Ask the Library: Film and Video Collection

Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime and other consumer streaming media services play an ever-increasing role in producing media content. Unfortunately, they do not always provide access to this content outside of their platform either via DVD or streaming available for purchase or licensing to libraries.  These services do not have an institutional subscription model. To legally access this content, students will need their own subscription to the service that provides exclusive access to that content. 

Netflix does, however, grant rights for educational screenings for some of these titles.  You may wish to search the Netflix database to see if the film you are interested in teaching appears with a grant of permission for educational screenings.  If it does, instructors who have their own personal Netflix subscription may show this title to an in-person class using their personal login credentials and not be infringing on the service's usage terms. (Consumer services typically employ Digital Rights Management software to prohibit sharing content via Zoom.)

If you are looking for copyright-compliant streaming media, please note that you can find Library-licensed eVideos via DELCAT, or by exploring licensed databases individually via the Media Research Guide.  You are also welcome to reach out to the Film & Video Collection Librarian for assistance or with purchase and licensing suggestions.