Media Services

• Overview
  • Scheduled Hours
  • Staff
• Classrooms & Labs
  • Legacy MRS
  • Satellite TV Signals Available
• Borrowing Equipment
  • Audience Response Systems: Overview
  • Equipment Available
  • Laptops & Projectors
  • Fine Policy
• Media Viewing
  • Faculty & Staff FAQ
  • Student FAQ
• Training & Support
• Event Services
  • Policies, Procedures, and Necessary Information
  • Technology Built Into Event Spaces
  • Event Booking Process
  • Equipment Rental Rates
  • Legacy MRS
  • Advertise Your Events on the MDS
• Request Forms
  • Media Equipment for Classrooms
  • Event Request Forms
  • Simmons Cable TV Request
  • Software Installation Request
  • Message Display Request
  • Performance Release

Faculty & Staff FAQ

Where to View/Listen to Media

Also see Where to View: FAQ for Students.

1. How do I put a video/DVD on reserve for my class?
2. How do I purchase non-print media for my class?
3. How do I check out a video/DVD?
4. Where can I go to watch a video/DVD?
5. How do I schedule an MRS broadcast of a video/DVD?
6. How do I schedule a video/DVD to be delivered to my class?
7. How do I schedule a video/DVD for showing in my class?
8. Didn't I used to order new videos, request them for my class, and have them delivered by Media Services?

1. How do I put a video/DVD on reserve for my class?
   Please use the Library Reserves online forms. Materials placed on reserve are held at the Circulation Desk.
2. How do I purchase non-print media for my class?
   Requests to have multimedia purchased are processed through the Library's Acquisitions department, following the well established system for acquiring books for the Simmons community. Requests can be sent via a form on the Library catalog or by contacting Terri Leigh Hinkle, Acquisitions Librarian, at 617-521-2723, or through email. Please allow at least 6 weeks from the time you make your request until the material will be available.
   Media Services no longer processes purchases.
   
3. How do I check out a video/DVD?
   Please use the Simmons Library Catalog to find the name and call number of the video you would like to check out.
   The entire multimedia collection, including reserves, is permanently housed in the Beatley Library. While faculty, staff, and students are still welcome to borrow equipment from Media Services in P108, please go to the Library to borrow videos or DVDs.
4. Where can I go to watch a video/DVD?
   The new Media Viewing & Listening Room is on the ground floor of the Beatley Library, adjacent to the collection of DVDs and videotapes. There are 22 individual stations in the room, where students may also watch broadcasts scheduled by faculty. There are two stations in the Viewing Room where you may view VHS video in any format (including NTSC (U.S.), or multiple versions of PAL and Secam), or DVD from any country or "region"). You may also watch a DVD from the United States "region" in any computer with DVD capabilities, including all workstations in the Library Information Commons, and probably your own laptop.
   
   Headphones are available for checkout at the Technology Desk in the Information Commons.
5. How do I schedule a Simmons Cable TV broadcast of a video/DVD?
   Please use the online Simmons Cable TV Broadcast Request Form to schedule a broadcast of a video or DVD.
6. How do I schedule a video/DVD to be delivered to my class?
   Media Services will only deliver media to rooms on campus electronically, through Simmons Cable TV Broadcast system (formerly known as the MRS; also see Legacy MRS. You may also pick up material directly from the Library (see next question).
   
7. How do I schedule a video/DVD for showing in my class?
   You can place videos and DVDs on reserve, and set a time with the Library when you will pick-up and return any videos or DVDs needed for class. You can schedule when you will pick-up and return material using the Library's catalog. You can also schedule a Simmons Cable TV broadcast through Media Services.
   
8. Didn't I used to order new videos, request them for my class, and have them delivered by Media Services?
   We are pleased that the expansion of the Library allows us to house the multimedia collection with the rest of the Library collections, and near the new Viewing Room. We hope that making media materials directly available to faculty and staff will increase accessibility and usage. Finally, the time saved through eliminating Media Services delivery of multimedia will make our Media staff more available for more sophisticated technology support and preventative maintenance on classroom technology.