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Research Foundations: Access Media

Using Media

Media items can be a valuable source of information for many topics. Films, interviews, news reports, radio broadcasts, and historic images may provide a deeper explanation into your topic than an article, or they may cover a unique perspective of an issue that you hadn't seen before. Educational films tend to qualify as scholarly resources, but most news and radio broadcasts would be considered general, popular sources. Consult your assignments' directions to ensure you are able to use media items as for your project. 

Including media items in your project can be tricky. While it may be easy to copy and paste media into a presentation, there are copyright issues you must consider before using a video or audio clip. You will learn about these in greater detail in Chapter 5. 

Physical Media

photo of DVDs with faculty label

"Faculty" labeled media

Seminole State library has a variety of physical and electronic media items. Altamonte Springs, Oviedo, and Sanford/Lake Mary have DVDs that you can check out for one week. Many are scholarly sources, although some are popular videos for leisure viewing.

Oviedo and Sanford/Lake Mary libraries have music CDs and audiobooks which you can check out for 30 days.

Streaming Media

screencapture of e video icons in the library catalog

eVideo icon

Many media titles are available from Seminole State library through streamed access. Most of these tend to be educational or documentary in nature. Many of the titles are from the massive Films on Demand database that includes collections from NOVA, PBS, National Geographic, TED, and other educational video production companies.

When searching the library catalog, streaming videos are marked with the eVideo icon (rather than the Audio/Visual icon used for DVDs). View streaming media found in the catalog from any supporting device connected to the internet by simply clicking the View Online link and logging into the library. Some of the Seminole State library databases, like Business Source Complete and GREENR, also feature streaming video content.

Netflix in the Library

netflix streaming media company logo

Netflix logo

At Altamonte Springs and Sanford/Lake Mary, Netflix streamed movie access is available at the Media Viewing Stations equipped with a Roku player. Remote controls to the Media Viewing Station and Roku Player are available at the Information Services Desk.

You can browse available Netflix videos by title or genre on the InstantWatcher website. The Seminole State library Netflix videos are licensed for viewing in the library only.

Polk State College is committed to equal access/equal opportunity in its programs, activities, and employment. For additional information, visit polk.edu/compliance.