Kanopy @ BGSU: Home

Only BGSU faculty members may request new Kanopy titles.

On August 7, 2019 BGSU Libraries started mediating all new leases for Kanopy films using the Kanopy request form. We took this step in response to dramatically escalating costs, which have risen at an unsustainable rate since we started providing access to Kanopy in 2016. BGSU faculty members should make requests in order to access new Kanopy titles. Kanopy is not like Netflix; each video is paid for separately. We don’t buy permanent access to films through Kanopy, we buy a 12-month lease for the film. After the lease is up, we lose all access to the film unless we buy another lease.

Connect to Kanopy

How do I know which Kanopy films we have access to now?

Best option: The Excel file linked below includes all active licenses for Kanopy films as of the file date, with their expiration dates:

We add records to the BGSU Libraries Catalog for all of the titles we license, but you'll need to check the list above to see the expiration date. We purchase 12-month leases for films throughout the year, so expiration dates don't always coincide with the start or end of a semester.

Second option: check Summon or the BGSU Libraries Catalog to see if we have access to a Kanopy film. If you find a record, we most likely have access. Click through to the film and test playback. 

Third option: Check Kanopy – When you’re in Kanopy, if you can play a film, we have it! Before deciding to use a film in your class, check the spreadsheet linked above for the expiration date of the license.

When you're searching or browsing in Kanopy, the films we have leased appear at the top, and the films you can request appear at the bottom of the page in a “videos you can request for your library” section.

What can I request from Kanopy?

BGSU Libraries will lease films requested by faculty or TAs that are assigned for course viewing and not already owned by BGSU. We may lease films for faculty research purposes if there is no DVD is available for purchase - faculty wishing to view a Kanopy film in conjunction with their research or teaching outside of assigned course viewing should fill out a request form and include more information in the notes field. We will not lease films for recreational or general viewing. We will also not lease films we already own on DVD. 

Where possible, we ask you to consider using free streaming media options or DVDs. If a film is owned on DVD by BGSU, we can make it available as a streaming reserve item on Avalon.

What is Avalon?

Avalon is an online service that provides round-the-clock access to streaming audio and video content. This content includes course reserve materials, library-owned items, and locally created content from campus departments. Any films owned by the library on DVD can be streamed via Avalon. The library may choose to purchase films and stream them via Avalon instead of approving a Kanopy request. If you have requested video content that will be made available via Avalon instead of Kanopy, the library will be in touch. Access to video on Avalon will be limited to students enrolled in the specific course for which the video is required and other individual students and faculty by request.

How do I request a lease for a new Kanopy film?

If you click on a film title in Kanopy and see the request form, it means we don’t currently have access. Fill out the request form and it will be sent to a library staff member to process. Requests will be processed M-F only. If you make a request on the weekend or after 5pm, it will not be processed until the next working day. In your request, please include the course name and number for which you will use the film OR if you need the film for academic research purposes.

What happens after I make the request? How long will it take to get the film?

The request form is sent automatically to library staff. They will double-check that the requester is a faculty member or TA and check to see if we already own the title. If your request is approved, you'll receive an email within a day or two informing you that the film has been licensed, along with a link to the video. The video will be added to the BGSU Libraries Catalog, but this may take up to four weeks.

If your request for a Kanopy lease is not approved (because, for example, we already own the video on DVD), you'll receive a response from the library with more information. 

What if we have a film but the lease expires before I want to use it?

You have two options:

1. Let us know ahead of time. We can purchase another lease in advance and have it start on a day of your choosing, or we may be able to purchase the video on DVD and digitize it for streaming on Avalon (current Kanopy leases with high use that are available on DVD will be purchased rather than renewed on Kanopy). Email kanopy@bgsu.edu to let us know if a lease for a film you assign to your class is expiring. Don’t forget to include your course information and when you’d like the new lease to start.

2. Wait until the first lease expires and put in a request at that time.

I still have questions…

Email kanopy@bgsu.edu, and we’ll be in touch!