Arts

The Stir in Samoa

Arts Information Services — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:22:40 GMT

The fiftieth anniversary of Samoan independence is celebrated on 1 June 2012. To mark this occasion the Library is displaying some of our extensive collection of Samoan publications. The University of Auckland Library has one of the world’s greatest collections of Pacific research material.

The display highlights some aspects of Samoan history illustrated by items from our collection. There’s a selection of photographs from the time of New Zealand’s administration of Samoa, from 30 August 1914 when the British flag was raised in Apia until independence day on 1 January 1962. This includes the influenza pandemic of 1918, the Mau independence movement, the UN mandate and trusteeship administration by New Zealand, and post-independence relationship with New Zealand. Other sources include official publications, manuscripts (Acheson papers, 1906-1948), newspapers (Samoa Bulletin), theses and research publications, recordings from the Archive of Maori and Pacific Music, and audio-visual material.

Photograph reproduced courtesy of George McKay.

`Badminton at Vailima, 1925’. McKay, Cyril Gilbert Reeves, 1900-. Historical photographs of Samoa, Tokelau, and Cook Islands. 1914-1960. MSS & Archives 2007/5, folder 1/1. Special Collections, University of Auckland Library.

Photograph reproduced courtesy of George McKay.

`Demonstration by ‘Mau’ movement members, 1920s [ca.].’ McKay, Cyril Gilbert Reeves, 1900-. Historical photographs of Samoa, Tokelau, and Cook Islands. 1914-1960. MSS & Archives 2007/5, folder 3/2. Special Collections, University of Auckland Library.

The title of this post, The Stir in Samoa, is taken from a 1928 pamphlet about the Mau movement. It was published as a response to The Revolt of the Samoans, in which then Labour Party leader Harry Holland described the New Zealand administration as a “military dictatorship.”

The display runs from 17 May to 11 June 2012 in the General Library.

References

A. B. Chappell. The Stir in Samoa: An Independent Review. Auckland, 1928.

H. E. Holland. The Revolt of the Samoans. Wellington, 1928.

McKay, Cyril Gilbert Reeves, 1900-. Historical photographs of Samoa, Tokelau, and Cook Islands. 1914-1960. MSS & Archives 2007/5, folders 1/1 and 3/2. Special Collections, University of Auckland Library.

Acheson, Frank O. V. (Frank Oswald Victor), 1887-1948. Papers, 1906-1948. MSS & Archives 96/1. Special Collections, University of Auckland Library.

Howard Carter's 138th birthday

Arts Information Services — Wed, 09 May 2012 02:30:11 GMT

Today marks the 138th anniversary of Howard Carter's (9 May 1874 - 2 March 1939) birthday. The name of the English artist, archaeologist and egyptologist is primarily associated with the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen.

The Oxford Dictionary Of National Biography provides a useful introduction into his life and work beyond this significant event.

Further resources can be found in the Library Catalgue by doing an author search.

The March of Time - new database

Arts Information Services — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:22:52 GMT

The Library now gives access to over 800 short films from the news reel series The March of Time.

Part journalism, part propaganda, the original series was screened in cinemas in the United States and elsewhere from 1935 to 1951. The films blend actual newsreel footage with staged scenes using professional and amateur actors, and in some cases celebrities were persuaded to re-enact events in which they had participated.

The database is searchable on its own, or in combination with additional Alexander Street Press video collections by using History in Video. Various options for browsing facilitate the discovery of the content.

Each film is accompanied by a transcript. Furthermore, it is possible to create and save your own clip, and to share or embed it on a web page.

Open Access and Archaeology

Arts Information Services — Sun, 06 May 2012 21:39:38 GMT

The president of the Archaeological Institute of America has recently argued against Open Access legislation in the From the President column. The statement primarily refers to the Federal Research Public Access Act 2012.

A response, supporting Open Access, is posted in the Ancient World Bloggers Group.

For a list of Open Access journals in Ancient Studies, see AWOL - The Ancient World Online.

Arab Spring - special section @ Documentary Edge Festival 2012

Arts Information Services — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:17:59 GMT

The Documentary Edge Festival presents 72 films from New Zealand and around the world from 26 April until 13 May 2012. The festival seeks to bring documentaries that:

are thought provoking and challenge the audiences
provide a valuable insight into the topics and issues that confront our society
build bridges of understanding
give a voice to people and communities that are rarely or not heard
are cutting edge and innovative in their genre, style, narrative and delivery and welcome multi-media and experimental documentary films
promote a cinematic experience while at the same time ensuring that the works of emerging, independent and low budget films continue to be celebrated (see the festival's about page).

