History of the Askwith Media Library

The core collection of what is now the Askwith Media Library was established in 1939 as the University Extension Division’s “Visual Education Bureau”. In 1948 the “Audio-Visual Education Center” was created out of the Visual Education Bureau to produce filmstrips, audiotapes and films for use both within and outside of the university. The Center also conducted a very large and active rental operation. In 1978 the AV Center was combined with the university’s TV Center to create Michigan Media. The emphasis of the combined units shifted from the production of AV materials for the use by the state’s educational community to serving the internal instructional needs of the university. The library continued to serve a national clientele through its rental service and to provide materials to support faculty in UM classes. In 1987 University administrators determined that Michigan Media as a unit would be dismantled. At that time the media library became part of the University Library system, reporting to the Undergraduate Library, and was renamed The Film and Video Library. The 16 mm film rental operation was discontinued in 1992 due to a dramatic drop in rentals related to the rise of the VHS format. The focus of the library shifted to instructional support for UM faculty. In 1999 the FVL became part of the Arts and Engineering Libraries cluster. Video formats have evolved into the digital realm, and the library is now aggressively collecting materials in DVD  format.

The FVL moved to a larger, more accommodating space in the Shapiro building and became the Askwith Media Library in June, 2005. The library was renamed in honor of a gift to the library system from U-M alum Bertram J. Askwith. Features include an expansive new public service desk, 10 new viewing stations designed to accommodate single or multiple viewers for on-site screening of library materials, and expanded hours during the school year. These improvements further extend the Askwith Library’s services to students, faculty and staff.