[Videolib] Videos shelved separate or integrated into the stacks?
Interesting takes on this question, so far. One thing that hasn't been addressed--and it may be more relevant to large, established research collections than others--has to do with long-term preservation and access to collections. At least 1/4 of our tape collections at UCB have gone out of distribution over the past 20 years. We're finding that a fair number of DVDs have also gone OP in the past decade. If one mission of a media collection is to preserve this stuff over the long term, I'd say that open access and broad circulation run counter to these aims. The physical nature of the media we're talking about, and the commercial markets behind them are definitely more precarious than print or other traditional library media... gary Gary Handman Director Media Resources Center Moffitt Library UC Berkeley 510-643-8566 ghand...@library.berkeley.edu http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC I have always preferred the reflection of life to life itself. --Francois Truffaut VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
Re: [Videolib] Videos shelved separate or integrated into the stacks?
We experience similar kinds of scenarios as Gary cited: Faculty are not always good about reserving stuff in advance for classroom use and students (sometimes faculty) aren't particularly good about returning things on time. We have also found that faculty members will require that their entire class watch a film that they did NOT put on reserve (perhaps because they assume that it will just be here) and because our new policy is to allow all day checkout to students (due at the end of the day at closing time) if one student checks the item out in the morning and has it all day, all other students do not have access to it until the next day. It then often happens all over again on the next day when another student checks it out and keeps it all day. Of course if we become aware of that situation, we will put the item on reserve ourselves but that doesn't always happen quick enough as students sometimes just walk away if the item is not available rather than find out why. We used to have a limited loan period of four hours for student loans for items not on reserve. That definitely kept viewing of our DVDs in the media center for the most part because they were due back so soon. However, since we have implemented a policy of lending media to students all day (not restricted to the library) we have seen an increase in items not being returned until the next day or even days later and sometimes not at all. I'm seeing a lot more damaged DVDs come back as well some even after just one or two viewings. Our media is kept in closed stacks and our circulation is very high. Bonnie Brown Avery Fisher Center - Original Message - From: ghand...@library.berkeley.edu Date: Friday, January 21, 2011 3:18 pm Subject: Re: [Videolib] Videos shelved separate or integrated into the stacks? To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Hi Jared Yeah, this topic pops up periodically. There are widely divergent opinions. It's a fairly complex issue, actually: a lot depends on 1) the mission of the media collection (and the library in general); 2) the nature of the collection (all video is not created equal in terms of pricing and content); the uses of the collection; existing access policies; circulation infrastructure; facilities...and other stuff as well. If, as in my collection, the primary function is to support current teaching and research, I have a lot of qualms about opening circulation to the general student population (i.e., for use outside of the Media Center). Faculty are never good about reserving stuff in advance for classroom use; students (and sometimes faculty) aren't particularly good about returning things on time. A recipe for disaster! There are other issues with open circulation, of course. If there are rarities, fragile titles, or expensive things in the collection, open circulation can be a real problem. The notion of splitting a collection of any size into circulating and non-circulating makes the hair (what there is left of it) on the back of my neck stand up. We already have an unspeakably baroque set of circulation gambits (based on patron status), and the idea making things even more complex gives me the whim-wams. But then again, most everything gives me the whim-wams these days. I know a lot of my pals on this list have different opinions, based on local need and circumstance...so let er' rip... gary handman Hello, I know this issue has been brought up on this list before, but the whole idea of videos in open stacks (integrated with the regular book collection) vs. a separate video collection (in open or closed stacks) is coming up at our library with a vengeance. I would like to get a test of the waters among those on this list about what your library does, does it work, and what would make it better. Certainly both horror stores as well as happy sunshine stores would be appreciated. For the record my situation is thus: We are the academic library for the College of Charleston (about 11,000 students). We have about 8000 videos (VHS and DVD) in our separate, closed stack collection. We only circulate to faculty (3 days). Reserve videos for faculty are at the circulation desk. Students must view videos in library only. To add to the complication, we recently concluded an agreement with our Student Government Association (SGA) to create an SGA funded collection of popular video titles that would be circulated (3 days) to students only. This collection would be located on shelves near the circulation desk near our browsing books. We are in the process of ordering titles now. What are your thoughts? Beyond what your library actually does, what do you (philosophically) THINK and FEEL is the best approach to making a Media Collection available to faculty and students? Is spreading
[Videolib] Videos shelved separate or integrated into the stacks?
