Current Collection Policy:

Purpose: To acquire, house and provide access to a collection of audiovisual materials in videocasses, and laser disk format.

The audiovisual collection covers a broad range of topics relating to university teaching and research subjects which are supported by the Fondren Library's general Collection Development Policy.

This Statement is subject to updates and revisions to reflect changes and advances in audiovisual formats and technology. Materials are intended for on-site use and short-term loan privileges to faculty and students, in compliance with copyright restrictions. All titles in the collection are cataloged and represented in LIBRIS.

General Guidelines:

Fondren Library's audiovisual collection functions in full compliance with Rice University's Policy, Procedures and Guidelines for Instructional, Research and Library Use of Copyrighted Material (University Policy 303-84). In recognition of this policy, Fondren Library will not add video recordings of dubious copyright status to the AV collection.

Films, videocassettes and laser disks are usually purchased to support instruction in Rice University undergraduate and graduate classes. Titles specific to the fields of medicine and law are generally not acquired. Entertainment films and videos, unless used to support classroom instruction, are not purchased but may be accepted as gifts. Archival copies of Rice University produced films and videocassettes are accepted as gifts for preservation and research.

Local TV station copyright agreements are kept on file in Acquisitions.

Rental of films, videocassettes and other audiovisual formats is usually handled through the academic department. However, Fondren Library personnel may be able to help faculty and staff with locating and renting tapes.

Audiovisual resources are selected by the subject selectors, with recommendations from faculty and university staff. Fondren Library collects and maintains media reference sources and reviewing aids such as The Video Source Book. These resources are available for use by staff and faculty. Other selector aides (e.g. Booklist, Library Journal, Choice and The Educational Film Locator) are housed in the Periodical Room and Reference Room on the first floor. Vendor catalogs, contact information, and rental agreements are kept on file inthe Reference Office. Also on hand are the media catalogs of the major universities which supply rental/purchase programs to educational institutions.

1. Languages: Most films, videocassettes and laser discs are acquired in English. If a laser disk has a bilingual format, English and Spanish are preferred. Foreign language films are purchased with English subtitles or dubbing. These films are also accepted as gifts. It is established practice that the Language Lab in Rayzor Hall acquires films or tapes in foreign languages and media material for language instruction.
2. Chronological Guidelines: No limitations.
3. Date of Publication: Emphasis is on currently released materials. Non-current or retrospective materials are acquired to replace damaged items or to fulfill special requests. Films of exceptional quality will be archived rather than withdrawn when it is necessary to stop regular circulation due to age or damage to the tape or format.
4. Geographical Guidelines: No area is excluded from subject coverage. Most acquired titles and videocassettes are produced in the United States. Due to the high cost, licensing fees and limited licensing agreements that usually accompany foreign media material, foreign films and products are rigorously examined according to the Selection Criteria listed below.
5. Treatment of Subject: Films and videocassettes appropriate for use with college and adult level audiences are acquired. Materials providing broad curricular support are preferred and given priority in selection to insure maximum use of expensive material. The small audiovisual budget, constituted of funds donated by the Friends of Fondren, is not divided by subject area and these funds are available for the truly interdisciplinary titles; discipline funds should be used by the selectors to acquire audiovisuals specific to the subject areas as well as other media.
   No abridgments, excerpts or promotional films are collected. There are no duplicate purchases, or purchases of colorized films. Instructional productions on recreational topics or "how to" videocassettes and films are not collected with the exception of "how to" videocassettes or disks on the application of computer software such as software tutorial programs and programs on scientific techniques.
6. Formats: Most materials are acquired in videotape format.
   • Preferred -- 1/2-inch VHS videocassette, optical laser disk and CD-ROM compatible to Macintosh or IBM computers
   • Unacceptable -- Beta videocassette; 4mm, 8mm, 16mm film; superseded software versions, reel-to-reel film

     Sound recordings, filmstrips and slides are not collected in the AV collection. These materials are covered by the general collection development policies of Fondren Library.

     The selection effort is to purchase the most appropriate format.

Selection criteria:

The following factors may be considered in selecting titles and formats for purchases:

Funding available

Relative cost

Curricular relevance

Effectiveness of presentation/level of treatment

Interdisciplinary nature

Quality of technical production

Balance within existing collection/amount of similar material in collection

Aesthetic/cultural appeal and value

Previewed by faculty or library staff before purchase

Is a rental more appropriate? Is it of limited use?

Accuracy, currency of production

Favorable reviews

Anticipated use

Gifts:

All gifts are accepted in accordance with the library's gift policy. Monied gifts are handled by the Office of the University Librarian. Gift audiovisual material must comply with the acceptable formats mentioned in this statement and must meet copyright policy requirements. The AV Collection reserves the right to refuse any gift that does not fit the definitions of relevant curricular materials. Classic feature films and documentaries, as well as productions made at or about Rice University will be accepted. The collection development managers reserve the right to dispose of unwanted materials by sale, sharing, lending or discard.

Collection Management:

Storing and preserving the audiovisual materials is a continuous process. Fondren Library maintains the AV Collection against humidity, extreme temperature changes, theft, dust and misuse.

Weeding the collection is a necessary ongoing process in order to maintain quality, currency and usefulness of titles. The weeding criteria include: worn or damaged formats, superseded by another version or format, review by faculty and/or staff for curricular relevancy, and use statistics. No titles will be removed without notification and review by the appropriate academic department(s) .