RAMble, the University Libraries' blog

Hone your graphic design skills by attending a Poster Design Workshop at The Instructional Media Center. IMC technicians Amanda Brooks and Ainsley Hume will share their knowledge about graphic design techniques to help you prepare the perfect poster for Research Day and beyond. They will lead a workshop on October 31 at 3:00pm and another on November 1 at 3:00pm. Workshops will focus on helping students design a poster that is visually appealing and informative.

“Posters created for conferences or as a presentation need to balance grabbing people’s attention with informing them,” Amanda said. “We hope that this workshop will get people thinking about how to best do that.”

Make sure to bring your own device with you so you can put the design techniques Amanda and Ainsley teach you into action. Remember to also bring a flash drive or another form of memory storage to save your work. You can contact the IMC via phone at (610)-436-3395 or email at libimc@wcupa.edu to reserve a spot in one of the workshops. RSVPS are not required but they help with preparations for the workshop.

Amanda and Ainsley will start each session by sharing a presentation on graphic design techniques that you can use to create your academic poster. They will also show you how to use programs you are familiar with to create new designs.

“We focus on PowerPoint since most people have used that program and have some experience with it,” Amanda said. Some skills we will cover are changing the slide size, textbox configuration, finding and formatting images.”  

Each workshop will include time for Amanda and Ainsley to give you feedback and advice to help you develop your projects. You will also have an opportunity to ask any questions you have about designing posters.

“The presentation is helpful because it goes over several basic design elements, and how to incorporate them into a poster presentation,” Ainsley said. “Once we’ve gone over the basics, then the attendees can ask questions about specific functions within PowerPoint or applying the design elements to their own poster.”

This workshop is an excellent opportunity to learn from two talented individuals with a wealth of experience. “In my first career I was a theatrical costumer and I have presented at a conference on poster design,” Amanda said. Ainsley also brings a valuable and unique skill set to these workshops. “My design background comes from many years doing retail merchandising and visual displays,” Ainsley said. Overall, The IMC printed 850 posters last year. Amanda and Ainsley also showcase their graphic design skills by crafting posters for the IMC. Many of those posters were guided through the production and printing process with their assistance.

If you have used our new 24/5 Zone, we would love to hear your input about the space! Share feedback about your experience by filling out a brief online survey. Let us know what we are doing well and how we can improve your study experience. When you submit your survey, you can enter to win a $50 gift card from the WCU Campus Store. Click here to take the survey and let your voice be heard today!

You can also tell us what you think on social media. Tweet us @FHGLibrary or tag us in an Instagram post @fhglibrary.

With the month of October comes the desire (for some) to watch horror films. This year, I watched several movies, but some of which were the beginning of certain genres, or the first of many remakes. To my mind, these are the “original horror” movies—they sparked something that helped create an obsession (ex. zombie movies) or influence movies or TV shows today. These films are Night of the Living Dead [IMC DVD 791.4361 N687 2004], The Haunting [IMC DVD 791.4367 H373 2003], and The Hills Have Eyes [IMC DVD 791.4361 H655 2003].

Night of the Living Dead is a movie that is infamous for its influence in the zombie genre. It had an incredibly small budget of $114,000, and ended up grossing $12 million domestically. It was an instant hit, and has become a cult classic, sparking five subsequent films and inspiring two remakes. The premise is that “living dead” creature begin to terrorize the local inhabitants, and two groups of people end up barricading themselves in a farmhouse. They are able to fend off the zombies for a time, but eventually there is a breakdown amongst themselves and things fall apart. While it might not seem like much now, there is great cinematography in how it was shot, and their use of the shadows. There is a lot more to this movie than you get from the first viewing. It is also interesting to note that in 1968 when this movie came out, there was a much different movie censorship system in place, so movie critics mentioned that most of the audience for this movie was 16 years old or younger. While the first half of the movie is clean horror, the tone drastically changes halfway through, and I can’t imagine what audiences thought at that time. This movie helped shape the nature of the splatter/gore genre, and it is clear why. If you haven’t seen it, I would recommend it.