Hello, I know this issue has been brought up on this list before, but the whole idea of videos in open stacks (integrated with the regular book collection) vs. a separate video collection (in open or closed stacks) is coming up at our library with a vengeance. I would like to get a test of the waters among those on this list about what your library does, does it work, and what would make it better. Certainly both horror stores as well as happy sunshine stores would be appreciated. For the record my situation is thus: We are the academic library for the College of Charleston (about 11,000 students). We have about 8000 videos (VHS and DVD) in our separate, closed stack collection. We only circulate to faculty (3 days). Reserve videos for faculty are at the circulation desk. Students must view videos in library only. To add to the complication, we recently concluded an agreement with our Student Government Association (SGA) to create an SGA funded collection of popular video titles that would be circulated (3 days) to students only. This collection would be located on shelves near the circulation desk near our browsing books. We are in the process of ordering titles now. What are your thoughts? Beyond what your library actually does, what do you (philosophically) THINK and FEEL is the best approach to making a Media Collection available to faculty and students? Is spreading the videos throughout the regular collection a good thing? Is a separate video collection a good thing? Many variables exist (open/closed stacks, partial integration, partial circulation etc.). 'll gladly allow myself to be directed to any good articles or links on the subject too. Thanks. Jared PS: I just found a good article from Library Trends (Winter 2010) on the subject (that I have not read yet): Making the Most of Your Video Collection: Trends in Patron Access and Resource Sharing by Barbara Bergman of Minnesota State University Jared Alexander Seay Reference Librarian Head, Media Collections Addlestone Library College of Charleston Charleston SC 29424 Main Office: 843-953-1428 blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/ Media Collections: 843-953-8040 blogs.cofc.edu/media collections http://blogs.cofc.edu/mediacollections/ Addlestone Report:blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport http://blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport/ Reference Services: blogs.cofc.edu/refblog http://blogs.cofc.edu/refblog/ VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
Re: [Videolib] Videos shelved separate or integrated into the stacks?
Hi Jared Yeah, this topic pops up periodically. There are widely divergent opinions. It's a fairly complex issue, actually: a lot depends on 1) the mission of the media collection (and the library in general); 2) the nature of the collection (all video is not created equal in terms of pricing and content); the uses of the collection; existing access policies; circulation infrastructure; facilities...and other stuff as well. If, as in my collection, the primary function is to support current teaching and research, I have a lot of qualms about opening circulation to the general student population (i.e., for use outside of the Media Center). Faculty are never good about reserving stuff in advance for classroom use; students (and sometimes faculty) aren't particularly good about returning things on time. A recipe for disaster! There are other issues with open circulation, of course. If there are rarities, fragile titles, or expensive things in the collection, open circulation can be a real problem. The notion of splitting a collection of any size into circulating and non-circulating makes the hair (what there is left of it) on the back of my neck stand up. We already have an unspeakably baroque set of circulation gambits (based on patron status), and the idea making things even more complex gives me the whim-wams. But then again, most everything gives me the whim-wams these days. I know a lot of my pals on this list have different opinions, based on local need and circumstance...so let er' rip... gary handman Hello, I know this issue has been brought up on this list before, but the whole idea of videos in open stacks (integrated with the regular book collection) vs. a separate video collection (in open or closed stacks) is coming up at our library with a vengeance. I would like to get a test of the waters among those on this list about what your library does, does it work, and what would make it better. Certainly both horror stores as well as happy sunshine stores would be appreciated. For the record my situation is thus: We are the academic library for the College of Charleston (about 11,000 students). We have about 8000 videos (VHS and DVD) in our separate, closed stack collection. We only circulate to faculty (3 days). Reserve videos for faculty are at the circulation desk. Students must view videos in library only. To add to the complication, we recently concluded an agreement with our Student Government Association (SGA) to create an SGA funded collection of popular video titles that would be circulated (3 days) to students only. This collection would be located on shelves near the circulation desk near our browsing books. We are in the process of ordering titles now. What are your thoughts? Beyond what your library actually does, what do you (philosophically) THINK and FEEL is the best approach to making a Media Collection available to faculty and students? Is spreading the videos throughout the regular collection a good thing? Is a separate video collection a good thing? Many variables exist (open/closed stacks, partial integration, partial circulation etc.). 'll gladly allow myself to be directed to any good articles or links on the subject too. Thanks. Jared PS: I just found a good article from Library Trends (Winter 2010) on the subject (that I have not read yet): Making the Most of Your Video Collection: Trends in Patron Access and Resource Sharing by Barbara Bergman of Minnesota State University Jared Alexander Seay Reference Librarian Head, Media Collections Addlestone Library College of Charleston Charleston SC 29424 Main Office: 843-953-1428 blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/ Media Collections: 843-953-8040 blogs.cofc.edu/media collections http://blogs.cofc.edu/mediacollections/ Addlestone Report:blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport http://blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport/ Reference Services: blogs.cofc.edu/refblog http://blogs.cofc.edu/refblog/ VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors. Gary Handman Director Media Resources Center Moffitt Library UC Berkeley 510-643-8566 ghand...@library.berkeley.edu http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC I have always preferred the reflection of life to life itself. --Francois Truffaut VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and
Re: [Videolib] Videos shelved separate or integrated into the stacks?
