Black Film Center/Archive

Photocopying:

Requests for photocopies, photographs, and slides are subject to archive approval. Copies may be denied because of condition of material or because of copyright or other considerations. Researchers are not permitted to make their own photocopies. Unless restricted or protected by copyright conditions, photocopies of material will be supplied for research purposes at the rate of 25 cents per page. Although there is no precise limit on the number of pages, it may not be possible to fill an order on the day requested, and the archive reserves the right to carry out the work over a period of time. The number of photocopies allowable varies for each collection.

Users requiring copies of photographs or stills are requested to consult the archivist about conditions and charges. Researchers are not allowed to copy archival materials using their own cameras and other equipment.

See Schedule of Fees for all other costs.

Regulations & Use Policy:

• Registration: All researchers are requested to register, providing their name, address, signature, and their research topic.
• The Black Film Center/Archive is a closed-stack library and all requested materials are brought to you by archive staff.
• Coats, briefcases, parcels, and personal books are not permitted in the research area. Please leave them at the registration desk.
• No ink of any kind may be used in the research area; use pencils only. Typewriters and computers may be brought into the archive and used at the discretion of the archivist.
• Smoking, eating, and drinking are prohibited in the archive.
• Patrons are asked to handle materials with clean hands; the staff will provide gloves to be worn when handling photographs and other fragile materials.
• All archival materials must be handled carefully: use only one folder at a time and keep the papers in their existing order. Do not place books or volumes face down. Do not lean or press on archival materials. Do not trace maps or other records.
• No material in the archive may be removed from the research area.
• Persons requesting access to restricted materials must contact the person or agency imposing the restrictions. The archive cannot permit access to these materials without written authority.
• Researchers are advised that it is their responsibility, not the archive's, to obtain copyright clearance to publish or otherwise reproduce or distribute archival material. Whenever possible, the archivist will provide the names and addresses of copyright holders.
• If publishing material from the archive, please credit the archive:

Courtesy, The Black Film Center/Archive, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Video, DVD, Laserdisc and/or Sound Recordings

1/2", DVD, Laserdisc (media) and sound recordings housed in the BFC/A circulate to Indiana University Faculty/instructors to preview or to show in a classroom enviornment. All others must watch or listen to media and sound recordings at the BFC/A.

All loans must be approved by a BFC/A staff member. Instructors must call ahead (855-6041) or send an e-mail message (bfca@indiana.edu) to reserve media and sound recordings, particularly those needed for classroom use. On the spot requests will not guarantee availability of materials.

Media and/or sound recordings borrowed for preview or listening may be checked out only by instructors; media and sound recordings borrowed to be shown to a class may be borrowed by instructors or by their designated representatives (e.g., an AI or graduate assistant). If an instructor wants someone else to pick up the recordings, the instructor must call ahead of time to reserve the materials.

Indiana University holds no public performance rights for many of the films in the Black Film Center/Archive collection. Any public showing that is not part of face-to-face teaching may require a license. The films in the public domain, which includes all films with a copyright date of 1923 or earlier and may include others in the collection, may be shown without permission. For the films still protected by copyright, it is the responsibility of the sponsoring department or organization to secure permission or pay a license fee for any public showing.

Media and sound recordings circulate for 5 days. Longer loan lengths must be approved by the director, or designated representative. Borrowers who do not return them promptly will lose borrowing privileges. Another instructor may have planned to use the materials in class that have not been returned on time.

Media and sound recordings must be picked up from and returned to the BFC/A located at Smith Research Center, Suite 180-81. Do not return media or sound recordings via campus mail.

The instructor is responsible for the replacement cost of unreturned or damaged media and sound recordings. Without written consent from the copyright owner, the BFC/A can not make personal copies of media or sound recordings (see fee schedule on-line). Copying media or sound recordings, still under copyright is illegal and in violation of Title 17, U.S. Code, Sections 101, 106 and 202.

16mm Film Prints

As of November 2007, the BFC/A's 16mm films are available only on a case by case basis. Most films in the collection are now available on VHS or DVD. For more information, please contact the archivist.

For a complete list of BFC/A holdings in 16mm film, 1/2", DVD, Laserdisc and other formats, please consult our web site: http://www.indiana.edu/~bfca/collpage.

For additional information, contact the BFC/A.

• All reproductions/duplications are subject to U.S. Copyright law.
• 1/2", 3/4" videocassettes; audiotapes are located at Black Film Center/Archive.
• All viewings must be made by appointment -- No exceptions.
• To request a photograph(s), fill out our Photograph Request Form and then mail, fax, or email it to us:

Black Film Center/Archive
Smith Research Center, rm. 180
2805 E. 10th St.
Bloomington, IN 47408
Fax: (812) 856-5832
Email: bfca@indiana.edu