Media Service Policy

Microsoft Word version

Contents

• Eligible Users
• Access and Availability
• Loan Periods
• Equipment
• Support for Using Media
• Copying
• Researchers with special needs

The Library media covered by this policy are CD-ROMs, DVDs, sound CDs, sound cassettes, and videotapes.

Note: For the policies on microforms, please see the information for the Newspaper and Microform Reading Room <http://www.library.yale.edu/rsc/nmrr/index.html>.

For the policies on media at other Yale locations, please see units such as the Film Study Center, the Center for Language Study, and ITS.

Eligible Users

All members of the Yale community may browse media in publicly accessible library collections.

• To request restricted materials or to borrow any multimedia, a valid Yale ID card or library-issued privileges card is required.
• Due to licensing restrictions, many video recordings are only available for individual or classroom use and may not be played for the public.

Access and Availability

Media materials may be located using Orbis or other finding aids. Please consult subject librarians for additional assistance.

Media access policies vary by library; please contact specific libraries for local policies.

• Most media may be used during the hours that the owning library is open.
• Some media may not be available during evenings or weekends, and some may have restricted use (including Course Reserve materials).
• Please consult the specific library’s website for further information, including the hours of operation and times that circulation services are offered.

Some media are shelved off-site at the Library Shelving Facility (LSF). Readers should place a request for materials shelved at the LSF through Orbis. Please allow one to two business days in advance to arrange for delivery.

• Only valid Yale ID or a library-issued privileges card holders may request these materials.
• Please visit http://www.library.yale.edu/circ/privlegs.html for more information about library privileges.

Circulating CD-ROMs and book/CD-ROM combinations are available to interlibrary loan services. Most video and sound recordings are not available for this off-campus access.

Loan Periods

In most libraries, media in many formats circulate. Loan periods and renewal policies vary among the YUL libraries.

• A few individual items are only for reference use in restricted areas.

Equipment

The Library will make its best efforts to provide equipment for using all media formats that specific libraries have acquired during the most recent five years, at a minimum.

• The Library maintains a list of equipment types and locations; this list is available at Media Equipment Locations page.
• Formats supported by Library equipment may include U.S. and foreign videotapes (NTSC, PAL, and SECAM), DVDs (Regions 1-6), sound CDs, sound cassettes, and CD-ROMs.
• In addition to the multi-standard videotape and DVD players, public workstations for using reference and other non-circulating CD-ROMs are also available.
• Patrons wishing to use a circulating CD-ROM on an appropriately designated library public workstation must give the Library Staff a minimum of three business days for installation.
• Patrons are expected to use library equipment independently and responsibly.
• The equipment may be used for research only.

The Library cannot provide or support equipment for all media types. We recommend that faculty who want to place their own media materials on reserve, first confirm that the Library has equipment for using those materials.

Note: It may be necessary to make special circulation arrangements for certain materials when they are to be used on non-library equipment.

As long as reasonable, the Library will attempt to maintain and support media technologies that are currently no longer widely used or are obsolete. When possible, the Library will refer users to university locations that still support technologies that are no longer available at the Library.

Support for Using Media

Yale libraries owning media items and equipment will make reasonable efforts to ensure that their playback and computer equipment is in working condition.

• Libraries with video recordings in non-U.S. formats will provide equipment for viewing these materials.
• Libraries will also seek to maintain the usability of reference CD-ROMs/DVD-ROMs that must be used within the library.
• The Library cannot guarantee that all software and databases will function on its computers or other computers that may be available to researchers.

Yale libraries do not assist patrons with installing or using media items which circulate outside the library.

• The Library cannot guarantee that any circulating item will operate properly on equipment outside the Library’s control. Assistance may be available from ITS.
• By borrowing items from the Yale University Library, users agree that the Library assumes no liability for damage to personal equipment or for the loss of personal data caused by using media items.

Copying

Copying recorded and digital material is limited to the provisions of the copyright law and/or relevant licensing agreements. Guidelines for copyright compliance and respect for intellectual property rights relating to use of digital images in teaching are offered at: http://www.library.yale.edu/eli/copyright/.

Researchers with special needs

© 2004 Yale University Library