Streaming Video: Policy

Stony Brook University Libraries supports the streaming video needs of the curriculum; however, due to the increasing costs and limited timespan of streaming video licenses, the library has adopted a selection of subscription platforms that allow us to maximize access and minimize costs.  Please check our current Streaming Video Collections to see if a film will meet the needs of your course. 

Streaming video funds are allocated across disciplines.  Given the extensive number of titles available through our subscriptions, SBUL will only be able to process a limited number of streaming video licenses each semester for direct use in the curriculum.  The criteria we use for selecting streaming videos are as follows:

• Required viewing for entire class
• Must be part of a credit-bearing course
• Priority will be given to titles not available on personal streaming platforms
• Each course will be limited to a maximum of 6 videos
• Video subscriptions are typically one year in length and must be requested annually. 

We encourage instructors to submit their streaming video requests before the beginning of the semester as requests will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.  Once the allocation is expended for the fiscal year, all orders will be held until the following year. 

If the film is being viewed in class, please check our current selection of DVDs and VHS tapes.