Urbanized
Posted: March 29, 2012 Filed under: Ekstrom Library, Videos Leave a comment »What makes a city great? How are cities designed? Which comes first in city planning priorities: the person or the vehicle? These are some of the questions broached by Urbanized, a documentary film by Gary Hustwit.
A couple weeks ago I attended “Creating a Healthy, Vibrant Louisville,” one of the Sustainable City Series forums, and heard Gil Peñalosa speak about great transformative changes to cities. The Sustainable City Series was created by the University of Louisville’s Urban Design Studio to “raise the community’s awareness of better design practices for our built environment with a focus on moving our city and region towards a sustainable future.”
Peñalosa’s brother Enrique is one of the featured speakers in Urbanized. I really wanted to see the film, but the library didn’t have a copy. So I filled out the Order Recommendation Form and they got a copy!
The documentary takes the viewer around the world to see the successes and failures of cities in meeting the needs of their people. From bike lanes in Copenhagen to the streets of Bogotá, the documentary traces design decisions and the insightful programs that help turn dangerous or disconnected cities into one’s that thrive. The element that ties these programs together (or makes them fail, in its absence) is the focus on people. From a violent neighborhood in South Africa springs a safe walking zone. Government subsidies allow former slum dwellers in India to own and develop their own homes. And then there this heartbreaking story of planner-citizen disconnect in Stuttgart.
So whether you’re into design or urban planning or social change , I’d highly recommend this film.
Here’s a clip from the DVD’s extras to whet your appetite.
Urbanized is available in the Ekstrom Library SGA video collection.
UofL vs. UK
Posted: March 29, 2012 Filed under: Collections, Photographs, University Archives & Records Center Leave a comment »
In light of the big game this weekend, and an article in this week’s LEO about past Cards/Cats matchups, I found this photo from the 1959 yearbook.
Check out the complete run of UofL yearbooks online at
http://digital.library.louisville.edu/collections/yearbooks/
!
Magazines and Journals–What’s the Difference?
Posted: March 28, 2012 Filed under: Research Tips Leave a comment »Have you ever had to find a journal and when you did, later discovered it was a magazine? Or, maybe the reverse happened. Well, even when you have one of them in hand determining whether a source is a magazine, a scholarly journal, or even a trade journal can be tricky. Keep in mind, each is written with specific readers in mind, from the general public to educators like your professors who use scholarly journals for their research. And, some fall into more than one category.
As you progress in your studies more class assignments may require you to use sources that are scholarly. However, that does not mean magazines have no value in the landscape of higher education; as they are useful for finding current news information. Below is a table that offers guidance on some of the differences between each.
FYI:
- Magazines, journals and newspapers are all referred to as periodicals or serials.
- Periodical = Serial = a publication that comes out regularly (weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.) that uses a numbering system that is intended to continue indefinitely
While there are number of ways to access these sources in the UofL Libraries, you may want to start your search on Journal Finder. If you need more help call the Ekstrom Reference Desk at (502) 852-6747.
Jimmy Stewart gets classically political
Posted: March 20, 2012 Filed under: Ekstrom Library, Reviews | Tags: capra, movie review, politics, stewart, videos Leave a comment »by Brittney Thompson
Can one person really make a difference? Is all it really takes for one person’s voice to be heard? Director Frank Capra (It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town) attempts to answer these questions in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Jimmy Stewart (The Philadelphia Story, Harvey, Rear Window) stars as Jefferson Smith, an Everyman character who generations of audiences can’t help but get behind. Jefferson is naïve, but hopeful. As the den father of a boy scouts group, how could he be anything but kind and selfless for sake of his community? Unfortunately, the bigwigs in Washington take him as a simpleton and assume that Jefferson (along with being quite the patriot) will be easy to manipulate into carrying out misdeeds (as long as Jefferson believes what he is doing is for AMERICA) or to set him up as the perfect scapegoat. Ultimately, Mr. Smith is selected by Washington to replace a recently deceased senator if only because he is a ‘good ole boy’ who isn’t quite long in the tooth with politics yet. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington not only has an alluring plotline, but does great things with language. This is a movie that almost everyone knows by one scene (even if they’ve never seen the movie in full): the filibuster ordeal. Here is where some of the best speeches in film history are made. If anything, we could all take a lesson from Jefferson in public speaking. This film also works to spark the audience interests in politics for the previously apolitical. Running time is 2 hours and 15 minutes. The SGA movie collection has two copies.
