The Dawson Library Film Collection
Our film collection is built and maintained to support the teaching of topics covered in college courses. The collection holds more than 2,600 titles in DVD and VHS format, including documentaries, feature films and training materials from a range of disciplines.The collection is located behind the Circulation Desk of the Library at 5C.
Searching the Collection
All of our films are listed in the Library Catalogue. You can search for specific films by Title, or enter a keyword and click on the “Collection” tab to limit your search to films in a specific format (DVD and/or VHS).
To see a complete list of all our films, open the “Collection” tab, select both “Film (DVD)” and “Film (VHS)”, and click “Search” without typing any keywords in the search field(s). For more help with searching, ask a Librarian at the Reference Desk (6th floor), online, or at (514) 931-8731 ext. 1731.
You can also check for titles of new films on our New Books & Films list, or browse a complete list of French Language Films.
Online Films Subscriptions
The Dawson College Library also has subscriptions to online collections of educational films, including NFB CAMPUS and Kanopy (pay per use).
Students and staff may view the films in these collections, both on- and off-campus, by providing a valid Dawson network ID and password when prompted. Creating a personal account on either platform gives users the added ability to create/save personal playlists of films or film segments, which they can present in the classroom or share with others by email.
Borrowing Policies †
Students
Students may borrow one film at a time for in-library use only. Films may not be taken out of the library.
Faculty Members
A faculty member may borrow up to four films at a time.
If you need a film for a specific day and time, we ask that you reserve it ahead of time to ensure it will be available. To make a reservation, contact Rod Charters (local 1625) or complete an online Film Reservation Form, available on the Faculty page of our website.
If you would like students to view a film on their own time, you may ask to put it on Reserve. For inquiries about Reserves, contact Suzanne Bellefleur, local 1622.
If you would like us to order a film for the collection, please complete our online Purchase Request Form. As with other library orders, we ask that you please only request films that you plan to use on an ongoing basis.
†If you borrow a film and lend it to another student or faculty member, you are responsible if it is lost or damaged in any way.
Guidelines for Screening Films
Canada’s reformed Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42) now explicitly identifies “education” as one of three purposes permitted under “Fair Dealing”: “Fair dealing for the purpose of research, private study, education, parody or satire does not infringe copyright.” (Article 29)
In light of these changes, the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) has released an updated edition of Copyright Matters! This guide offers clear guidelines for the use of copyrighted materials within educational institutions.
Regarding the use of films in the classroom, the CMEC guide states the following:
16. Can teachers show an audiovisual work (such as a DVD or video) on school premises without infringing copyright?
The Copyright Act permits showing an audiovisual work such as a DVD or video as long as the work is not an infringing copy or the person responsible for the showing has no reasonable grounds to believe it is an infringing copy. Teachers can show audiovisual works purchased or rented from a retail store, a copy borrowed from the library, a copy borrowed from a friend, and a YouTube video.
Showing movies from subscription services in the classroom is governed by the terms of the agreement between the subscriber and the subscription service. If the agreement provides that use is limited to “personal” or “household” use, for example, then classroom use is not permitted under the agreement. (p. 15)
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our Film Services librarian: Josee Nadeau, ext. 1733.