The Haunting is a movie that has had at least one movie remake, and recently sparked a new TV show that is based on the same novel (The Haunting of Hill House). It is an interesting type of horror film, because while it does explore a haunted house (Hill House), it is more about mental breakdown and the impacts of terror. Another black and white film, the sets are characterized by a late Baroque style, where everything is overdone, adding to the feeling of claustrophobia that the characters have in the house. There is plenty of suspense in this movie and several special effects were used to heighten the audience’s discomfort.

My final movie was The Hills Have Eyes. This was my least favorite movie, partly because the screenplay seemed choppy at parts. Wes Craven directed it, as well as the sequel. He was also involved in the remake and sequel in 2006 and 2007. The movie follows a suburban family which gets stranded in a desert supposedly off-limits because of nuclear testing. While stranded, a savage family of cannibals attacks them and kidnaps their baby. I thought the premise was interesting, but there was a lot of the story that was only revealed at certain parts, and it made the movie feel choppy.

The IMC is featuring horror movies this month, so come check out a movie for a scare before Halloween! And as always, don’t forget to follow along on your own film travelogue at https://letterboxd.com/peterstanley/list/1001-movies-you-must-see-before-you-die .

            West Chester University Libraries hosted its inaugural first-year student Open House on August 26 at Francis Harvey Green Library. An estimated 1,300 new students attended the program. During the event, library staff members demonstrated how to utilize services, such as RamPrint and RamNet. They also assisted students with printing their syllabi for the fall semester. Additionally, librarians distributed snacks to students, were available to answer questions, and raffled off $100 gift cards to the West Chester University Campus Bookstore. The goal of the event was to acquaint students with library personnel, decrease anxiety about using library services, and help students succeed during their academic careers. Librarians sought to create a welcoming atmosphere for the first-year Golden Rams.

            “What we really wanted students to remember is the library is an open space where they can come and that this space belongs to them,” said Associate Dean of University Libraries Amy Ward. “We wanted them to know that we are here for them and that they can come back any time.”

Entering college and navigating a library can be a daunting task, especially for first year or first generation college students. Librarians focused on a shared vision of equipping students for success during their college careers. Staff members at service points, such as the Library Help Desk and Research Help Desk, provided friendly student-centered advice and support to help the new Golden Rams adjust to the community.

“My approach to welcoming students was simply asking them how I could help. I think most students were unsure about what all an academic library can do for them—most students didn’t know that their professor might’ve put their textbooks on reserve, or that librarians can help with projects,” said Student Success Librarian Amy Pajewski. “Alex [Miriello] and I really worked together to get students’ laptops set up to print from anywhere. I think students were pretty surprised that we could help with that, and I hope that it left the impression that we can help with just about anything.”

            Students responded well to the services provided by staff members. “There have been a few workers that have been super helpful when it has come to printing, and setting up RamPrint,” said first year student Jordan Nielsen. Others reflected on the importance of learning about the resources provided by the library. “When I visit the library, the printing and technology services are most helpful to me,” said first year student Gia DeAngelis. “If I have a problem with my laptop or need to print large quantities of paper at one time it is beneficial to head over to the library.”

            Hosting events such as the first year student Open House is part of a larger initiative to help students actualize their full potentials. A central component in that process is connecting students to the resources they need the most. Another aspect is building a sense of community between library staff members, as well as between students and their peers. Programs such as the first year student Open House are crucial for building those connections and helping students succeed.

            “I think one of the reasons why students struggle in college is because they aren’t able, or don’t get the chance to make those connections. We were there to help quell some of their anxiety and gave them a place they could go with friendly folks who want to help,” said Pajewski. “I also think it allowed students to connect with other students, which is a huge tenant of student success. Students succeed when they make connections with their peers. I saw students working together, helping others set up their laptops onto the print servers…what I was witnessing were students connecting with each other and creating this community of learners.”

            Another way in which library administrators are focusing on student success is by providing financial support. Initiatives such as the gift card raffle help first year Golden Rams with the expenses of higher education. “One of the barriers for student success in college are financial burdens for things like textbooks,” said Pajewski. “I think that the $100 gift card drawing is a way for us to say ‘we care about you and your success.’ Even if that amount can’t cover an entire textbook, I think that being able to provide some amount of money can help students maybe take on fewer hours at work this week which could ultimately help them complete assignments.”

