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.

Thanksgiving reading material available for the whole family!

This is Young Readers’ Week! Founded in 1989, Young Readers’ Week is always celebrated in mid-November. Did you know that the Weinberg Memorial Library houses a circulating collection of children’s literature in the EdLab, which is located on the 3rd floor of the library, within the Media Resources Collection? Developed to support the curriculum of the University’s Department of Education, the EdLab includes math and science kits with manipulatives for grades K-12, as well as fiction and non-fiction books. Any member of our University community can borrow materials. Whether you are a future educator, parent, or just looking to revisit your childhood favorites, stop by and check out our EdLab resources!

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.

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!

Spotlight on Student Worker Jennifer Felix

Jennifer Felix, a Sociology major with a minor in Philosophy from Paterson, New Jersey, has worked in Media Resources/EdLab for the past two years where she enjoys helping students choose movies and books. She is friendly, responsible and likes sharing her ideas with others.

In addition to her studies and working in the library, Jennifer works for the University Police Department as a student officer. She also spends time playing basketball, listening to music and hanging out with friends. Her favorite movie is The Lizzie McGuire Movie and her favorite author and philosopher is Friedrich Nietzsche. People might be surprised to learn that Jennifer reads quotes by Nietzsche before going to sleep. Her favorite quote is “to have to combat one’s instincts—that is the formula for decadence: as long as life is ascending, happiness and instinct are one”.

After graduation in May, Jennifer would like to become part of a team that will help her achieve her life and career goals.

Thank you Jennifer for your hard work and enthusiasm. We wish you a happy and fulfilling future!

Spotlight on Student Worker: Kyle Kasman

Kyle Kasman is in the student-worker spotlight this week.  Hailing from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Kyle began working in Media Resources/Edlab two years ago while pursuing his doctorate in Physical Therapy. Kyle has an outgoing personality, and he most enjoys connecting with other people and finding new movies and books about their interests. Kyle’s excellent organizational skills and attention to detail have helped to keep Media Resources running smoothly. His advice to other students is to take advantage of all the services the Library has to offer and to ask the librarians for help.

A member of the PT Club, Kyle is involved in Seniorcise, an exercise program for seniors, and he assists in coordinating a local wheelchair basketball tournament. His hobbies include playing guitar, photography, hiking, kayaking and camping. You might be surprised to learn that Kyle used to sing and play guitar in a band that was almost signed to a record label!

Kyle is currently completing his clinical internships. His favorite professor is Dr. Leininger and his favorite class is Orthopedics, so it’s fitting that one of Kyle’s career goals is to become a Physical Therapist who specializes in Orthopedics.

Thank you Kyle, for all you have done here! We wish you all the best in the future.

The International Film Series Presents: The Black Balloon

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Image courtesy of Neoclassics Films Ltd.

When Thomas and his family move to a new home and he has to start at a new school, he just wants to fit in. That becomes more difficult when his pregnant mother is hospitalized and his father puts him in charge of his autistic older brother Charlie. Thomas struggles with the responsibility since he both loves and is sometimes embarrassed by his older brother. Will the support of his family and new girlfriend be enough to help Thomas fit in and accept his often chaotic family life?

Director Elissa Down drew on her experiences growing up with two autistic brothers, and she offers a realistic and sympathetic look at a family with an autistic teenager.  The Black Balloon is in English and stars Rhys Wakefield, Gemma Ward and Toni Collette.

Please join us on Wednesday May 4th at 7 p.m. in Room 305 of the Weinberg Memorial Library for this free event. Professor Allison Lai will lead a discussion following the film.

This event is open to faculty, staff, students, and the public. Please email sharon.finnerty@scranton.edu for more information.

Spotlight on Student Worker: Brandon McKenzie

A psychology major from Westchester, New York Brandon McKenzie began working in Media Resources/EdLab in the fall of 2014 and as his graduation date gets closer, the Library would like to thank him for his hard work and commitment.

Brandon is helpful and friendly to all patrons and his interest in films and theater make him a great fit for Media Resources/EdLab. He is involved in the Liva Arts Company, a non-profit, student-run organization designed to serve the academic, social, and cultural needs of the University of Scranton. It produces two musicals each year. Last spring Brandon played the part of Roger in Rent and he will be playing Doody in the upcoming production of Grease. He’s also a member of Colleges Against Cancer, a club that plans events on campus to raise money for the American Cancer Society and brings awareness about cancer to the student body. His hobbies include playing music and reading, and his favorite books are the Maze Runner series. Something people would be surprised to learn about Brandon is that he is in an episode in the second season of The Good Wife.

Brandon has a variety of interests and his career aspirations include being a counseling psychologist, actor, musician and personal trainer.

Thank you for your hard work Brandon and congratulations on your upcoming graduation!