"Basically, we looked through all the library's collection and tried to pick films that would appeal to a large audience," Emily Rimland, the reference librarian, said. "They are all documentaries, and we tried to find ones that deal with what's popular in science now and, of course, what's relevant to any of the physical and mathematical sciences."
The films in the series are ones that play on such programs as BBC publications and NOVA, a program on PBS, Butkovich said.
The film From Here to Infinity: How Will the Universe Die? will be shown tomorrow afternoon.
"The film for this week, From Here to Infinity, looks at the issue of the expanding universe caused by an unidentified force," Catherine Grigor, manager of public relations and marketing of the libraries, said.
Rimland said one of her favorites is the film The Chemistry of Cooking, which analyzes basic physical and chemical changes to food during preparation.
"I think it's cute because it's a new, interesting and different way of approaching the subject of chemistry," she said.
Rimland said she thinks that the series is important because it exposes students who are not in physical and mathematical science classes to such subjects.
"We have first years and sophomores who are trying to decide what to major in, and they are taking classes in which the professor might touch on the subject, but doesn't go in depth. These films present the topics on their level, an instructionary level," she said.
Rimland said she would suggest any student who is interested in majoring or is majoring in one of the topics addressed by the series to come and watch the films.
"With these films, students can really see what there is out there for physical and mathematical science majors," she said. "They can see what kind of careers other scientists have, and enjoy themselves at the same time."
Butkovich also said she thinks students should come to the series to learn more about mathematical sciences.
"The films provide a nontechnical look at the particular topics we're looking at that week," she said. "If students are looking into a major in this field, it is a good way to get an interesting perspective on the disciplines."
All of the films are available to be checked out at the PAMS library.
"The films are all from our library, and the students are welcome to come and check them out," Butkovich said. "That's the purpose of the series, to advertise our wonderful collection of films and bring people into the library. Really, though, we just hope that the students enjoy them and find them interesting and maybe learn something in the process."
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