Summary of the analog sunset plan
Analog media (VHS, Betamax, U-matic, etc.) and certain digital media (LaserDiscs) have become obsolete – new media are not being produced, nor are replacement players. For LaserDisc and VCR technology, better, higher quality, and easier to use digital technologies have emerged. By removing these media players players and slide projectors from classrooms, and by replacing these older formats with digital ones, we can ensure that our classrooms will continue to be functional, easy to use, and easy to support, both now and in the near future.

The media and computer industries have chosen to retire certain older audio and video technologies and move to newer digital audio and video formats. This means the imminent death of VHS, LaserDisc, 3/4″ tape and, eventually, even our beloved VGA (and possibly even 16mm and 35mm film, but we don’t know that quite yet). BluRay (using a newer connection type – HDMI) and streaming Internet video are the newer formats intended to replace all of the aforementioned older media formats. The DVD format remains alive, for now.

LIS has developed a plan to address the obsolescence of these older formats and support for the new ones. The process is guided by a combination of technology options, copyright law, and input from our user community. The Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines section of the Handbook outlines some of the copyright intricacies. If you currently have a VHS tape, Laserdisc or 35mm slides that you use for class, you should be developing a strategy for migrating the class material to a different media for use inside and outside of class (see What can you do to prepare.)

Important Dates

• Phase I – Beginning January 1, 2013 LIS will no longer add VHS players to new or renovated classrooms. Current status: VHS players were not added to any of the Warner classrooms after the renovations in January, 2013.
• Phase II – Beginning January 1, 2014 LIS will begin removing VHS, LaserDisc, and slide projectors from all classrooms except for the main auditoriums (Sunderland Dana, Alexander Twilight Auditorium, and Axinn 232). We need to preserve as many of these devices as possible for spare parts and archival purposes.
• Phase III – Onward and upward. LIS will continue to move forward with digital technology, including investigating reliable streaming options, and strive to accommodate any emerging technologies for the future.

What we are doing to prepare

• Over the past two years, LIS has replaced a large amount of analog and obsolete media (VHS & LaserDisc) placed on Library Reserves with DVD or Blu-Ray media. Last winter, a large LaserDisc deselection project reduced our holdings by almost 90% and was lauded by staff and faculty as a strong step forward. In the past year we’ve been turning our attention to the VHS collection, targeting those items which have never circulated, which reduced our holdings by over 35%. We are currently in the process of removing VHS copies of works for which we also have DVD and/or Blu-Ray versions.
• Other VHS titles have not circulated at all in the past seven years (i.e., since our migration of MIDCAT to the current platform), and we are reviewing those titles with faculty input and assistance. Individual departments should check their collection of media titles for VHS items. If any are crucial for teaching or research, LIS can attempt to purchase new copies in modern format (DVD or Blu-Ray) if we do not already have them. If these formats are not available, we will retain the VHS. All other VHS will be removed from the collection.
• Our classrooms will continue to have the option of bringing in an analog or obsolete digital device (VCR, LaserDisc player, slide projector) for the foreseeable future. LIS maintains an inventory of VCRs, LaserDisc players, and slide projectors in functional condition available for check-out from the Library circulation desk. However, there is no guarantee that we will be able to maintain and repair these devices indefinitely, as new supplies dwindle.
• We are following similar steps with our collection of aging audio cassettes. Cassettes that have never circulated in the past seven years are being reviewed. Cassettes that have been put on reserve or that have circulated will be replaced, retained, or migrated to a newer format.
• Please place individual requests to purchase replacements VHS/LaserDisc media at go/requests.

What can you do to prepare
If you currently have a VHS tape, Laserdisc or 35mm slides that you use for class, you should be developing a strategy for migrating the class material to a different media for use inside and outside of class. Look for DVD, Blu-Ray or (legal) Internet video replacements for any VHS, LaserDisc, 3/4″ tape, or Betamax titles in your personal collection. The Library (go/requests) or your liaison (go/liaisons) can assist you with this. If a commercial digital copy is available we will attempt to purchase a replacement; processing times will vary based on availability. Before any in-house conversion of analog or obsolete digital formats is done, however, we need to determine the legality of the duplication request. Expect about 5 business days for the copyright question to be resolved (this can be a somewhat complex issue) and another 5 business days for the actual conversion.

