Forget Blockbuster

The last place you would think to go get a movie may become the first as James Branch Cabell Library expands its DVD collection and video equipment.

Cabell recently adopted the standard film format of DVD, as opposed to VHS cassette tapes. The collection’s range suits broad tastes, from the serious film student to the occasional movie-watcher. The DVDs can be checked out for free with a valid VCU ID.

“We’ve been collecting films since the ’70s,” said Nell Chenault, head of Media and Reserve Services at Cabell Library. “It was only about two fiscal years ago that we started building the DVD collection.”

On the Web
For more information about the DVD collection at Media and Reserve Services, call 828-1088 or visit
< a href="www.library.vcu.edu/jbc/mrs ">www.library.vcu.edu/jbc/mrs

Cabell Library now offers more than 1,300 DVD titles, including feature films, international films and documentaries. These movies cover a wide variety of genres. They were selected based on various criteria, including faculty suggestions, instructional support, and research and film studies.

Some movie selections are influenced by current issues or events, Chenault said. An example: The film “Clash of the Titans” was ordered especially for last year’s James River Film Festival, when special effects legend Ray Harryhausen visited campus.

Besides new DVDs, the library is offering new services and equipment. For instance, it has more dual-deck stations with movie-playing capabilities available for use in the library.

That equipment came in handy during a recent storm.

“When the power was out at the dorms, a number of students came with their DVDs to watch them here,” Chenault said. “We also have group viewing rooms. So if you wanted to get together with your friends, anywhere from two to 10 people can watch together on a 35-inch monitor with surround sound.”

According to Nicole Miller, the library’s circulation specialist, there are two ways students can search VCU’s movie database.

The easiest way is to access the VCU Libraries catalog online at www.library.vcu.edu. You can simply type in the name of the movie you’re looking for and see if it’s available.

There’s also the old-fashion way. You can flip through the pages of the movie folder located at Media and Reserve Services.

If students doing research are looking for a specific film that the library doesn’t own, they can ask for it through an interlibrary loan. Cabell Library will get in touch with the University of Virginia, Randolph-Macon College or another university library and have the film shipped here.

“If we don’t have it and you’re writing a paper, we’ll get it for you for free,” Chenault said.

Generally, students and staff can borrow DVDs for three days and faculty for one week. Checking out a video is free, but there is a late-return fee. The fine is $1 for each day the movie is overdue. This may not be as much of a problem when renting from Cabell, because returning the DVD on time can be more convenient.

“It’s a lot easier because I can take back the movie on my way to class,” said Greg Baisden, a 21-year-old senior. “I don’t have to make a special trip to the movie store. I’m already on campus every day.”