The Federal Reserve System DVD and Video Lending Library

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis lends videotapes and DVDs to civic, professional and business groups, schools, banks, service clubs and other organizations.

We offer these videos as a public service to promote a better understanding of commercial and central banking operations, monetary policy, and fundamental economic and personal finance concepts.

Available videos and DVDs are described on the attached pages. These videos can be ordered from Corelco, 335 Papin, St. Louis, Missouri 63119-3615. The only cost to the borrower is return postage (approximately $2.00). All videos and DVDs are the property of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and are to be mailed back the day following the scheduled play date. Place your order on the attached order form (PDF 82 KB).

E – Elementary School
M – Middle School
H – High School
G – General Audiences

ADAM SMITH & THE WEALTH OF NATIONS*
28 min VHS
Traces the life, career and basic beliefs of one of history's greatest thinkers. Examines events and influences of the father of economics.
H G

ALAN GREENSPAN: MAN BEHIND THE MONEY (BIOGRAPHY)*
50 min VHS
Introduces students to the former chairman of the Federal Reserve and explores the factors and trends that influence the world economy.
M H G

ARE WE SCARING OURSELVES TO DEATH?*
46 min VHS
This Stossel in the Classroom program, composed of three segments, shows that we are exposed to far more dangerous-sounding chemicals and technologies than ever before, yet we now live longer than ever. Stossel explores these fears with a studio audience and ranks such risky activities as flying in a plane, driving a car, smoking, exposure to chemicals, etc.
H

BOTH BORROWER & LENDER*
14 min VHS
Describes options for depositing/borrowing funds available to consumers and what consumers should look for in financial services.
M H G

BURIED BY DEBT: THE DANGERS BY BORROWING*
14 min VHS
Designed to raise awareness about the practice of abusive lending and inform borrowers about how they can protect themselves. This video is an excellent resource for personal finance courses and programs.
H G

CHICKENFEED*
17 min VHS
The San Diego Chicken explains the basic concepts of the monetary system: medium of exchange, money substitutes, supply, exchange as a voluntary agreement between individuals, and inflation.
E M H

CHICKENOMICS*
24 min VHS
The San Diego Chicken explains five aspects of the U.S. market economy: private ownership, consumer sovereignty, markets, self- interest motive and competition.
M H.

COMMANDING HEIGHTS: THE BATTLE FOR THE WORLD ECONOMY* -
6 hrs VHS and DVD
Part I - 2 Hours
Part II - 2 Hours
Part III - 2 Hours
This video series confronts Americans' critical concerns about the new interconnected world. Based on the best-selling book by Pulitzer Prize winner Daniel Yergin and Joseph Stanislaw, this ground-breaking series explores our changing world—the new rules of the game, the winners and losers in the clash between government and the marketplace, the great debate over the impact of globalization, and the powerful forces shaping our economy and the future of our society. Filmed on five continents, the powerful narrative combines stunning film footage with dramatic stories and extraordinary interviews with world leaders and thinkers from 20 different countries.
H G

DECIMALS: THE FAKE MONEY CAPER*
22 min VHS
The math topic is decimals, and the subject is money. Eddie and friend Vincent help a Secret Service agent track down a counterfeiting ring. Eddie learns about creating and safeguarding our money supply and figuring the true value of a peso and a ruble.
E M

ECON AND ME*
DVD
Five 15-min. student programs and two 25-min. teacher programs on DVD. Four children encounter problems in their communities, which they learn to solve with the help of their invisible friend, Econ, by applying economic principles. Programs cover: scarcity, opportunity cost, consumption, production and interdependence. Teachers’ guide available from the Agency for Instructional Technology at www.ait.net.
E

ECONOMICS BY CHOICE*
18 min VHS
Illustrates basic economic concepts for children with situations that relate to their own lives. Concepts include unlimited wants, scarcity, choices and opportunity costs.
E

