Finding Media Items
These lists provide an overview of recent Media titles that may interest researchers in the various subject fields. They also provide recommended keywords for searching for similar videos in the catalog. We encourage patrons to recommend items for the collection. Suggest an item for us to purchase!
At this page, you'll find a list of the streaming video databases subscribed to by the Library, as well as links to some free collections.
Using Media Items
Listening and Watching Stations
The Library offers individual and group work spaces, viewing stations for DVDs, Blu-rays, and PAL discs, and an audio station with record player on the 2nd floor near room 254. Remotes are attached to the equipment.
Screening Room
The Screening Room (258) is designed for groups to view films and can accommodate 30 people. It features a Blu-ray/DVD player, Windows computer, HD Plasma TV, and VHS player. A minimum of 3 people is required to use the room. Reserve a Screening Room. Reservations are not required but do take precedence over walk-up appointments. You can borrow the key at the Check Out desk.
Showing a film to a group may require Public Performance Rights (PPR). While some of our films do have PPR, most do not. Please contact a librarian if you plan to screen one of our films for your club or student organization.
The Circulation Department details specific information about borrowing Media items, including loan periods, renewals, and late fines.
Information For Faculty
Course Reserves
Media reserves are submitted through Blackboard. Please refer to our Guide for using the course reserves system. Requests should be submitted as soon as possible to ensure availability on the first day of classes. Professors who would like the library to purchase Media items for course reserve should submit the request in Blackboard as well.
All Media items on Course Reserve circulate for four three or seven hours and can be taken from the library for classroom presentations. If you will need additional time, please ask the attendant to adjust the loan period, being mindful that if you are not the instructor who placed the disc on reserve, the request should be limited to a reasonable time.
Media Booking
An alternative to borrowing media items for immediate use, is to submit a booking request to use the item on a future date. Booking an item reserves it for a specified period, and leaves it free for other patrons to use until that specified (booked) time.
If you would like to book a media item for future use, please email the library staff at circlib-group@umbc.edu and we will reserve the item for you.
Do provide us with sufficient notice as the UMBC Media Collection circulates to patrons at other USM institutions.
Hold requests placed in the catalog for media items are usually available within a few hours or the next business day, providing the item is not currently on loan.
The Digital Media Lab (DML), located in room 216-H, provides UMBC students, faculty and staff with access to audio and video recording equipment suitable for a variety of projects. The DML also provides recording spaces, specialized software, and equipment for in-house, self-serve use. All equipment and facilities are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
