Streaming media for classroom and research purposes has exploded over recent years. The shift to remote instruction during the coronavirus pandemic accelerated initiatives by Johns Hopkins’ libraries to expand access to streaming media. Often pricing models and licensing restrictions limit what can be offered or how content may be used. This year, the libraries will partner with Ithaka S&R, a non-profit research and consulting group, and academic libraries including the University of Maryland, Georgetown University, University of Delaware and others to share evidence about and strategies around streaming media licensing terms. In addition, the project will examine the practices and needs of patrons working with streaming content.
By participating in this project, the Hopkins libraries will gain valuable insight into how students, faculty, and staff use streaming media in research and teaching. The project will advance in two phases, starting with an assessment of the wider landscape and then assessing user needs. From the increased demand for streaming media since the pandemic began, it’s evident that the use of streaming goes beyond films for class viewing and includes media about research methodologies, laboratory safety and protocols, experiment design, and clinical practices. We’ve subsequently expanded our streaming media databases to include ProQuest’s Academic Video Online (AVON), SWANK, Films on Demand, and Kanopy.
Faculty wishing to learn more about how to add streaming content to their courses, including relevant copyright guidelines, may contact their liaison librarian or email asklib@jhu.edu.