Media Collection

The UMass Amherst Media Collection contains thousands of titles in a variety of formats, including videos, DVDs, CDs, audiocassettes, LPs, and CD-ROMs.

How to locate these materials:

DVD's, Music CDs and CD-ROMs are located in the 6th floor Media Collections area.  Please visit our newly renovated Music and Media area to browse out selection of DVDs, music CDs and Music Monuments.

VHS Videocassettes, LP's and audiocassettes are in basement storage.  Please use the Request Item function in the UM / 5 College Libraries catalog - requested items are retrieved twice a day, mid-morning and late afternoon.  You will be notified by email when requested items are available for pickup at the lower level Circulation/Reserves service desk 

To locate holdings in the Library Catalog, use the Advanced Search function.  Search by keyword, media format, collection or  language.

UMass Amherst Students, faculty and staff are able to request DVD and VHS videos online from the Five College Libraries catalog using the Request Item function.  These videos are delivered to their home libraries' Circulation desk during normal Circulation hours.  Please allow 3 to 5 days for processing through the Five College Delivery system. 

UMass Amherst Students, faculty and staff are able to request Music CD's online from the UMass and Hampshire College Libraries catalogs using the Request Item function. 

Viewing and listening facilities are available in the Du Bois 6th floor Music and Media area - see the Library's schedule of hours.

•  Equipment
  Our viewing and listening facilities contain televisions with VHS, DVD and MP3 players.  Our listening equipment will play Music Compact Discs, audiocassettes, and LPs. 
•  Viewing and Listening Rooms
  Faculty may call (413) 545-2358 to schedule use of viewing and listening rooms by more than 4 students or for those with disabilities. Or you may email your request to avreserves@library.umass.edu

 Borrowing

 Loan Periods for Videos, DVDs, VHS tapes, Audio CDs, Audiocassettes, LPs, Other Media Items.

• UMass Amherst and Four College students, UMass Amherst and Four College faculty and staff, UMass alumni, and state borrowers may borrow up to 3 of each format of item for 5 days.  
• Certain videos that are heavily used for teaching do not circulate, but may be checked out at the Du Bois Circulation/Reserves desk for 3 hours and viewed in the Du Bois Music/Media 6th floor viewing area. The Library Catalog will indicate that these items are available for "In Library or Classroom Use Only." Faculty may use the Film & Video Request Form, or email avreserves@library.umass.edu to request these materials for classroom use.

Loan Periods for  Music Monuments

• UMass Amherst and Four College students, faculty aand staff,  UMass alumni, and state borrowers may borrow up to 3 of each format of item for 5 days.
• Music Monument may be renewed two times online.

 Returns

Regular circulating media items may be returned to the Circulation/Reserves service desk on the lower level, or any library book drop location.

Restricted use media and media items on course reserve should be returned to the Circualtion/Reserves service desk on the lower level.

 Fees for Videos, DVDs, CDs, Audiocassettes, LPs, and Other Media Items 

• The replacement charge for lost/overdue Media Items is $70.00 plus a $15 processing fee plus  non-refundable billing fee of $10.00.

Just for Faculty

 Scheduling Films, Videos, and DVDs for Classroom Use
UMass Amherst faculty and staff may schedule UMass Amherst and Four College films, videos, and DVDs for classroom use. Please allow 3 working days advance notice for processing and confirmation of UMass Amherst titles, and 5 working days advance notice for titles from the Four Colleges. To schedule materials, use the Film & Video Request Form, or email avreserves@library.umass.edu.

Faculty must request equipment through Academic Instructional Media Services (AIMS) in Goodell at (413) 545-5765. For auditorium setups and technical questions, call AIMS Technical Support Services at (413) 545-5768.

 Placing Videos and DVDs on Reserve for Classes
Approximately 350 videos and DVDs are placed on reserve by faculty each semester.  These items may be checked out on the Lower Level at the Circulation/Reserve Desk.  When the individual has finished viewing the item, it should be returned to that service point.

Faculty may request that videos and DVDs that are part of the Library's collection be placed on reserve for courses. The Library will also purchase videos and DVDs to be placed on reserve. Please use the Film & Video Request Form, or email avreserves@library.umass.edu to place a request.

Please see our Copyright Policy and FAQ for detailed information about which materials may be placed on reserve.

Streaming Media for Class Instructional Support

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries is now offering a streaming media service to on-campus course instructors who utilize the Moodle Learning Management System. Capacity is limited. The purpose of the service is to support classroom instruction by providing required course content through on demand streaming of library-owned media. Videos of class lectures may be more suited to podcasting and are not within the scope of this service. For more information on how to include clips of library-owned media in your course using streamed contant please email us at: streaming@library.umass.edu

Please consult this guide to audio and video resources available from the library and on demand, including both licensed and free resources.

 Requesting Media Items from other Five College Libraries. 

Students, faculty, and staff of the Five Colleges may also use the extensive media collections at Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith Colleges.  UMass Amherst Students, faculty and staff may request videos online from the other Four Colleges in the Five College Libraries catalog and pick up these videos at their home libraries' Circulation desk during normal Circulation hours. Audio CDs from UMass, Mount Holyoke College and Hampshire College may also be requested online. Please allow 3 to 5 working days for the items to be delivered to your home library. Five College Students, Faculty and Staff may also check out up to three media items in person at any other Five College Library for up to five days.  UMass Amherst graduate students, faculty, and staff may use Interlibrary Loan to request media items not owned by the UMass Amherst Libraries or Four Colleges.

 Public Performance Rights for Audiovisual Materials

The UMass Libraries generally do not acquire public performance rights for audiovisual materials in the Media Collection. These materials are provided for personal and classroom/curricular use only.