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: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Seay, Jared Alexander Sent: Friday, January 21, 2011 2:46 PM To: [email protected] 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 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.
