Retooling access to academic media collections

Media collections, policies, and services depend on a number of variables, perhaps the most significant of which is technology. Access should reflect the needs of the current and future user populations rather than the economic or ideological realities of the past. This article presents the results of research and illustrates one plan for improving collection accessibility and redesigning media services to better suit current needs. Principal areas of investigation include designing a home-grown, online-collection search-and-circulation tool, researching collection and circulation needs, and facilitating improved media literacy of patrons. By rethinking the way we structure bibliographic and physical access to media collections, we have the opportunity to redefine the role of academic media center collections and services.