The oldest books in the Art Library, Part VI
Posted: March 16, 2012 Filed under: Art Library, Books | Tags: rare books Leave a comment »This post continues the series on some of the earliest books in the Art Library’s collection, all of which are housed in the Art Library’s rare book room. If you want to see any of them, just ask at the desk.
Our next book to consider is another one with a very long title: Roma Subterranea Novissima : In Qua Post Antonium Bosium Antesignanum, Io: Severanum … et Celebres Alios Scriptores Antiqua Christianorum et Præcipue Martyrum Cœmeteria, Tituli, Monimenta, Epitaphia, Inscriptiones, ac Nobiliora Sanctorum Sepulchra Sex Libris Distincta Illustrantur et Quamplurimæ Res Ecclesiasticae Iconibus Graphice Describuntur, ac Multiplici Tum Sacra, Tum Profana Eruditione Declarantur. It was written by Antonio Bosio and published in 2 volumes in Rome in 1651.
Antonio Bosio (1575-1629) gave up the study of law at the age of 18 to devote himself to the study of early Christian history, particularly the Roman catacombs. He began his exploration of catacombs in 1593 and in the following years made many discoveries as he broke into numerous catacombs and cubiculum, small family tombs often decorated with frescoes. Because of his systematic exploration of the catacombs, he is considered the founder of the science of Christian archaeology.
In 1597 he completed the Historia passionis SS Martyrum Caeciliae (Rome, 1600), illustrated with engravings by Antonio Tempesta. Roma Sotterranea was published in Italian between 1632 and 1634, shortly after Bosio’s death and was profusely illustrated with plans and engravings by Francesco Fulcaro. The book was re-published by Paolo Aringhi in 1651, with considerable alterations and omissions, and it is this later edition, now with Novissima added to the title, which the Art Library owns.
Below is the title page and one of the interior pages of Roma Subterranea Novissima:
Why does the library collect rare books? Because they are primary source materials of art history, offering a first-hand account of an artist’s life, the first critical response to a building or painting, or a new theory of art or architecture. As the building blocks of art history, they remain relevant sources for researchers.
Top 10 Spring Break Movies
Posted: March 14, 2012 Filed under: Videos Leave a comment »Many people enjoy lists. So, here is a random Top 10 list of movies in Ekstrom’s Media Resources that are in step with Spring Break themes related to some form of student life. Media Resources is located on the first floor, east side. Movies can be checked out with your UofL I.D. For media related questions call them at (502) 852-6302. Enjoy the break!
1. Animal House (1978)
Summary: Faber College has one frat house so disreputable it will take anyone. The campus’s only other frat house is full of white, anglo-saxon, rich young men that no one can stand except Dean Wormer. The dean enlists the help of their fraternity to get the boys of Delta House off campus.
2. Dazed and Confused (1993)
Summary: Explores the last day of school — and one rowdy night — in the lives of a group of high school students in late May, 1976
3. EuroTrip (2004)
Summary: High school senior Scott forms an online friendship with German student Mieke to get a passing grade in his high school German class. When he finds out Mieke is a buxom blonde girl, he decides to travels to meet her with his pals. The group head to Berlin and it becomes the ultimate summer vacation party.
4.Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Summary: A comedy that chronicles the trials and tribulations of several high school students.
5. House Party (1990)
Summary: Kid, a typical teenager, has to deal with punks, an over-protective father, and beautiful best friends who want him to choose between them.
6. Legally Blonde (2001)
Summary: When a blonde sorority queen is dumped by her boyfriend, she decides to follow him to law school to get him back and, once there, learns she has more legal savvy than she ever imagined.
7. Old School (2002)
Summary: Three middle-aged men disenchanted with their lives, try to relive their youth by moving into a house on a college campus and start hanging out with a group of misfit college students, losers, and retirees.
8. Revenge of the Nerds II (1987)
Summary: Revenge of the nerds: Two freshman join the nerds in their battle against jocks using high-tech weapons only a nerd could dream of.
