Fortunoff Video Archive: Steps to locate, request, and view
GW Libraries' Special Collections Research Center is now a partner site with Yale University, providing GW and the public with access to the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies. This collection requires researchers to create an account and request access to the online streaming content through Yale Library. The directions below outline the required steps. Once you have created an account, requested an item, and received an email approving your request you may visit the SCRC to view the content. See more about partner sites here
Create an account
Access to the Fortunoff Video Archive is managed through Yale University's Library. You are required to set up an account in advance. You can do so here.
Search the Yale catalog (Orbis) for videos in the Fortunoff Video archive
Enter the letters “hvt” at the start of your search string to limit the results to just the Fortunoff archive streaming video. In the same search string, enter a search term, for example Treblinka.
Locate a video of interest from the results
The results that contain [HVT] in the record are part of the Fortunoff Archive that you can request to view on site.
Request access to a video from within the catalog record
Click on the “request for use in manuscripts and archives”
(You will not have to go to Yale to view this video)
Login in using the username and password created in step 1
Submit your request for approval
Requests have to be approved before you can access the video at an approved site; this can take up to 72 hours. Note: you cannot view the content until your request is approved.
Once you receive an email confirmation that your request has been approved ...
... please proceed to the Special Collections Research Center to view the video. Videos can only be viewed on our dedicated Fortunoff laptop in the reading room. We are located on the 7th floor of Gelman Library; more information about visiting can be found elsewhere on our website. Email us (speccoll@gwu.edu) with questions about access to this and other collections.
