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!

The International Film Series Presents: Her

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Image courtesy of Warner Bros.

Set in Los Angeles in the not-too-distant future Her leaves the viewer with plenty to think about and discuss. It tells the story of Theodore a lonely writer who is having trouble accepting the break-up of his marriage. When he purchases a new operating system, OS1, which is advertised with the words “It’s not just an operating system; it’s a consciousness,” his life begins to change. Before long Theodore comes to depend on “Samantha,” the voice of his constantly evolving operating system. When the relationship becomes intimate, it leaves both of them wondering if a romance between a human being and a cyber consciousness can be sustained.

Directed by Spike Jonze, Her is in English and stars Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams.

Please join us on Wednesday April 13th at 7 p.m. in Room 305 of the Weinberg Memorial Library for this free event. Professor Donna Witek will lead a discussion following the film.

Please note: This film portrays adult situations and language.

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

Friends of the Weinberg Library – February Leaves of Class Drawing

LandingPageButton_LOCDidn’t win the January Leaves of Class drawing? Don’t worry, there’s still eleven chances to win in 2016! We will pull February’s winner on Monday, February 29th!
 
Look at February’s fabulous prizes: Tasty Freeze Ice Cream gift certificates, two bunny bowls – courtesy of William Varady, $250 cash – courtesy of Dolores Groncki, a 5-class card from Jaya Yoga Studio, a basket of natural lotions (and more) for face and body from Alchemy Home Company, gift certificates from Sanderson Place Salon & Spa Scranton, Carl von Luger Steak & Seafood, The Olive Garden and Nada & Co., two general admission tickets to a Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic performance with Mark Laubauch, two tickets to the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library’s Distinguished Author event honoring Stephen Karam and two tickets to an Actors Circle performance of The Big Meal.
 
For more information or to purchase tickets: www.scranton.edu/leaves

New Streaming Video Trial from Swank Digital Campus

The Weinberg Memorial Library is pleased to announce a trial of Swank Digital Campus streaming service. This pilot is made available through our membership in PALCI, the Pennsylvania Academic Library Consortium, Inc., and offers streaming access to 300 feature films for academic use.  List of titles

Swank Digital Campus allows students, faculty and staff to view licensed content on an individual basis using personal computers and mobile devices (iOS and Android). Browsers may require a plugin installation. For mobile devices, download the Swank Media Player App. Students, faculty and staff may access the films by searching under “S” in the library’s A-Z database.  

Faculty and staff can show content in a secured classroom setting to registered students for specific course support or clearly defined academic purpose. Any cross-campus promotion for classroom viewings, large screen event showings or availability of individual titles is strictly prohibited.

The trial runs through June 30, 2016.

For more information about this trial, please contact sharon.finnerty@scranton.edu.

The International Film Series Presents: Illegal

Photo courtesy of Film Movement.
Photo courtesy of Film Movement.

 

Please join us on Friday March 11, 2016 at 7 p.m. in Room 305 of the Weinberg Memorial Library for a free presentation of the Belgian drama “Illegal.”

Film Movement describes the film as the story of Tania a former teacher from Russia, living illegally in Belgium with her son, Ivan. One day she is stopped for a routine check by the police and is arrested. Separated from Ivan, who manages to escape, she is placed in an immigration detention center for women and children. While utterly refusing to face expulsion, Tania begins a fight to preserve her dignity, identity and humanity, as well as find her son.

Directed by Olivier Masset-Depasse, “Illegal” is in French and Russian with English subtitles. Dr. Marzia Caporale 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.

Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon at the Library

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In a 2011 survey, the Wikimedia Foundation found that less than 10% of its contributors are female. As a result, many entries on notable women in history are absent from this repository of shared knowledge. In honor of Women’s History Month and the Art+Feminism Wikipedia Project, the Weinberg Memorial Library is hosting a Wikipedia workshop and edit-a-thon on Saturday, March 5th from 12PM-4PM. Please join us for a day of communal editing to create and improve Wikipedia articles on women! Snacks and refreshments will be provided!

