Lafayette College Library

The collection

Skillman Library has a growing, multi-disciplinary collection of feature films and documentaries available on VHS and DVD formats. You can find information about the collection using the library catalog. (For more information, see Finding DVDs and Videocassettes.)

Items in the collections of other LVAIC institutions (Lehigh University, Muhlenburg College, Moravian College, Cedar Crest College and DeSales University) may also be available through interlibrary loan.

Borrowing procedures

Films in Skillman's collection may be checked out for seven days by Lafayette faculty, staff and students and may be renewed once for three days.

Interlibrary loan

If you are looking for an item that is not listed in the library catalog, submit an interlibrary loan request via the interlibrary loan system. Films from other LVAIC institutions need a minimum of two days for delivery and have a loan period of two days. If you need help finding out what is available on a topic or general subject, contact the reference department at refdesk@lafayette.edu or call (610)330-5155.

Reserving materials for class use

Faculty can reserve materials for classroom use by contacting Tami Kurzeja in the Acquisitions Department, weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (ext. 5149) for assistance. We recommend reserving films well in advance so as to insure their availability by the date needed.

Viewing facilities

There are TV/VCR units on the ground floor of Skillman. DVDs may be viewed on any PC or Mac in the library. Headphones for use while watching videos and DVDs may be borrowed at the Circulation Desk. The Itech screening room (117) has a large screen that can be used for small group viewing of videotapes and DVDs. Please note: DVDs and videos must be checked out even when you are viewing them in the library.

Purchasing policies

Skillman Library welcomes your suggestions for films to add to the collection (DVD format preferred). We can easily purchase many films in general release. However, cost can be a significant factor for non-feature films, so we scrutinize these purchase recommendations more closely than others. If you would like to make a recommendation for our general collection, please use our purchase recommendation form. Faculty who have film requests related to research interests or course curricula, should submit a Faculty Media Request Form (pdf) to their library liaison or to Amy Abruzzi.

Copyright compliance

Faculty, students and staff are responsible for complying with copyright laws for films. The DVDs and videocassettes purchased for the library collection are intended for the classroom or private home use of the Lafayette community. Public performance licenses are generally required for the use of videos or DVDs as part of an entertainment or cultural program. If you have questions on how to obtain a public performance license, contact the reference department at refdesk@lafayette.edu or call (610)330-5155.

Conditions for classroom use

Under the fair use provisions, copyrighted videotapes or DVDs are available for classroom use without obtaining permission from the copyright owner provided the requirements for teaching purposes are met (see 17 U.S.C. Sec. 110, Limitations on exclusive rights: Exemption of certain performances and displays). For a brief and useful summary of these conditions, consult the American Library Association's Library Fact Sheet 7: Video and Copyright.