ECONOMICS: THE BASICS*
30 min VHS
Fast-paced and contemporary, this Junior Achievement video has six segments: The Basics, Not Enough of Anything, Making Choices, Markets, Competition, and Government and the Economy.
M H

EFT - AT YOUR SERVICE*
14 min VHS
Follows a couple as they learn about direct deposit, automatic bill payment, ATMs and other electronic funds transfer (EFT) services. Explains the rights and responsibilities of the user.
H G

ENTERPRISE IS...AMERICA*
72 min VHS
Four-part program, each section independent. Provides a better understanding of American business, profit, competition, productivity, world trade and investment.
H

THE ENTREPRENEURS*
42 min
Fast-paced and contemporary, this Junior Achievement video has six segments: Young Entrepreneurs, More Young Entrepreneurs, The Entrepreneurial Spirit, The Business Plan, Marketing and Business and Financing the Dream.
M H

FED CHALLENGE
28 min VHS and DVD
Overview of the Fed Challenge competition.
H

THE FEDERAL RESERVE
VHS and DVD
A four-part video on money and banking and the Federal Reserve.
H

Part I: The Eye of the Storm - 25 min - Explains the Fed's unique role in the banking system and its response to Hurricane Andrew.

Part II: The Power of Money - 22 min - Focuses on the Fed's monetary policy responsibility, using the Fed's response to inflation of the late 1970s as a case study.

Part III: What Should the Fed Do? - 9 min - An interactive quiz intended to stimulate classroom discussion.

Part IV: Inside the Fed - 29 min - Provides a more concise overview of the Federal Reserve than the first two parts, covering the Fed's monetary policy and other responsibilities.

THE FED TODAY
13 min VHS
Charles Osgood explains the workings of the Federal Reserve System: history, structure, monetary policy, banking supervision, financial services and more.
H G

THE FED: OUR NATION'S CENTRAL BANK
13 min VHS
Examines the roles of the Fed in setting and implementing monetary policy, promoting safety and soundness in financial systems, and helping individuals and businesses make and receive payments safely and quickly.
H

THE FOUNDATIONS OF WEALTH*
115 min DVD
Ten-part DVD examines specialization of labor and explains how society has evolved from the subsistence economies of old to the global trade economies of today. Created in England, this program uses playful cartoon characters.
E M

FREELOADERS*
47 min VHS
This Stossel in the Classroom program, composed of three segments, examines the incentive to freeload, looks at how some people use government to freeload and explores the issue of corporate welfare.
H

GIVE & TAKE*
VHS and DVD
Part I 84 min
Part II 84 min
This 12-part program dramatizes personal economic problems relevant to the daily lives of young people. Teachers’ guide available from the Agency for Instructional Technology at www.ait.net.
H

THE GLOBAL ECONOMY*
46 min VHS
Fast-paced and contemporary, this Junior Achievement video has five segments: What is the Global Economy?, Why Do Countries Trade?, NAFTA: Who Wins? Who Loses?, Global Investing and Portrait of a Global Corporation.
M H

GREED*
41 min VHS
This Stossel in the Classroom program, composed of three segments, explores how the profit motive has spurred civilization's accomplishments. Stossel interviews profit-motivated people ranging from Ted Turner to small-business owners to assembly-line workers, and he shows how their self-interest becomes society's gain.
H

HISTORY OF THE DOW*
60 min VHS
With rare footage and first-hand accounts, this excellent program traces the history of blue chip stocks in the 20th century.
M H G

HOW COMPANIES WORK*
38 min VHS
Fast-paced and contemporary, this Junior Achievement video has five segments: Small Business: Main Beach Surf and Sport, Large Business: Ford Motor Company; Nonprofit: Student Conservation Association, Financing Growth and Responding to Change: Interface.
M H

IN PLAIN ENGLISH: MAKING SENSE OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE
14 min DVD
An animated, virtual tour of the Federal Reserve System that introduces viewers to the entities and responsibilities of the Fed.
M H G

INSIDE THE FED WITH MARSHALL LOEB
15 min DVD
Provides an introduction to the Federal Reserve System.
H G

