Managing Expectations and Obligations: The Librarian’s Role in Streaming Media for Online Education

Abstract

Educational films have been a standard feature of classroom instruction for decades, but the growth of online edu‐ cation is challenging how librarians can support the media needs of their faculty. Legacy physical collections exist on library shelves, but license and copyright restrictions may limit their use in online courses. Streaming collections are available in the marketplace but may not be affordable to license. Free or subscription media sources may be available but do not meet the needs of some instructors. This paper describes the comprehensive approach taken by library staff to manage streaming media demand on the Vancouver campus of Washington State University. It also addresses fair use and TEACH Act interpretations that should inform and guide the work of librarians in streaming media management. Educational films have been a standard feature of classroom instruction for decades, but the growth of online education is challenging how librarians can support the media needs of their faculty. Legacy physical collections exist on library shelves, but li‐ cense and copyright restrictions may limit their use in online courses. At Washington State University’s Vancouver campus, the reality of the complicated media purchasing and use environment emerged in 2010 with the growth of the university’s online course offerings. This paper explores how the librar‐ ians at Washington State University Vancouver are working to clarify legal use of DVDs in streaming and modifying purchasing to support streaming needs more effectively. It will outline the process by which the librarians worked with campus constitu‐ encies to begin developing a uniform policy of streaming media support, the tools developed by librarians to communicate license restrictions and copyright limits, and the sources sought to help sat‐ isfy faculty film streaming needs. This paper is in‐ tended to provide ideas and strategies for other librarians who are struggling with how to provide support for streaming media legally. Washington State University and the Vancouver