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Photographer: 
Randye Jones

Media Collection Mission Statement and Policy

Grinnell College Libraries Mission Statement for Media Collections 

The Grinnell College Libraries' media collections exist to provide the campus community with a high quality collection of recorded music and selective holdings in most disciplines on sound and video recordings. Through this collection the Libraries' mission is to provide support for teaching, learning, and research at Grinnell College and secondarily for recreational purposes. The Libraries' seek to maintain the health of its media collection through careful treatment of its materials in appropriate environmental conditions and through the use of appropriate equipment.

Objectives

  1. To build an expansive collection of classical music from around the world, and to selectively represent the world's popular, jazz and folk genres. These materials should support the College's liberal arts curriculum and serve as resources for study and research.
  2. To build a strong collection of videos that represents films of the highest artistic quality. These materials are also intended to support the College's liberal arts curriculum and serve as resources for study and research.
  3. To help faculty integrate these materials into their courses, where appropriate.
  4. To keep current with advances in audio and video technology, so that the Libraries' facilities can provide patrons with the most up-to-date resources.
  5. To maintain materials, both purchased materials and on-campus recordings, in good condition to extend the length of their usefulness to the college community.

Scope of Collection (Sound Recordings)

Subject Areas: Our main area of collection has been and continues to be classical music from around the world. As the curriculum has changed, we have expanded our collections of world music, jazz, blues, folk, and popular music. We strive to collect the music of our graduates and former students, such as Jacob Heringman and Herbie Hancock. We also house and maintain an archival collection of recordings of on-campus concerts.

  • Languages: No limitations.
  • Chronological guidelines: No limitations.
  • Geographical guidelines: No limitations. Be sure to talk to the Burling Media Room supervisor about regional format guidelines.
  • Date of production: Limited only by availability.

Scope of Collection (Video Recordings)

History of Collection: Since the 1995-96 school year, the Burling Media Room has included both feature and documentary film in its focus. At its inception, the video collection concentrated on music and dance performance, (especially opera and ballet), art history, music history, and special requests from faculty. With the growing interest in video use in the classroom, we now collect visual material in all subject areas.

Subject Areas: We collect documentary film in all subject areas as requested by faculty. We also collect important American and foreign films from every era, especially those of particular historic, cultural or artistic merit. Videos that are readily available at local video rental stores will be avoided except when requested by faculty for use in courses; it is our intent to provide access to titles that would otherwise be difficult to obtain. Our focus is academic rather than recreational, although these two objectives may overlap.

  • Languages: No limitations. Foreign films are purchased with English subtitles when available. Dubbed versions are purchased only when subtitled versions are not available.
  • Chronological guidelines: No limitations.
  • Geographical guidelines: No limitations.
  • Date of production: Limited only by availability.

Formats and Types of Materials Currently Collected

Inclusions: Compact discs; VHS video cassettes as requested or when DVD is not available; Blu-ray video recordings upon request; Audio cassettes (only if CDs are unavailable); DVDs unless only available in VHS or Blu-ray.

Exclusions: LP records (gifts may be accepted on a limited basis); BETA video cassettes; Foreign language instruction tapes; Books on tape or CD.

Selection Criteria

  • Funding availability
  • Curricular relevance
  • Interdisciplinary nature
  • Quality of technical production
  • Collection Recommendations

While the Burling Media Room supervisor and the Collection Development librarian have the primary responsibility to develop the collection, all suggestions from faculty, staff and students will be carefully considered in conjunction with our Collection Development policy You may use the "recommend a book" link on the libraries' catalog, or send emails and marked catalogs or advertisements to the Listening Room supervisor. Please include as much of the following information when making a suggestion:

For Sound Recordings

  1. Composer and/or Performer
  2. Title
  3. Label name and publisher number
  4. Recording’s date if a specific edition is needed

For Videos

  1. Title of work
  2. Publisher or distributor of work
  3. Date of release
  4. Director and/or principal cast

We strive to obtain materials as soon as possible. However, this can take from one week to several months, especially for recordings purchased from vendors outside the United States. If you need materials quickly, please indicate a date on your request or speak directly with the Burling Media Room supervisor. You will be contacted when the item is available for use. You will also be contacted should we decide not to purchase your suggestion, with an explanation as to why.  Link to the Burling Media Room/AV Center Borrowing Policies for more information.