The University’s VHS Viewing Library, located in 104 Himes Hall, plans to close at the end of this semester. The space could be used for other important resources, said Richard Billodeaux, Information Technology Services staff member.
The viewing library is a small, dark room filled with televisions with built in DVD and VHS players, propped up on rolling TV stands. 
Beginning in January 2012, the staff started keeping a log of who was using the service and how often. The log showed the current numbers of uses is fifteen since last January, and four of them were repeat uses. 
The history department is the only department that uses the service, said Billodeaux. While most people see the viewing library as archaic, professors like Karl Roider, alumni professor of history, still find a use for the service.
“I always liked it,” said Roider. “I showed assigned films in class.”
The service was useful for students who missed viewing said films in class and could not find them anywhere else, said Roider. 
“We’ll definitely have to make some adjustments,” said Roider. 
Roider said he would regularly show films in his Western Civilization, History of the Balkans and World War I classes and is sad to see the viewing library go. 
Some of the films Roider implements, such as “Amazing Grace,” “Hope and Glory,” “The King’s Speech” and “Mrs. Henderson Presents,” are not readily available on YouTube or Netflix. 
Students, usually two or three per semester, would have to purchase or otherwise find the DVDs to study, he said.
If professors such as Roider want to keep using VHS tapes in their classes, they should try to find a different area to do so, said Billodeaux, and that the space is used too little to justify staying open.
Roider said he hopes that the televisions might be relocated and still available for use.  
“I can’t imagine it’s taking up much time and space.”