Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, there is no technical support for printers or computers from
4 p.m. Wednesday, November 24 until 3:30 p.m. Sunday, November 23, 2010.
Edelstein on Shakespeare
One of the reasons why I love working at Weinberg Library is because it gives me the opportunity to hear some of the great speakers the University attracts. On Wednesday, November 17th, Barry Edelstein spoke about his Broadway production of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice starring Al Pacino as Shylock. Edelstein discussed whether or not the play is antisemitic. He claimed that it depends on the context and the interpreter; and he highly recommended two books which are in the Weinberg Library collection: Shakespeare and the Jews by James Shapiro (PR2825 .S44 1996) and John Gross’ Shylock : a legend and its legacy (PR2825 .G76 1992) . His hopeful conclusion was that time passes, and that human society grows, “we know what hatred costs and we can put an end to it”, and “hatred destroys; staging it-heals.”
Kathy Rinaggio, quoted in the New York Times
Taking the extra time to be courteous, Kathleen Rinaggio, ambassador for the University of Scranton and Weinberg Library Circulation Clerk, changed an ordinary day for a visiting New York Times writer into an “unexpected little moment” that “was the high point of my staycation”, said Joe Queenan in a recent essay. A discussion of “That Championship Season”, a play written by Jason Miller, started Kathy’s trip down memory lane. Reminiscing about Robert Mitchum, Martin Sheen and Paul Sorvino, Kathy – an extra in the 1982 film version of Miller’s play – shared her experiences with Queenan. Kathy then suggested The Piazza dell’Arte as Queenan’s next stop in downtown Scranton. Commenting on the bust of Jason Miller there, Queenan stated that “Putting up a statue honoring a writer that hailed from Scranton shows more imagination and class.”
Queenan’s essay ” Post Cards From My Literary Staycation” in the New York Times can be found at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/books/review/Queenan-t.html
Suraya Pakzad speaks on women’s rights in Afghanistan
Voice of Women Organization’s executive director, Suraya Pakzad, was on campus today to discuss “Afghanistan on the Ground: A Woman’s View” at our final Fall 2010 Schemel Forum World Affairs Briefing.
Ms. Pakzad discussed the difficult conditions experienced by women in Afghanistan and her fight to improve women’s rights in her country, despite many threats to her family’s safety. She thanked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and American and international troops for their support, without which she said that her work over the past ten years would not have been possible. However, Ms. Pazkad also noted that a “bridge of understanding” is desperately needed between the American and Afghani peoples: “Why are our nations so far from each other? Why can’t we understand each other as we should?” “We need you to stay with us,” she added. “We have to acknowledge and respect each other.”
Many thanks to Ms. Pakzad and to our Schemel Forum director, Sondra Myers, for organizing this event and contributing to the bridge of understanding.
UPDATE: Many of the attendees of this session have been asking about how they can contribute to Ms. Pakzad’s organization. Tax deductible contributions can be made by making checks out to Traveling Mercies and designating Voice of Women Organization in the memo section. Please send the checks to Sondra Myers at the address below, and she will send them along to Traveling Mercies.
Sondra Myers, Director
The Schemel Forum
The University of Scranton
Scranton, PA 18510
Green Team River Walk
Saturday morning members of the Weinberg’s Green Team attended a walk and orientation along the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority’s Heritage Trail, starting at the River Walk section off of Olive Street. The weather was perfect–sunny but cool. We learned about the construction of the trail and the history of the city and what previously stood on spots along the river. Our guide, Ashlyn Gomez, director of community engagement at LHVA, showed pictures of specific landmarks and bridges, and also pointed out trees and plants along the walk. One highlight was the view of the train terminal on Lackawanna Ave.
We traveled further along the trail, into South Side, behind the sports complex and shopping center. The walk provided an interesting perspective on the city, one that we don’t often get to see but should take full advantage of. It was nice to encounter others running and walking their dogs. Bikers are also welcome on the trail, but motorized vehicles are not.
A writer from the Scranton Times joined us as well! You can check out their write up and some pictures from yesterday’s paper.
The Green Team looks forward to utilizing the trail and sharing it with others as well. I think we are all enthused by the prospects that the day provided.
Royalmail and My.Scranton Downtime 11/20
Royalmail and My.Scranton will be unavailable on Saturday, November 20th from 6:00am – 12:00pm. The servers are being moved to the new computing environment.
Gamers know best…
The Library plans to host another Gaming night during the Spring Semester and this time we would like to know what works best for you.
By taking the following extremely short survey, the Library can plan what Month and Day of the week would best suit our Student’s schedules.
We are also looking for feedback and suggestions, so if you have any ideas please add it to the comment boxes.
The survey will probably take you less than a minute to complete and here it is:
Afghanistan on the Ground: A Woman’s View
Don’t forget, you have one final chance to enjoy this fall’s Schemel Forum World Affairs Briefing luncheons! On Tuesday, November 16 at 12pm, executive director of Voice of Women Suraya Pakzad will be on campus to speak on “Afghanistan on the Ground: A Woman’s View.”
In a country where females are second-class citizens, Pakzad overcame formidable obstacles to receive an education and more recently, under the oppressive Taliban rule, risked her life to set up covert schools for girls and spread the light of knowledge to the future mothers of her country. Her presentation will focus on the most recent developments in Afghanistan regarding empowering women with basic rights. She will also emphasize, in the wake of the exit of international forces and aid agencies, the need for the United States and its allies to “see us through the transition and not repeat the mistakes of leaving us in the middle of nowhere.”
You won’t want to miss Ms. Pakzad’s inspiring story of struggle for women’s rights in Afghanistan. Please register with Kym Fetsko at fetskok2@scranton.edu – and invite a friend to come along with you!
Schemel Forum Videos Posted
Did you miss some of this fall’s Schemel Forum World Affairs briefing luncheons? You can catch two more of them online, thanks to the University’s Public Relations office.
On October 22nd, Northeast Pennsylvania native Michael Greenberger, who served with the Clinton Administration, discussed new developments in U.S. terrorism enforcement.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgK6qLBLVD0]
And on October 27th, Goodwin Cooke, Professor Emeritus of International Studies at Syracuse University spoke about “China Today: What We Need to Know.”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZD0Uul_1-M]
There’s just one more luncheon scheduled for this fall – Suraya Pakzad, founder and executive director of the Voice of Women Organization, will speak on Monday, November 16 at 12pm. Be sure to contact Kym Fetsko at fetskok2@scranton.edu if you’d like to attend!
Fabric Recycling Drive
If you have any old and used fabric that you are looking to get rid of…
The Friends of the Poor is sponsoring a Recyclable Fabric Drive.
They are accepting old, used, torn, stained, and tattered fabric items, which include: Clothings, Shoes, Boots, Outerwear, Sheets, Blankets, Pillows, Towels, Curtains, Tablecloths, Bedspreads, Back-packs, Purses, Belts, Socks, Hates, Gloves, Stuffed animals, Area rugs, etc..
The Drop off location is at:
Our Lady of Peace Parking Lot
University Ave (Marywood U. Campus)
Scranton, PA
Come by on:
Thursday November 4, from 8am to 5pm
Friday, November 5, from 8am to 5pm
Satuday, November 6, from 8am to 5pm
Sunday, November 7, from Noon to 3pm