9. Road Trip (2000)
Summary: Josh has a major problem — besides the fact he’s in college in Ithaca, NY, and his girlfriend Tiffany is in Austin, TX. A video of him getting funky with the luscious Beth was mistakenly mailed to Tiffany and now he has three days to get to Texas before the tape does!
10. The Sure Thing (1985)
Summary: College freshman John (Gib) Gibson visits his friend in California during winter break. Awaiting there is a bikini-clad babe whom his friend assures him is a “sure thing”. Meanwhile, Allison, a cute girl at Gib’s college has also decided to head out to California to see her boyfriend during break. Both are thrust together on an annoying road trip, but along the way, they find each other’s company to be tolerable. Now, what will become of Gib’s “sure thing?”
Abe’s Beard
Posted: March 12, 2012 Filed under: Ekstrom Library, People, Photographic Archives, Photographs, Uncategorized | Tags: "Abraham Lincoln" portraits photographs, exhibit Ekstrom library Leave a comment »
Abraham Lincoln by Mathew Brady, February 27, 1860
I had no idea there was a story behind Abraham Lincoln’s beard. Being a photo archivist, I knew that the well-documented photographs of Lincoln were usually noted as “with beard” or “without beard” though I didn’t think much of it. But while preparing a presentation of Lincoln’s life in photographs, I gained a bit of insight…
As it turns out, Abraham Lincoln had always been clean shaven during his time as an Illinois Congressman, Lawyer, and even most of his time as a Presidential Candidate. It wasn’t until he received a letter in October of 1860, the month before general election, that he decided to grow a beard. The letter was from an 11-year-old girl named Grace Bedell from upstate New York, who wrote:
“I have got 4 brothers and part of them will vote for you any way and if you will let your whiskers grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote, for you would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you and then you would be President.”
Abraham Lincoln photographed November 25, 1860
Lincoln’s response to Miss Bedell would lead one to believe that he might brush off the advice: “As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affection if I were to begin it now?” But, as it would turn out, Lincoln began growing out his facial hair soon after and was photographed on November 25th 1860 with the beginnings of his famous beard.
Come see the travelling exhibit “Lincoln: the Constitution and the Civil War” in the Ekstrom Library and view the slide show “Abraham Lincoln’s Life in Photographs” on the adjacent kiosk. This exhibit will be up in the Ekstrom Library, East Wing main floor until April 8th.
Abraham Lincoln photographed by Christopher German, 1861
Graphic Novels in Ekstrom
Posted: March 8, 2012 Filed under: Books 1 Comment »Growing up I used to be a big fan of Archie Comics; for a time even becoming an avid collector. I was not aware there was a cartoon based on Archie Comics—which interested me even more to find out such information later. What drew me to this comic was that it represented something different from the norm of comic books that emphasized the muscle-bound Superheroes. Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica and the rest of the gang looked like general cartoonish-everyday type of people. The style of dress and looks of the characters were very much in step with the time period when Archie was created–the 1940s. Even more appealing was the visual imagery of taking the text of a story and being able to see that story beyond words play out amidst a range of colorful backgrounds and real-life situations in high school that spoke to me.
In the same way these mark the attributes of graphic novels. There are many with story plots, characters (e.g. warriors/ninjas, multicultural, children), and beautiful color splashes that can speak to us all from that of Frank Miller’s 300 to Persepolis.
Maybe as you’re seeking to find some good reads over spring break consider one of the graphic novels below in the Ekstrom Library. They just might touch a cord with you:
Title: American born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Location: Ekstrom Library, 4th floor
Call Number: PZ7.K678337 Am 2006
Summary: Alternates three interrelated stories about the problems of young Chinese Americans trying to participate in the popular culture.
Title: Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Location: Ekstrom Library, 4th floor
Call Number: PN6747.S245 P4713 2003
Summary: Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s wise, funny, and heartbreaking memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution.
Title: The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Location: Ekstrom Library, 4th floor
Call Number: PN6727.K825 M48 2003
Summary: Reworks Kafka’s tale of family and alienation featuring traveling salesman Gregor Samsa, who awakens in his family home one morning to find himself turned into a giant bug.
Title: Lightning Thief: A Graphic Novel by Robert Venditti
Location: Ekstrom Library, Browsing Collection, 1st floor
Call Number: PZ7.7.V48 Li 2010
Summary: After learning he is the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea, twelve-year-old Percy is sent to a summer camp for demigods like himself, and joins his new friends on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.
