Research Help Desk and Reference Resources
Streaming Video Databases
Streaming video is licensed through several Kennedy Library databases, listed below. Licensed films can be viewed in class or out of class. If a faculty member identifies a video ideal for required course viewing, please submit a Course Reserves form for the film. This allows the library to: a) provide the most stable link for students to easily access; b) ensure that the license of the film extends through the quarter it is needed. The form for listing items on reserves is found on the Course Reserves Information for Faculty page.
Kennedy Library also has a DVD collection. Information on how to search for DVDs is provided at the bottom of this page.
Find Streaming Video Using OneSearch
- OneSearchMany of the streaming video titles will show up in OneSearch. Used Advanced Search, pull the right pull down, Material Type, to Video/Film then enter your search terms. Searching and browsing the video databases individually below will retrieve more results and more precision in browsing.
AVON
- Academic Video Online This link opens in a new windowAcademic Video Online offers a wide variety of videos, including movies, documentaries, interviews, performances, news programs and newsreels, field recordings, commercials, and raw footage. Videos are available for unlimited viewing and are licensed for classroom use.
DocuSeek 2 Streaming Video
- Docuseek2 Streaming Video This link opens in a new windowDocuseek2 is a streaming video service that features documentaries on a wide range of topics, including many independent productions and films from major publishers such as Bullfrog Films, Icarus Films, and Women Make Movies. Videos are available for unlimited viewing and are licensed for classroom use.
Please see the Terms of Use for additional information on permitted uses of Docuseek2 content.
American Psychological Association Counseling and Therapy Videos
- American Psychological Association Counseling & Therapy in Video This link opens in a new windowThe library has access to APA's Counseling & Therapy Volume IV collection as well as a selection of related videos. Volume IV centers on issues in counseling such as the rise in cases involving underserved populations, racial trauma victims and veterans suffering from PTSD and addresses topics such as psychopharmacology, neuroscience, LGBTQ, and research methods for courses in counseling, social work, or psychology.
Additional Counseling & Therapy videos may be found here.
Streaming Films and Documentaries - Kanopy
- Kanopy This link opens in a new windowKanopy is an educational streaming video service that features documentaries, training films and theatrical releases on a wide range of topics. Videos may be licensed for classroom use, and instructors can create custom playlists. A large selection of films relevant to Cal Poly coursework and initiatives is available on demand.
Due to the high cost of this resource, access to the remaining video content must be requested by a faculty member. Requests will be considered and responded to within 3 working days. If approved, that video content will then be available to all Cal Poly students, faculty and staff for the term of the license (typically one year.) Check OneSearch for availability and expiration date information.
Can't find the video you need? Try our other video streaming databases: Academic Video Online and Docuseek2.
BBC Shakespeare
- BBC Shakespeare Plays This link opens in a new windowBBC Shakespeare is a series of 37 television adaptations of the plays of William Shakespeare, originally aired between 1978 and 1985. The productions use traditional interpretations of the plays and feature many famous Shakespearean actors. All videos are licensed for classroom and educational use.
C-SPAN - Congressional Video and More
- C-SPANThe video Archives records all three C-SPAN networks seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, going back to 1987. Programs are extensively indexed making the database of C-SPAN programming a great chronological resource.
Embedding Videos
All of the library's streaming videos are licensed for classroom use. While adding a video to course reserves remains the best practice, it is also possible to embed streaming videos directly in Canvas.
The process is similar for each of the library's streaming video collections:
- Kanopy This link opens in a new windowFrom the video page, select Share, then Embed, and copy the provided embed code
- Academic Video Online This link opens in a new windowFrom the video page, select Share, then Copy Embed Code
More information for Alexander Street Press media products - Docuseek2 Streaming Video This link opens in a new windowFrom the video page, select Embed, then copy the provided embed code
More information and detailed instructions for Docuseek2 - BBC Shakespeare Plays This link opens in a new windowFrom the video page, select Links and Embedding, then Copy Proxied Embed code to clipboard