Video Round Table
Notable Videos for Adults
Selection of Notable Videos
Purpose of the List
This list is compiled for use by librarians and the general adult populace. Its purpose is to call attention to those video programs produced during the past two years that are significant contributions to the world of videorecordings.
Titles Eligible for Consideration
Years Eligible: Only those titles released for the first time on video during the previous year and current calendar year are eligible for inclusion in the final list. Titles previously issued as videorecordings and reissued during the year being considered are not eligible.
Types of Videos Eligible: Five categories of videos will be considered for inclusion. These categories are: animation, documentary/educational, personal essay, performance, and how-to or instructional videorecordings.
- Animation – This category includes all types of animation, but excludes animated feature films.
- Documentary/Educational – This category includes those titles based on facts, factual accounts, or personal experience. These titles may use dramatizations to recreate events they cannot record first hand.
- Personal essay – This category includes programs that offer the perspective of an individual. It differs from a documentary in that the emphasis is upon the individual's unique vision and may or may not rely upon a accurate portrayal based upon facts.
- Performance – This category includes videotaped theater, dance, or music performances and performance art. It does not include those performances of theatrical pieces that have been released as major motion pictures (for example, Mel Gibson's Hamlet). This category would include video art as well.
- How-to or Instructional – This category includes titles that instruct the viewer on how to accomplish a specific goal or gain a specific skill.
The final list will consist of no more than fifteen titles representing the titles released during the years covered.
Categories of videorecordings that will not be considered are feature films and those videos directed at a very specific and highly specialized audience, such as clinical videorecordings.
Criteria for Notable Video Selection
High quality production values are understood as criteria for inclusion on the final list. The committee is looking for uniqueness of vision and execution in its selections.
A title should meet at least one, and preferable more than one, of the following criteria to be included on the list:
- The title addresses a new topic that has not been addressed in another program.
- The title expands the viewers' knowledge of a particular subject.
- The title clarifies or explains a difficult topic, making it understandable to a general audience.
- The title promises to contribute significantly to the solution of a contemporary problem.
- The title expands the boundaries of the video medium, or application of video in a new and unusual manner.
Selection Procedures
I. Nomination Procedure: Titles may be nominated by anyone who has viewed a title in its entirety, excluding affiliates of distribution or production companies. Appointed members to the Notable Videos for Adults Committee may also nominate titles. A nomination should include the following information: title, director, producer, production company, year of production, distributor, address of distributor including phone and fax number and, if possible, a review of the title. A brief description of the title, including why it should be considered for inclusion on the list should also accompany a suggestion. Suggestions should be mailed directly to the Chair of the committee. As suggestions are received, the Chair of the committee work with video distributors to obtain copies of nominated titles, so all committee members have the opportunity to view them. This may mean that distributors provide one copy that is circulated among all committee members, or several copies are provided.
II. Final Selection Procedures: At the midwinter conference of the American Library Association, the members of the Notable Videos for Adults Committee will meet and discuss the merits of those titles nominated for inclusion on the final list. Using the above criteria, and the nomination forms, a final list is developed and approved.
The list of nominees will be examined twice. During the first examination, the person who has nominated has the option to withdraw the title, or put the title to a vote. The nominator should present a brief argument discussing the merits of the program. A simple majority of those committee members who have viewed the title keeps the title ON the list for the time being. If the final list exceeds 15 titles, a second vote occurs. This round a majority of viewers will vote to take the book OFF the list. In the case of a tie the Chair of the Notable Video for Adults Committee casts the deciding vote.
Composition of the Committee
The Notable Videos for Adults Committee will consist of eight members, plus the chair. The chair facilitates the selection process and votes only in the case of a tie (see below). Representatives or employees of video producers or distributors are prohibited from serving. The membership of the committee should represent all types of libraries and media centers that serve adults. Each member will serve a term of two years, with a maximum number of terms not to exceed two, for a total of four years of service. The Video Round Table Chair will appoint the Chair of the committee. The committee Chair, in consultation with the Chair of the Round Table, will appoint the committee's membership. Reappointment to this committee is at the discretion of the Chair of the committee, with input from the Video Round Table Chair. Appointments will be staggered to prevent the complete turnover of the entire committee every two years.
Members of the committee must be members of the American Library Association and the Video Round Table, and are expected to attend the American Library Association's midwinter conference in order to participate in the creation of the final list.
churt@library.unt.edu.
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