Planning on some binge-watching and listening over the holidays? Why not take advantage of several databases from Alexander Street, brought to you by the University Libraries? These video and audio streaming services have recently gotten updated to work well on all screen sizes, so they will make for easy listening and viewing on your phone, tablet, or laptop. Other features of this updated interface include:
- search across all collections; limit by format or subject area
- create an account and save playlists
- cite, share and embed audio and video
- send to a mobile device for later viewing
VAST: Academic Video Online is a multidisciplinary collection of more then 22,000 videos. Topics covered include Architecture, Art, Business, Counseling and therapy, Dance, Economics, Education, Ethnic studies, Ethnography, Health, History, Humanities, Law and public safety, LGBT studies, Literature, Opera, Philosophy, Political science, Psychology, Religion, Science, Theatre, and Women’s studies. Video types include newsreels, field recordings, demonstrations of specific techniques, archival footage, interviews, and documentaries. Recent additions include instructional video on counseling, management, and social work with various ethnic groups as well as documentaries on topics as wide-ranging as crocodiles, Leonardo da Vinci, the art of Renaissance Flanders, Richard Feynman, giant mammals of the ice age, and the Dalai Lama.
American Song Online features roots and soul, jazz and bluegrass, folk songs and standards from the great American songbook. It includes songs by and about American Indians, African Americans, miners, immigrants, slaves, children, pioneers, and cowboys. Included in the database are the songs of Civil Rights, political campaigns, Prohibition, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, anti-war protests, and more. Some recent additions include Hank Williams, James Brown, Irma Thomas, Riders in the Sky, Harry Belafonte and several college marching bands.
Classical Music Library offers more than 1 million tracks tracks from classical music recordings. Browse or search by composer, time period, type of composition, instrument, ensemble, conductor, or music label. Includes reference materials, such as program notes, biographies, portraits, glossaries, and historical essays. Featured playlists include a sampling of 20th century composers and a music appreciation anthology.
Find out more about the Libraries’ streaming audio and video collections by visiting the Performing Arts and Media page or view their LibGuide on Streaming Media.