Movies are in the news every spring during awards season, but the interest in films remains great throughout the year.
The growth in popularity of the Okanagan Regional Library’s feature film collection since its 2009 introduction reflects this enduring love of movies by viewers of all ages.
The ORL responds to this demand by continuing to expand the feature film collection, which recently surpassed the 1,100 mark for individual adult titles, and 240 for junior titles.
The movies range from older classics such as Casablanca and The African Queen to popular newer releases such as Shutter Island and How to Train Your Dragon.
When available, classification ratings (e.g., PG, 14A) are noted in the catalogue record for the film. The ORL primarily uses the ratings from the Canadian Home Video Rating System.
More information about movie ratings systems (including the differences between those in Canada and the U.S.) can be found at the website http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/parents/movies/rating_movies.cfm.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire will soon be among the latest additions to the non-English language component of the feature film collection, a sub-category which the ORL is hoping to expand in the future.
Classic and award-winning titles by legendary directors such as Federico Fellini and Akira Kurosawa, among others, will be the focus.
Due to the fact that this collection is so popular, the majority of films are not sitting on library shelves, but are moving around the library system filling customer requests. In order to maximize the use of this collection, the loan period is one week only, with no renewals allowed.
To find the list of titles in the ORL’s feature film collection, search for “feature films” using the subject browse heading in the library catalogue (“feature films – juvenile” to locate the junior titles).
Film buffs should also check out the new film commentary section on the Vernon branch page of the ORL website, www.orl.bc.ca.
Selected feature films in the ORL’s collection are regularly profiled, and links are provided to lists of the films arranged by decade of release, and by languages other than English.
The ORL welcomes customer suggestions for purchase for any of its collections, including feature films. Forms are available in any ORL branch or can be filled out and submitted online on the ORL website under borrowing & services>suggestion for purchase.
Please note: The ORL is celebrating its 75th anniversary in all branches on Saturday, March 19.
Cake and refreshments will be served in the Vernon branch between 2 and 4 p.m. and everyone is invited.
–– Maureen Curry is the chief librarian at the Vernon branch of the Okanagan Regional Library.
