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22 Reading: The Sport of Champions!
Films
Many of the programs suggested in this manual include recommended videos or DVDs. In some
cases, a specific segment is suggested for showing in the library during your program. If you do
not have public performance rights to show the film, or the film is too long to show during your
program, display the video or DVD for families to borrow.
Follow copyright law by using films, videos, or DVDs that are in the public domain or which
you have purchased with public performance rights, or purchase a site license that allows the
library to show "home use" videos. Some of the Texas Library Systems have negotiated pricing
for System members, so check with your System office.
The cost of an annual movie license is based on the number of registered patrons and is often
less expensive than purchasing public performance rights to show just a few movies. For
example, an annual license for a library with 5,000 registered patrons costs about $250 and
covers most movie studios, including Buena Vista Films and Dreamworks. The average cost per
patron for a license to show movies for a year is about five cents. Contact Movie Licensing USA
at www.movlic.com or call 1-888-267-2658 for details. Be sure to ask your Movie Licensing
USA representative about discounts that may be available.
Many early comedies, horror films, and cartoons, like those featuring characters like The Three
Stooges, Laurel and Hardy, and Betty Boop, may be in the public domain. Several businesses
that sell public domain films provide lists of films that, to the best of their knowledge, are in the
public domain. For example, although Desert Island Films at www.desertislandfilms.com does
not sell VHS copies to individuals, you can use the list on their web site to check whether your
library owns films that are free of copyright restrictions.
Libraries may also contract with KIDS FIRST! to supply films with public performance rights.
KIDS FIRST! is a project of the Santa Fe-based Coalition for Quality Children's Media and is a
not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. The mission of KIDS FIRST! is to increase the visibility
and availability of quality children's media and to teach children critical viewing skills. Through
KIDS FIRST!, libraries can subscribe and receive quality children's films and DVDs throughout
the year. KIDS FIRST! obtains titles and the public performance rights, reviews them to ensure
that they comply with the KIDS FIRST! criteria, and supplies them to their library partners. The
subscription service, priced at $300 in 2005, provides libraries with quarterly shipments of
feature length films and shorts that include major studio and independent titles, literature-based
titles, and documentaries. All films include public performance rights and, unlike with the
movie license from Movie Licensing USA, you may publicize the titles of the films you will be
showing. For a list of titles, or for additional information, please visit www.kidsfirst.org, or
contact Ann Church, Senior Vice President Marketing, via e-mail at ann@kidsfirst.org or by
phone at 505-989-8076.
Serving Children with Disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public libraries to make reasonable
accommodations for people with disabilities so that they have access to the library building,
programs, and materials. As you plan for the 2006 Texas Reading Club, remember that
programs that work for children with disabilities will also work for all children. With a little