Academic libraries have continually looked for technological solutions to low circulation statistics, under-usage by students and faculty, and what is perceived as a crisis in relevance, seeing themselves in competition with Google and Wikipedia. Academic libraries, however, are as relevant as they have been historically, as their primary functions within their university missions have not changed, but merely evolved. Going beyond the Gate Count argues that the problem is not relevance, but marketing and articulation. This book offers theoretical reasoning and practical advice to directors on how to better market the function of the library within and beyond the home institution. The aim of this text is to help directors, and ultimately, their librarians and staff get students and faculty back into the library, as a result of better articulation of the library s importance. The first chapter explores the promotion of academic libraries and their function as educational systems. The next two chapters focus on the importance of the role social media and virtual presence in the academic library, and engaging and encouraging students to use the library through a variety of methods, such as visually oriented special collections. Remaining chapters discuss collaboration and collegiality, formalized reporting and marketing.
Offers clear, concise writing, with thoughtful discussions of the problems facing academic libraries Demonstrates comprehensive and thoughtful research that informs theoretical approaches to realistic outcomes that address these problemsProvides helpful tables, illustrations, and photographs that evidence the collaborative nature of contemporary academic librariesProvides practical examples from actual experiences that can be adapted by readers"

Musicians, both fictional and real, have long been subjects of cinema. From biopics of composers Beethoven and Mozart to the rise (and often fall) of imaginary bands in The Commitments and Almost Famous, music of all types has inspired hundreds of films. The Encyclopedia of Musicians and Bands on Film features the most significant productions from around the world, including straightforward biographies, rockumentaries, and even the occasional mockumentary. The wide-ranging scope of this volume allows for the inclusion of films about fictional singers and bands, with emphasis on a variety of themes: songwriter-band relationships, the rise and fall of a career, music saving the day, the promoter's point of view, band competitions, the traveling band, and rock-based absurdity. Among the films discussed in this book are Amadeus, The Blues Brothers, The Buddy Holly Story, The Commitments, Dreamgirls, The Glenn Miller Story, A Hard Day's Night, I'm Not There, Jailhouse Rock, A Mighty Wind, Ray, 'Round Midnight, The Runaways, School of Rock, That Thing You Do!, and Walk the Line. With entries that span the decades and highlight a variety of music genres, The Encyclopedia of Musicians and Bands on Film is a valuable resource for moviegoers and music lovers alike, as well as scholars of both film and music.

Richard Matheson was one of the leading writers of science fiction, fantasy, and horror in the twentieth century. Matheson's most famous early works, the novels I Am Legend (1954) and The Shrinking Man (1956), both depict traditionally masculine figures thrust into extraordinary situations. Other thought-provoking novels, including Hell House (1971), Bid Time Return (1975), and What Dreams May Come (1978)-as well as short stories and screenplays-convey the ambiguous status of masculinity: how men should behave vis-a-vis women and what role they should occupy in the family dynamic and in society at large. In Richard Matheson's Monsters: Gender in the Stories, Scripts, Novels and Twilight Zone Episodes, June M. Pulliam and Anthony J. Fonseca examine how this groundbreaking author's writings shed light on society's ever-shifting attitudes on masculinity and domesticity. In this first full-length critical study of Matheson's entire literary output, the authors discuss how I Am Legend, The Shrinking Man, and other works question traditional male roles. The authors examine how Matheson's scripts for The Twilight Zone represented changing expectations in male behavior with the onset of the sexual and feminist revolutions, industrialization and globalization, and other issues. In a society where gender roles are questioned every day, Matheson's work is more relevant than ever. Richard Matheson's Monsters will be of interest to scholars of literature, film, and television, as well those interested in gender and masculinity studies.

With entries that range from specific works to authors, folklore, and popular culture (including music, film, television, urban legend, and gaming), this book provides a single-volume resource on all things ghostly in the United States and in other countries. The concept of ghosts has been an ongoing and universal element in human culture as far back as recorded history can document. In more modern popular culture and entertainment, ghosts are a popular mainstay—from A Christmas Carol and Casper the Friendly Ghost to The Amityville Horror, Ghostbusters, Poltergeist, The Sixth Sense, and Ghost Whisperer. This book comprehensively examines ghost and spirit phenomena in all its incarnations to provide readers with a holistic perspective on the subject. It presents insightful information about the contribution of a specific work or author to establish or further the evolution of ghost lore, rather than concentrating solely on the film, literature, music, or folklore itself. The book focuses on ghosts in western culture but also provides information about spirit phenomena and lore in international settings, as many of the trends in popular culture dealing with ghosts and spirits are informed by authors and filmmakers from Germany, Japan, Korea, and the United Kingdom. The writers and editors are experts and scholars in the field and enthusiastic fans of ghost lore, ghost films, ghost hunting, and urban legends, resulting in entries that are informative and engaging—and make this the most complete and current resource on ghost and spirit lore available.

