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Online Video: Streaming Video in ICON (Course Reserves)

Finding and using online videos

Course Reserves+

The most direct way to add streaming video to your ICON site is through the Course Materials+ system. This page gives more detail on requesting streaming video through ICON, through the Library Catalog or manually in Course Reserves+.

UI Copyright Resources

Finding videos for your course

Copyrighted film and video must be licensed for streaming or online use in classes - even if we own the film on tape or disc. The University of Iowa Libraries works with several vendors to stream film for classes and licenses vary by vendor. 

  • Check our streaming video sources for films to which we already have access that will accomplish your educational goal. Alexander Street Video includes counseling and therapy videos, some TV documentaries, newsreels and other TV content. Swank Digital Campus focuses on Hollywood movies while Kanopy focuses on international films, classics and some documentaries. Pay attention to the duration of the license, often listed by the vendor and in InfoHawk+.
  • Work with your Subject Librarian to find relevant videos and other material for your course.

Request streaming videos

The Libraries receives many requests for streaming video throughout the semester, and the requests are processed in the order they are received. There are a few steps that can be taken before requesting the movies that can make the process more efficient and help ensure that the resources for the course will be available when needed:

  • Request materials early
  • Check InfoHawk+ and Swank to make sure the title is not already available through the Libraries in the desired format. Movies available through Swank do not show up in InfoHawk+ search results; please check the Swank database directly
  • Check movies' expiration date and request their renewal if needed

Request streaming video of a movie that the Libraries owns in DVD/Blu-Ray/VHS

Add the DVD/Blu-Ray/VHS to the list and add the "Electronic Item Purchase Request" tag (click on "Add tags to item" and scroll down to see that option)

Request streaming video of a movie that the Libraries does not own on DVD

  1. Add the movie to the list using "Manual Entry" or the Cite It! bookmarklet. We recommend adding the movie from IMDB using Cite It!
  2. Add the "Electronic Item Purchase Request tag".

Requesting Video Purchase

We encourage instructors to request books, films, or other media they need for their research or for use in class.

Dan the Librarian

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Dan Gall
Contact:
lib-disted@uiowa.edu
319-335-5256
Subjects: Social Work