MCLA's Freel Library Gets Grant For 'Films On Demand'
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Freel Library at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts recently was awarded a $5,000 Library Services and Technology Act Academic Library Incentive grant. The award will go toward the cost of a subscription to "Films on Demand" and bring documentary filmmakers to campus to discuss their work.Linda Kaufmann, public services librarian at MCLA, said "Films on Demand" will allow faculty to show quality documentary films in the classroom. The service also will provide students with the ability to access more than 8,000 films over the Internet at their convenience.
The Films on Demand collection offers films in a wide range of subject areas, including sociology, history, the environment, education, business, theater, music, philosophy and biology.
Kaufmann said that faculty over recent years have encouraged the library to purchase more DVDs.
"There are some great documentaries out there and students are used to learning visually, whether it's from TV or YouTube," Kaufmann said. "Academic DVDs often are very expensive and only one person at a time can use them. 'Films on Demand' allows 24/7 access — on campus and off — for students, faculty and staff."
The LSTA grant also will allow MCLA to sponsor two events for students and the public. Documentary filmmakers will speak on campus this spring semester about their work and its impact.
In April, MCLA will welcome filmmaker Anne Macksoud, who will show her documentary, "Grandmother to Grandmother." The second filmmaker will be Maynard Seider, a sociology professor who recently retired from MCLA. He will discuss his documentary about North Adams, called "Farewell to Factory Towns?"
Both events will be free and open to the public. Exact days and times are to be announced.
The grant is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and is administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
The institute is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas.
For more information, go to www.mcla.edu.
