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On The Big Screen @ Your Library

from Penny Peck, San Leandro Public Library

Movie showings can be a fun way to serve a large audience, with relatively low overhead – just one staff person and a few volunteer ushers. You could even sell refreshments if you need the program to pay for itself. But you'll need a license show the films. One source for licenses is Movie Licensing USA (www.movlic.com). Movie Licensing USA may be able to license showings of films that you already have in your collection – you can show them using a video projector or a large-screen TV. You can also rent 16mm films directly from Swank (www.swank.com), which includes the license for showing the film.

SWANK can rent and license from a large collection of major films such as these "Catch the Reading Bug" themed titles

FYI

from Stephanie Stokes, LibraryPalooza.net

The folks at SWANK have a special section for the 2008 SRP and are working on future themes. A great tool for libraries who register with them is a Web-based system that allows you to customize actual Movie Posters with your library's name and event information. Within minutes you are ready print a beautiful full-color movie poster with custom copy just for your library showing!

They also mail out full color "Youth Librarian" newsletters packed with great ideas submitted by libraries.

You can choose an assortment of licensing plans but the hot ticket is an annual site performance license which allows for a full year of great licensed film showings. Some small libraries can obtain an annual site performance license for as little as $250. A single showing for a modestly sized library can be around $75. Call SWANK at (888) 267-2658 (mail@movlic.com).

According to SWANK a license allows you to sell refreshments but you are not permitted to charge for admission. Call them for specific details.

Oh yes one more very important thing – don't forget to show the SRP video PSA as a "trailer" before you show you "main feature."