What is Kanopy?
Last month, Datasets agreed to trialling a new streaming video service called Kanopy.   Kanopy provides educational institutions with access to thousands of films, documentaries and videos covering a wide range of subjects and producers.  We’ll put a news item about Kanopy on Library news shortly.

What’s the bigger picture?  Why are we trialling this?
Our interest in Kanopy is its ability to provide wider and more cost-effective access to video content.  DVD has been a problematic format for libraries for a number of reasons so it’s good to look at other options.  Particularly problematic has been restrictions on access and increased costs associated with licencing and labelling.

How do we get access?
Access to individual titles is provided via the Library Catalogue and will also be available via Multisearch. Kanopy uses a patron-driven acquisition model which means institutions only pay for the films their students and faculty actually watch.  This also fits with our philosophy to provide more “just in time” access to resources.

How do we get charged?
The way Kanopy’s pricing model works is that we get a free browse period of 30 seconds of video.  Once 30 seconds or more of video has been viewed Kanopy count this as one play.  We still don’t get charged at this point.  A film goes to invoice if it has had at least 4 plays.  Films that are invoiced are typically charged for in the region of $US75-200 each.  Once a film has been invoiced we have unlimited access to that film for 12 months.

What budget is available for Kanopy?
We’ve set aside $1000 from our eBook opex budget (same fund used for demand-driven eBooks) for providing access to Kanopy. There is a possibility of increasing this cap if there is demand.  If we reach our budget maximum, Kanopy get in touch to discuss our options.  So we will be monitoring the use and if it looks like we will exceed the money allocated we’ll need to make a decision to turn off access to any films not triggered for invoice, or to put a case together for Datasets for allocating more money to Kanopy resources.

Are we providing access to all content on Kanopy?
At this stage we’ve only opened up access to a range of film titles including film studies and foreign language film and movies.  Most libraries start small to see what the impact on their budget will be and then look to grow what they provide access to from there subject to budget availability.

How can I provide feedback or recommend other Kanopy content?
If there are any titles or subject areas you’re interested in please get in touch regarding the options.  We’ve already had interest from English, Cinema Studies, Cultural Studies, Education, Art History and Theory.  You can browse the subjects available from the Kanopy website (https://www.kanopystreaming.com).

Tim Stedman