Guidelines for Viewing Films, Videos and Digital Files
Who Can View
Film, video, and digital access copies may be viewed by qualified researchers in the Moving Image Research Center. Viewing facilities are provide without charge. Please note, we are unable to accommodate large groups.
Viewing Appointments
Appointments for viewing film prints and video copies should be made as far in advance as possible to guarantee that requests can be fulfilled, with a minimum of ten days advance notice. A six-week lead time will guarantee that all but the most irreparably damaged items can be made accessible. Less advance notice allows our staff less time to inspect requested items and deliver them to the Research Center from storage at the Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation in Culpeper, Virginia.
Although advance notice is not needed for items that have been digitized, a reservation is recommended to guarantee equipment availability. If an appointment needs to be cancelled or rescheduled, please contact the reference staff as soon as possible. Cancellation without sufficient notice can prevent others from having access to the facilities.
Submitting Viewing Requests
When submitting viewing requests, please provide title, call number (e.g. VBG 3214; FCA 4414-4416), and date.
Offsite researchers should begin their search by using the Library of Congress Online Catalog. For titles not found online, researchers may submit title lists to be searched by our reference staff. Please limit your request to no more than forty titles.
When an access copy does not exist, researchers can contact a reference librarian to discuss the possibility of generating a digital access copy.
Access to Film Prints
In an effort to minimize potential damage to the material, we sometimes prohibit access to film prints, especially if the title is readily available on DVD or online. Exceptions, however, can be made for specific research needs. Film prints are inspected before delivery to the Reading Room. If a copy is in poor condition, it will not be made available for viewing. Every attempt will be made to transfer the item to a digital file, but this process may take up to six weeks.
To avoid damage to the material, film prints must be viewed at normal sound speed. Fast forwarding or rewinding is strictly prohibited. Viewers may, however, stop films and rewind scenes at normal speed for note taking. Patrons are not allowed to thread films on the viewing flatbeds; assistance will be provided.
Recording
Recording equipment of any type is not allowed in the viewing room. Photographing images from the screen for reference purposes will be permitted only when authorized in advance by our reference staff.
Reader Identification Card
Users of the Moving Image Research Center are each required to have a Reader Identification Card issued by the Library.