Title: The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel by Derek Ruiz
Location: Ekstrom Library, Browsing Collection, 1st floor
Call Number: PN6790.B73 C64 2010
Summary: Offers an adaptation in graphic novel format of a modern classic about the globe-trotting spiritual journey of a humble shepherd boy.
Title: Rex Libris. I, librarian by James Turner
Location: Ekstrom Library, 4th floor
Call Number: PN6727 .T865 2007
Summary: Wearing his super thick bottle glasses, Rex Libris strikes fear into recalcitrant borrowers. Rex must confront the Space Warlord Vaglox while Vandals attempt to burn down Middleton Library to the ground.
Title: Joker by Brian Azzarello
Location: Ekstrom Library, Browsing Collection, 1st floor
Call Number: PN6727.A99 J65 2008
Summary: Joker is getting out of the madhouse and, though he’s laughing, he’s not happy. But now Joker’s back on the street and eager to make Gotham bleed like it’s never bled before.
’37 Flood Exhibit Draws Big Crowds
Posted: March 5, 2012 Filed under: Ekstrom Library, Exhibits, People, Photographic Archives, Photographs 1 Comment »
Aerial view of downtown Louisville during the 1937 flood.
I have never seen so many gallery visitors! Of course I haven’t even been working here for very long, but still, our current exhibit in the Photographic Archives is getting anywhere from 15 to 50+ visitors a day! “Louisville’s 1937 Flood: A 75th Anniversary Exhibition” includes 39 photographs showing Louisville’s historic flood of the Ohio River that submerged 70% of Louisville and 90% of Jeffersonville, IN, as well as locations up and down the river from Pennsylvania to Illinois. Photographs by well-known photojournalist Margaret Bourke-White, who was sent by Life Magazine to shoot views of the flood in Louisville, show a range of scenes from a man on an improvised boat made of washtubs, to water-damaged and discarded pianos sitting in a street. And of course, Bourke-White’s famous “World’s Highest Standard of Living” photograph is most recognizable.
Margaret Bourke-White shooting photographs of the flood from the roof of a car.
Photos by Corwin Short, the Louisville native who was Bourke-White’s escort during her trip, show the famous photojournalist at work: standing atop a car with her camera, walking the pontoon bridge, and eating lunch on a rowboat. Visitors have also been amazed at the aerial photographs on display that show the far-reaching devastation caused by the flood water. These photos were donated to the archive in 2010 and have never been exhibited here before.
Apparently, the Great Flood is still a big deal to Louisville residents, even 75 years later. It has been quite a learning experience, as many of the gallery visitors are eager to share with us their personal and family stories of the flood. In fact, there is a group of people sitting in the gallery sharing their stories with each other right now!
These photographs will be up until this Friday, March 9th, so hurry down to see them before they’re gone.
EBSCO Academic — Get More Out of Your Search, Pt.2
Posted: March 5, 2012 Filed under: Databases Leave a comment »Part one referenced how you can take advantage of limiting searches to the full-text, reading the abstract, and using the Library Chat box to ask questions about the library. Part two lists some other ways to get the most out your search in EBSCO Academic Search Premier:
1. Perform a Title Search
The Title of a source is the first thing to which our eyes are drawn to determine if a source is relevant. When performing a title search you’re telling the database to find articles with a specific name in the title. This search works best when it’s narrowed down to a few words like, Harlem Renaissance, or with a phrase search like, “Mom’s Apple Pie”. You can even search a person’s name such as, ‘McDonnell Douglas’. Title searches are a useful way to discover what is available in the database with that name.
2. Email and Cite the Source
When you click on the title of any record (as shown above) there are several things to do including, emailing journal articles and getting information about citing the source in various styles like, APA and MLA. Doing this takes you into the record where on the right side is a list of icons including, Email and Cite as shown in the box below. The Email option is a convenient feature that helps you secure the citations of sources as you continue searching. While, the Cite option gives you clarity about how to format a source for your bibliography in one of the most commonly used citation styles.
FYI: When emailing articles, if the full-text (e.g., PDF or HTML) is attached to the article it will be sent to your email account. To see if the full-text is available, look next to the FindIt@UofL button within each record. If the full-text is not available only the citation of the article will be sent to your email.
