Lafayette College Library

Finding DVDs, videocassettes, and streaming video

This guide provides basic tips for using the library catalog to find DVDs, videocassettes, and streaming video in Skillman and Kirby's collections.

A note on terms:
Videorecording is the generic term used in our catalog to denote both DVDs and videocassettes. The format is designated in the portion of the record labeled "Phys desc" [Physical description], where the term videodisc is used for DVDs and videocassettes for VHS.

To find a specific film...

  • Perform a title search in the library catalog for the name of a film or television program; (For tv programs with common titles (e.g. "The Wire," "Rome") add television program to the end of the title (e.g. The Wire television program)
     
    OR
     
  • Perform an author search in the library catalog for the name of a director, producer, or actor.

To find a film on a particular topic...

  • Perform a subject search in the library catalog for a topic. Choose the "Limit This Search" button at the top of the results page. Then choose "video, film, etc." from the "material type" drop-down menu.

    •  OR, to find only DVDs and videocassettes, not streaming video
     
  • Perform a keyword search in the library catalog combining a word or short phrase describing a topic with the word videorecording (e.g., architecture and videorecording);
     
    Note: These searches will return both fiction and non-fiction videos.

To browse a list of all DVDs in the collection

To browse a list of all videocassettes in the collection

To browse a list of all streaming films available to Lafayette users

To find a film by genre (e.g., horror or film noir)...

To find a film by form (e.g., animated or silent)...

To find a film produced in a particular country...

  • Perform a genre search in the library catalog for feature films [country] (e.g., feature films mexico).
     
    Note: Films or television programs without an associated country in the heading were produced in the United States.

To browse a list of films by release date...

  • Perform a keyword search limited to a single year by using the phrase picture in [year] (e.g., picture in 1965). Note: The date displayed on the results list is the year the video was produced, not the year the motion picture was originally released.
     
  • Perform a keyword search limited to a single decade by combining the phrase "picture in," the first three digits of a decade, and two asterisks (e.g., picture in 196**).
     
  • Or, choose a span of years by clicking on a link below.

To find a television program by form or genre (e.g., mini-series or comedy)...

To limit your search to a particular format...

  • Add the phrase and videocassettes to a keyword search.
    OR
  • Add the phrase and DVDs-video discs to a keyword search.

    • OR
  • Add the phrase and internet videos to a keyword search.