Hi,
Here at Queen Mary we have a collection of DVDs (currently
about 500 and growing fast) which has outgrown its original
temporary accommodation and security arrangements, and
we are trying to decide how to deal with it on a longer term
basis. We have over 8500 videos and now need to be
thinking more on that scale for DVDs as our new preferred AV
medium. We would like to know how other libraries deal with
DVDs and to learn from their experience. As usual, we would
be happy to share any information that we get.
Until now we have simply kept them on closed access behind
our Issue Desk for security reasons, but we will soon run out
of space and our readers would like to be able to browse the
collection. New options under consideration are as follows:
a) keep the discs in compact storage behind the Issue Desk
and put the cases out on display for readers. This is probably
the cheapest, most foolproof, and most easily reversible
option, but also probably generates the most work at the
Issue Desk. (If any has tried this approach, can they
recommend any particular forms of storage?)
b) apply clear plastic tattle-taped security tags to the discs
(covering the whole disc) and put them out in their cases. This
is probably the most user friendly option with least work for
staff, but when we were able to look at a sample of this type
of tag, we found that if anyone tried to remove the tag it could
destroy the disc by tearing the metallic playing surface away
from the plastic disc. Has anybody used these and found this
to actually be a problem? (We are aware that there are also
smaller circular tags which fit around the centre of the discs
but we have already been advised by some libraries that
these can easily be removed).
c) put DVDS out in the lockable plastic cases which surround
the actual DVD cases and which are then removed at the time
of issue. These would seem to require the greatest
expenditure in equipment, take up significantly more shelf
space than plain DVD cases, and would also require storage
space at the Issue Desk for empty cases when items are on
loan. We have also had one report of users managing to
unscrew the security cases to remove the contents.
We would be grateful for any information from any libraries
with positive or negative experience of any of these
approaches, or indeed of any other approaches which have
been tried.
Many thanks.
Sue Grant for:
Colin Beney
Circulation Librarian
Main Library
Queen Mary, University of London
Mile End Road
LONDON E1 4NS
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