A fascinating read for anyone from general readers to hardcore fans and scholars, this encyclopedia covers virtually every aspect of the zombie as cultural phenomenon, including film, literature, folklore, music, video games, and events. The proliferation of zombie-related fiction, film, games, events, and other media in the last decade would seem to indicate that zombies are "the new vampires" in popular culture. The editors and contributors of Encyclopedia of the Zombie: The Walking Dead in Popular Culture and Myth took on the prodigious task of covering all aspects of the phenomenon, from the less-known historical and cultural origins of the zombie myth to the significant works of film and literature as well as video games in the modern day that feature the insatiable, relentless zombie character. The encyclopedia examines a wide range of significant topics pertaining to zombies, such as zombies in the pulp magazines; the creation of the figure of the zuvembie to subvert decades of censorship by the Comics Code of Authority; Humans vs. Zombies, a popular zombie-themed game played on college campuses across the country; and annual Halloween zombie walks. Organized alphabetically to facilitate use of the encyclopedia as a research tool, it also includes entries on important scholarly works in the expanding field of zombie studies. Provides comprehensive coverage of topics about or relating to zombies in film, literature, folklore, and popular culture Features work from contributors who are dedicated scholars, authors, or fans in the zombie genre of work Supplies dates with all names and works to give readers a sense of the historical context and evolution of zombie lore Includes concept entries-for example, comedy, free will, and weapons-that place works in a logical, thematic context

Hundreds of new horror titles are described and organized according to reading preferences in this new volume of Fonseca and PulliaM's award-winning readers' advisory guide. Focusing on titles published in the last decade, along with a few older classics, the authors cover more than a dozen popular subgenres of horror fiction, including vampires and werewolves, techno-horror, ghosts and haunted houses, and small town horror. Lively annotations and commentary help you find the right book for your most demanding horror fans. More than 500 annotations are new to this edition.

Hundreds of new horror titles are described and organized according to reading preferences in this new volume of Fonseca and PulliaM's award-winning readers' advisory guide. Focusing on titles published since 2002 and broadly accessible to library users, along with a few older classics, the authors cover more than a dozen popular subgenres of horror fiction, including vampires and werewolves, techno-horror, ghosts and haunted houses, and small town horror. Lively annotations and commentary help you find the right book for your most demanding horror fans. More than 500 annotations are new to this edition.

Background information on current trends, the history, and appeals of the genre are also offered, along with lists of pertinent resources.

Hundreds of popular horror fiction titles are described and categorized according to their underlying appeal features, and under topics and themes you'll never find in the library catalog: the plot thickens (complex plots), fear factors (truly terrifying), big city horror, over-the-top weirdos, and many other themes that appeal to horror readers and fans. Use these unconventional, sometimes whimsical reading lists to identify read-alikes rooted in shared appeal features or in the specific characteristics on which the lists are based. Post individual lists on your library Web site, put them in your newsletter, or use them for patron handouts to encourage circulation and reading. Horror fiction readers and fans looking for new reading material will enjoy browsing through this book and using it to create checklists or reading plans. Readers' advisors who wish to better acquaint themselves with the genre and its newer publications, particularly in terms of appeal features, will find a treasury of ideas here as well. Looking for a new way to find suggestions for readers seeking that great new horror read? How about some fresh ideas for that Halloween horror fiction display? You've come to the right place. Read On…Horror Fiction categorizes hundreds of popular horror fiction titles—not according to standard subgenres and themes, but according to their underlying appeal features, and under topics and themes you'll never find in the library catalog. Choose the plot thickens (complex plots), I'm too sexy for my fangs (erotic horror), graffiti and gore (big city horror), favorite monsters, or any of the many other themes that appeal to horror readers and fans. The book includes approximately 350 of the best and most current horror fiction titles, and a few popular classics as well, offering bibliographic information and brief, punchy plot summaries designed to spark reader interest and capture the appeal connection. These unconventional, sometimes whimsical reading lists can be used to identify read-alikes rooted in shared appeal features or in the specific characteristics on which the lists are based. Post specific lists on your library Web site, put them in your newsletter, or use them for patron handouts to encourage circulation and reading. Horror fiction readers and fans looking for new reading material will enjoy browsing through this book, and using it to create checklists or reading plans. Readers' advisors who wish to better acquaint themselves with the genre and its newer publications, particularly in terms of appeal features, will find a treasury of ideas here as well. Libraries may wish to order multiple copies—one for the readers' advisor and reference desk and one to the circulating collection. desk, and one for the circulating collection.