PJ Tabit ’10, a member of the Board of Directors of the Wiki Education Foundation, will be stopping by the edit-a-thon to share some of the innovative uses of Wikipedia that are supported by the foundation.

This event is aimed at addressing Wikipedia’s gender gap and encouraging female editorship. New editors will learn how Wikipedia articles are created, shared and audited. The event will include Wikipedia training for new editors.  No previous experience or advanced technical skills required!  To RSVP, email archives@scranton.edu

If you have suggestions of local women absent from Wikipedia, please share your ideas! And, check out our meet-up page for more event details and updates: Wikipedia:Meetup/Scranton/ArtAndFeminism 2016/University of Scranton

Last year, over 1,500 participants at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, along with more than 75 node events around the world, created nearly 400 new pages and improved 500 articles on Wikipedia. To learn more about the outcomes of previous edit-a-thons, visit: Wikipedia:Meetup/ArtAndFeminism/Outcomes

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Films for Veterans Day

Celebrate Veterans Day by picking up a patriotic film displayed in Media Resources. Our military men and women have been portrayed in many films over the years. Watch the story of an African-American sailor who dreamed of becoming a U.S. Navy Master Diver in Men of Honor. The movie Flags of Our Fathers boldly explores the complex nature of heroism, bravery and patriotism in the harrowing true story of four Marines during WWII and how a single photo emerged as one of the most enduring icons of the 20th century. If you’d like a local story of courage, try the extraordinary docudrama Gino Merli: the Healing Hero. These movies along with American Sniper, The Best Years of Our Lives, Legends of the Fall and many others remind us of all our Veterans have done for us. Stop in to check one out.

The International Film Series Presents: “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”

 

WYSLMT - US Poster - hires
Photo courtesy of Film Movement.

 

Please join us on Wednesday November 18, 2015 at 7 p.m. in Room 305 of the Weinberg Memorial Library for a free presentation of the Taiwanese comedy “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”

Film Movement describes the film as a lighthearted comedic romp, where introvert Weichung begins to question his marriage to Feng when she signals she’s ready to have another baby, and an unexpected encounter with a friend from his past awakens long-dormant emotions. It all sets him off on a quest for true romance and desire.

Directed by Arvin Chen “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” is in Mandarin with English subtitles. Dr. Ann Pang-White will lead a discussion following the film.

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

The Weinberg Memorial Library and Scranton Reads Present: “Rebel Without a Cause”

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Image courtesy of Warner Bros.

 

The Weinberg Memorial Library and Scranton Reads: One City, One Book Initiative present a free screening of  “Rebel Without a Cause”. This landmark film about alienated youth follows the tormented central characters during a single tumultuous night. James Dean, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo star as the angst-filled teens.

Join us for this classic film on Friday October 9, 2015 at 7 p.m. in Room 305 of the Weinberg Memorial Library. Kevin Norris will lead a discussion following the film and refreshments will be provided.

This screening is held in conjunction with the Albright Memorial Library and is open to the public.

Contact sharon.finnerty@scranton.edu for reservations or information.

The International Film Series Presents:”Like Water for Chocolate”

Like water for choc miramax
Image courtesy of Miramax.

“Like Water for Chocolate” (Como Agua para Chocolate) is an internationally popular Mexican film that focuses on Tita, a young woman who discovers that her cooking has magical effects on others. Tita is the youngest of three daughters who is bound by tradition to remain unmarried so she can cook and care for her aging mother. When Tita falls in love with the handsome Pedro, her mother forbids their marriage. To remain close to Tita, Pedro agrees to marry her sister, Rosaura. This, of course, complicates life for everyone and Tita’s feelings are transferred to the delicious meals she creates.

Directed by Alfonso Arau this award-winning Mexican film is in Spanish with English subtitles.

Please join us on Thursday October 1st at 7 p.m. in Room 305 of the Weinberg Memorial Library for this free event. Dr. Ileana Szymanski will lead a discussion following the film.

Please note: This film portrays adult situations and language.

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