Media Definitions
| Compact Disc (CD) | Recording of music, spoken word, or audio. |
| CDROM | Requires computer for visual, audio, or interactive functions. |
| DVD | Video recording with passive viewing. DVD players may play only specific regions, whereas computer drives (2003+) in the Library can play any region. |
| DVDROM | Video recording with some content that requires access to a computer. In some cases, the interactive nature is not known until DVD is in computer - some element of interactivity is present but not always mentioned on the packaging. |
| DVDROM-Music | Contains a mix of recorded music, visuals, and interactivity which will require computer access. |
| VHS | NTSC format for viewing. |
| Laserdisc | Amherst has a limited collection of 12 inch discs from the 1980s. |
Location codes (At the present time, spoken word and sound effects are in the open stacks.)