Your input is needed!
We are looking for feedback on the plan, the process and our communications. You can reach out to your LIS liaison or contact me (Petar Mitrevski) directly. You can also post a response right here on the blog and start a lively discussion.

We emphasize the analog sunset whenever we receive a report that a VCR player or VHS tape is broken. We have shared this plan with the Faculty LIS Advisory Group (FLAC) and are working to incorporate their feedback. LIS liaisons will continue to work with each academic department to share this plan and engage in discussion. We have talked about the analog sunset in our December Quarterly Update, April Quarterly Update, and in the context of the recent classroom renovations in Warner. But we need more input from our community. Thank you!

More Information
You can read the entire plan at http://go.middlebury.edu/analog. In addition, we’ve developed an FAQ section based on questions from our community. You can also check what other schools are doing to address the issue.

1. There will be two sessions on Wednesday, December 5th in Sunderland 123:
1:00pm – 1:30pm
1:30pm – 2:00pm
Note: The equipment installed in Sunderland 123 is identical to what will be installed in the Warner classrooms.

2. There will be two sessions on Friday, January 11th in Warner 202:
1:30pm – 2:00pm
2:00pm – 2:30pm

Please visit our previous blog post for more detail on the upgrades in Warner. If you cannot attend these sessions but would like an orientation (either before January or after), please contact the Helpdesk and we will schedule an appointment. If you have any questions about the workshops or the upgrades, please do not hesitate to contact me at x2833 or via email.

• Tech options:Consider whether you will need additional equipment or tech support (projector, microphones, show a DVD, record the event, etc.):
  • Many event venues already have the most popular equipment (projection, speakers, etc.), as well as an easy to use control panel and a set of printed instructions. With a brief orientation session, you’ll operate the equipment with ease. Contact the Helpdesk if you would like to schedule an orientation session.
  • If the location you are hoping to use does not have the equipment you need, LIS offers several options for getting equipment on loan.
  • If you’re sure you’ll need tech support, make sure to indicate that when filling out your event reservation request.
• The Scheduling Office is your ally. Submit your reservation request to the scheduling office as soon as possible, keeping in mind that LIS and other service departments require a 5-7 day notice. If you do require equipment or tech support, please ensure you select the appropriate option on the form. If the correct option is selected, the Scheduling Office will notify the Helpdesk of your event in a timely manner and we will contact you if more information is needed. Again, it is imperative that you respond to our requests for information at least 5 business days in advance of the event.
• Useful forms: To help you prepare for some types of events, and to ensure we get all the information necessary to give you our best service, we may ask you to complete a simple form. See the list of useful forms below.
• Guest speakers: If you are bringing a guest speaker on-campus, send them our Technology Checklist for Visiting Speakers.
• Use a podium computer or bring your own: A lot of classrooms have a built-in computer at the podium, reducing the need to bring your own computer. Again, the Master Location Schedule can help you get a list of these locations. If you prefer to use your own laptop for the presentation, make sure to test your computer and your presentation in the event location. Please feel free to contact the Helpdesk if you would like us to help out with the test!
• PowerPoint Tips: Using PowerPoint to enhance a talk, Tips for including media – pictures, videos, audio (& ensuring it all works!)
• Microphone Tips: Effective Microphone Techniques

Supported Locations

• Supported recording spaces
• Videoconferencing locations
• Screening locations
• Locations with built-in microphone systems

Useful Forms

• For recordings:
  • You will need to have the speaker(s) fill out the recording consent form (go/consent). We need to receive this form 2 business days (48 hours) before the event or we will not be able to record. This is a legal document that ensures the speaker is aware of your intent and, at the same time, protects you and the College in the case of a lawsuit. For more information, visit go/consent.
  • Complete the recording request form (go/recording). We need to receive this form 5 business days before the event or we will not be able to record. This form collects information that we need to prepare for the recording, create a high quality recording that is accessible and reliable, and properly catalog the recording so that you or the College may reuse it in the future. For more information visit go/recording.
• For film screenings:
  • Complete the screening request form (go/screening). We need to receive this form 5 business days before the event or we cannot guarantee that we can staff the screening. Screening any media requires sufficient time to purchase (or confirm) that we have the screening rights and that we have the working physical media. Even if you plan to bring your own media, screening rights need to be confirmed and the media itself needs to be tested. For more information, visit go/screening.

