RAMble, the University Libraries' blog

While I watched a couple spooky movies (in the spirit of Halloween), I wanted to talk about one in particular—Vampyr [IMC DVD 791.4367 V216] directed by Carl T. Dreyer. This movie was full of wonderful atmospheric effects but I felt a little confused during parts of the storyline. I decided to read the screenplay that accompanied the DVD and it gave a lot more depth and understanding to the movie.

Carl T. Dreyer is best known as the director of The Passion of Joan of Arc. When he released the film Vampyr, most critics disliked it. Only later did it gain popularity with film goers and movie critics. The story follows a young man who is interested in the occult. When this man is staying at a hotel one night, he has some strange happenings which lead him to a man whose daughter has been bitten by a vampire. The young man begins to investigate what is happening, and is led by shadowy figures as he uncovers the hidden agendas of everyone involved. Dreyer is great with camera effects, which particularly come to life in black and white films. However, the viewer is required to piece a lot of the parts together without much help, which is where the screenplay ended up being a great help. It was also interesting to see which parts Dreyer had wanted to incorporate but was unable to because of various reasons. If you are looking for an atmospheric film to wrap up your Halloween season, I would recommend checking this one out.

As many of you might know, I am working off the list of 1001 movies to watch before you die. They recently released the newest edition of this book, which means that there are some newer films which were added to the list. Keep an eye out as I will be watching these in the next couple of weeks! Follow along on your own travelogue adventure here: https://letterboxd.com/peterstanley/list/1001-movies-you-must-see-before-you-die/.

Hi! My name is Brianna Stewart. I’ve been a student worker at the library for the last four years; they have been the best four years of my life. During my time here, I‘ve worked alongside phenomenal students, staff & faculty. Being a part of the library community has given me joy. One of my favorite places to be in the library is Interlibrary Loan, where I currently work.  At the beginning of my career working as a student worker, I was an overwhelmed and anxious freshman.  As time went on, I established a greater understanding of how the library works, and the different resources it has to offer. With the library offering so many different resources, it has helped me tremendously with my academic career. Being a student worker and working for the library also gives me a sense of responsibility. It gives me pride knowing that I’m also playing apart to help my fellow peers advance in their studies.

Having the knowledge I do about the library gives me a chance to spend more time finding things that interest me personally and academically.  Working at the library helps me keep my love for books going, because when I was a child that’s all I would do in my spare time. I believe that books have helped me be more creative; it definitely has enhanced my imagination.  Overall, working here at the library gives me such a passion to be more involved in its community by getting other students to use it and its resources as much as possible. I believe it’s one of the best places to be on campus, because it gives you so many opportunities to thrive.

Post Written By Brianna Stewart

When you search the word library in the dictionary, the result you get is a public or private building where books are held. Here at West Chester University, the Francis Harvey Green Library is so much more than that. I’m Lashay, a student worker here at the library and I can attest to the fact that our library is far from the generic definition of a library. At our library, we do more than just provide a home for books. We provided people with a place to further explore their passions, a venue for improvement, a home away from home, and a safe place for all to let loose and socialize.

Our library possesses the qualities to become your home away from home with our 24-5 operating hours and tons of comfy bean bag chairs. We also offer academic year long locker rentals, which gives you a safe place to store your belongings and lighten your load so you can explore the rest of West Chester University's beautiful campus with ease. Our library is the perfect complement to this university because we offer a venue for improvement, through our writing center, testing center, and Library Help Desk. Not to mention all the great study areas you will find on all six floors of the library.

Many students love that our library houses a Starbucks on the first floor, and it is one of the most popular places for students to let loose and socialize. But my favorite place in the library is the 6th floor. The 6th floor is the home of the exercise science and sports management books, and although I’m far from an exercise science major (I am actually a marketing major), I spend lots of time reading fitness books because I am a member of the West Chester University Crossfit Club. I’m always looking to improve my technique.

