You may have noticed that our mulit-touch Ideum Platform table has been out of order recently. We have been working on fixing the device, with no luck. Ideum is going to be sending us a new monitor that will hopefully solve the problem. We will let you know when it is back up and running! 
Monday, 3/24 – Obama and the World in Historical Perspective
Join us on Monday 3/24 for a
Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon
with Pulitzer Prize-winning historian
Fredrik Logevall
“Obama and the World in Historical Perspective”
How should we judge Barack Obama’s foreign policy as he approaches the midpoint of his second term? And how does he compare to his predecessors in his approach to the world? In this lecture Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Fredrik Logevall places Obama’s foreign policy in historical context, with particular attention to Wilsonianism.
Noon to 1:30pm, Brennan Hall, Rose Room, 5th floor
RSVP Here or email emily.brees@scranton.edu
Spotlight on Student Workers: Gabrielle Gorton
It’s no surprise that Gabrielle Gorton is this week’s featured student worker. Gabby has only worked in the Special Collections Department for about a year, but the Library is grateful for all of her hard work on a variety of projects.
Gabby has assisted with processing negatives from the Terry and Paula Connors Photograph Collection and has also accessioned files from the Office of the Provost into the Archives. Last spring Gabby volunteered at the Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale. Her major project at the moment is helping Special Collections Librarian Michael Knies organize his research that he gathered from the British National Library while on sabbatical in January.
Gabby is an Early Childhood Education major, and this semester she is completing a field placement in a first grade classroom. She is involved in various education clubs on campus and plans to graduate in the fall after finishing her student teaching placement. Her outgoing and ambitious nature, along with her passion for education, will certainly prove valuable in a successful teaching career.
As an outdoor enthusiast Gabby loves horseback riding and camping, but currently most of her free time is spent excitedly planning her upcoming October wedding.
Gabby enjoys how friendly and helpful the Library staff is. Her recommendation for other students is to take the time to become familiar with the Library and the many resources that it offers.
Thank you, Gabby, for all of your support to the Library!
Vinyl LPs For Sale at The Weinberg
I like the portability of digital music, but a recent donation of vinyl LPs to the library has me waxing nostalgic.
Beyond the superior sound quality of an LP over an MP3, what I really like about an album is the give and take between listener and music, the lesson it teaches.
A record needs to be taken care of, looked after.
You need to keep it clean, dust it, handle it carefully; the slightest slip leaves a scar, too much sun or too much heat make it wilt.
The interaction of gravity’s weight against the groove is like life’s path.
The surface noise of nicks and scratches, the occasional skip; they all fade into the music … become a part of it — the price we pay for living full.
The beauty/the imperfection. The fragile/the eternal.
And they’re pretty cheap, too! Stop by and take one for a spin!
All proceeds benefit Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library.
Request for Authors and Illustrators to Speak Up for Pennsylvania Libraries
PA Forward is seeking authors and illustrators to write up short narratives about their support for Pennsylvania Libraries. Please pass on the letter below to anyone who may be interested in helping. They are particularly looking for anyone who has published books of interest to the general public or school age children. Thanks for your help in spreading the word.
PA Forward is a campaign by the Pennsylvania Library Association to promote public, academic, and school libraries and ensure that all Pennsylvania libraries have what they need to help people reach their greatest potential and meet the demands of the 21st century life. This initiative establishes new public-private partnerships and builds on the belief that libraries are uniquely positioned to help Pennsylvanians improve their command of five types of literacy essential to greater success in all vital roles of life, from citizens, students, and parents, to employers, employees, and consumers. The five areas of focus are basic literacy, information literacy, civic and social literacy, health literacy, and financial literacy.
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The Pennsylvania Library Association is proud to introduce the “PA Forward Speak Up! Authors & Illustrators Speak Up for PA Libraries” initiative. This initiative places Pennsylvania authors and illustrators in the spotlight, increasing support for libraries everywhere during a critical period of economic downturn. As a partner and spokesperson, your involvement can help fuel the dialogue on Pennsylvania libraries and the key role these institutions play in the economic, social and educational fabric of our state.
