2020 LibTech Conference

Streaming video is in high demand in the world from free services like YouTube and subscription services like Netflix and Hulu. Educators want to share feature films and documentaries with their students to enhance understanding of course topics or in situations, such as film studies, where the video itself is the object of study. However, licensing issues and copyright restrictions shape educational uses of video in ways that seem at odds with the access statement of ALA's Core Values of Librarianship. The presenters will examine the issues that academic libraries confront when providing access to streaming videos. What happens when a university revamps its streaming video policies to better align with copyright law? How can librarians educate faculty about legal use of streaming video and the financial limitations faced by both library budgets and students to license needed videos? What options do libraries have for providing students with free access to video content when streaming availability grows, but vendors do not sell institutional licenses for videos to libraries? Learn how to communicate a new, proper outlook on using streaming video and to implement processes for assessing course needs, evaluating fair use and TEACH Act exemptions, and tracking down videos. The presenters will share pitfalls and successes in implementing the recent policy and process changes instituted by the university libraries, and discuss the larger impact of streaming video licensing on future access provided by libraries.