The library has so much more to offer than what’s generally published about it. I would strongly encourage people to come and find out more about what the library has to offer, and not judge a book by its cover. Hope to see you here sometime! #FHG #WCU @fhglibrary

I work, specifically, in the Interlibrary Loan department on the first floor of Francis Harvey Green library. My department primarily uses EZ Borrow and Illiad services to expand resources available to WCU faculty and students beyond our library’s holdings. Essentially, we can get you resources another school have if we don’t have them.

If you’ve been within either of the university libraries, you know they are more than resource dispensaries, but centers of community. I have been a part of the University Libraries’ team of student workers since fall of 2017, the first semester of my freshman year at West Chester University. Since that time, I have been a member of a hard-working team of individuals, without whom the library wouldn’t function. 

Rosie in the Interlibrary Loan Office.

I would not be doing the libraries justice if I didn’t comment on the relationships formed because of them. My first week of work at Francis Harvey Green, it rained. Me? I was young, naïve, and without an umbrella. My supervisor, Jenn O’Leary, dug up a blue and yellow Drexel umbrella from the depths of the ILL office. Then, she gave it to me and sent me on my way. In Spring of 2019, I fell on a curb (far from my living space or anywhere inherently medical) and scrapped my leg. Without Emily Baroni’s quick thinking in Presser, I would’ve missed my class. It was within these moments that I realized—and was reminded—that the good in the libraries stemmed not only from the resources they provide students, but the people within them. 

This is important because libraries are where anyone (with a valid card) can get what they need. Can’t find a book? Ask someone at circulation. Need assistance with research? We can help you at the research help desk. We don’t have what you need? Request it through ILL! Want to be around people? Try the first two floors. Need alone time, I think the 6^thfloor is the best. Oh, you’re at the Presser Music Library? Tim will know the answer. 

Post Written by Rosie Wilson.

Happy National Coming Out Week, folks! For those of you who might be unaware, National Coming Out Week is the week leading up to National Coming Out Day on October 11^th, dedicated to recognizing and celebrating members of the LGBTQ+ community, whether out and closeted. All week on campus, the Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy (CTQA) is hosting events to celebrate as well as advocate and bring awareness to issues within the LGBTQ+ community.

To celebrate, this week we'll be featuring some books written by and/or about LGBTQ+ people in our New Nonfiction section. The display will remain in place until November. Come check out our display by the main entrance on the second floor of FHG Library!

Post written By Melodie Senwesky

Hello Everyone!! It’s October, so you know what that means…HALLOWEEN!! So what better way to get in the mood than to sit down with some of your favorite horror books. Come visit the 2nd Floor of FHG library, on the left side of the new fiction section and take your pick! Make sure to check out the spines of the books for a little red dot so you know it’ll be SPINE-chilling! These BOOks will remain on display until the end of October. Remember it’s not too good for your eyes to read in the dark, so light a candle and get spooky!

Blog post written by Rynique Barker

When I first stepped into Francis Harvey Green Library during my Freshman year, there was only one word to describe how I felt; overwhelmed. I couldn’t help but feel like the entire building was about to swallow me whole. With six floors containing what felt like a maze of books, I wondered if I’d ever find myself coming back there.

            Well, surprisingly enough, I did. I wasn’t there to study or check out a book. I came back so I could start working there. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous (actually more than a little). It took a bit of time, but with the help of the other staff members, I got the hang of it. Not only that, I started to really enjoy my job; and I still do!

            I’m a shy person at heart, so I when I realized I would be working the front desk pretty frequently, I panicked a bit. As it turns out, though, working the desk was pretty satisfying. Helping someone find the exact book they need, or maybe just directing them to the bathroom, felt great. Not only that, I found that the more I talked to other people, the more confident I became. Working here definitely helped me learn how to come out of my shell!

            There is one thing I often notice during my job. Some of the people I talk to at the desk look and feel just as overwhelmed as I was when I first started working here. But, since I’ve felt that way before, I can assure you that the library is nothing to be feared; it’s one of the most helpful places on campus. It’s there for you if you need somewhere to study, find your new favorite book, to print your 75 page paper due in three minutes, or if you need a place to just wind down. So, to anyone who hasn’t been to the library before, come on down and look around; I promise you it’s not as intimidating as you think!

Blog post Written by Ruby Wright