I Want My Video!

February 04, 2013

One of the great things about MCPL is the fact that you can access movies and documentaries on DVD for free. It's great not having to shell out rental fees (although, we do ask for a little money if you return things to us late), and we have VHS cassettes for those of us who still have that antiquated thing called a VCR. But one thing you must still do in order to obtain these free items is make a trip to one of our branches. However, did you know that you can access a lot of productions without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home?

Included among our many Research Databases are several online video websites that allow you to stream media through your computer or mobile device. The contents of these sites range from documentaries about almost any subject you might be interested in, to films of classic theatre and dance productions. In case you are unaware of these resources, below are several that MCPL has available.

Access Video on Demand is a site that contains educational films, award-winning documentaries, and instructional videos. Topics covered include health and fitness, travel and recreation, psychology, mathematics, and more. There are also news and film reels dating back to the Depression era. And if you are looking for a good independent film, Access Video on Demand has everything from comedy to action adventure. This is a great place to go for anyone who needs information on a topic, but don’t have time for a trip to MCPL.

American History in Video is a wonderful, visual look at America’s past. This site has some of the first scenes ever shot on film and is an incredible first-hand look at life in the late eighteenth and early twentieth century. It contains some of the earliest moving pictures of everyday American life, from farmers plowing their fields to school children leaving for the day. It also includes governmental newsreels, archived footage, and documentaries. For anyone interested in American history, this is the site to visit.

And if you are a fan of the performing arts, three websites are available with records of historic stage productions that were captured on film. Theatre in Video, Dance in Video, and Opera in Video all contain classic performances in these genres. Are you interested in seeing an old Baryshnikov performance or watching one of the greats in a Shakespearean play? These sites have the complete productions just waiting for you at the click of a mouse. Or, if you are looking to put on your own production, they also have analysis and commentaries from the people who put on the shows, from directors to choreographers.

MCPL's Research Databases are free with your library card. So, if you need information or you are simply looking for something to entertain, remember that you don’t necessarily have to come into the physical branch. Our virtual branch is available 24/7. This is especially nice on those cold days when no one wants to have to go start the car, scrape off the snow that accumulated during the night, and drive icy roads just to find something to watch during a snow day.

Pamela M.
Antioch Branch