If you go with open, my preference would be for NON-integration with books. I realize there are multiple reasons for contemplating a move from closed to open stacks -- could be space concerns; could be a desire to increase use - but if usage IS part of the equation, then you really would want to consider the ease of browsing. Browsability is a nice, nice thing with DVDs that are housed all together. It sounds, though, as if increasing usage may not be what's driving your institution's push towards open stacks, since you've not allowed student checkout beyond the building? We're different in that we allow students a 7-day checkout period on all video materials which are not currently on classroom reserve, with item recall available should something be needed by a prof. When Gary responds, it'll be a with a very different POV from ours, I'm sure. J Susan Albrecht Wabash College From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Seay, Jared Alexander Sent: Friday, January 21, 2011 2:46 PM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Subject: [Videolib] Videos shelved separate or integrated into the stacks? Hello, I know this issue has been brought up on this list before, but the whole idea of videos in open stacks (integrated with the regular book collection) vs. a separate video collection (in open or closed stacks) is coming up at our library with a vengeance. I would like to get a test of the waters among those on this list about what your library does, does it work, and what would make it better. Certainly both horror stores as well as happy sunshine stores would be appreciated. For the record my situation is thus: We are the academic library for the College of Charleston (about 11,000 students). We have about 8000 videos (VHS and DVD) in our separate, closed stack collection. We only circulate to faculty (3 days). Reserve videos for faculty are at the circulation desk. Students must view videos in library only. To add to the complication, we recently concluded an agreement with our Student Government Association (SGA) to create an SGA funded collection of popular video titles that would be circulated (3 days) to students only. This collection would be located on shelves near the circulation desk near our browsing books. We are in the process of ordering titles now. What are your thoughts? Beyond what your library actually does, what do you (philosophically) THINK and FEEL is the best approach to making a Media Collection available to faculty and students? Is spreading the videos throughout the regular collection a good thing? Is a separate video collection a good thing? Many variables exist (open/closed stacks, partial integration, partial circulation etc.). 'll gladly allow myself to be directed to any good articles or links on the subject too. Thanks. Jared PS: I just found a good article from Library Trends (Winter 2010) on the subject (that I have not read yet): Making the Most of Your Video Collection: Trends in Patron Access and Resource Sharing by Barbara Bergman of Minnesota State University Jared Alexander Seay Reference Librarian Head, Media Collections Addlestone Library College of Charleston Charleston SC 29424 Main Office: 843-953-1428 blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/http://blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/ Media Collections: 843-953-8040 blogs.cofc.edu/media collectionshttp://blogs.cofc.edu/mediacollections/ Addlestone Report: blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereporthttp://blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport/ Reference Services: blogs.cofc.edu/refbloghttp://blogs.cofc.edu/refblog/ VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
Re: [Videolib] Videos shelved separate or integrated into the stacks?
