Hostos Circulating Leisure DVD Collection Development Policy

The new HCC Library Circulating/Leisure DVD collection contains adult and juvenile feature titles from major and independent distributors. The collection consists of a varied selection of feature films including the latest Hollywood blockbusters, classics, foreign films (with an emphasis on Spanish-language films), documentaries, and other genres. Children's videos, such as Disney live-action and other animation features, are also included. Videos for home use are restricted to individual or family viewing.

The circulating collection was created to serve the informational, educational, and recreational needs of the Hostos community college community. By providing access to a medium combining intellectual content and socialization, the Library supports the educational goals of Hostos as well as fosters intellectual growth and critical thinking proficiencies needed for lifelong learning. The collection also serves to heighten awareness among the community that the Library is a vital part of the Information Learning Commons and offers many resources that facilitate the creation of new ideas and knowledge. Through the popular medium of video, students may be encouraged to explore further the Library’s vast reserve of multimedia, print and online material.

Appropriateness and expected long-term use of the collection were deciding factors in the selection of adult and children's videos. Patron requests for specific videos/DVDs will be considered and purchased if the film is appropriate to the collection for the long term. The availability of new technology will always be a factor to be considered in the long range development of the collection.

In addition to standard selection tools, reviewing sources such as the New York Times, The Internet Movie Database, Rotten Tomatoes; MRQE (Movie Review Query Engine); Roger Ebert’s Reviews and other newspaper/magazine reviews will be regularly consulted. Publishers' catalogs (i.e., InsightMedia, Kino Video International), and patron title requests will also be used to identify current high-interest releases and nonfiction films suitable for purchase. Multiple copies may be considered for high-interest feature films only.

Currently, there are more than 150 titles available. The video/DVD collection is expected to grow. High-interest feature films may be replaced with new copies of the title, depending upon circulation history and community interest. Weeding is expected to be an on-going process.

The video/DVD collection will grow in response to patron demand and interest. The emphasis will be on acquiring thought-provoking feature films and quality entertainment programs for adults and children, with an emphasis on multicultural perspectives. The ultimate size of the collection will be determined by long-range decisions affecting shelving and storage options.