The Harold B. Lee Library recently acquired a new video database, Films on Demand. This “educational YouTube” features more than 8,000 educational films and documentaries easily accessible through the library website.
Films on Demand is designed to help both students and professors access informational videos with ease and hopefully improve BYU’s educational experience. With a wide range of subjects, the database reaches students from anthropology majors to business majors to graphic design majors.
Roger Layton, library communications manager, spoke about the vast audience the database will reach.
“We have a lot of databases at the library, but this one appeals to everyone,” he said. “There are so many subjects it covers. It’s so amazing and there are so many topics that this has materials for.”
[pullquote]”There are so many subjects it covers. It’s so amazing and there are so many topics that this has materials for.”[/pullquote]
Layton also spoke about the accessibility of Films on Demand. An Internet connection and a BYU NetID opens the database for use.
“One of the great things about it is that you can access it at home,” Layton said. “You can access it through the library website. I started watching a movie in my office and went home and finished the whole movie at home from my laptop.”
The mobility and ease of Films on Demand will make life easier for both students and professors alike.
“In the past, to watch a video, you likely had to come to the Media Center on the 4th floor of the library to view it,” said Jared Howland, Catalog Systems and Database Unit manager at BYU, in an email. “With Films on Demand, you can watch some videos assigned to you anywhere you have access to the Internet.”
Professors can use the database to add video segments and relevant movie clips to their lectures.
“Prior to the availability of streaming videos through the library, it was sometimes a hassle to get a video ready to show in class,” Howland said. “Now, all you need is an Internet connection and a projector in class to show a video. You can also easily assign a video to be watched outside of regular class time without having to coordinate with OIT or the library. All you need is a link to the video.”
CiCi Nye, 21, a public relations major from Draper, spoke about the database as educational entertainment.
“We have videos on it that cover every subject taught at BYU,” she said. “I was watching this cool one on child development. You can get sucked in. It’s a guilty pleasure you don’t have to feel guilty about. You’re actually watching things that are teaching you about life.”
