News from SUNY Cortland

For more information contact: Jennifer Wilson, 607-753-2232

Jewish Literature Reading and Discussion Series to Begin on Aug. 27

CORTLAND, NY (08/18/2008; 1525)(readMedia)-- The Memorial Library at SUNY Cortland will host a five-part reading and discussion series called "Let's Talk About It: Jewish Literature - Identity and Imagination" starting on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

The monthly series will explore Jewish literature and culture through scholarly discussions of contemporary and classic books on a common theme, which is modern marvels: Jewish adventures in the graphic novel, explained the series organizer, Senior Assistant Librarian Ellen McCabe. The series is free and open to the public.

The first program on Aug. 27 will explore A Contract With God: And Other Testament Stories, by Will Eisner. The series will continue as follows: The Complete Maus: A Survivor's Tale, by Art Spiegelman, on Sept. 24; Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer: Stories, by Ben Katchor, on Oct. 15; The Quitter, by Harvey Pekar, on Nov. 12; and The Rabbi's Cat, by Joann Sfar, on Dec. 3.

All programs will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays in the first-floor Teaching Materials Center of Memorial Library, located at 81 Prospect Terrace on the campus. Books and other materials will be provided for participants. For details or to register, contact Ellen McCabe at (607) 753-4051 or ellen.mccabe@cortland.edu.

Nicola Morris, a faculty member in SUNY Cortland's English Department and an associate faculty member at Goddard College, will lead a discussion of each book. Morris earned a Ph.D. in English and American literature and has studied the Golem as a metaphor in Jewish American literature. She has taught courses in Global Jewish Literature, Yiddish Literature, Jewish American Literature, Yiddish, Hebrew and Jewish American Short Fiction. Morris has participated in the Ithaca Reader's Series.

"We are delighted to have been chosen once again to host this unique series that will allow patrons a chance to discuss themes in Jewish literature with fellow community members and with the help of a well-qualified scholar," said McCabe, who serves in the library as bibliographer for the humanities, including Jewish Studies.

Memorial Library is one of more than 250 libraries nationwide receiving grants to host the series developed by Nextbook and the American Library Association (ALA), she noted. Nextbook and the ALA also funded the series and local support is provided by the Friends of Memorial Library.

Memorial Library houses a collection of more than 400,000 volumes, 1,200 journal subscriptions, an extensive micro-text collection and a strong collection of electronic resources. The library's collection also includes information in a variety of formats, including videotapes, compact discs and digital video recordings. Open seven days a week when classes are in session, the facility also offers late night hours providing extended periods for study and computer use. Visit the library at http://library.cortland.edu/.

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