Faculty Resources

Academic Video Online

Academic Video Online is a comprehensive database of streaming videos relevant to a variety of academic subjects including, art, business, history, communications, education, psychology, language studies, anthropology, etc.

American Masters

American Masters, THIRTEEN’s award-winning biography series, celebrates our arts and culture. Launched in 1986, the series has set the standard for documentary film profiles, accruing widespread critical acclaim. The American Masters website is now presenting previously unreleased interviews filmed for the series' documentaries: 2,156 tapes, approximately 1,388 digitized hours, 800-plus interviews and counting.

Art & Architecture in Video

This database consists of streaming videos focusing on primary source artworks in a broad range of genres and formats with commentary that explores the significance of the works in context.

Counseling and Therapy in Video

This database consists of streaming videos focusing on the "study of counseling, social work, psychotherapy, psychology, and psychiatric counseling."

DramaOnline

This database includes BBC Drama Films and Documentaries, which features film adaptations of classic plays from Sophocles and Shakespeare as well as contemporary plays by writers to include Michael Frayn and Joe Penhall. 

Films on Demand: History

Films on Demand: History offers access to streaming video content in the form of documentaries, feature films, lectures and interviews, and newsreels from producers to include A&E, BBC, HBO, History Education, Ken Burns, and PBS.

Film Platform

One film is available via this streaming media platform: Dolores documents the life of Dolores Huerta who fought alongside Cesar Chavez for racial and labor justice.

Health Policy in Video

This database defines and explores today’s latest medical progress in health and wellness issues through hundreds of premium documentaries, profiles, reports, and interviews.

JoVE General Laboratory Techniques

Science Education from JoVE offers a database of video collections with laboratory "How To" videos for introductory science classes.

Kanopy

Kanopy is an on-demand streaming video platform that provides access to 26,000 films from 800 production companies. Its focus is on high-quality, educational content. Award-winning documentaries and feature films from producers to include the Criterion Collection, Media Education Foundation, Strand New Day Films, PBS, The Great Courses, California Newsreel and Shout Factory are all included in the library.

Literature in Video

This collection contains interviews, biographies, and surveys to present a variety of linguistic, cultural, and literary traditions in a way that allows users to explore and analyze themes and trends from around the world.

Science in Video

The collection of films will cover Environmental Studies, Natural History, and the Physical and Biological Sciences-- including coverage of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geology, Oceanography, Ecology, Astronomy, and Geography.

Swank Digital Campus

Digital Campus by Swank Motion Pictures, Inc.® allows students the flexibility to legally view course-assigned films outside the classroom. Unlimited simultaneous streaming is allowed.

Social Theory in Video

The collection of films focus on materials that facilitate exploration into humanity’s interpersonal nature across politics, the criminal justice system, business, education, media studies, and more.

Effective with Summer Session I, 2025, Iona University Libraries will provide access to Kanopy videos via a mediated model.  A "mediated model" means that access to films requires submitting a request to the library for review and approval before a film can be viewed, rather than the film being immediately available for viewing and triggering a license that costs $150.  The reason for the switch to the mediated model is to ensure that funds are available for films required to support the curriculum.   

As in the past, films aren’t purchased from Kanopy nor does Kanopy follow a "Netflix" model where all films are included for one price.  Instead, Iona University pays up to $150 per title to license a film from Kanopy for one year or up to $350 per title for three years.  At the end of that time, another license fee is required to provide access.  

With this new model, we are asking you to request a film once your syllabus is complete and if needed, mid-semester, a minimum of 5 business days in advance of the date assigned for viewing.  We encourage you to check on the availability of titles for your course before every semester.  Previously licensed titles will be available for streaming until their licenses expire, at which point approval will be required for license renewals.  

Film requests will be reviewed in the order they are received so please submit film requests as early as possible.  The library asks that departments review and select films that can be viewed in multiple courses, allowing the Kanopy budget to go even further.  

FAQs

How do I request a Kanopy title that isn’t currently available to be added for course viewing?   

Option 1: Request a title through the Kanopy platform 

Recommended for singles title or if you prefer to browse/navigate the platform. 

1. Go to Kanopy 

2. Click on the video title of interest. 

3. If the “Request Access” form pops up, it means that title is currently unlicensed.  Fill out the form and hit “submit.” 

4. A librarian will contact you with further instructions for approval. 

Option 2: Request a title through email 

Recommended for multiple titles at one time.  

Send an email directly to your library liaison. In your message, please include the following: 

1. Kanopy Title(s) Requested 

2. Course Number and Section 

3. Date students will be required to view the film or date film will be shown in class.  

4. Will the film need to be used in future semesters?  If so, when?  Film licenses are granted for either 12 months or 36 months.  

I want to show a Kanopy streaming video title in one of my classes.  Will it be available after Iona switches to the “mediated” model?   

Yes.  We are not eliminating any Kanopy videos, we are simply requiring instructors request access to videos at least 5 business days prior to when they are needed for a course. Once a title has been licensed, access to the title will remain available via the Kanopy platform for 12 or m36 months  (depending on the license) from the date of activation.  We will extend or re-license titles for class use when requested.  

Does the library have other options for streaming films? 

Yes.  Kanopy is the largest platform and is dedicated to supporting the curriculum.  Other options for accessing streaming videos are listed and available off the library database page.  You can also search for relevant video content in our library catalog.

What does a student do if they need video content for research or to complete a project? 

The students should contact the library at libanswers.iona.edu.  A librarian will reach out and work with the student to locate the relevant resources.  

A film I need for my class isn’t listed in Kanopy, what do I do? 

If the film you need to screen for your course is not available on the Kanopy platform, please reach out to your library liaison.  The library will make every effort to secure access to the film from another vendor.  

REMINDER: Access to Kanopy Films may expire between one to three years after activation.  If you plan on using a previously licensed film, please check Kanopy to ensure it is still available or email your library liaison.