Kanopy Streaming Video uses a hybrid model for accessing film titles.
Many titles in Kanopy are available On Demand and can be viewed immediately.
Other titles are Mediated, which means they will need to be requested before they can be accessed. When searching in Kanopy, mediated titles will show up below results for available titles, under header "Videos You Can Request for your library." Complete and submit the request form in Kanopy. Request is sent to the Library for review. You will receive confirmation email when title is activated.
To make sure that you have access for planned class-related use, please check the video title within Kanopy a few days in advance of planned use of the video. If available, you will see the Play button. If title needs to be requested, you will see a request form on that page. Complete request form and submit.
What is mediated access? It means that films not already licensed must be approved by Library staff.
Kanopy is unusual in that the Library does not pay an upfront subscription cost like we do for journal access. Kanopy bills the Library via a per-title model instead of a prepaid subscription. For On-demand titles, the Library is not charged until a video is viewed multiple times. After a video title accrues four views, this triggers a licensing fee of $150. The license cost then covers unlimited viewing for the next 12 months.
With Mediated access, the user requests access to a film via a form in Kanopy that is immediately sent to the Library for review. Once approved, access to the film title will be activated. Requests are processed during regular business hours.
For all titles, once the title is licensed, all MSU users have access for an unlimited number of views for 12 months for that single license fee.
If you assigned a film last year, it is likely still within a 12-month license. It is possible that the license could expire mid-semester. If that happens before an assignment is complete, submit the request form in Kanopy.
Why do we need to have mediated access? Although On Demand access is very convenient, Kanopy has become very popular and therefore expensive. These triggers have added up quickly and exceeded our allocated budget before the end of the academic year. This hybrid model is designed to help manage the Library’s budget allocation for Kanopy so that funds are available through the end of the academic year.
Can my title request be turned down? Requests without evidence of educational need for multiple students may be denied. Meaning a title must be required viewing for a course, not merely recommended or for personal interest.
Media Education Foundation titles are pre-paid through a separate subscription, so all MEF titles are available without needing to request access.
Looking films for general interest viewing? JustWatch is a useful app to see if a film is available through a personal streaming subscription service (Netflix, Hulu, etc). Note: Kanopy titles found in JustWatch are for the public library collection, and therefore might not be included in the academic package.
Questions? Contact Media Services Librarian Barb Bergman at barb.bergman@mnsu.edu or 507-389-5945.
Kanopy Streaming offers over 30,000 videos from 100+ companies such as Media Education Foundation, Documentary Educational Resources, New Day Films, PBS, BBC Educational. Criterion Collection, Kino Lorber and First Run titles include new and classic feature films.
Media Education Foundation offers such well-known titles as Killing Us Softly 4, The Purity Myth, and Tough Guise 2. California Newsreel's popular Race: Power of Illusion and Unnatural Causes are included.
Kanopy is also strong in psychology, film studies, LGBTQ studies, anthropology, and many other subjects.
New content is added frequently. Check back often.
Some Kanopy titles can be found by searching MavScholar, but for best results search Kanopy directly to see all content.
Kanopy does not require a different URL for off-campus access, use URL provided by Kanopy. Ex: https://www.kanopy.com/en/mnsu/video/141116
Select the orange "Log In to MNSU button" on the left to authenticate with your Star ID. Kanopy will often ask for StarID login twice the first time you access from off-campus, but then will remember that login for an extended time frame. The white Log In button in upper right is for personal login to save playlists, etc.
It's easy to make custom clips and playlists for films from the Kanopy collection. There is a user guide available here.
Kanopy troubleshooting guide, including Supported desktop browsers and systems.
All videos from Kanopy can be embedded into D2L or other authenticated university web pages by using the Share/Embed button below the video player. Remember to select "Open as external resource" when adding to D2L.