IN THE CLASSROOM WITH DAVID ROBINSON*
63 min DVD
An eight-part DVD examines numerous issues that today’s teenagers face. Robinson, a former NBA basketball player and MVP, speaks candidly about his life experiences, career and family, and what has influenced him to be the person he is today. He talks about fitting in, making the right choices, organizing priorities, dealing with changes and achieving success.
M H

IS AMERICA # ONE?*
42 min VHS
This Stossel in the Classroom program, composed of three segments, examines why some nations flourish and others flounder. It asks if the United States is the best country or a land of money grubbers who lucked out on a great piece of real estate. Stossel explores this question in light of some criteria for measuring "best."
H

IT'S YOUR MONEY*
60 min VHS
Learn the basics of smart spending and saving in today's markets. Topics include budgeting, banking services, understanding risk and making investment choices. Sponsored by the Federal Reserve Board and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
H G

JOHN STOSSEL GOES TO WASHINGTON*
42 min VHS
This Stossel in the Classroom program, composed of three segments, uncovers government waste, incompetence and abuse of power. Stossel poses the question, "Is there anything private enterprise can do better than government?"
H

THE MAKING OF MONEY*
24 min VHS
A history of U.S. paper currency, from 1690 private-bank-issued notes to how money is printed now, as well as a look at 1996 changes and the process of distribution by the Fed.
E M H G

MONEY AND THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
10 min VHS
This video contains five mini-lessons on money for third and fourth grades. Topics include: 1) The Federal Reserve, 2) Barter, 3) What Is Money, 4) Invest in Yourself and 5) Savings. Produced by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, each two-minute mini-lesson is a clear and up-to-date explanation of a basic concept about money.
E

MONEY CONNECTION
17 min VHS and DVD
Fast-paced news show format combines historical photographs and live-action footage with interviews and animation sequences. Explains the Federal Reserve and basic money and banking concepts.
E

MONEY ROCK*
30 min VHS
Leave it to the Schoolhouse Rock crew to make money concepts interesting. This video explains savings accounts, taxes, stocks, checks and other money matters.
E M

THE MONEY STORY
33 min VHS and DVD
Learn what money is and how it is made, spent, saved and collected.
E M

MONEY: SUMMING IT UP*
23 min VHS
Surveys the history of money from salt, tools, coins, paper currency and checks. Discusses the role of money in developing the United States, the recurring problem of inflation in history and the establishment of the Federal Reserve System.
H

MUTUAL FUNDS: UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS*
8 min VHS
Provides valuable information for bankers and consumers about the financial risks associated with purchasing mutual funds and annuities and emphasizes the lack of FDIC protection.
G

ONCE UPON A DIME
30 min VHS and DVD
This cartoon shows the need for a medium of exchange from primitive times to today.
E M

OPEN & OPERATING
17 min VHS and DVD
The events of Sept. 11, 2001, provide the context for this video documenting how the Federal Reserve acted decisively to calm the financial markets, keep funds moving and stabilize the economy. To order the free accompanying curriculum, go to: www.frbsf.or/education/teachers/open/index.html.
H G

THE PEOPLE OF MARKET STREET*
VHS
A seven-tape series showing how economics influences one’s life. Produced by Walt Disney Educational Media Co. Should not be duplicated.
H G

1. Scarcity and Planning - 16 min - Explains the concept of scarcity. People want more goods in quantity and quality than are available; discusses the problem of organizing work to achieve production.

2. Cost - 20 min - Explains the concept of opportunity costs. The cost of any good, act or service is the best alternative opportunity given up; the cost of giving up a party is used as an illustration.

3. Demand - 21 min - Economic analysis with an explanation of the law of demand. The more something costs, the fewer the number of people who want it. Factors such as wealth, family size, tastes and type of work affect demand.

4. Supply - 20 min - Shows how the amount produced and supplied responds to market price, anticipated sales, selling price; how costs and profits guide a potential producer.

