• Port Washington Public Library 1972-1974
• Description 1997, from Library of Congress Television and Video Preservation, 1997

Port Washington Public Library 1972-1974
1972
Listing in Radical Sofwtare:
"Developing vtr as a citizen production access center within the institution of the library. Emphasis is on people: programs by, for and of people. Have 2 SONY portapaks, and AV 3600 and 3650 editing and playback decks. Walter A. Dale - project director."

1973
Have 2 Rover portapacks. Over 300 hours of citizen produced programs.

1974
"Video and the Public Library", by Walter Dale, Radical Software: Video and Kids, 1974
Video is a participatory medium for citizens. Over 500 communit volunteers have been trained; 300 hours of programming. 250 separate public screenings. 10,000 audience. The article provides examples of how video is used with the political area, and in education. Port Profiles is a series of videotaped interviews with residents usually concerning historical information, personal reminiscence and individual profiles.

Description 1997
The Media Department of the PWPL was developed in the early 70s. Lillian R. Katz authored the first proposal to NYSCA in 1970, and the award helped to establish a video production project. For 15 years the library offered training to support community video work. Other programs included a photography exhibitions, and a film and videomaker screening series. The library also circulated films, audiotapes, a/v equipment. Media Services began its circulating VHS collection in 1984. The initial collection of 200 tapes has increased to over 7000 titles including documentaries, foreign films, Hollywood classics and art programs. Since 1985 the Library has received specific support to collect the work of independent film and videomakers. The Video Production Center was closed in 1987.

The Media Services staff continue to present photo, film and video screenings, circulating videotapes. Since 1976 the library has brought over 500 filmmakers and 100 videomakers to the Long Island community to present work. Media Services has an extensive collection of books and media journals.

Lillian Katz began work at the Library as Cultural Programs Coordinator in 1970. In 1976 she became Director of Media Services.

--from LOC Television and Video Preservation 1997. p 360-363, Vol 5, October 1997.