Our media collection has gone through a variety of adjustments in the past few years, and it hasn't been held harmless. We've gone through a lot of necessary withdrawal processes, and currently have: 14,000+ videos (DVDs and VHS) 15,700+ sound recordings (CD, audiocassette, LPs) Some kits, biological/scientific models and stuff like that We have never interfiled the media with the books per se, but we have had open stacks and full circulation for a number of years. A few years ago we went from having a large separate stacks area (that also housed a lot of educational kits, cd-roms, etc.) with a large equipment lab and three classrooms to support all formats in the collection and a separate Circulation/Reserve desk for media, to a much smaller area on a different floor housing other types of collections, with a substantially reduced equipment support area. Now media materials are taken to the main Circulation Desk for check-out. Media Reserves are shelved there as well. While I think our original set up was ideal in many ways, living in a finite space with ever-growing/changing collections of all formats along with an ever-decreasing staff and budget made the downsizing pretty necessary. There has never much interest in interfiling media with print materials in the general stacks here. In my experience it's been hard enough to find appropriate shelving sizes and configurations to keep like materials together (and kind of orderly) and maintain maximum accessibility with efficient space utilization. And, my experience with patrons has been that they are usually looking for one format or the other. Of course now they are hoping, and sometimes assuming, that everything is going to be available online. One potential positive with interfiling would be the potential for 'discovery' of materials not recognized as being available. I know that our patrons like to browse the media collection. Materials are shelved by format, and are all classified in LC. I think this provides clear and direct access for the patrons, whether they are browsing or using the online catalog. Whenever possible, we have always tried our best to maintain the collections based on our understanding of how they are used by patrons. And, we've certainly had to change our perspectives occasionally! One thing I cannot stress enough...try to be sure that whatever physical changes are made, adequate space and storage and is guaranteed as much as possible. And try not to take someone else's word for the measurements...:) Rue Rue McKenzie Coordinator of Media Collections Academic Resources University of South Florida Library 4202 Fowler Ave., LIB122 Tampa, FL 33620 813-974-6342 / rmcken...@usf.edu From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Seay, Jared Alexander Sent: Friday, January 21, 2011 2:46 PM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Subject: [Videolib] Videos shelved separate or integrated into the stacks? Hello, I know this issue has been brought up on this list before, but the whole idea of videos in open stacks (integrated with the regular book collection) vs. a separate video collection (in open or closed stacks) is coming up at our library with a vengeance. I would like to get a test of the waters among those on this list about what your library does, does it work, and what would make it better. Certainly both horror stores as well as happy sunshine stores would be appreciated. For the record my situation is thus: We are the academic library for the College of Charleston (about 11,000 students). We have about 8000 videos (VHS and DVD) in our separate, closed stack collection. We only circulate to faculty (3 days). Reserve videos for faculty are at the circulation desk. Students must view videos in library only. To add to the complication, we recently concluded an agreement with our Student Government Association (SGA) to create an SGA funded collection of popular video titles that would be circulated (3 days) to students only. This collection would be located on shelves near the circulation desk near our browsing books. We are in the process of ordering titles now. What are your thoughts? Beyond what your library actually does, what do you (philosophically) THINK and FEEL is the best approach to making a Media Collection available to faculty and students? Is spreading the videos throughout the regular collection a good thing? Is a separate video collection a good thing? Many variables exist (open/closed stacks, partial integration, partial circulation etc.). 'll gladly allow myself to be directed to any good articles or links on the subject too. Thanks. Jared PS: I just found a good article from Library Trends (Winter 2010) on the subject (that I have not read yet): Making the Most of Your Video Collection: Trends in Patron Access and Resource Sharing by Barbara Bergman of Minnesota State
Re: [Videolib] Videos shelved separate or integrated into the stacks?
Other responses made me think of a few other considerations. We do have a limited number of materials (primarily DVD and a few VHS) that we don't shelve in the open stacks. Titles that are heavily used for course/research support and are out of print or extremely pricey, some of the unusually (and surprisingly) expensive titles, and the occasional title that has been purchased with some use restrictions are kept on a permanent reserve status. They will still circulate out of the library to faculty for classroom showings, but in most cases these need to be viewed by students in the library. The completely open stacks and full circulation (video - 7 days for all patrons ; audio - 3 weeks for all patrons) can wreak havoc on the stability and longevity of the collection at times. And course and research support is our primary objective always. Rue From: McKenzie, Rue Sent: Friday, January 21, 2011 3:31 PM To: 'videolib@lists.berkeley.edu' Subject: RE: Videos shelved separate or integrated into the stacks? Our media collection has gone through a variety of adjustments in the past few years, and it hasn't been held harmless. We've gone through a lot of necessary withdrawal processes, and currently have: 14,000+ videos (DVDs and VHS) 15,700+ sound recordings (CD, audiocassette, LPs) Some kits, biological/scientific models and stuff like that We have never interfiled the media with the books per se, but we have had open stacks and full circulation for a number of years. A few years ago we went from having a large separate stacks area (that also housed a lot of educational kits, cd-roms, etc.) with a large equipment lab and three classrooms to support all formats in the collection and a separate Circulation/Reserve desk for media, to a much smaller area on a different floor housing other types of collections, with a substantially reduced equipment support area. Now media materials are taken to the main Circulation Desk for check-out. Media Reserves are shelved there as well. While I think our original set up was ideal in many ways, living in a finite space with ever-growing/changing collections of all formats along with an ever-decreasing staff and budget made the downsizing pretty necessary. There has never much interest in interfiling media with print materials in the general stacks here. In my experience it's been hard enough to find appropriate shelving sizes and configurations to keep like materials together (and kind of orderly) and maintain maximum accessibility with efficient space utilization. And, my experience with patrons has been that they are usually looking for one format or the other. Of course now they are hoping, and sometimes assuming, that everything is going to be available online. One potential positive with interfiling would be the potential for 'discovery' of materials not recognized as being available. I know that our patrons like to browse the media collection. Materials are shelved by format, and are all classified in LC. I think this provides clear and direct access for the patrons, whether they are browsing or using the online catalog. Whenever possible, we have always tried our best to maintain the collections based on our understanding of how they are used by patrons. And, we've certainly had to change our perspectives occasionally! One thing I cannot stress enough...try to be sure that whatever physical changes are made, adequate space and storage and is guaranteed as much as possible. And try not to take someone else's word for the measurements...:) Rue Rue McKenzie Coordinator of Media Collections Academic Resources University of South Florida Library 4202 Fowler Ave., LIB122 Tampa, FL 33620 813-974-6342 / rmcken...@usf.edu From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Seay, Jared Alexander Sent: Friday, January 21, 2011 2:46 PM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Subject: [Videolib] Videos shelved separate or integrated into the stacks? Hello, I know this issue has been brought up on this list before, but the whole idea of videos in open stacks (integrated with the regular book collection) vs. a separate video collection (in open or closed stacks) is coming up at our library with a vengeance. I would like to get a test of the waters among those on this list about what your library does, does it work, and what would make it better. Certainly both horror stores as well as happy sunshine stores would be appreciated. For the record my situation is thus: We are the academic library for the College of Charleston (about 11,000 students). We have about 8000 videos (VHS and DVD) in our separate, closed stack collection. We only circulate to faculty (3 days). Reserve videos for faculty are at the circulation desk. Students must view videos in library only. To add to the complication, we recently concluded an agreement with our Student Government
Re: [Videolib] Videos shelved separate or integrated into the stacks?
Hi Jared, As you'll see from responses, there are many factors about your campus and community that may affect how you handle the collection. Look at existing policies and determining how well they serve your patrons. Do practices reflect modern video collections or are they holdovers from the 16mm film days? Video collections are costly investments - is yours a well-used resource or locked away in the stacks? I'm strongly in favor of open stacks. If you have questions after reading the article in Library Trends, feel free to ask. ~Barb Barb Bergman | Media Services Interlibrary Loan Librarian | Minnesota State University, Mankato | (507) 389-5945 | barbara.berg...@mnsu.edu VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
Re: [Videolib] Videos shelved separate or integrated into the stacks?
Hi Jared, We have about 3,000 (or 20%) of our DVDs in locked cases in an open browsing collection. It's located in our Media Center, so it's easy to help people find items if they can't locate them on their own. These titles--Criterion, Warner, 20th Century Fox, Dreamworks, etc.,--fly off the shelves. We are planning to move more out there, partially due to lack of space in our closed collection. Theft has not been an issue: missing rate for these titles is equal to or less than our closed collection. We do circulate our media for 7 days to UW faculty/students/staff, our NW Summit partners, and via ILL. A note about circulating vs. non-circulating: as it's our primary mission to support research and teaching at UW, we strongly encourage faculty to turn in reserve lists early and schedule their film screenings as soon as they can. Usually it takes one instance of their film being checked out for them to get it. We also have a pretty aggressive overdue fines regime, so that helps persuade everyone to get things turned in on time or renew (if not on hold for someone else). I do think some films should be kept in closed stacks: e.g, expensive docs, rare and unique items, films with restrictive licensing issues. Some of our unpublished materials--for example http://lib.washington.edu/media/cdc.html--are on permanent reserve/library use only. All in all, the solution one comes up with needs to be customized to fit the particulars of the collection, the mission of the institution, and the needs of the community. Good luck! John __ John Vallier Head, Distributed Media UW Libraries Media Center http://www.lib.washington.edu/media http://faculty.washington.edu/vallier VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