5. Market Clearing Prices - 23 min - Shows how price of a good equates amount demanded with amount supplied. Explains the role of inventories in helping provide a reliable supply at predictable prices.

6. Wages and Production - 18 min - Applies demand and supply principles to labor. Explains how wage rates affect the kinds and amount of labor services that are offered and demanded. Also describes some factors affecting wage rates.

7. Property Rights and Pollution - 19 min - Contrasts how the exchange of well-defined property rights can direct goods to their highest valued uses with the difficulties encountered when property rights are not used, well-defined or exchangeable. Illustrated in the context of air and water usage.

PERSONAL FINANCE: NO-BRAINERS*
60 min VHS
Presents the main steps of successful personal finance: setting goals, financial planning, budgeting, saving, investing and reviewing the portfolio.
H G

PIGGY BANKS TO MONEY MARKETS*
30 min VHS
The young cast, original songs and live action help kids learn how to earn, save, spend, invest and give.
E

THE PRICE SYSTEM*
12 min DVD
Nobel economist Milton Friedman uses I, Pencil, a short story by Leonard Read, to explain how a free market economy operates. Friedman explains how the price system has enabled the United States to develop.
M H

THE PRIME-TIME WORLD OF MACROECONOMICS*
120 min VHS
Learn all about price level, circular flow model, exchange rates, FDIC, disposable income, inflation, interest rates, aggregate demand, fiscal policy, net exports and other important fundamentals.
H G

SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK!*
283 min DVD
Schoolhouse Rock, a collection of animated songs that taught an entire generation that "Knowledge Is Power," is on DVD for the first time.
E M H G

STANDARD DEVIANTS - LEARN PERSONAL FINANCE*
60 min DVD
The Standard Deviants DVDs are designed to help you learn and review at your own pace—all at the touch of a button. The Standard Deviants combine cutting-edge technology, award-winning educational material and a troupe of young actors and comedians. Everything you need to learn is at your fingertips.
M H G

STOSSEL IN THE CLASSROOM SERIES*
2-disc DVD
Disc 1 examines why some nations flourish and others fail, explores how the profit motive has spurred civilization's accomplishments and turns the idea of consumer reporting on government itself. Disc 2 takes a look at fears propagated by the media and the government, and examines how some people in America get something for nothing.
M H G

TAX WHYS - UNDERSTANDING TAXES*
VHS
Part I - 84 min
Part II - 30 min
Introduces some of the major issues of taxation.
H

TEACHING TOOLS FOR MACROECONOMICS, GOVERNMENT AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE FROM JOHN STOSSEL*
63 min DVD
John Stossel weaves current events with timeless principles of economics to provide students with new insight into U.S. history, economics, government and international trade.
H

TEACHING TOOLS FOR MICROECONOMICS FROM JOHN STOSSEL*
70 min DVD
John Stossel weaves current events with timeless principles of economics to provide students with new insight into U.S. history, economics and government.
H

TOO MUCH TOO LITTLE
22 min VHS
Traces the nation's monetary system from colonial times to present. Focuses on money, how the money supply affects the economy and why Congress established the Federal Reserve System.
H

TO YOUR CREDIT
15 min VHS
Designed to acquaint the general public with various consumer regulations administered by the Federal Reserve System.
H G

15 lessons, 20 min. each, designed to help students think their way through economic problems. Topics include: cost, decision making, productivity, specialization, capital goods, human capital, voluntary exchange, buyers market and demand, sellers and market supply, and market clearing price. Teachers’ guide available from the Agency for Instructional Technology at www.ait.net
H

WHERE THE BANKERS BANK
13 min VHS
Guided tour of one of the 12 district banks of the Federal Reserve System. Helps students gain an understanding of the nation’s payments system.
E M

WILDE ABOUT TRADE* 20 min VHS
Explains international trade and finance—why nations trade, how foreign exchange rates are determined and how nations invest abroad.
H

* © Protected by Copyright

Back to top