Re: Home Movies

[Nancy Dosch <DoschN@MAIL.NLM.NIH.GOV>]

Nancy C. Dosch, Ph.D.
Collection Manager, Historical Audiovisuals Collection
History of Medicine Division
National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20894

telephone: 301-402-8818

email: nancy_dosch@nlm.nih.gov

>>> mkh@UWM.EDU 03/20/01 02:21PM >>>
Hello -

my name is Mary Huelsbeck and I am a graduate student at the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  I am doing research for a paper on home movies in
archives.  I was wondering if those of you in archives with home movies would be
willing to share your thoughts on the following questions.

1. What criteria do you use when deciding whether or not to accept a film?
   We have a acquisition criteria for our collection, if the film fits that criteria, we accept it (if it fits a weakness in the collection or if the film is about a person, event, procedure which would add to our knowledge base).

2. Are the films accessible to researchers?
   Yes, but some have restrictions on copying and/or use.

3. Has footage from home movies been used for special events, programs, outside productions?
Yes, with permission of the donor in some cases.

4. If used by filmmakers or the media, do you have fees and licensing
agreements?
Since we are a government agency, our materials are in the public domain (unless otherwise noted) and we do not charge any fees (yet).

5. Do you have any special concerns or issues pertaining to home movies?
Yes, we are always concerned about inappropriate use of materials, but since we do not act as censors, we leave the decision up to the good faith of our patrons.  Our materials have not been abused as yet.  We do warn our potential donors about the possibility and leave the option open to them to reflect their wishes in the Deed of Gift.

6. How do you store the films?  Do you have proper cold storage?
We have an on-site cool vault which keeps the films at approximately 55 degrees F and 40% humidity and an off-site vault for permanent storage at about 33 degree F and 40% humidity.

I would be interested in suggestions anyone may have for
archives/museums/historical societies that may have small collections of film
but don't have the resources or space to have proper cold storage.  For example,
are there any freezers/refrigerators on the market that would be afforadable and
adequate for storage.

I know there are freezers available, but I don't have any information that could help you in this area.



Thank you for your time - you can respond to the list or directly to me.  If
others are interested, I will be happy to summarize the responses for the list.

Mary Huelsbeck