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Discovery, Collections & Systems

Notes and procedures

Streaming Video Collection Statement

In June 2015, the following addendum regarding streaming video was developed:

The streaming video collection supported by Memorial Library should conform to the same general categories and sub-categories created for the broader film collection (as detailed above).  In its current guise, the streaming video collection is practically oriented towards curricular support in the form of documentary and educational films, but future possibilities to stream feature films should not be excluded from consideration.  At this moment, streaming content comes from a variety of sources including external providers and an in-house hosting system.  Over the next few years, it is anticipated that the means of provision for streaming video will continue to change and evolve, but the criteria for content selection should hold stable for the time being.

Memorial Library's 2013 revised Collection Development Policy, which was endorsed by the Faculty Assembly but has not been approved by the Provost and President, inlcudes these related statements:

Section III, Formats of Materials Selected, D. Video Recordings
DVD is the preferred medium for individual video recordings.  VHS recordings are added to the collection if no other format is available.  The library will continue to explore emerging technologies with which to provide video resources to the campus.

Section III, Formats of Materials Selected, F. Video Collection
Memorial Library maintains a video collection to support the teaching and research needs of the Berry College community.

An important goal for the collection is that it provides a broad representation of the history of American television and cinema.  To this end, we maintain a collection of all films ranked in the American Film Institute’s 100 Years … 100 Movies films list, as well as television series that highlight different eras of American television.

The foreign film collection includes award winning and popular films from around the world, intended not only to support the curriculum, but also to expose students to filmmakers and subjects they might not ordinarily encounter.

The previous Collection Development Policy, fully approved in 1996, included this statement:

Section XII, Audiovisuals

Memorial Library shall acquire audiovisuals in support of the academic program. Criteria for selecting audiovisuals shall be the same as those applied to other materials. Audiovisuals shall be processed in the library and housed in the Media Center. 

Faculty Film Requests

Faculty members may request films via the online request form or direct email to a library staff member. ILL may also inquire about filling a request for a film by purchase instead of borrowing. Film requests may be referred to Acquisitions at any point. 

General principles: 

  • Preference is for streaming access. 
  • DVD will only be purchased if streaming is not available or with special arrangements with a faculty member. 
  • DVD cannot be digitized if streaming access is available – check streaming availability for all digitization requests before proceeding. 
  • VHS is not supported on campus and will not be added to the collection. 

When a film request is received, in general: 

  • Check WorldCat Discovery for current holdings. 
  • If access is not found in WorldCat, directly check existing streaming services for availability. (For a list of streaming services we subscribe to, go to https://libguides.berry.edu/az.php?s=21456. Start with the best bets. Check any others that seem likely to include the film needed.) 

If access is available, notify the faculty member and confirm that they are able to access the film and that the format available is appropriate for their needs. 

If access is not available, search for it (update the requestor as needed). 

  • Search the Swank Digital Campus catalog (log in as an administrative user: LibAcq and Eresources have accounts). If available via Swank ask the faculty member to register as an instructor and submit the request themselves, as there is a form they will need to complete. As an admin user you can also request the film on the faculty member’s behalf, but will need information about the course. For both approaches, admin users will receive email notifications related to the film and will need to notify the faculty member when it becomes available. 
  • If not available via Swank, research the film to see if streaming access is available from the publisher or another provider such as Good Docs or Women Make Movies. The library cannot provide access to streaming films from Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, or any other streaming platform intended for personal use. In some cases, the film will need to be uploaded to Kaltura for campus access. 
  • If streaming access cannot be identified, in-house digitization of the film on DVD is an option. Discuss with Jeremy and refer the faculty member as appropriate. 

Replacing VHS

In fall 2013, IT discontinued supporting classroom use of the VHS format. They instituted a policy for converting VHS to DVD for faculty for classroom use. In response, Memorial Library developed a VHS replacment policy, communicated via email to faculty on March 13, 2013.