chaotic and random strokes with bright vibrant colors. The effects are almost childlike in their innocence, revealing Sato’s unique impressions and interpretations of the world around her.” The exhibit will run from February 8 through April 25.

Book Sale 2010: The Preparations Begin

We’re T-minus 73 days to the kickoff of Book & Plant Sale 2010, and the Library staff is already busy getting ready for our biggest annual event.  Clear your calendar for April 24 and 25, since this year’s sale promises to be one of our best yet.

The Library has started collecting donations of used hardcover and paperback books, along with videos, CDs, records, and tag sale items.  If you’re doing some early spring cleaning and would like to donate, please drop off your contributions in the donation boxes at our Monroe Ave entrance.

Recruitment of this year’s class of volunteers has also begun. We’re looking for students, patrons, and friends of the Library to help us price, organize, and sell our books.  Give Barb E. a call at 570-941-4078 and let her know what times you’re available.

And in the meantime, feel free to start thinking about where you’ll start your browsing when the doors open. Cookbooks? Nonfiction? Barb’s famous “Special Treasures”? The fragrant flowering plants? Whichever section catches your eye, shop with a happy heart, knowing that your purchases benefit the Friends of the Library endowment fund and support the collections and services of the Weinberg Memorial Library.

Now Hiring: Tech-Savvy Students as Library TechCons

The Weinberg Memorial Library seeks to hire two talented, dedicated student workers to serve as Library Technology Consultants (TechCons).

TechCons are highly skilled student workers who support the work of the Weinberg Memorial Library. They are technology-savvy, self-driven, reliable, and able to work both independently as well as in a team environment. TechCons work approximately ten hours each week, with flexible scheduling, and gain valuable real-world experience and training.

TechCons are undergraduate or graduate students enrolled at The University of Scranton and are eligible for federal, state, or University work study funding.

The Weinberg Memorial Library currently has two open TechCon positions:

Digitization TechCon
This TechCon supports the Library’s digitization initiatives and reports to the Digital Services Librarian.  Monday-Friday, daytime hours only. Job responsibilities for this position include:

  • Digitizing photographs, negatives, and documents from the University’s Special Collections.
  • Contributing technical information to digital collections metadata, conforming to standards set by the Digital Services Librarian.
  • Copying and distributing digital images requested by Library patrons.
  • Promoting digital collections with postings to the Library’s Flickr account, etc.
  • Performing other digitization duties as assigned.

Preferred qualifications for this position include:

  • Experience with Adobe Photoshop
  • High level of attention to detail

Library Outreach TechCon
This TechCon supports the Library’s Public Services initiatives and reports to the Library’s Evening Public Services Librarian. Afternoon, evening and some weekend hours available. Job responsibilities for this position include:

  • Publicizing Library events and services using the Library’s social media presence (with regular postings to the Library’s blog, Flickr, Facebook, and Twitter accounts).
  • Researching the usage of social media tools at other libraries.
  • Preparing informational slides, images, and video for the Library’s new television displays.
  • Photographing Library events and activities.
  • Assisting the Public Services Librarians in planning outreach activities. Potential projects include gaming events and Earth Week.
  • Assisting the Digital Services Librarian and Digitization TechCon in promoting digital collections.
  • Assisting with other special projects as needed.

Preferred qualifications for this position include:

  • Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Flash, and Powerpoint
  • Familiarity with Mac operating system and software
  • Experience with audio/video editing and graphic design
  • Excellent written communication skills
  • Familiarity with social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter, and with current social media trends and culture

If you are interested in either position, please email Digital Services Librarian Kristen Yarmey-Tylutki at yarmeyk2@scranton.edu with your name, Royal Number, major, expected graduation date, and either a resume or a brief statement of your qualifications.  Please also note whether you are eligible for federal or state work study.