The University of Malta's audio-visual library : a necessary evolution?

Abstract

"The University of Malta's Audio-Visual Library. A Necessary Evolution?" … deals with the growing need being felt in society for AV materials in libraries, the fascination which they increasingly exercise, and their total relevance to the current world context. This long assignment looks at the newly-fledged UOM audio-visual library as a case study - the right set-up being established in the right place, at the right time. The AV library will be the University of Malta's limb, preferred to the all-pervasive audio-visual culture: an extension of the services offered in the University library proper. Given proper management, time will bestow upon it its own individual standing. An introduction traces the evolution of audio-visual culture. Chapter 1 examines the possibilities and obstacles which the AV library might encounter in asserting itself. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 get down to the meat: library materials to be included, hardware considerations, selection criteria, and cataloguing the influx of material. Chapter 5 discusses aspects of storage and conservation, Chapter 6 is a bird's eye view of the audio-visual copyright situation in Malta and beyond, while Chapter 7 examines the local scene as regards sight-and-sound media, and the impact which the UOM AV library might make thereon. A succinct conclusion outlines future opportunities and reiterates the original raison d'être of the AV library within the University. A comprehensive bibliography concludes the long assignment. A list of abbreviations used throughout the work, as well as an additional list of abbreviations and terms that may be of use to an AV library's staff, can be found in the preliminaries.