International Television Service

In January 2008, Belk Library and Information Commons unveiled its “Window to the World” International Television Service. Appalachian State University Libraries has designated three study rooms on the second floor Belk Library & Information Commons (Rooms 232, 234, & 235) for students to view television broadcasts from other countries in languages other than English. 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. Programming ranges from news and sports to cooking, children’s programming, game shows, music, and other entertainment Soccer fans will be especially interested in the this service during the weeks of the World Cup.


Click here to listen to Allan Scherlen, Collection Development Librarian for the Social Sciences, being interviewed on the March 13, 2008 LibVibe: Library News podcast about the Library's International Television Service.

The library began investigating various sources of international programming in early 2006 and completed the installation in December 2007. Dish Network was chosen in part because of the variety of international programming offered. After careful study of the roof and wiring systems of the building, a receiving dish was installed on the roof of the library which was connected to network receivers in three study rooms on the second floor. Each of the rooms has a high quality flat screen television. To use one of the rooms, a key and remote control can be checked-out from the Circulation Desk.

The first year of “Window to the World” programming includes eight international packages: Arabic Elite, German Language Plus, Taiwanese Mega Pack (Chinese, Japanese), Great Wall TV Package (Chinese), TV Japan (Japanese), EuroNews (various European languages), Telesud (French), and Dish Latino (which includes over 30 channels of Spanish language programming). The library plans to annually solicit user feedback on the service to adjust annual subscription package selections so as to provide the most needed and requested assortment of languages and channels.

Several faculty have already either begun using the viewing rooms for their classes or are planning to do so. Dr. Bill Hutchins of the Department of Philosophy and Religion was a strong advocate for the service and has already incorporated Arabic programming into his Arabic language course.

For more directions on using the Dish Network service and for complete information on channels provided contact John Doherty (262-2818). For recommendations of future programming contact Allan Scherlen (262-2285).