BMFI’s Film Studies Library
Made possible by a generous gift from The Haverford School
We are very pleased to be the home of The George Rehrauer Collection of film books, thoughtfully donated by The Haverford School. Mr. Rehrauer wrote a number of books about film himself, including The Short Film: An Evaluative Selection of 500 Recommended Films and two volumes of The Cinema Booklist, all of which are featured in the collection at BMFI.
The library includes books on a wide assortment of film-related topics, such as star and filmmaker biographies, screenplays, film history texts, books about specific films, and more—many of which are notable works in the field. Highlights of the collection include: Four Screenplays of Ingmar Bergman; From Caligari to Hitler, by Siegfried Kracauer; I Lost It at the Movies, by Pauline Kael; Me: Stories of My Life, by Katharine Hepburn; and The Six-Gun Mystique, by John G. Cawelti.
Due to facility limitations, we have half of the approximately 2000 books in The George Rehrauer Collection available for borrowing by BMFI members. While the library is not open for browsing, a list of books may be accessed via the link below. Members may then send an email to request the book they wish to borrow (no phone requests please), and will receive a response (within 2 business days) when the book is ready for pick-up. Requested books will be held in the BMFI Business Office and can be picked up weekdays between the hours of 10am and 4pm. For specific information about borrowing books, please read the F.A.Q. section below.
Q: May anyone borrow books from the BMFI Film Studies Library?
A: Use of the library is a benefit of BMFI membership, so only members may have access to the books. To become a member of BMFI, visit our membership page.
Q: Since this is a library, may I browse the stacks?
A: Unfortunately, no. Because of facility limitations, the book collection itself
is not open to the public. However, a list of the available books may be browsed
at your leisure via Library Thing
Q: What kinds of film studies books do you have? How are they categorized?
A: The library has several different types of film studies books that are organized
into the following categories:
Q: How many books may I borrow at a time?
A: Members may borrow two books at a time.
Q: How long may I keep the book?
A: The borrowing period is one month, with one renewal permitted. The renewal
request must be made via email prior to the book’s due date. You will receive
a reply either granting the renewal, or, if another member has ordered the book,
requesting the book be returned.
Q: What information do I need to include in my book request email?
A: Your email should contain your name (as it appears on your membership card)
and the following information about the book you are requesting: complete title,
author’s full name, and the category to which it belongs (biography, etc.; see above).
Q: Okay, so I’ve emailed my book request. What happens now?
A: Once the email is received, your membership will be verified, and the book
will be located. If the book is available, it will be available in the BMFI Business
Office to be picked up (during weekdays between 10am and 4pm). You will then receive
email notification that the book is ready. This will occur within two business days
of the receipt of your email. If the book is not available, or if your membership
cannot be verified, you will also receive an email (within two business days) explaining
why your request cannot be fulfilled.
Q: Where is the BMFI Business Office located?
A: The BMFI Business Office is located in BMFI (824 W. Lancaster Ave. in Bryn Mawr).
As you walk up the atrium from the street entrance, there is an elevator on your left
before you reach the Box Office. Take it to the second floor and exit to the left.
Enter the Office and inform whoever greets you that you are there to pick up your
library book(s).
Q: Where do I return borrowed books?
A: Books are also returned to the BMFI Business Office between the hours of 10am and 4pm.
Q: Is there any cost associated with borrowing books from the library?
A: There is no charge for taking out books, but when a member checks out a book, he or
she agrees to abide by the $25 lost/damaged book replacement policy. See below.
Q: What is the $25 lost/damaged book replacement policy?
A: For any book from the BMFI collection that is lost or is damaged to the point of not
being suitable for reading or lending, the member in whose name a book was borrowed is
responsible for paying a fee of $25. The determination that a book is lost or is damaged
is made at the discretion of BMFI staff.
