VIDEOLIB Archive: Re: what's in a name

Still since print is a medium it would seem to be something of a misnomer to refer to what has traditionally been called AV as "media." What's everything else in the library? Chopped liver?

I believe that when schools (elementary, middle and secondary) use the term "media center," they are referring to the entire library. Semantically, I think that's as it should be.

Greg Callahan

>From: Julie Dinkins

>Reply-To: videolib@library.berkeley.edu

>To: Multiple recipients of list

>Subject: Re: what's in a name

>Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 14:45:06 -0800 (PST)

>We've been called the "Multimedia Center" for several years.

>Although, I don't think the addition of the "multi" really means

>anything. At least it distinguishes us from the "Media Services" folk

>on our campus, who deliver equipment to classrooms and labs.

>And it's true that patrons don't confuse us with news organizations.

>jd

>Julie Dinkins

>Multimedia Dept Manager

>Sonoma State University Library

>dinkins@sonoma.edu | 707-664-4077

>http://libweb.sonoma.edu/

> >Unlike some of the other responses, I think "media" is the more dated, library

> >school term, and to the general public it means news reporting rather than

> >non-book materials. Since we changed our name from "Film & Video Center" to

> >"Media Express" (ask the administration what the Express means), we

> >are getting

> >an increase of misdirected phone calls and patrons in person, all looking for

> >the newspapers.

> >

> >"Schauer, Amy" wrote:

> >

> >> Hi,

> >> Our library is completing a major building remodel and we need to have a

> >> sign fabricated for the entrance of our new A/V room. This is our chance to

> >> choose the very best term for this room, which we'll also use as a locator

> >> in the catalog. The VHS videos, DVDs, music CDs, audiobooks on tape and CD,

> >> and CD-roms are all housed in this room. We've considered:

> >> * Media Center,

> >> * Audio-Video Room,

> >> * Audio-Visual Room.

> >>

> >> None of them strike us as perfect. Has anyone out there hit on a better

> >> term?

> >>

> >> thanks in advance for your suggestions,

> >>

> >> Amy E. S. Schauer

> >> Events / Audio-Visual Librarian

> >> West Linn Public Library

> >> 1595 Burns Street

> >> West Linn, Oregon 97068

> >> ph.: 503.656.7853 ext. 18

> > > fax: 503.656.2746

> >

> >--

> >John Holland

> >Librarian

> >Chicago Public Library

> >Media Express

> >(312) 747-4100