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Motion Pictures

Collection Policy Statement Index

I. Definition
II. Means of Acquisition
III. Selection
IV. Forms of Copies
V. Sources - Copyright
VI. Sources - Other Than Copyright

The Library of Congress attempts to acquire for its permanent collections all motion pictures (however recorded) of recognized merit, a representative sampling of other motion pictures typical of commercial productions for entertainment purposes, and a comprehensive collection of motion pictures which contribute to the knowledge and understanding of all countries.

Motion pictures will be acquired on the basis of their value as sources for reference and research in all subject fields within the scope of the Library. ²

I. Definition

The term motion picture is intended to include all types of works consisting of a series of images which, when shown in succession, impart an impression of motion, together with any accompanying sounds, whether recorded on film, tape, paper, or any other media that may be devised.

II. Means of acquisition

Motion pictures are acquired through copyright, gift, exchange, transfer, and purchase. Copies are also obtained in exchange for the use of Library films for copying purposes. The Library will not permit copying of any film that is protected by copyright or other restriction, without the permission of the copyright owner or the restrictor.

III. Selection

Selection of motion pictures for addition to the collections has been delegated by the Selection Officer to the Chief, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division or his/her designee in consultation as appropriate with other Library officers and, whenever necessary, with outside experts.

IV. Forms of copies

When a motion picture is available in more than one edition, the Library will seek to acquire the most complete, uncut, and authentic edition available. As to the form of the copies, the Library generally prefers, and will select or try to acquire, the following:

Copies reproduced on either 35mm. or 16mm. films, if available, the preference depending on which gauge represents the form in which copies of the work are most widely distributed for public exhibition. The Library's general preference as to size is not affected by the existence of copies in any larger or smaller size or of copies that have been reproduced by a process requiring special or unconventional forms of projection. Where copies have been issued in the form of video tape, the Library still prefers to receive a film transfer if available.
Copies reproduced in color, if readily available in the size preferred by the Library, rather than in monochrome.
Copies accompanied by sound, where both sound and silent versions are available; where versions exist in different languages, the Library prefers the original language version, but will also attempt to acquire, when needed, the English version.
Where copies exist only in the form of video tape, copies reproduced on 2-inch tape, if available.
Exceptions to the above policies will be made under the following conditions:
1. If the motion picture has been produced by a new process or a unique combination of processes, if it exists in a new or unique format, or if the copies require a new or unique method for their showing, the Library prefers to acquire copies reflecting the new or unique process, format, or method. Whenever the copies in such a case are copyright deposits, the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division will notify the Examining Division, Copyright Office, that an exception should be made.
2. If the person depositing for copyright registration proposes to submit copies that do not satisfy the general acquisitions policies outlined above, the Copyright Office will consult the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division which may, after weighing the factors, recommend that an exception be made of one or more works.
3. If the person depositing for copyright registration proposes to submit copies that, although satisfying the general acquisitions policies outlined above, are different in form from the copy of the particular work that the Library wishes to retain for its collections, the Copyright Office will consult the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division. The latter may, after weighing the factors, recommend that the deposit copies be accepted for copyright registration only on condition that the claimant bind him/her under a Supplemental Motion Picture Agreement to deliver on demand a copy of a different description.

V. Sources--Copyright

American newsfilm. The Library will make a comprehensive selection of American newsfilm.
American citations. All motion pictures receiving public or critical acclaim of one kind or another (industry, critics, and festival awards, objective critical approval in various publications and other media, box-office approval, etc.) are generally selected.
American miscellaneous. This group represents a cross- section of the industry's output including television programs. It is intended to convey a picture of the motion picture production and consumption pattern over a wide area of interest.
American non-theatricals. This group consists principally of factual expository material used for teaching, training, and documenting purposes. It includes films and television programs on industry, science, non-clinical medicine, education, religion, travel, etc. A large portion of this group is selected for its reference and research value. Because of the large output of this type of material, a sampling technique will of necessity be employed in selection.
Foreign miscellaneous. A well-balanced representation of foreign production, selected for the most part on the basis of professional critical opinion or the reference and research needs of the Library, is chosen from this group.
Television commercials. Outstanding commercials will be selected yearly on the basis of the ratings of winners of national polls or festivals of commercial films.
U.S. Government agencies: Motion Pictures. Documentary and scientific motion pictures produced by private concerns in cooperation with U.S. Government agencies such as NASA, USOE, the Department of Agriculture, USIA, etc., will be selected, when copyrighted, according to the criteria set down for non-government motion pictures. However, no comprehensive coverage of this type of motion picture will be attempted. See also Sources--Other than copyright, Section VI.C. below).
Unpublished motion pictures registered by means of a deposit of still shots will be requested as gifts when desired for the collections.

VI. Sources--Other than copyright

Titles available through sources other than copyright will be selected, where applicable, by applying the criteria listed above.

Gift. The gifts of a selection of uncopyrighted motion pictures produced by commercial and educational producers will be requested each year. The criteria for this selection are those listed above.
Exchange. The Exchange and Gift Division arranges, in consultation with and on the recommendation of the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division, the exchange of motion picture copies with reputable and reliable film archives, educational organizations, and motion picture collections, as follows:
1. motion picture films which are still protected by copyright in the United States are not exchanged without the permission of the copyright owner;
2. Public Law 87-846 gives the Library the right to exchange divested copyrighted motion pictures;
3. the Library also exchanges duplicate copies from its collections of films which are in the public domain.
Transfer. Certain motion picture films are produced by or for agencies of the United States Government in pursuance of their functions, and copies of them become, in consequence of such production, part of the records of those agencies as defined by law (44 USC 366). An agreement between the National Archives and the Library of Congress relative to motion picture films designates the former as the repository of Government film. Under this agreement the Library acquires a limited amount of this type of film for possible exchange and similar purposes and for its own collections, as needed, in accordance with the criteria stated above.
Purchase. Motion pictures suitable for the Library collections, but not otherwise available, may be purchased as funds permit.

Notes:

(1) Formerly Acquisitions Policy Statement No. 47.

(2) Particular emphasis will be given to such fields as the following: sociology, customs, history, institutions, human resources, art, education, entertainment, sport and recreation, economic activities, industrial processes, scientific and technological progress (with special attention to that of the motion picture industry), geographical features, natural resources, political affairs, governmental operations, the technique of communicating ideas, and the use of the motion picture as a fine, applied, or dramatic art.

June 1969

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