How to Search for Videos

You can search for, and request, videos across all locations with The CAT, the Libraries’ online catalog. (For 16mm films in the MediaTech collection go to the Search Medianet search page).

To begin searching:

• use the ADVANCED search page

• change MATERIAL TYPE (below the search boxes) to VIDEO MATERIAL

You can type title words, directors’ names, actors’ names, or other keywords as search terms.

You can combine search terms by typing them in separate search boxes and linking them with AND (at the far right of the search box).

Limit search by Library Location:

To limit a search to videos owned by a particular library within the Penn State Libraries, select the library location from the drop down menu under In Library on the Advanced Search page. You can request a video from any library location with the I WANT IT button in The CAT:

Limit Search by Title:

Type the title of the film in the TITLE search box. Begin with the first word following “a,” “and,” or “the,” if applicable.

Limit search by Topic:

Type your search term(s) in the TOPIC: TITLE + SUBJECT search box.

Limit search by Language:

To find videos in a particular language or subtitled in a particular language select a language from the drop down menu under Language on the Advanced Search page.

Limit Search by Person’s name

Search for a director, actor, or writer’s name by entering first name last name in the KEYWORD search box.

Limit search by Genre

Enter a genre (film noir, horror films, mystery, etc.) in the LC Subject Heading search box.

Music & Media Center
814.865.3616

Media Tech