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Library offers international television access |
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Thursday, 06 March 2008 |
by LAUREN LAWSON
News Reporter
After cutting through yards of red tape, Appalachian State University’s Belk Library & Information Commons has launched access to its Window to the World International Television Service.
Librarian Allan G. Scherlen said the library began investigating various sources early in 2007 and completed the installation in December 2007.
“There were two issues that needed to be addressed which slowed the process - the installation of the
satellite on the roof of the new library and the issue of roof safety,” said Dr. William Hutchins, a
professor of philosophy and religion, and Arabic language teacher.
Scherlen said the first year of programming includes eight international packages: Arabic Elite, German
Language Plus, Taiwanese Mega Pack (Chinese, Japanese), Great Wall TV Package (Chinese), TV
Japan, EuroNews, Telesud (French), and Dish Latino, which includes over 30 channels of Spanish
language programming.
 Junior theater arts major Megan H. Lewicki uses one of the TV rooms on the second floor of the library. The rooms receive international stations but can also play DVDs and VHS cassettes. Photo by Holt Menzies
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“We have a test list this semester to check the service out, we’re trying some [channels] out and we
plan to revise the list year to year,” Hutchins said.
Several faculty and students have already begun using the service for classes or are planning to do so
this semester.
Appalachian graduate student and teaching assistant Salim Al Ibia used the service for his Arabic
language class so that his students had a chance to “live the culture.”
Al Ibia said it was important for his students to see the various dialects of the Arabic language.
“I didn’t expect to be able to watch the same channels I did back home, but I even take advantage of it
to keep in touch and up to date with events [from Jordan],” he said.
Al Ibia said his students came once a week to the library to watch a wide range of broadcasts,
including news, movies, cooking shows, and documentaries.
“This service affords students to see broadcast television from the perspective of other cultures and
languages… Students don’t have to rely solely on United States news sources,” Scherlen said.
He said the library has designated three study rooms on the second floor for students to view the
broadcasts.
“This variety of non-English programming will benefit students studying the languages and cultures of
other countries, as well as the growing number of students from other countries studying at
Appalachian State,” Scherlen said.
The programming ranges from news and sports to cooking, children’s programming, game shows and
music.
Hutchins was a supporter for this service and has used Window to the World for his classes already.
“I can bring a video to class that is three years old and dated, on only one subject, but with this service
students can experience other cultures doing normal every day stuff… It humanizes different cultures
and makes them more relatable,” Hutchins said.
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