Six films have been selected for the special section dedicated to the Arab Spring. Director Amal Ramsis explored the meaning of the word "Forbidden" in Egyptian daily life only a few months before Mubrak's regime was overthrown:

Forbidden - Trailer Egyptian Documentary from Achille Coenegracht on Vimeo.

More trailers are available on the festival's Vimeo channel. Films are screening at Events Cinema Newmarket and Auckland Art Gallery, before the festival continues in Wellington from 17 May to 3 June 2012.

Auckland Writers & Readers Festival coming soon!

Arts Information Services — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:09:18 GMT

In less than two weeks New Zealand's largest literary festival will turn Auckland again into a vibrant meeting point for acclaimed writers, readers and thinkers. The festival runs from Wednesday 9 May to Sunday 13 May 2012 with events taking place at several locations.

Getting prepared:

Access the festival programme electronically.
Make the planning of your visit easy with the free festival iPhone app.
Secure your tickets - earlybird rates are available until 9.00am Wednesday 9 May 2012.
Check the Library's New Zealand Literature File for an update on a specific writer.

Is Nabokov in Vogue?

Arts Information Services — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 05:52:24 GMT

Did you know...Literature is nothing we would typically associate with the Vogue brand today, but early issues of the US edition of the Vogue magazine regularly featured book reviews, original short stories, poetry and prose.

Vogue also published interviews with popular authors of the day such as the 1966 biographical review of Vladimir Nabokov. The piece was accompanied by iconic personal portraiture shot by photographer Irving Penn and the interviewer was herself an author and screenwriter, Penelope Gilliatt. Search the Vogue Archive to find more primary source material relevant to Nabokov or other writers.

The resources featured on Literature Online's author page for Nabokov are useful to students and researchers who require an introduction into Nabokov's work and life. It is also recommeded to check out the collections of works by and works about Nabokov in the Library Catalogue.

Targeted Learning Sessions - new dates

Arts Information Services — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 22:03:50 GMT

The Arts Information Services team is offering again Targeted Learning Sessions to Arts students in the General Library. As part of the First Year Experience Programme, these sessions give new students the opportunity to meet librarians, tutors, lecturers and Student Learning staff in one place to get help with first assignments.

The Arts Information Services team provides support in the areas of referencing, understanding the assignment topic, developing search strategies, finding additional information, and evaluating resources. The sessions take place on Level 1 of the General Library, and the upcoming courses and dates are:

Europe 100: Friday, 27th April, 9am-12pm
Sociology 100: Monday, 7th May, 9am-12pm and 1-4pm
Politics 106: Wednesday, 9th May, 10am-12pm and 2-4pm
English 121: Thursday, 24th May, 10am-2pm

The recently published report "All hands on deck: A team approach to preparing year one Arts students for their first major assignment" by Linda George (Arts Information Services Manager), Carol Cameron (First Year Experience Manager) and Margaret Henley (FTVMS Senior Tutor) gives insight into the evolution of this successful programme.

Reference:

Cameron, C., George, L., & Henley, M. (2012). All hands on deck: A team approach to preparing year one Arts students for their first major assignment. The International Journal of the First Year in Higher Education, 3(1), 101-108.

The Irish Times & The Weekly Irish Times

Arts Information Services — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:06:49 GMT

The Library database ProQuest Historical Newspapers has recently added the archives of two major Irish newspapers:

The Irish Times, 1859-2007
The Weekly Irish Times, 1876-1958

Both collections provide researchers with vital primary source material. The ability to cross-search these newspapers with ProQuest's existing US and British historical newspapers may add distinctive perspectives on key international events, such as the Irish Potato Famine, the 1916 Easter Uprising and formation of the Republic of Ireland, World Wars I and II, and the war in Iraq.

Sustainable eResources

Arts Information Services — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 02:49:58 GMT

Reading ejournals instead of print journals certainly saves a lot of trees, but what about other environmental effects?

Casalini Libri is proud to announce that its new full text platform Torrossa.it now has 200,000 digital items. The platform uses exclusively renewable energy to sustain its 10,000 monographs and conference proceedings and 500 ejournals from Italian, French, Spanish and Portuguese publishers.

Casalini's operational base in Caldine (Florence) boasts a sophisticated photovoltaic installation which produces the full volume of electrical energy required to power the servers hosting electronic publications and network infrastructure, in addition to serving the company's offices and air conditioning systems.