Streaming Video for Course Use
The University of Nevada, Reno Libraries welcomes requests for streaming video that are crucial for course curriculum. Due to budget constraints, restrictive vendor licensing terms, and high costs we recommend that you consider all of our current streaming video options before placing a request for new material.
Selecting Streaming Video from our Current Collection
When you find a video you want to use for a class in our streaming video collections, you may place a request with Course Reserves. Course Reserves staff will work to ensure that the requested streaming video will be available & accessible for your class. They will perform a series of checks, including the video’s license expiration date, availability of closed captions, and utilizing a permalink to the video.
Requesting New Streaming Media
If you cannot find the video you want to use for your class in our streaming video collections, please contact your Subject Librarian; and library staff will work to find a version you can use. (This includes if you have a copy of the movie on VHS or DVD that you want to stream).
- Requests are for course materials only and must be required viewing for the entire class.
- Requests are typically limited to five film requests per course.
- Please plan ahead and submit requests based on the date needed for a class. We receive many requests for videos and prioritize them by the “date needed by” specified on the form.
- Consult the table below for timeline information in your planning. It can take up to 8-12 weeks if the requested video is not available from the five companies with established license agreements.
- Each semester, for each film you plan to use in a course, you need to make a new media request.
- The Libraries will notify you by email when the requested video link is available. To check on the status of a particular request or if you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Subject Librarian for your department or program.
Streaming Video Purchasing Platforms
| Availability |
Company/Product |
Timeline |
Cost |
# Simultaneous Users |
Captions Available* |
| Available for License |
Kanopy |
1 week |
High
($150/$300 average) |
Unlimited |
Yes* |
| Available for License |
Swank |
1 week |
$120 for 1yr |
Unlimited |
Yes* |
| Available for License |
Docuseek2 |
2 weeks |
$275 for 1yr |
Unlimited |
Yes* |
| Available for License |
Good Docs |
2 weeks |
$559 for perpetual streaming |
Unlimited |
Yes* |
| Available for License |
Media Partners |
2 weeks |
Varies by film/number of users, but on the high end |
Varies by film |
Yes* |
| UNR Contract not currently in place |
Company/vendor resources not listed above |
8-12 weeks |
Medium-High |
Varies by film/vendor |
Varies by film/vendor |
*Occasionally captions are not available until requested. This may affect the timeline. We always check for captions and request them immediately if necessary.
Important things to know about the Libraries’ streaming video purchase service:
- Streaming video purchases depend on licensing terms put forth by the content provider and availability of the library collection funds. Licensing the requested video title may not be possible in some cases due to the content provider or prohibitive licensing cost.
- When a 3rd-party hosting streaming license is available for the requested video, the Libraries will purchase the license for a one-year term.
- When a 3rd-party hosting streaming license is not available, the Libraries will pursue a license to locally stream & host the video, also for a one-year term.
- When no streaming licenses are available, the Libraries will conduct a Fair Use check to determine if the intended use of the requested title is considered fair to support a local streaming & hosting solution.
