Ever wonder how materials management departments decide which documentary films to purchase for their library DVD collections? We are fortunate to live in an age of talented creators producing an ever-growing number of documentaries and educational films on a broad range of subjects. While a large percentage of documentaries focus on social issues, filmmakers are also generating works that investigate numerous fields, celebrate artistic expression, explore historical events, and more. How can libraries and collection development staff sort out the multitude of available documentaries?
Many library management systems employ collection development teams who look at a variety of DVD resources, but sometimes one person is assigned the daunting task of selecting all of a library’s DVD purchases, including documentaries.
MatMan selectors seek out many sources: news articles, industry publications and reviews, social media sites, and podcasts such as Fog of Truth, Documentary WOW, Pure Nonfiction, and more.
Library systems frequently employ sophisticated reporting tools that track circulation, helping librarians determine what types of documentaries in their DVD collections are most popular and of interest to their local patrons. Tools such as BLUEcloud Analytics, BibControl, Benchmark, and others can provide valuable information, allowing collection development departments to make selections for their patrons with confidence.
Yet knowing which vendors offer a particular type of documentary is crucial. The following list offers several DVD distributors worth considering:
Founded in 1973, Bullfrog Films is the oldest and largest U.S. publisher of films on environmental and social issues.
Established in 1974, Cambridge Documentary Films produces and distributes documentaries focusing on advertising's image of women, domestic violence, trauma, rape, eating disorders, self-esteem, media literacy, homophobia, the labor movement, gender roles, career counseling, nuclear war, reproductive health hazards, the women's health movement, gay and lesbian parenting, and other social issues.
A leading distributor of documentary films in North America since 1978, Icarus Films houses a collection of more than 1,000 titles. Icarus also owns two specialty labels. The Fanlight Collection focuses on subjects such as aging, death and dying, global health, healthcare, medicine, mental health, nursing, and professional ethics. Program Development Associates distributes training and educational films on disability subjects.
With a library of over 4,000 titles, Kino Lorber, Inc. has offered a wide variety of films for over 35 years, supplying titles to the home entertainment and educational markets through physical and digital media releases. Among those films are documentaries from all over the world covering a vast array of subjects.
Live Wire Media offers films addressing character education, mindfulness, and social-emotional learning (SEL) for K-12. Topics include conflict resolution, differences and disabilities, manners and politeness, respect, self-esteem, violence prevention, and more.
Since starting Milestone in 1990 from their one-bedroom New York City apartment, Amy Heller and Dennis Doros have earned an international reputation for releasing many types of films including documentaries on the arts (particularly cinema), cultural studies, religion and spirituality, and more.
With nearly 700 titles, Pyramid Media supplies documentary films to educational institutions of all levels, libraries, health care organizations, businesses, and non-profits. Films from the Pyramid collection have garnered many Academy Award nominations and wins. Their films on anti-smoking and anti-drug programs for youth are considered the standard against which all others are judged.