Listed below are a few recurring questions. Media staff should consult the online desk manual for more in-depth knowledge. Use Ctl + F for a quick find.
What is Media Services? What kind of media do you have? Where are you located?
Established in 1975, Media Services is the premiere audiovisual unit of the Herman B Wells Library. Our mission is to provide access to a wide range of multi-disciplinary formats to meet the instructional, research, and learning needs of the Indiana University community. The Teaching & Research collection is accessible to all faculty, staff, and students of Indiana University. The Media Browsing collection is accessible to all faculty, staff, students, and Indiana residents. Media Services provides access to reliable and friendly staff, multimedia collections, viewing carrels, playback equipment, media multipurpose rooms, and soft-seating for group or individual study. Media Services is located on the ground floor of the Wells Library in Room 044/046, across from the Book[Market] eatery. It is a shared space with the IU Libraries Moving Image Archive, and Black Film Center/Archive.
How do I request something that is at the ALF? How long does it take for ALF items to be delivered? Patrons are encouraged to use IUCAT “Request This” button on item record. Indiana University students, faculty and staff may place requests online via IUCAT for deliveries from the ALF, as well as to or from another library in the IU system.
Requests from the ALF usually take 1-2 business days to complete; requests between IU Bloomington campus libraries generally take 2-4 business days; and requests for delivery coming from other IU campuses may take 7-10 business days to complete. You may also use the “Request Delivery” button to have an item pulled from the shelf and held at the same library for you to pick up, but because requests may take up to 4 working days to complete, you may find it quicker to come to the library and locate the item yourself. More information available at: https://libraries.indiana.edu/request-delivery-alf-requests
Can I check out board games? How does playing a board game in Media Services tie in with the “quiet study” rule? Can I request that a board game be ordered? Board Games do not circulate. Board games are played in-house only. However, Media will make an exception for faculty and instructors to check out no more than three board games for up to 7 days for classroom use only. If additional resources are required, faculty and instructors should send an email request to mthreatt@indiana.edu. Media Services is not a designated quiet area. However, patrons are encouraged to use low-tones while talking. Media will consider the purchase of additional board games when the budget allows. Patrons can submit an online Request a Purchase form at: https://libraries.indiana.edu/request-purchase
What do I do if my audio doesn’t work? I’m trying to watch a movie on the viewing carrel but it isn’t working. Can you help me?
Check cords first: For all equipment located in the carrels, be sure that the power cord is securely plugged in the wall, and that appropriate cables are connected to the back of the machine. On occasion, students will unplug cables and leave as is. You may need to refer to a similar machine to compare connections and/or see pictures at the end of this section.
Carrel instructions: Follow through with the instructions provided at each carrel to make sure all necessary machines are on and configured correctly. If issues continue: Try the same procedures at a different carrel (if available). If that succeeds, politely request that patron relocate. If equipment continues to malfunction, contact libauto@indiana.edu to report issue(s.) Be sure to specify the carrel #, type of equipment, and description of the problem. Leave an “out of order” sign on the equipment.
Proper configuration: Photos
Wall sockets (or power strip): 5 cords ; Look for 2-2-1 and make sure they are all firmly plugged in:
If there is a power strip, make sure the same five are all plugged into the strip, and that the strip is plugged into the wall. If the power strip has an On/Off switch, make sure it’s in the “On” position.
If no sound: Make sure headphones/earphones are plugged into headphone amp, amp volume is up, and amp is plugged into wall. If still no volume, make sure monitor volume is not muted and/or try other headphones. If content is an internet video/audio clip (e.g. YouTube), make sure volume level on the clip’s control panel is not muted.
What are Best Practices for technology equipment in the consultation/media rooms?
- In each room, there is a Crestron panel mounted on the table. This panel controls all of the technology in the room.
- If the Crestron panel has no display, simply touch the panel to activate it.
- Select whatever input (PC, Blu Ray, VCR, Video Connections) is required
- Make certain that the selected input shows up under “Display” and “Audio”
- Check to make sure that the device is not muted
- No remotes should ever be required.
- The Crestron handles all input
- A control panel is displayed on the screen when Blu Ray is selected
- All of the equipment for each room is located in the rack below the desk.
- Sometimes students turn off devices. If something is not working, check the power.
- When plugging in a game console, the input should automatically be selected.
- All instructions for using the game consoles should be included in the game box.
- Unfortunately, none of these systems are able to get online for security reasons
- Check the batteries or charge level of controllers if they do not work.
- Do not be afraid to push buttons.
- Most of the time, reading the error message or pressing a button will give you the information you need to resolve an issue. Do not worry about breaking something; you will not.
- Contact libauto@indiana.edu if you have any issues.
Media Rooms Technology: Photos
Crestron display unit: home screen (if blank, touch anywhere on screen to activate):
Cable and adapter cubbies (not usually need in PC, Blu-Ray, or DVD/VHS modes)
Plug-ins for AV cables and external units