            Students were given the option of voluntarily entering their names into the gift card raffle free of charge during the open house. Ten first year students were selected at random to receive the gift cards. Those funds helped connect students with items they required. “I was super excited to receive the gift card for the bookstore,” said Nielsen. “It allowed me to purchase some items that I have been waiting to get.” Other students used the gift card to get items for their loved ones. “It was very exciting to receive this gift card,” said DeAngelis. “I went right to Sykes to buy my family some WCU apparel.”

            After the success of the inaugural first year student Open House, the program is set to become a tradition. Members of the class of 2025 can look forward to meeting library staff members as one of their first experiences on campus. According to Associate Dean Ward, the program will also expand to include more interactive activities for students.

            “My hope is that as we grow the program for the first year student Open House that we are able to expose students to more of the offerings we have and to help them realize that the library is a good resource to help them succeed as a student here at West Chester,” said Associate Dean Ward. 

Recently I’ve been watching some early 2000 movies, which I missed out on when they first came out. These movies are The Royal Tenenbaums, Rabbit-Proof Fence [IMC DVD 944.042 R113 2003], and AI: Artificial Intelligence [IMC DVD 791.4361 A110 2002]. These are movies you might have watched or heard about, and if not, are worth checking out.

The Royal Tenenbaums is a Wes Anderson movie, who is a very quirky director and this movie was no different. It boasted an impressive cast, including Gene Hackman, Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, Gwyneth Paltrow, Danny Glover, and so on! With such a cast, you can’t help but have some great acting, and this movie was no exception. Wes Anderson creates unique characters, and as a result, many comedic moments. I also love Anderson’s cinematography, which includes many framed shots, and has a very different feel from many other films. Our copy is currently out of circulation, but you can get it through Interlibrary loan (and should, if you haven’t seen it before).

Rabbit-Proof Fence is a movie that relates to the period in Australian history in which the government removed part-Aboriginal children from communities and rehoused them in state-run institutions. This story is loosely based on a true account by Pilkington Garimara, but the movie is better categorized as a drama rather than historical fact. It follows the story of three part-Aboriginal girls who are taken and placed in an institution. They manage to run away, and realize that the rabbit-proof fence will take them directly home. I hadn’t been aware of this period in Australia’s history, so it was interesting to watch a movie about it.

My last film that I watched was AI: Artificial Intelligence. Directed by Spielberg, this is a movie about a robot boy who is adopted by a family in crisis, but soon realizes that he won’t have the same love from his adopted mom until he becomes a “real boy”. I was amazed by the special effects, which look like they could have been created now, not back in 2001. The music was also fantastic, composed by John Williams (of the Star Wars/Indiana Jones/Harry Potter fame). While I enjoyed this movie, I felt like parts of the screenplay were too drawn out which made the movie feel longer than it could have been. However, the acting by Haley Joel Osment (Sixth Sense) and Jude Law was good. Overall, I would recommend it.

The IMC has now put up their Halloween DVD display, which has a horror film for everyone. Come check out your favorite, or find a new terrifying movie for the weekend. As always, keep following along on your own film adventure at https://letterboxd.com/peterstanley/list/1001-movies-you-must-see-before-you-die/.

QVC Collaborative Study— A new photography exhibit debuted in Francis Harvey Green Library on September 28. Images from dance recitals and theatrical performances glistened in gold and silver frames, making the shots appear as if they were in motion. Photos in the collection were taken by members of the Time-Light Art Association. The photography collective is a community group based in the West Chester area. Professor of Mathematics Dr. Lin Tan is the founder of the organization. The exhibit is the culmination of a decade of collaboration with the West Chester University Department of Theatre and Dance. 

 Dr. Tan began photographing dance performances at West Chester after he was introduced to a visiting scholar from China. That scholar was a faculty member in the Dance Department and introduced Dr. Tan to other Department of Theatre and Dance members. An opportunity for Dr. Tan to collaborate with those faculty members organically emerged. “I photographed a dance concert in 2007 and the Dance faculty liked my photographs, and that started the whole thing.”

​University Dance Company, 2007 by Lin Tan

Dr. Tan also began photographing theatre performances around the same time. As he photographed more Theatre and Dance Department shows, Dr. Tan realized he needed more team members to help capture the events. “I felt like one camera might not be enough,” said Dr. Tan. “So every time I brought one or two more people to shoot more and cover different angles.” Photographers from Time-Light Art Association have photographed nearly every Department of Theatre and Dance performance at West Chester since 2007. That collaboration is still flourishing and continues into the current performance season.