• CHT 110, MBH 305 and SDL 123
• AXT 305
• Carr 005

Microsoft and other institutions that have encountered issues with calendaring in Outlook (such as disappearing appointments) recommend the calendaring best practices that are outlined below. Please note that these best practices should be used by delegates but also by all mailbox owners (with and without delegates).

1. Use the same version of Outlook: Mailbox owners (and any delegates) should be using the same version of Outlook on any computers that are used for calendaring. This should be at least Outlook 2007 with the latest updates from Microsoft. If you are a delegate and you have a different version of Outlook than the owner of the mailbox, please contact the Helpdesk to start an installation of the appropriate version of Outlook (see How do I find Outlook version information?)
2. Keep the number of delegates to a minimum. This will help prevent unintended changes to a calendar.
3. Do not delete a meeting invite without checking that the meeting is already accepted on the calendar. If an invite is deleted before the mailbox owner or the delegate has had a chance to accept it, then the meeting will disappear from the calendar. If you are not sure the meeting is on your calendar, do not delete it. In addition, when a meeting request is received, Outlook will automatically insert a placeholder for that meeting in your calendar, even before you’ve had a chance to accept or decline. A picture of this placeholder appears below compared with a picture of an appointment that’s been properly accepted. If you see this placeholder, it means that the meeting has not been firmly accepted. If there is still a meeting invite for this meeting in your mailbox, you should accept it.
   vs
   
   Note how the placeholder on the left is faded in appearance and has a stripe on the left with alternating colors. The properly accepted meeting on the right has a solid color line and is not faded in appearance.
4. Action should always be taken on a calendar event: Accept, Accept as Tentative or Decline.
   Have an agreed-upon procedure for handling meeting invites – especially if there’s more than one person with access to a calendar. Only one person should be accepting and declining meeting invites – either the mailbox owner or a single delegate. If the delegate will be performing this, then the mailbox owner may choose to instruct Outlook to send meeting requests only to the delegate. Instructions for this (caveats included) are listed at the end of this document.
5. Take action only from the Inbox: accept or decline invites from the Inbox, not from the Calendar.
6. Don’t delete a meeting request from one device if it has been accepted from another. Accept it again, instead. In general, if you are not attending a meeting, do not delete an invite, but click the Decline button, instead.
   Schedule End Dates on recurring meetings.
7. Don’t forward meeting requests – new attendees should be added to the original attendee list by the organizer.

Other sites offering Calendaring Best Practices

• Microsoft: Outlook meeting requests: Essential do’s and don’ts
• Stanford: Exchange Calendars & Meeting Requests Best Practices
• UPenn: Exchange Shared Calendaring Best Practices

Further Information for Delegates
Delegates (those who have access to another person’s mailbox), may find the following resources useful, as well:

• Manage another person’s mail and calendar items with Outlook 2010
• Manage another person’s mail and calendar items with Outlook 2007

Configuring Outlook to only send meeting requests to a delegate and no meeting requests to the mailbox owner
It is possible to configure Outlook to only send meeting invites to a delegate and no invites to the mailbox owner. We cannot recommend this for everyone, as it may cause complications when the delegate is unavailable to process meeting requests. However, instructions for configuring this feature of Outlook are available below.

• For Outlook 2007: Select the Send meeting requests and responses only to my delegates, not to me check box on the Delegates tab (Tools menu, Options command).
• For Outlook 2010: Click the File tab. Click Account Settings, and then click Delegate Access. Select the check box My delegates only.