Streaming videos accessed through the library are generally individually licensed for a limited time period, usually one or three years. We may not be able to get licensing for every video you are interested in using.

Keep in mind:

• If you routinely use a video that you did not request yourself, let us know! Contact your subject librarian.
• Video licenses expire at various times throughout the year. Contact your subject librarian to make sure a video will be available when you want to use it.

If licensing through the library is not an option, you may be able to find low cost pay per view using this tool:

The library is subject to University of Minnesota's Policy and Procedure for entering into contracts, so licensing videos from vendors we have not already established contracts with will take additional time for negotiations and approval. This process typically takes 4-6 weeks to complete, but more time may be required.

We recommend requesting streaming videos from vendors that already have been approved whenever possible.

Browse Preferred Vendor Catalogs

Browse Other Vendor Catalogs

Public Performance Rights are the legal rights to publicly show a film or video. It is a public performance if any of the following are true:

• The screening is open to the public
• The screening is in a public space (dorm lounge, library, auditorium, etc.)
• Access is not restricted
• Persons attending are outside the normal circle of a family and its acquaintances

PPR are required if you are screening copyrighted media to audiences for purposes that fall outside regular curriculum-based instruction. These include:

• Student organization events (e.g. movie night)
• Meetings, programs, or other events on campus
• Film series/festivals

PPR are not required for:

• Home viewing
• Screening a film only to registered students in a classroom, where the content of the film directly relates to the course

Library videos that include PPR prohibit:

• Charging admission fees
• Public screenings from locations off campus
• Any sort of broadcasting, including over Zoom

Other restrictions may apply. Many of the videos available through the library do not include Public Performance Rights. Contact your subject librarian to learn whether a library video includes PPR and what those PPR terms may be.

Video licenses expire at various times throughout the year.
If you're planning to use a video in your course check on the expiration date at the link below to make sure it will be available.

Can't find the video you want? Contact your subject librarian with questions.