A new resource offered by the university library can be utilized by both faculty and students alike, making learning easier and more relatable. Sims Memorial Library recently subscribed for “Films on Demand: Digital Educational Video,” which is a collection of educational videos that can be connected to most majors at the university. 

“‘Films on Demand’ was the crown jewel I was able to buy,” said Head of Acquisitions Paul Kelsey. “This is a streaming video service subscription. It offers a variety of subjects. These are available both on and off campus.”

The collection includes over 20,000 streaming videos, touching 29 academic subject areas. These areas include art and architecture, English, history, music and dance, psychology, health and medicine, biology, earth science, political science, communication and more. It is continually growing with more videos being added over time. 

“A lot of libraries subscribe to ‘Films on Demand,’” said Kelsey. “We were getting a lot of requests for streaming videos. People were always requesting DVD’s, but they are too expensive to buy, especially with an institutional rate. Part of the hope is that we don’t have to buy as many DVD’s. We were just seeing an increase in interest in that, and a really good deal just came along.”

These videos can be used by faculty to stream through Moodle to relate their lessons and give their students more learning tools to aid them in making connections in their classes.  

Freshman music education major Callee Dunn uses one of the many resources
available in Sims Memorial Library. Students are often found in one
of the four floors of the library studying, finding resources,
preparing for class and relaxing during free time.
Photo Credit/Elizabeth Brown

“We are hoping that a lot of professors will be able to use this in their instructions and that students coming in will be able to find this in our library catalogue,” said Kelsey.

It is also believed “Films on Demand” will have the ability to make a class more interesting, especially a class that is solely through Moodle.

“If an instructor trying to teach a class could find something to put into their Moodle class, a 20 minute segment of one of these, that would add interest,” said Head of Access Services Angela Dunnington. “So, you could really jazz up what these instructors are doing by using this.”

The collection is also available to students, who can use it on any technological device they possess.

“Students will like the convenience of watching wherever you are on any device you have,” said Director of the Library Eric Johnson. “I would say to support what you’re learning in your classes because there are so many documentaries. There’s a lot of materials out there. For the ones who just like to watch a play, they can watch one on their device. There’s a lot of good PBS plays that they have, a lot in the collection.”

Streaming these videos can be pulled up from any computer and technological device as long as students have their W-number and library pin, which is the student’s six digit birthdate.

There are also plays, operas and documentaries, but every video on the site serves an educational purpose in addition to being entertaining.

“It’s really educational,” said Kelsey. “While they may be entertaining, they are selected to support a university’s curriculum in every area.”

Like the library’s subscription to “Flipster,” the library will be checking usage rates in order to determine whether there will be a subscription renewal. 

To find “Films on Demand,” go to the library databases tab found on the library website and then scroll down to the F-section, where you will find the link to the site.