Collections: Film & Video

film stills from the Donnell Media Center Donnell Media Center
Donnell Library Center, Lower Level
20 West 53rd Street
New York, NY 10019-6185
212.621.0609


16mm Film Collection

The New York Public Library began acquiring 16mm films in 1953, and established a film library at Donnell in 1958. Since its inception, the primary focus of the collection has been on independently produced film. Donnell Media Center's film collection now contains over 6000 titles (8650 prints.)

Careful selection practices over nearly 50 years have resulted in a collection that is impressive for its scope and depth, and its overall high quality. The Media Center's holdings provide a very broad spectrum of both subject matter and filmmaking styles and genres. The collection is unique among American public libraries, and is comparable to archives held within major American museums and universities.

Particular strengths of the film collection include political, social and cultural documentaries; experimental films; animation; short fictional works, and films created by and for children and young adults.

The Media Center's holdings also contain an impressive array of over 400 feature films that includes films from the silent era; independently produced features; a broad representation of world cinema; and Hollywood productions from American classics to recent releases. Materials in this collection are available only through advance reservation.

The Video Collection

Reserve Video Collection

The Donnell Media Center's reserve video collection numbers 6500 titles (over 8000 cassettes) and was established in the 1970s to provide public access to independently produced documentaries and video art.

It is highly regarded internationally for the breadth of its holdings by independent producers. The collection now also features major holdings of exemplary television programs, including many of the multi-part classic documentary series produced from the 1970s on.

The reserve video collection has also expanded to include works by and for children and young adults; world cinema and independent film titles not readily available in 16mm film format; and an array of educational videos.

Materials in this collection are available only through advance reservation. Most of the videos in this collection carry public performance rights, and therefore can be used for community programming.

Popular Video Collection: Videocassettes and DVD's

The home video collection includes over 17,000 videocassettes and DVDs. The Media Center's collection of feature films on video focuses on Hollywood classics and recent releases as well as a broad representation of world cinema.

The popular video collection also provides many examples of high-quality television programming, including classic documentary and dramatic television series; a range of music, dance, and theater performances; documentary videos offering a broad array of subjects and treatments; video versions of college lectures; and examples of video art.

The Media Center's collection of literary adaptations on video includes a complete offering of Shakespeare's plays.

The Media Center also offers seasonal collections celebrating Spring, Fall, and December holidays, as well as African American Heritage, Women's History, and Gay & Lesbian Pride months. Materials from the home video collection are available on open shelves for immediate borrowing.

Reference Collection

Film/Video Study Guides and Artists Files The Media Center has files on film/video festivals and organizations, as well as many film/video distributor's catalogs. These files do not circulate; they must be consulted on-site. You will need a valid NYPL library card to use this collection.

Reference Books Donnell Media Center's specialized collection of reference books contains over 2,000 volumes, with the majority supporting the study, critical analysis, and enjoyment of the cinematic arts.

The collection focuses on the historical development and progression of both film and video; film/video direction and production; screenplays; film/video genres; national cinemas; biographies; and indexes to film literature.

In addition, there is a small but incisive collection of music reference tools, which broadly covers the history of music and musical forms, music genres and styles, and world music.

Some Reference books must be asked for at the Information Desk. All books are non-circulating, and must be consulted on site. You will need a valid NYPL library card to use these items.

Periodicals and Newsletters The Donnell Media Center holds 57 current periodical titles related to the subjects of film, television, and recorded sound, as well as 33 historical film periodicals. In addition, there are newsletters related to the subject of independent film and video. All magazines are non-circulating, and must be consulted on site. You will need a valid NYPL library card.