Meghann, Thanks so much for such a thorough response. Yes, I agree and will challenge these distributors as well! Best, lorraine
From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Meghann Matwichuk Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2016 3:17 PM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Subject: [Videolib] 13th and Streaming Distribution w/o Educational Availability 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.
