Streaming Video

Using video resources in the classroom, including descriptions of available resources, copyright information, and FAQ about finding and requesting films.

Library Research Guide

Streaming Videos at K-State

Streaming videos can be accessed through a number of ways at K-State Libraries. On this page are descriptions and links to each type of resource. A few important things of note:

  • The following resources are limited to current K-State students, faculty, and staff; require sign in with K-State eID and password.
  • Please use our Video Request Form to request films. Questions? Contact libjohnhale@ksu.edu.
    • The questions in the form help us identify our best options to get a film.
    • You may request more than one film for a course in the form.
    • You may request DVDs or streaming films.
      • If you request a film for streaming that we already have on DVD, we will automatically place the DVD on Reserve for your class; this does not impact the streaming request.
    • If you can collaborate with other instructors and use the same film for multiple classes, this will help stretch our budget.

Immediately Available Videos

Some databases include videos that can be watched right away. There are a variety available including methodology videos for labs, documentaries or even popular films. Databases marked as including videos may also include books, journal articles, and other materials. 

See our complete list of databases with videos.

  • Academic Video Online*-- over 66,000 videos/films across disciplines. Includes documentaries, interviews, newsreels,  award-winning films, and more.

  • JoVE - (journal of visualized experiments) -- access to materials published 2011 - present. Includes videos of detailed experiments in biology, bioengineering, immunology and infection, medicine, and neuroscience.

  • March of Time* -- restored newsreels shown in movie theaters in the U.S. between 1935 and 1967.

*Academic Video Online and March of Time are two of six video databases that we subscribe to on the Alexander Street Press platform. When looking for instruction about using these databases, information may be listed under Alexander Street Press.

Requesting Videos (Kanopy, Docuseek, Swank)

The K-State Libraries' subscriptions to Kanopy, Docuseek, and Swank are accessed from our Databases list.

Kanopy and Docuseek 

Include videos from BBC, Criterion Collection, classic films, and documentaries from PBS, Bullfrog Films, Icarus Films, First Run Features, Kartemquin Films.

  • The individual films that K-State Libraries has subscribed to are listed when the website opens.
  • Use the search feature to locate other films, then use our Video Request Form.
  • Videos may be licensed for one or three years.
  • The expiration date for a licensed video can be found in the Search It record.
    • Look for “Available until [date]” under the Kanopy or Docuseek link.

Swank Digital Campus 

Swank is our primary provider of popular films. Based our contract, Swank films may be viewed for individual study or within a classroom context but they may not be publicized for events outside of an email to an enrolled class.

  • Check to see if the title is already available in Swank Digital Campus. The title may be placed under a course number. If the title is not available, then use our Video Request Form
  • The films that K-State Libraries has subscribed to appear when the website opens. Create and use the instructor login to search for films available to request from the full catalog. 
  • We have a limited number of films we can request on Swank, so may not be able to fill all requests.
  • We have access to a requested title in Swank for one year. The expiration date appears on the film's streaming page. Look for "Available through [date]"
  • Our contract with Swank allows us to access a fixed number of titles in a three-year period. Once that number of titles has been used, we must wait to request titles.
Instructions for embedding streaming videos in Canvas are provided on in the "Embedding in Canvas" section of the Teaching and Learning with the Libraries guide, specifically the box titled Instructions & Tips

Streaming Videos - Format and Location

Where and how you show a streaming video involves different rules and procedures to follow. Below we discuss a couple of possible scenarios.

Watch Parties for Your Classes

Watch parties can be accomplished by embedding or linking to our videos in Canvas and scheduling a start time for the film. Everyone in the class will be starting and stopping the film for themselves. Thus far, we have not determined a way for the instructor to control playing the film for the whole class without violating copyright. (If you know of a way, please let us know!)

The discussion can take place using:

  • Canvas Discussion Board - this is limited to a text-based discussion, and is an option for asynchronous discussions

  • Zoom - video/audio discussions

  • Social media or group texting apps

Commercial Streaming Platforms for At Home Use

Popular home streaming platforms are not available for institutional access; K-State Libraries cannot subscribe to or otherwise provide access to these platforms. Example platforms include, but are not limited to, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Hulu, YouTube.

Films assigned for classes may be accessible for individual students to rent, purchase, stream with a subscription, or stream with ads from one or more of these platforms. Use the following sites to determine how easily and at what cost students can purchase access. A possible, but not proven, guideline is to see how many platforms offer the film. Fewer platforms may indicate increased difficulty accessing the film.

These sites and the streaming platforms are described for informational purposes only; we are not endorsing their subscription for fee-based services. These sites can only indicate where a film/tv show is available that day. They cannot predict or guarantee the film will be available from a specific platform on a future date.

  • JustWatch
    "One Search" option permits users to search by title or creator. Results indicate availability by platform and costs.

  • Reelgood Default search is for film or tv titles. If searching for a creators (cast and crew) use the same search box and look for a cast/crew link at the top of the search results page.

If you are showing a film outside of the Canvas/classroom environment, please see our Film Showings and Festivals page on the Using Copyrighted and Library Content guide.