Thanks for passing this along, Lorraine!! This is exciting! Although,
it doesn't quite solve the problem of having a physical copy in our
collection, or a streaming version to which we can provide access for
our patrons who may not have a Netflix account. I was just having a
conversation about this (films produced by streaming services without
any means for libraries to purchase hard copies or license) with the
lovely Meredith Miller not a few hours ago, and just a week or two ago
had an exchange with the distributors of the Netflix film Audrie and
Daisy <http://www.audrieanddaisy.com/>. It went as follows:
Me: "Greetings, I am a media librarian at the University of Delaware
Library. One of UD's student groups will be hosting a film screening of
Audrie & Daisy soon, and we've already had requests that we add the film
to our Library's collection so that it can be used in classes and made
available for students to watch for research. Are there any plans to
make Audrie & Daisy available for purchase on DVD soon, or via some
other mechanism that allows institutional access? I've personally
watched the film via my own Netflix account, and I know it would be a
great resource for our faculty and students. Thank you!"
Carla @ Filmsprout: "Thanks so much for your note, and we're thrilled
to hear that the Library is interested in the film. I'm so sorry, but
currently there aren't plans to make the film available for
institutional purchase because the film is already available for
individual and private classroom use via the Netflix service. However,
I'd be glad to let you know if anything changes!"
Me: "Institutions are not able to subscribe to Netflix, so
unfortunately we can't offer private classroom use via the Netflix
service. I hope that this may change in the near future, as we've been
unable to provide equitable access to some excellent programming due to
the models put forth by Amazon Prime, Netflix, etc. Please do let me
know if anything should change with 'Audrie & Daisy'."
Carla: "Thank you for your note, and I hear you. I've shared your
feedback with my team, and I will absolutely let you know if anything
changes around institutional licensing for the film."
Several of us (myself, Lorraine, and a few others who may or may not be
on VideoLib?) who attended National Media Market in October discussed
this very thing over lunch one afternoon -- the need to advocate and
raise awareness amongst the producers of films that fit into this
growing category. Towards that end, I'd encourage everyone to take the
extra time to contact producers of films like 13th, Audrie & Daisy,
Transparent, etc. when your students / instructors request them to help
the producers understand the need for an educational distribution model
that would allow us to provide access to these important films.
Clearly, Ms. DuVernay and the Filmsprout folks intend for these
documentaries to be widely seen and utilized in educational settings --
they need to hear from us that we share that mission and need options to
pay them for / license their content.
Best,
--
Meghann Matwichuk, M.S.
Associate Librarian
Coordinator, Film & Video Collection
Morris Library, University of Delaware
181 S. College Ave.
Newark, DE 19717
(302) 831-1475
https://library.udel.edu/filmandvideo
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control,
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and
distributors.
