Alkek Library News

Alkek Library Completes Criterion Collection Films

The Criterion Collection releases a continuing series of the greatest films from around the world and publishes them in editions that offer the highest technical quality and unique original supplements to accompany the films.

The Alkek Library has acquired the complete Criterion Collection of nearly 500 films, and will continue to supplement as more films are published. In order to find this DVD collection you may either search by Keyword and quotes: "Criterion Collection" in the catalog or browse the DVD shelves on the third floor under the call number: PN1997 .A1 C75 1998. The Criterion Collection offers numerous treasures such as the films of Akira Kurosawa, Federico Fellini, Ingmar Bergman, Jean Luc Godard, David Lean, Orson Welles and many others.

Each film is presented uncut, in its original aspect ratio, as its maker intended it to be seen. The supplements offered enable viewers to appreciate the films in context, through audio commentaries by filmmakers and scholars, restored director’s cuts, deleted scenes, documentaries, shooting scripts, early shorts, and storyboards. Be sure to check out this unique and fabulous collection.

Misty Hopper, Non-Book Cataloging Librarian

New Database: Pop Culture Universe

Pop Culture Universe is a full-text database that includes American and world popular culture, past and present. You can choose to do the quick search or use the more advanced search options which enables you to limit your search to people, places, time period, or subjects.

Subjects include: 

• Arts and Visual Culture
• Business and Advertising
• Ethnic and Group Culture
• Fashion and Appearance
• Film
• Food and Drink
• Literature * Music
• Politics
• Recreation and Leisure
• Religion and Spirituality
• Sports
• TV and Radio
• Technology and Media

Search results  include tabs which link you to the full-text article, biographies, and/or images, if available. When you click on an entry, first you will notice information about where the entry originally appeared. There are also tools on the right side of the entry that can be used to cite in MLA or Chicago style, email, print, or "permalink" the article/entry into a course site, etc.  Another cool feature is a link to the American Heritage College Dictionary, Fourth Edition in case you need a definition.

Pop Culture Universe contains 390 books, 5,450 book chapters, 18,282 encyclopedia entries, and 8,165 images. Decade overviews from 1920s to 2000s. Lesson plans are included in the Teacher's Corner.