Frequently Asked Questions

• 1. How much content is in the database?

The latest numbers for titles and hours included are listed on the homepage. You can also view "Browse All Videos" to see a full list of all titles available. Subscribe to our feed by clicking on the RSS icon on the homepage to receive updates on the latest content added.

• 2. Can I use Boolean operators?

Yes, you can use Boolean operators in any search field.

AND Operator

The AND operator retrieves all cases where words, phrases, and their variations appear in the same specified context (e.g., Kennedy AND Vietnam). As you enter more search terms, fewer results will be retrieved but each result will be of higher relevance.

OR Operator

The OR operator retrieves all instances where individual words or phrases appear (e.g., Kennedy OR Vietnam).

NOT Operator

The NOT operator retrieves where one chooses to exclude a word from a search (e.g., Kennedy NOT Vietnam).

Rules of thumb using Boolean Operators

1. Entering more search terms into an 'AND' search will reduce the number of results and help you to focus in on the most relevant matches.

2. Entering more search terms into an 'OR' search will increase the number of results and is particularly useful when you want to include synonyms of your main search term.

• 3. What is an RSS feed?

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a popular way to keep updated on what is new with a web site without having to continually visit the site. RSS feeds contain headlines and links to web pages which contain additional information. In the case of Alexander Street Press databases, the RSS feed will deliver new and featured titles recently added to the product. If you are waiting for a specific author to be added to the product, for example, the RSS feed will deliver that alert to you.

• 4. How can I receive RSS feeds?

Applications known as aggregators, news readers, or feed readers can retrieve, update, and display RSS feeds from any site. A number of news readers are available to download at not cost. Google has compiled a list of readers which you may find helpful.

• 5. How do I subscribe to a feed?

Click on the feed icon, .

Copy and paste the URL for the feed into the address field in your news reader (see above).

That's it! Simply check your news reader regularly to receive updates from the particular Web page you have subscribed to.

• 6. What are the streaming rates?

We use 400kbps for the standard and 800kbps for the large screen. Full screen view blows up the 800kbps file to fill the entire screen. We chose 400kb/s and 800kb/s as a balance between low rates to ensure broad accessibility off-campus access and high rates to offer better image quality. We've also used the best possible codec to deliver the highest image quality at those 2 bit rates.

• 7. Why do the videos vary in quality?

It depends on when the original footage was shot and how it was preserved. For example, some newsreel was shot in the 1940s, and some early television programs, like the Chronoscope collection, were captured by filming the television monitor (kinescope). Many documentaries, on the other hand, were originally shot in high definition, hence the wide range in viewing quality. We feel that all of the footage chosen is pivotal and warrants inclusion in our series of critical video editions, regardless of original quality.

• 8. There's content that I want to link to from my own personal or library's collection. Can I upload my content?

You can't upload your own content, but if it's part of the library's online course reserve system, you can include links to that content in course folder playlists. You can include links to any outside content in our playlists, so you could create a playlist that included works from our site, plus links to any outside content so that students have one single access point for their listening/viewing assignments. Each playlist has its own static URL. You can also annotate your playlists to indicate what students should be watching or listening for.

• 9. Can I use your videos/clips to show the general public, or include in my own library website as a general promotion?

No – there are rights restrictions that prevent you from including any streaming video to the general public. If you are planning on doing a promotion at your library or on campus, the best way to promote would be to create a playlist of selected material, and use the link on your homepage to our databases.

• 10. Can I download the videos?

No—the collections offer video streaming only. There is no functionality for downloading the videos, and the license agreement prohibits downloading through any means.

• 11. If I put links into presentations or papers or on my Web site, who can click and see the videos?

When someone clicks on your link to a playlist, clip, or whole video, the content will stream authorized IPs. For others, an authentication page will open asking for a username and password. This means that only authorized users will be able to link to the video streams.

• 12. Is there a limit to the length of a clip or the number of items in a playlist?

No. You can make any length clip you choose, and you can include any number of items in a playlist.

• 13. Who can see my clips and playlists?

Authorized users can link to your clips and playlists, if you’ve tagged them to be available to all users. (You can also choose to make a clip or playlist visible to you alone, or just to members of a group or class that you create, or you can limit to members of your institution.)

• 14. Can I download clips?

No, the clips—like the videos—are streamed only, and downloading isn’t allowed. If you want to share clips and playlists with authorized users, you simply share the link to the clip or the playlist. Each clip and playlist you create has a permanent URL.

• 15. Am I allowed to screen a film before a group?

Non-theatrical performance rights are included—that means that you can show the video before a class, for educational purposes, or in the library theatre. But you can’t screen the film commercially; you cannot sell tickets for people to attend a screening.

• 16. Am I allowed to embed clips into my courseware and LibGuides?

Yes, and we encourage you to do so because it will increase usage and discoverability. This is permitted because only Authorized Users will be able to access the content when they click on the links to the videos.