Motion Picture Video License Renewed

The Nebraska Library Commission has renewed a statewide Motion Picture Video License for all 275 public libraries in Nebraska for July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001.

There is no charge to public libraries. With this license, motion pictures may be shown in the library facility as part of various programming opportunities.

All terms and conditions of the license will remain in effect for the renewed license:

• Motion pictures may be shown only in the library facility.
• No publicizing or advertising of specific titles is allowed.
• The showings must be free to the public.
• Videos must be legally acquired (purchased or rented, not taped from television or illegally copied).
• No showing may compete with a local movie theater.

Librarians might use motion pictures in library activities such as the following:

• Summer reading programs
• Children's Story Hour
• Book Discussion Groups
• Senior Citizens Programs
• Educational or cultural programs
• Film festivals

This license offers an extraordinary value to the library, allowing provision of quality library services and programs to the community. Nebraska librarians have responded favorably to the Motion Picture License.

One librarian said, "As a small library we are pleased to be able to use this license and save the money we would have spent to have a better library program for our youth." Another commented, "We are especially appreciative of it here because it allows us to show the movies of our hometown star, Robert Taylor."

The Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC) no longer requires Nebraska libraries to display a seal of program participation (as in the past). However, libraries with seals may continue to display them. All public libraries received a list of producers and distributors whose titles are covered under this license. Titles produced or distributed by these companies may be shown in MPLC-licensed public library facilities. For more information contact Ellen Van Waart, 402-471-4004, 800-307-2665.

Commission Compiles Children's Resources

The Library Commission recently collected electronic resources with special appeal for children, children's librarians, and parents into a special section of the Nebraska Library Commission home page. Caregivers and others who work with children can find advice on discipline and self-esteem, along with information on hobbies and other activities to challenge and engage children. Librarians serving children and young adults can find ideas to improve professional skills, information about special events, summer reading help, and the best in children's literature. Children have direct access to discover games, puzzles, homework help, and science projects. Local and Nebraska-specific materials and sites will be added as they are developed. See the Nebraska Library Commission home page at nlc.nebraska.gov, search on Children's Resource Page.

Girls' State Delegates Visit

Seven Girls' State delegates participated in a simulated Library Commission Meeting at the Nebraska Library Commission this summer.

The young women met with Rod Wagner and Mary Jackson and role-played a Nebraska Library Commission meeting, giving feedback on proposals and ideas presented to them. This discussion provided an excellent opportunity to hear the needs and concerns of youth regarding community library service.

Three of the seven young women reported that there is no public library in their community and that they rely heavily on their school library for both recreational reading materials and research and school assignment support.

They reported concerns including the lack of library evening hours, the out-of-date content in some of the books, and a serious shortage of materials when a research topic is assigned to the entire class. Two participants mentioned that their school's reading materials are too limited.

The group felt that public libraries need to make more computers available for public use, including word processing. They also asked that public libraries provide programs for young adults, similar to the summer reading program for younger readers. One young woman asked how she could get her school to offer a summer reading program since there is no public library in her town. The delegates felt that librarians are generally very helpful to them, assisting with locating information and suggesting good books although they were aware of other young people who had not been treated courteously in the library.

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