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Archival Sources for Media Production: CU Boulder Libraries

Rare and Distinctive Collections

rad@colorado.edu

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Classroom: Norlin N345

Reading Room: Norlin M350B

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University of Colorado Boulder Libraries Rare and Distinctive Collections
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Reading Room (Room M350B)
Norlin Library
184 UCB
1720 Pleasant Street
Boulder, CO 80309
303-492-7242
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Archival Film and Video

The CU Boulder Libraries' archival collections hold over 6000 reels of analog motion picture film and more than 7000 video tape recordings. Found within broader historical collections, these rare, unique, and original recordings include: 

  • educational and instructional films
  • publicity and advertising
  • political campaign material
  • home movies and travel footage
  • documentary production materials
  • unedited research footage
  • recorded events like speeches, meetings, performances, and ceremonies

Collections within the CU Boulder Archives reflect our specialized collecting areas, including: 

  • Labor history
  • Colorado politics and politicians
  • Experimental film and video
  • History of natural science and the environment
  • Atomic West, nuclear production, and the anti-nuclear movement
  • Rocky Mountain counterculture and social change
  • History of the University of Colorado Boulder
  • Post Holocaust American Judaism/Innovations in Jewish Life
  • American Music Research Center

Click below to read more about film and video material held in the Libraries' archival collections.

Film and Video Digital Collections

How to Access Archival Media

Analog film, video, and audio material held in the Libraries' archival collections must be digitized for research access, due to preservation concerns. 

1. Choose analog film or video items to access by searching the finding aids linked on the film and video page. For assistance or more information, contact research services for rare collections, rad@colorado.edu, or Moving Image Archivist, Jamie Marie Wagner

2. Send a list of your selections to the Digital Reproductions Manager for rare collections: raddigitalrepros@colorado.edu

Some previously digitized audiovisual materials are available for streaming and download on the CU Digital Library. If requested materials have not yet been digitized, the researcher may be responsible for the cost of digitization. 

Notice on copyright and use permissions:

The University Libraries may not own copyright to all materials in our archival collections. Researchers are responsible for contacting copyright holder(s) for chosen material and obtaining permission to publish or broadcast. The University Libraries will not grant permission to publish or broadcast this material and are not responsible for copyright violations resulting from such use. 

Additional Resources