 Capturing the perfect moment during Department of Theatre and Dance shows requires preparation. According to Time-Light Art Association photographer Gene He, some photographers attend rehearsals of shows before they debut. Attending those practice sessions helps a photographer know the background and story of a show. Having that knowledge prepares a photographer to capture the perfect moment.

“When we talk about photographing the stage shows it is very challenging. Most times there are fast lighting changes,” Mr. He said. “You have to be very fast to capture the moment. You may know a beautiful jump is coming and you only have maybe one hundredth of a second to capture that moment.”

Re[F]use, 2013 by Gene H3

Capturing exhilarating images during the Department of Theatre and Dance shows is is a delicate balance. According to Time-Light Art Association photographer Keven Yang, photographing a stage show combines the experience of the photographer with their technical skills. A photographer must focus on the action of the show and react with the appropriate technical skills to capture the perfect shot. At the same time, the photographer must anticipate the action of the performance and when an ideal shot may arise.  

 “Shooting pictures of stage performances is a little bit different than shooting a portrait,” said Mr. Yang. “There is a type of moment you have to capture. You watch the show and you have to be immersed into it and at the same time you try to capture those moments.”

 Accurately capturing the profound action and emotion of the performers also requires the proper equipment. Photographers must bring the proper camera and lenses to photograph the shows. Having the proper equipment is crucial due to the rapid changes in movement, lighting, and color that occur during Department of Theatre and Dance shows.  

 “A lot of these photos are shot with the lights so low and dim that you are pushed to the limit of your lens and your camera body,” said Mr. Yang. “You need to have very advanced hardware in order to capture the moment.”

 The gallery opening of the photography exhibit also provided a different perspective for the members of Time-Light Art Association. The photographers got the opportunity to step out from behind the camera and share their work with the community, a significant step after a decade of collaboration.

 “The process of making this art is enjoyable. So is showing these photos to an audience and experiencing their reaction,” said Mr. Yang. “That is a secondary enjoyment that everybody is craving when people take in your photos and relive the moment you captured.”

The photography exhibit gives students and community members an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Department of Theatre and Dance shows long after the curtain closes. Additionally, these photos help immortalize the culture shared by West Chester University students, community members, and faculty. If you missed the debut of the exhibition, there is still time to experience the photos. The exhibit will remain in the QVC Collaborative Study until the conclusion of the Fall 2018 semester.

Francis Harvey Green Library — you will soon have a new group study room option when you are searching for a space to collaborate with your peers. Renovations will transform Room 253 into a modern study spot with the technology to facilitate group meetings and projects. Upgrades to the space will include wireless digital displays. You will have the freedom to connect to the displays using RamCast. Furthermore, you can wirelessly share content to the screens from a computer or cell phone. Multiple users will be able to present simultaneously with a split screen display option. When the remodel is completed, Room 253 will resemble the QVC Collaborative Study on the second floor of the library.

One of the most appealing aspects of this study space is the location. This room is situated near the main entrance of the library, which makes it easy to find the room and meet with groups. Additionally, the room is located near the Library Help Desk and the Research Help desk. When you have a question about a project, you can quickly and easily ask library staff members for help. Another benefit of this space is the technology that will give you a great environment to complete projects with friends.

Before the new technology is installed, Room 253 will be filled with new furniture for you to use. Those tables and chairs were placed in the room earlier this week. During the technology installation process, the room will briefly close. Improvements to the technology in room 253 are currently scheduled to be completed by mid to late November. That means you will have access to the study space in time to collaborate on end of semester projects and study for finals.

Library Technology Specialist Alex Miriello contributed information to this post.

            Francis Harvey Green Library – A diverse group of sixty West Chester University faculty, staff, community members, and students gathered in Special Collections on Wednesday September 19. The occasion that united the patrons in attendance was a publishing craft talk hosted by Dr. Eleanor Shevlin and featuring Dr. Cherise Pollard. Their conversation focused on the details of the publishing process regarding Dr. Pollard’s award-winning poetry chapbook Outsiders (MWC Press, 2016). Dr. Pollard’s collection was recognized as the Mississippi Valley/ Susan K. Collins Poetry Chapbook contest winner for 2015 by Midwest Writing Center.

