Date: Sep 20, 2010

HOFSTRA LIBRARIES PRESENTS KAPOW! FROM PULP FICTION TO GOOGLE BOOKS, A 75TH ANNIVERSARY SYMPOSIUM FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22ND 2010

A three-part film series will lead up to the symposium starting on September 30th

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY - The Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library at Hofstra University will host the 75^th anniversary symposium, KAPOW! From Pulp Fiction to Google Books: Celebrating the Evolution of Popular Culture from
1935 to the Present.  The symposium will take place on Friday, October 22^nd from 9:00am-5:00pm in the Guthart Cultural Center Theater on the first floor of Axinn Library, south campus.   Leading up to the symposium, the library will host a three-part film series including The Big Sleep (September 30^th) Danger: Diabolik (October 7^th) and Spirited Away (October 14^th).

Since Hofstra's founding date (1935) coincides with the rise of "pulp fiction" as a literary genre, Hofstra Libraries has chosen to look at the evolution of literature and culture.  The symposium will feature special guest speakers as well as Hofstra University faculty panels.  The morning keynote speaker is Professor Michael Sharpe, professor at SUNY Binghamton who is perhaps better known for his NY Times crossword-puzzle solving abilities under the pseudonym 'Rex Parker.' Sharpe will discuss the rise of pulp fiction as documented in his Pop Sensation blog http://salmongutter.blogspot.com . Bob Rozakis, Hofstra University alumnae class of '73 will lead the lunchtime discussion.  Rozakis is a comic book writer and editor known mainly for his work in the 1970s and 1980s at DC Comics, as the writer of 'Mazing Man and in his capacity as DC's "Answer Man."  The afternoon session will feature Kevin Smith, Scholarly Communications officer at Duke University and Joseph G, Astman Distinguished Symposium Scholar.  Smith will discuss fan fiction, copyright law, fair use, and creativity.

Registration is required for participation in the conference. A complimentary lunch will be provided for all registrants.  To register, RSVP by October 15, 2010 to Jolene Collazo at 516-463-5952 or Jolene.Collazo@hofstra.edu.

The film series is free and open to the public.  All films will be shown at 8pm in the Guthart Cultural Center Theater on the first floor of Axinn Library.  Each film will be introduced by Hofstra University faculty, with a Q&A session to follow.

For more information, call the Axinn Library at (516) 463-5076.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 150 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students' interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.
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