[Nmtriblibs] Films in the Public Domain

[Hadley, Faye, DCA]

Hello Tribal Librarians,
Here is a more user-friendly (read alphabetical) list of movies that are in the public domain: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls003915205/. This list has been updated in 2012: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls055593451/.  I hope that this is useful information for you all.
Best wishes,
Faye

From: Hadley, Faye, DCA
Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2019 10:59 AM
To: 'NM Tribal Library Directors' <nmtriblibs at lists.zianet.com>
Subject: Films in the Public Domain

Hello Tribal Librarians,
I have had a few questions regarding showing movies (DVDs) to groups at your libraries.  What I have been able to determine is that you DO need a license to show most DVDs to groups that include more than "family and friends."  However, there is a database of movies that are in the Public Domain which may be shown without any licensing issues. Most of the films that are in this database are pretty old  (hence they are in the public domain), but some of them might be fun to show. The films are available via the database, so you don't even need to worry about obtaining a copy of the film.  Here is a link to the database: http://publicdomainmovies.net/.  If you'd like more information about licensing requirements, please see the ALA web site that spells out how you can obtain a license to show more current movies (https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2015/02/16/screening-legally/).  Depending on the number of people in your service area, you may find that purchasing an annual license may be reasonable for your library.  From the website "Pricing depends on the population in your library's service area, ranging from $100 to $275 per year. Discounts are often available for libraries that purchase more than one license, and several licensing organizations provide licenses to libraries at reduced rates. For example, the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation charges $115 per year for libraries serving less than 10,000 people; $180 for 10,000-50,000; $230 for 50,001-100,000; and $280 for more than 100,000. Note: The service area is defined as the population of the city, county, or surrounding areas that a library serves, not the number of cardholders."  Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the licensing procedure.  Please note that you are able to recoup your investment in the license by charging an admission fee, so long as you don't collect more than you spent on the license, or you could simply ask patrons to make a donation to help defray the cost of the license.  I hope that this information is helpful.  Thank you so much for ALL you do!
Best wishes,
Faye


--
Faye Hadley

Tribal Libraries Coordinator

Dept of Cultural Affairs

State Library of New Mexico

faye.hadley at state.nm.us<mailto:faye.hadley at state.nm.us<mailto:faye.hadley at state.nm.us%3cmailto:faye.hadley at state.nm.us>>

505-476-9764

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.zianet.com/pipermail/nmtriblibs/attachments/20190516/defb1ae1/attachment.html>