University Libraries strives to provide access to streaming films in support of the curriculum of USC-Columbia while also complying with copyright law and classroom use guidelines.  

University Libraries provides streaming film access through several platforms, including Kanopy, Swank, Alexander Street Press, DocuSeek2, and Ambrose Digital. We urge faculty and instructors to search these databases for films relevant to course content before placing a request to license a film title.

University Libraries has a limited collections budget which must meet the diverse research and teaching needs of our entire campus. Unfortunately, most streaming agreements are short-term and relatively expensive. For roughly the same cost that we could license an ebook for unlimited users in perpetuity, we can typically license a film for just one year.

To control costs, University Libraries places the following limits on streaming film request approvals:

• Maximum of 5 streaming titles per course. If your course requires more 5 streaming films, please send a message to edfilms@mailbox.sc.edu.
• Requested films must be required viewing for the entire class. We cannot usually support optional viewings, nor can we support multiple options for a single assignment. If your course and/or research needs require an alternative approach, please send a message to edfilms@mailbox.sc.edu to discuss the circumstances.
• Films must be requested each time they are taught. Please make your request as soon as you know what you are teaching. This will ensure uninterrupted access and allow University Libraries to better track course-related requests.

Faculty and instructors can request a streaming film license by using the Suggest A Purchase form.

Streaming films will be acquired through approved library vendors that offer institutional licensing and meet our technical requirements. Regrettably, we are therefore unable to secure streaming films from the following sources at this time:

• Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and other major commercial streamers
• Some independent filmmakers

As an alternative to streaming film requests, University Libraries can purchase films in DVD format.