Ithaka S+R has released public findings on their survey of academic library streaming media approaches. This comprehensive survey was conducted as a partnership between Ithaka S+R and 24 academic libraries within the U.S. and Canada. Aggregate findings from these interviews will be available this fall.
Topics explored include which vendors libraries are engaging with, acquisition models and licensing approaches, current and anticipated budgets for streaming, and digitization activity.
Some of the survey’s finding include:
- Streaming media is a growing segment of the library materials budget and is projected to double within the next five years.
- The impact on instruction is the top factor driving library decision making, like purchasing and renewing streaming licenses.
- Kanopy is the most used streaming provider, with 83% of surveyed academic libraries reporting use of the service. Other popular providers include Alexander Street Press, Film Media Group, and Swank.
- Digitizing physical media, like VHS tapes and DVDs, plays a relatively small role in meeting streaming media demands – with 52% of academic libraries reporting that they digitize less than ten physical media titles per year.
- Neither librarians nor vendors have fully realized the educational opportunities of integrating streaming content.
- The impact of the pandemic on streaming media may be less than initially understood, with strategies differing in the U.S. and Canada.
For more information, view the full survey results here.