            “Sharing my creative work with my colleagues and students was gratifying,” said Dr. Pollard. “I felt tremendous synergy in the room.”

            During their conversation, the professors discussed how Dr. Pollard chose the poems for Outsiders. Compiling the collection from a larger group of poems with shared themes, Dr. Pollard drew on experiences throughout her life and career to create Outsiders. She wrote some of the poems for Outsiders while she attended graduate school. Others were published in Daedalus, the annual literary magazine for members of the West Chester University community. The collection also features poems that were published in national literary magazines, such as African American Review. A portion of the collection responds to the African American literature Dr. Pollard teaches. Her poem “Maude’s Lament,” was written in response to “Sadie and Maude” by Gwendolyn Brooks. Dr. Pollard indicated she combined some of her most powerful poems to form Outsiders. Her craft talk with Dr. Shevlin highlighted the perseverance and determination required for poets to find a home for their work. 

            “For aspiring creative writers, this conversation shed important light on how a poet’s work finds its way to a publisher and then readers.  Moreover, just as the event was the result of close, multiple collaborations, so too is the production of any written work,” said Dr. Shevlin. “It can be illuminating to readers to discover the process behind any given book—each will have a distinctive story.  Understanding how a book—whether poetry, nonfiction, a scholarly monograph, or any number of genres—came to be can reveal much not just about a particular work but also the many hands that helped bring it to the public.”

            When the craft talk portion of the program concluded, Dr. Pollard performed a set of poems from Outsiders. The poems she chose covered a wide variety of topics and experiences, from her reflection on what a family experiences when they visit an incarcerated loved one, to the reality of living with an autoimmune disease, to a lighthearted description of Keebler cookies. Dr. Pollard’s poetry displayed an unflinching eye for detail and a keen sense of empathy for the subjects of her poems. She read with passion and energy, which brought the narratives from her collection to life.

             “Even though it is not in the collection, I always enjoy reading ‘Cookie Man’ because the audience is always surprised by its humor and emotional complexity,” said Dr. Pollard. ‘The Kidney’ is one of my favorites, too, because it reminds me of the ways in which doctor/patient relationships develop and evolve. The early prison visit poems have a strong emotional pull--even decades later, they continue to be evocative.”

            Attendees visibly responded to Dr. Pollard’s poetry. Audience members seemed to live the poems along with Dr. Pollard as she read them aloud. Some quietly gasped or covered their mouths in surprise. Moments such as those, when the poet and her audience aligned emotionally, were compelling. The reading was a living example of what the poet CM Burroughs meant when she reviewed Dr. Pollard’s chapbook and wrote, “Outsiders is a marvel of persistence, process, and will call on your empathy as it did mine.” When the reading concluded, Dr. Pollard’s words seemed to linger in the atmosphere of the room and with those who heard her words. The audience buzzed with conversation about the collection and the reading they just witnessed as Dr. Pollard signed copies of Outsiders.

            “Special Collections is the ideal venue for gatherings that celebrate the creative output and scholarship of various campus members, and the room definitely lent a celebratory air to Dr. Pollard’s reading” said Dr. Shevlin. “People feel special in that room—and for many students it was the first time they had been inside its walls, and for still others it was the first time they learned that FHG Library’s Special Collections exist.”

            Many organizations from the campus community united to make the publishing craft talk and poetry reading possible. Those organizations included West Chester University Libraries, Francis Harvey Green Library Special Collections, The West Chester University Graduate Writing Program, and The West Chester University Center for Book History. The spirit of cooperation between organizations added to the sense of accomplishment after the reading.

            “Collaborating with Dr. Shevlin and the English Department on this event was rewarding on so many levels. We love having the WCU community visit Special Collections to see what is surely the loveliest room in the FHG Library,” said Dean of University Libraries Mary Page. “Bring together an amazing poet and an inspiring setting, and you have a successful and worthwhile event.  That there was a large student turnout speaks to how important such programs are to the campus community.”

            Patrons who were unable to attend the event will be able to experience Outsiders in the near future. Dean Page indicated that a copy of the chapbook will be added to the general collection at Francis Harvey Green Library. A second copy, which was signed by Dr. Pollard, will be added to the archives in Special Collections.