Rohrbach Library partners with Scirus

Scirus is the most comprehensive science-specific search engine on the Internet. KU students, faculty and staff using Scirus will now be automatically directed to the full-text of an article if it’s held by the library.

Please go to: http://www.scirus.com/srsapp and select Kutztown University from the list. Make sure you select the “enable radio button” and then save your preferences. This will bring you to the basic search screen. The next time you run a query and you get journal results, full-text linking will be available.

Driven by the latest search engine technology, Scirus searches over 450 million science-specific Web pages, enabling you to quickly:

• Pinpoint scientific, scholarly, technical and medical data on the Web.
• Find the latest reports, peer-reviewed articles, patents, pre prints and journals that other search engines miss.
• Offer unique functionalities designed for scientists and researchers.

Scirus has proved so successful at locating science-specific results on the Web that the Search Engine Watch Awards voted Scirus ‘Best Specialty Search Engine’ in 2001 and 2002 and ‘Best Directory or Search Engine Website’ WebAward from Web Marketing Association in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Learn more about Scirus at http://www.scirus.com/srsapp/aboutus/

Kyle Quinn Exhibit

The library is honored to be able to display the exhibit “Kyle Quinn, Kutztown University Student and Poet.” The exhibit is located next to the Reference Desk on the first floor near the main entrance. It includes many photographs of Kyle and a selection of his poetry. Included in the exhibit is a guest book for your messages. The book will be given to the family at the conclusion of the exhibit.

Rohrbach Library Newsletter – Spring Edition Available

The Spring 2008 edition of the Rohrbach Library Newsletter is now available in PDF at: http://www.kutztown.edu/library/about/newsletter.asp

Print copies of the newsletter should be available in the library next week.
Please contact Karen Wanamaker, editor, if you have any questions: kwanamak@kutztown.edu or 610-683-4709

Alexander Street Press – Free Tchaikovsky Download

Alexander Street Press is offering Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Ronan O’Hora on piano and James Judd as conductor as their free classical music download of the week on their Website. Every two weeks, they will offer a complete work from their Classical Music Library.) To stay up-to-date with the most current offering, you can link to: http://alexanderstreet.typepad.com/music/

Classical Music Library Free Download of the Week: Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23

In November 1874 Tchaikovsky embarked on his first attempt at a concerto. Surviving a notorious critical attack by Rubinstein, the work was duly finished in 1875. An appreciative Hans von Bülow then gave the first performance of the Piano Concerto No. 1 in October. Rubinstein later recanted his view that the concerto was unplayable, badly composed and plagiarized; he helped it achieve major success at the Paris World Exhibition of 1878 and it has enjoyed popularity ever since.

The piece does indeed borrow from other sources; the first movement’s theme is based on the Ukranian folk melody ‘Song of the Blind’; the Prestissimo of the second movement quotes from a popular Waltz, and another folk song provides the basis for the Finale. The concerto’s legendary difficulty has acquired it the nickname ‘Hymn of the Virtuosi’.

This recording is performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Ronan O’Hora, piano; James Judd, conductor.

Download this work through February 28, 2008 at: http://musicdownloads.alexanderstreet.com/promo

ASARO Exhibit to Appear in New Jersey in March

If anyone missed Professor Kevin McCloskey’s ASARO exhibit last semester in the library’s Voices and Choices Center, here is another chance to view some of the wonderful prints and hear him speak about them:

Passaic County Cultural & Heritage Council at Passaic County Community College Presents: MEXICAN REVOLUTIONARY PRINTS — From the collection of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania — March 11 – April 30, 2008 at the Broadway & LRC Galleries

Presentation—March 11th at 2:00 pm at Broadway Gallery
Location: Paterson Room
Presented by: Prof. Kevin McCloskey, Kutztown University
Reception: March 11th 3:00 – 5:00 pm

Broadway at Memorial Drive, Paterson, NJ
(973) 684-5448 For more info, go to: http://www.pccc.edu/art/gallery

Celebrate Amy Tan

Today is novelist Amy Tan’s birthday. Tan is responsible for great contemporary works such as The Joy Luck Club and The Hundred Secret Senses.

For more information and resources regarding Tan’s life and works, check out some of these databases that the Rohrbach Library provides for students:

Biographical Information:
Biography Resource Center

Critical Works and Reviews:
JSTOR
Literature Resource Center
Project Muse
MLA Bibliography

Library Will Trade Pizza for Opinions

Volunteers are needed for 5 student focus groups during the week of February 25th. The focus groups will last only 40-60 minutes, and pizza and beverages will be provided. This effort is part of the Library’s Strategic Planning Committee efforts to gather opinions about the library and library services from our patrons. Separate focus groups are being formed for students and faculty. Librarians will be asking the student volunteers questions to help us determine how students use library services and how the library can best improve these services. We need both undergraduate and graduate students to participate.

If you wish to volunteer for one of the student focus groups, email Bruce Gottschall at gottscha@kutztown.edu for dates and times. Volunteers are taken on a first come, first serve basis.

Did you know…

17 years ago today, Sotheby’s announced the discovery of a manuscript of Huckleberry Finn, by author Mark Twain. It had been lost, or unaccounted for, for more than one hundred years. For the complete story, click here.

For more information on author Mark Twain, and other great literary figures, see our library catalog.

Building an Inclusive Community

The Voices & Choices Center of the Rohrbach Library Hosts a Frederick Douglas Scholar-in-Residence Discussion:

“Building an Inclusive Community”
The Dialogue Continues…But Where is the Action?

Wednesday, February 13, 2008
12:00 Noon
The VCC Gallery

A panel discussion with KU student leaders moderated by Dr. Nathaniel Williams.

Alexander Street Press – Don Juan download

Alexander Street Press is offering Strauss’ Don Juan, Op. 20 as their free classical music download of the week on their Website. Every two weeks, they will offer a complete work from their Classical Music Library.) To stay up-to-date with the most current offering, you can link to: http://alexanderstreet.typepad.com/music/

Classical Music Library Free Download of the Week: Strauss’ Don Juan, Op. 20

Richard Strauss’ masterpiece Don Juan, based on Nikolaus Lenau’s fragmentary verse-drama, was composed in 1888 and first performed on 11 November 1889 with Strauss conducting. Marking the emergence of Strauss the composer, this orchestral piece of virtuosity has found a permanent and popular position in the repertoire.

The work established Strauss’ international reputation and its immediate appeal is still infectious today. The dynamic hero is wonderfully conjured by the fireworks of the orchestral writing, and portraits of three of his ladies form the basis for three contrasting episodes.

This recording is performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor.

Download this work through February 14, 2008 at: http://musicdownloads.alexanderstreet.com/promo