What is a streaming video license?
The library provides access to several streaming video platforms via subscriptions or individual licenses to films. When we purchase a license from Kanopy or any other streaming video provider, we are essentially leasing the content, but do not own the content. Licenses permit access for a defined period of time, in the case of Kanopy, we primarily purchase 1-year licenses but have the option to purchase a 3-year license. If you have a film that you anticipate using over several semesters, let us know so that we can consider a multi-year license, which will save us money. Our licenses with Kanopy permit individual viewing from on or off-campus, course-related screenings, and even campus screenings to students, faculty, and staff.
What do I do if I want to assign a film for next semester?
Submit your request. The earlier the better so that we can budget for it. We will try to accommodate your requests as best as we can. We recommend submitting requests at least 3-5 days in advance of your need to we can make sure that you have access in time.
What can I request for streaming videos?
The library will only lease films for course use. We will not lease films for recreational or general viewing. Our limited budget only allows us to support academic use of streaming video. You are welcome to view any already licensed content but requests for personal use will not be approved. However, we may have the film through other streaming providers or in our physical Film Collection.
How do I request a license for a new Kanopy film?
If you click on a film title in Kanopy and see the Kanopy request form, it means we don’t currently have access. Complete this form and it will be sent to an Eckerd librarian for processing. Please make your request at least 3 -5 working days before you need the film and include the following information to the extent possible:
What happens after I make the request? How long will it take to get the film?
The request is forwarded to Acquisitions staff, who will determine if the title is available in any other collection before approving in Kanopy. It takes at least 1-2 working days for the order to be processed in the Library and another day for it to be made available by Kanopy. Thus, we recommend submitting requests at least 3-5 days in advance of your need to we can make sure that you have access in time. Requests made over the weekend or after hours will be process the next working day. Once the film is available, a librarian will email you a link to your film.
How do I find media options to use in my classes?
Start searching in OneSearch which will show availability of titles from Films on Demand and the Film Collection. You can search for films directly in Swank Digital Campus, Kanopy, and Alexander Street Press collections as well. It is our priority to ensure that faculty have the materials they need for teaching. If you are a faculty member looking for a particular film, feel free to contact us and we can help you identify the best options available.
More questions?
Please contact Nancy Schuler, e-Resources Librarian, or your collegial librarian, if you have any questions or problems using the site.
Using personal streaming accounts in the classroom
You might subscribe to streaming platforms like Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Disney+ and also find content you would like to use in class that are exclusively on those platforms. These platforms have terms of use that often say something like the following, in this case from Netflix:
The Netflix service and any content viewed through our service are for your personal and non-commercial use only and may not be shared with individuals beyond your household.
These terms of use technically prevent you from streaming films from your own account to your students. However, streaming films are often only available exclusively through these platforms. This creates a problem for providing access to these films for students in our classes, as they do not provide for institutional access to these films that we can subscribe to. It is the best approach to ask students to subscribe to these platforms themselves (just as they would buy a text), or even rent an individual film, that is required for class. They could take advantage of trial accounts or subscribe for a month at a time.
Streaming portions of a film via zoom during a remote class session would technically be acceptable under the TEACH Act for films that are not available in streaming format, however, your individual license with Netflix/Amazon Prime might supercede this. So while this might work for a physical film that you or the library legally owns, it is a different story if a film is already available in streaming format on some platform.
The library can help you search for options through our streaming video collections if you are unsure so if you have any questions, just ask.