Re: [Videolib] Vendors for Academic Media Libraries

James Steffen (jsteffe@emory.edu)
Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:16:03 -0400

We're currently working with Ambassador Books and Media
(http://www.absbook.com) for the bulk of our video orders. I've had
occasional issues with them not supplying the correct video
title/edition and not filling orders in a timely manner, but mostly
they're reliable and they can get just about anything released in the
U.S.

We're just starting to work with Action! Library Media
(www.actionlibrarymedia.com) as well. I like their user-friendly
website, and they can send a weekly email listing selected new releases.

When I spoke to Midwest Tapes, the rep told me up front that their
services weren't geared for academic libraries.

As for Insight Media, caveat emptor. They often resell videos from
other manufacturers at a significant markup without making it clear
what they're actually selling. They even change the titles, so you
could easily order a duplicate unknowingly. Once I purchased an
Insight-manufactured DVD-R, and it had no chapter breaks (unlike the
Films Media Group DVD-Rs), making it difficult to use in the classroom.
Another librarian recently complained to me that Insight mixes in K-12
content with the college-level stuff, but I haven't looked into that
issue myself.

James Steffen

Quoting Marlene_Graham@baruch.cuny.edu:

> All that comes to mind are the "usual suspects" Insight Media and Baker
> and Taylor. They both carry titles from several distributors.
>
> Cheers,
> Afua
>
>
> Marlene Graham (aka Afua Kafi-Akua)
> Media Resources Manager
> Communications & Technology Center
> Baruch College/CUNY
> One Bernard Baruch Way
> Box - H-O910
> New York, NY 10010-5585
> Tel: 646.312.1138
> Fax:: 646.312.1131
> marlene_graham@baruch.cuny.edu
>
>
>
>
> "Rhonda Pancoe" <rpancoe@mail.colgate.edu>
> Sent by: owner-videolib@lists.berkeley.edu
> 06/27/2007 08:59 AM
> Please respond to
> videolib@lists.berkeley.edu
>
>
> To
> <videolib@lists.berkeley.edu>
> cc
>
> Subject
> [Videolib] Vendors for Academic Media Libraries
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Dear Colleagues,
> My job of media acquisitions has recently been transferred to the library
> from the informational technology center and my new boss has asked me to
> look for ways to streamline the acquisitions process. We are wondering if
> any of you are aware of any one vendor that we could use to preview and
> order items from. Presently we use a number of vendors and shop around
> for the best price. I know that because of the wide range of specialties
> it might be hard to find just one vendor but any suggestions you can offer
> would be appreciated.
>
> Rhonda
> Rhonda Pancoe
> Media Acquisitions Coordinator
> Colgate University
> 13 Oak Drive
> Hamilton, NY 13346
> Phone: 315-228-7858
> Fax: 315-228-7725
> RPancoe@Mail.Colgate.Edu
>
>
>

-- 
James M. Steffen
Film Studies and Media Librarian
Theater Studies Subject Liaison
Marian K. Heilbrun Music and Media Library
Emory University
540 Asbury Circle
Atlanta, GA 30322-2870


Phone: (404) 727-8107
FAX: (404) 727-2257
Email: jsteffe@emory.edu




VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.