Your leadership comes at a true watershed moment for libraries everywhere. With Americans facing economic uncertainty, high unemployment rates, and the dizzying pace of an increasingly digital world, libraries remain the great equalizer. While statistics show us that library usage is up in unprecedented numbers, reports from libraries around the country tell us that tight city and state budgets are closing library doors, reducing collections and resources, and ultimately reducing access when it’s needed most.
The library community is keenly aware of this irony, but our message is heard best when it’s delivered by those outside of the library, particularly those who can speak eloquently and articulately about the value of libraries and the issues facing them. And who better than individuals whose works are the very reason we have libraries: authors like you. Authors are natural allies of libraries. You appreciate them as a quiet space to write or do research and you understand that the library that houses your books immortalizes your words and ideas.
Please visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QF6YH52 and provide us with the information we need for our grassroots campaign. If you have any questions feel free to email at mstern@delcolibraries.org.
2nd Call for Art!
Don’t forget to work on your environmentally themed art project while on Spring Break, so you can submit to the library’s Environmental Art Show.
The art show exhibits all types of environmentally themed artwork from University of Scranton Students, Staff, and Faculty.
All submissions can be brought to either the circulation desk or the reference desk. Items will be returned at the close of the Art Show on April 24.
The International Film Series Presents: Shun Li and the Poet
Please join us at 7:00 p.m. on Friday March 28, 2014 in Room 305 of the Weinberg Memorial Library for a free presentation of the Italian drama Shun Li and the Poet. Professor Allison Lai will lead a discussion following the film.
This award-winning film tells the story of two outsiders who become unlikely friends. Shun Li works in a textile factory near Rome, slowly paying off the broker that brought her from China to Italy, while saving money so she can bring her young son to join her. She is suddenly transferred to work as a bartender at a pub in a small fishing village along the Venetian Lagoon. The pub is the hangout of the local fishermen, including Bepi, a handsome old Slav immigrant nicknamed “The Poet.” A delicate friendship, based in part on their love of poetry, grows between Shun Li and Bepi, but the locals don’t approve, and gossip soon threatens their innocent relationship. Zhao Tao earned Best Actress honors at the 2012 David di Donatello Awards for her portrayal of Shun Li.
Directed by Andrea Segre, Shun Li and the Poet is in Italian and Mandarin with English subtitles.
This event is open to faculty, staff, students and the public. Please email sharon.finnerty@scranton.edu for reservations.
Calling all Student, Faculty, and Staff Arts and Crafts Vendors
The Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library are currently seeking applications from University of Scranton student, faculty, and staff Arts and Crafts vendors for the 2014 Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale. The annual Friends of the Library Book Sale will be held in the Library’s 5th floor Heritage Room Friday, April 25th (preview sale for members and students), 4pm-9pm; Saturday, April 26th, 9am-9pm, and Sunday, April 27th, noon-4pm.
Vendor applications are due by Friday, April, 4th. Vendors will be notified of acceptance by Friday, April 11th. Approval of applications is space permitting. The Friends of the Library accept only vendors who are selling items that they have created themselves and reserve the right to reject any applicant who does not meet these criteria.
The table space fee is $5.00 per day due prior to table set-up each day with a discounted fee of $10.00 for table space for all three days. The Friends of the Library are not responsible for the loss or damage to any items. The vendors are required to properly staff their tables and are responsible for the sale and security of their merchandise.
For more information or to fill out an application, please visit the Library’s Circulation Desk or contact Barb Evans at (570) 941-4078 or barbara.evans@scranton.edu.
Friday, March 14th – Nasser’s Egypt & the Origins of the Arab Spring
Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon
Friday, March 14th, 12 pm – 1:30pm
Rose Room, Brennan Hall, 5th Floor
Nasser’s Egypt & the Origins of the Arab Spring
Jesse Ferris, Ph.D.
Vice President for Strategy at the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem
The lecture will focus on the subject of Ferris’ book, Nasser’s Gamble: How Intervention in Yemen Caused the Six-Day War and the Decline of Egyptian Power, demonstrating how Nasser’s missteps set the stage for the decline of Arab nationalism and the rise of political Islam.
Book signing will follow the lecture.
RSVP Here or email emily.brees@scranton.edu
Bill Strickland’s Schemel Forum Talk Now Available for Viewing
Bill Strickland’s Schemel Forum talk from February 10th is now available for viewing on
The University of Scranton Youtube channel.
Click here to watch and be inspired!