Guides

Documentary films

Titles in the documentary film collection may cover all subject areas and are selected to support the instruction and research needs of the faculty and students. English language material predominates, with little foreign language material in the collection. Preference is given to films that are unique in their approach or treatment and that will significantly enhance the learning experience. Because they are generally very expensive to purchase, preference is also given to documentary films that have been reviewed favorably and that are likely to be of sustained interest to more than one faculty member or discipline at Northwestern University. Television news specials and other titles that are in the public domain (political conventions, Presidential debates and speeches, etc.) are collected on a comprehensive basis.

Performing arts

Titles are acquired in the broad areas of drama, opera and classical music, and dance. Because of their broad interdisciplinary appeal and the limited number of new releases each year, drama and opera titles are acquired on a sustained level adequate to support undergraduate and most graduate instruction (although at less than research intensity). Different performances of the same title may be acquired. However, general interest titles of classical music performances are not acquired unless they have a special and significant pedagogical value. Dance titles (both ballet and modern dance) are acquired to support a basic collection. Instructional or training titles in the performing arts are not acquired, since these are the audio-visual equivalent of textbooks, which the Library does not purchase.

Feature films and television

These collections supports the Radio/TV/Film department in the School of Speech as well as a broad range of courses in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences (WCAS). The collection covers the chronological period from silent films to to the present, including television.

Spoken Word recordings

The Multimedia Center has an older collection of approximately 5,000 spoken word recordings. The collection covers a wide range of drama, poetry, and prose recordings. All of the titles have been cataloged and re-formatted onto the audiotrack of 1/2" VHS videotape.