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How do I find films?

A guide to finding films on campus and beyond..

Browsing

Many of the Library's videos and DVDs are shelved in the 2nd and 3rd floor Reading Rooms of Regenstein. Several other campus libraries have video collections, including D'Angelo Law Library, Crerar, Social Services Administration (SSA) and Eckhart. Videos are cataloged in the Library Catalog. Like books, they may be checked out for the entire quarter.  Videos in the Law Library have a 14-day loan period with no renewals. Media circulates for 4 hours in SSA

Finding Films Searching the Catalog

Use the Library Catalog to search for specific films.  Use the "Title" option to look films by title.  Use the "Author" option for director.

To look for a specific type of film, use the advanced keyword search. 

  1. Select the "Advanced Keyword" tab in the catalog.
  2. Under "Format" select "Videos".  You may also select a specific type of video, such as Blu-Ray, Laserdisk, Video Cassett (VHS), and DVD. However, please be aware that the Library collects videos in all these formats (and houses players for them), so you may limit your results too much this way.
  3. Add additional search terms, such as an actor (in all fields) or director (as author).
  4. Select Library location (D'Angelo, Regenstein, etc.) if this is important to you.

Playing DVDs on Library Computers

Use earphones. Remember that you must use earphones to watch a DVD in the Library, whether you are using a Library computer or your own laptop. Earphones are available to borrow at the Regenstein Library Circulation Desk. 

Follow the steps below in order. If you do not follow these steps in order, your DVD may not play.

VLC Media Player icon

1. Log in to the computer.

2. Insert DVD into the disc drive and close.

3. Open VLC Media Player (the orange and white cone icon should appear on the desktop -- if not, it will be listed under All Programs, under the Start button). 
In VLC, go to the Media menu and select "Open disc."

4. The DVD title should automatically appear in the "Disc device" field. 

VLC Media Player menu

5. Click "Play." This should open the main menu of the disc.

If you have problems playing a DVD, ask a librarian at the Regenstein Ask a Librarian/Reference Desk on the first floor. You can also try a different computer, as not all disc drives may be functional.

Films in other Libraries

Search WorldCat to identify films held at other libraries. Many videos and dvds can be borrowed from other institutions in the same manner as books.

Ask a Librarian

Ask a Librarian
Contact:
Subjects:Help Guides

Subject Specialist

Nancy Spiegel
Contact:
Bibliographer for Art and Cinema
Bibliographer for History
Regenstein Library Room 463
773-702-5193
http://guides.lib.uchicago.edu/films
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