Question re Lincoln Center Library

[kec]

Posted: 9/4/03 at 11:04am

Can someone please clarify something for me? I have heard that the Lincoln Center Library has tapes of many Broadway productions, for archival purposes. It's my understanding that these tapes are available only to those in the business for research purposes, and not available to the general public just because someone wants to see a particular performance. However, someone on another message board claims that anyone can view these tapes, for a fee. Before I tell this person he/she is wrong, I would appreciate it if someone would clarify this issue.

Thank you.

[DavidMegg]

Posted: 9/4/03 at 11:15am

You don't have to go out of your way to tell someone they're wrong. But it's been my experience that there is no fee and you just need to be going there for a specific purpose such as research, etc.
When I've gone, I say I'm doing a paper on such and such and need to see this video and that video.
They only let you see shows that are NOT currently running on Broadway.
And you have the controls to rewind/fast forward the video... but they don't let them out of their hands!!!
-d.

[QueenS]

Posted: 9/4/03 at 11:38am

You also only have a set time to be able to watch it (2 hours, I think) and if the show is longer than that, you have to schedule two times to see the whole thing.

I have also never encountered any kind of fee.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/4/03 at 12:02pm

Having worked at the Library, I can tell you that there is no fee.

[kec]

Posted: 9/4/03 at 11:40pm

My thanks for your answers .

[Melissa908]

Posted: 9/5/03 at 9:09am

Do the Library personnel ask you specifically what school or institution you're with and do you have to provide ID before permitting you to view the video? Also, do you have to make an appointment to view the video?

Thanks,

Melissa

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/5/03 at 10:04am

It's been a few years since I've worked there, but you used to have to fill out a form with that info on it. They did this to make sure that the same person wasn't coming in on a regular basis. (They didn't want Cats fans watching the video now and forever).

It is better if you make an appointment because that guarantees that you get the video you want. At the time I worked there, you did not have to show id.

Remember, it doesn't have to be for school, it just has to be for research purposes. (You could be writing a book or planning to produce, design or act in a certain show)

Updated On: 9/5/03 at 10:04 AM