Spring Book Talk Schedule

Julie Billiart, Woman of Courage, by Roseanne Murphy
Maureen Beck, Director of Library Services
Thursday, Jan. 17, 3pm, Library
Julie Billiart had to face much adversity in her life: the turmoil in France prior to the French Revolution as well as severe physical challenges with which she lived much of her life. Yet she persevered and founded the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, a religious order of women which has encircled the globe, bringing the Catholic faith as well as social justice and education to the poor. This story of her life and works serves as inspiration in our own turbulent times.

Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting, by Robert McKee
Christopher Llewellyn Reed, Assistant Professor of Film, Video and Theatre
Thursday, Jan 31, 2008, 3pm, Library
Since its publication, Robert McKee's Story has become the leading source of narrative writing ideas in Hollywood and beyond. More than just a formulaic screenwriting guide, Story helps us understand what kinds of stories move us most deeply. If we know this, we can truly know ourselves.

The Zahir: A Novel of Obsession, by Paulo Coelho
Heather Harris, Special Assistant to the President, Director of Multicultural Affairs and Assistant Professor of Communication Arts
Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008, 2pm, Library
The Zahir encourages us to think about the concepts of love and commitment in different ways.

The Devil's Details: A History of Footnotes, by Chuck Zerby
The Little Book of Plagiarism, by Judge Richard A. Posner
The Footnote: A Curious History, by Anthony Grafton
Joseph McGraw, Esq., Department Chair, Humanities and Public History; Assistant Professor of History
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2008, 3pm, Library
A book talk on, not one, but three (but very brief) related books -- Chuck Zerby's The Devil's Details: A History of Footnotes, Judge Richard A Posner's The Little Book of Plagiarism, and Anthony Grafton's The Footnote: A Curious History. These books explore the important connections (usually never considered) between the "problem" of plagiarism stalking the halls of high schools, colleges and academic and professional publishing and the "solution" of properly using footnotes. These three books raise a number of thought-provoking ideas about both the "problem" and the "solution"--the most radical of which is that plagiarism may not be the problem and footnotes may not be the solution.

History of Madness, by Michel Foucault
Alex Hooke, Professor of Philosophy
Monday, Apr. 14, 2008, 3pm, Library
Solitary confinement, iron cages, ice water treatments, burning the flesh, the straitjacket...images from a modern prison? No, they are devices marking the birth of modern psychology. At least according to History of Madness, by Michel Foucault, one of the most innovative and influential thinkers of the 20th century. The complete edition has finally been translated into English.

Contact - Carol Maxwell (x2535)

Cambridge Collections Online Trial

Take a look at Cambridge Collections Online during our trial period from now until Dec. 25th. "Cambridge Companions are lively, accessible introductions to major writers, artists, philosophers, topics and periods. All are collections of specially commissioned essays, shaped and introduced to appeal to student readers." After checking it out, let us know what you think of it by commenting below.

What is Central Search?

Central Search is a new tool acquired by the library that lets you search numerous databases at the same time using a single interface. If you're not sure which database to use, or want to see which database is likely to have the most relevant content, Central Search will show you results from all selected databases. It will also link you to a full text article, if it is available. There are several ways to refine your search, and results can be clustered by topic or database. Central Search will also search the SHARC library catalog at the same time it searches the databases. Ask one of the librarians for a demonstration to learn more about Central Search!

Library Director Blog

Check out Library Director Maureen Beck's blog called "The Library is the Heart..." As Maureen says, "This will be my way of keeping the Villa Julie Community apprised of what is new in the library." There are many things happening in the VJC Library so if you're wondering what that big screen TV in the Maryland Room is for, read about it in Maureen's blog!

Books That Inspire

A workshop on Books That Inspire was held by Dr. Heather Harris Carter during New Student Days. Listed below are the students who participated and the books that inspire them.

Participants:
Courtney Wolford
Melissa Leiser
Christin Dicker
Arden Haley
Bryan Halfpop
Kristina Moore

Books:
The Autobiography of Malcolm X- Alex Haley
By the River Piedra, I Sat Down and Wept- Paulo Coelho
Interview with a Vampire- Anne Rice
Life of Pi-Yann Martel
Lord of the Flies- William Golding
Magnus or Wings of Dawn- Sigmund Brouwer
Night-Elie Wiesel
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants- Ann Brashares
The Vampire Lestat- Anne Rice
A Woman of Substance- Barbara Taylor Bradford

More suggestions for life-changing reading can be found in You've Got to Read This Book, compiled by Jack Canfield, Gay Hendricks, with Carol Kline. (Z1003.Y68 2006).

Bring Your Own Headphones

The Library will no longer be able to loan headphones out due to health reasons. Library patrons must bring their own headphones, effective immediately.

New Databases: OED, Historical Statistics, AP Images

We're adding three new databases this Fall. All can be accessed from the DATABASES link on the library's homepage:

The Oxford English Dictionary. Second Edition, Third Edition...it's all here in addition to latest new entries. You can browse, select how to display entries, and find a term when you know the meaning but have forgotten the term. A page with sample assignments to help you learn the ins and outs of using OED Online can be found here: http://dictionary.oed.com/learning/university/worksheet.html

Historical Statistics was last updated 30 years ago by the Census Bureau and has now finally been updated again (and expanded) by several academic organizations and a slew of scholars. It's also in electronic format so the data can be tabulated and charted for different research purposes. New research and new data contained in this new "Millenial Edition" make this an exciting addition to our database offerings.

AP Images is a treasure trove of over a million photos from the Associated Press, some dating back to the 1820's. The photos can be searched by keyword, location and date. The Help pages are clear and offer a good introduction to what is available as well as how to use the images once you find them.