Streaming Multimedia in Courses

Faculty at Drexel are using an increasing number of video and multimedia materials in their online and face-to-face courses. In order to support and facilitate the use of these materials by faculty and students, Drexel University Libraries can provide digitized videos and DVDs through the online reserves service. Faculty who are assigning video content in a course may request that the library make this content available on the University’s rich media server, so that enrolled students -- either on campus or at a distance -- may view and review the required materials at any time during the term. This content is only available to enrolled students and is password protected. Students may access this content through the libraries’ course reserve system or, preferably, through the appropriate course management software.

Only materials owned by the library or the faculty may be provided via the online reserves service. If the library does not own a particular video or DVD, we will attempt to acquire the title, within the limits of our budget and our collection development policies. If the material is the faculty member’s own product and the faculty member holds the copyright, the library will accept a copy for the collection for the term it is being used.

Since the digitizing process takes considerable time, we ask that faculty make their requests as early as possible, using the Online Reserves Service form.

Drexel University Libraries provide this service in accordance with U.S. Copyright Law. The libraries consider each request on a case-by-case basis and look to the four factors of the Fair Use provisions for guidance. Some requests may not meet the definition of fair use; in those cases, the library can assist faculty members as they seek to obtain the required permissions and/or licenses.

The Libraries and the Office of the General Counsel have been reviewing our Reserves procedures to confirm that continuing, appropriate attention is given to intellectual property rights.  We anticipate some changes to our process, and library staff will be prepared to assist faculty with any questions.  Processing times for new items may take longer, so please submit reserve requests as soon as possible.  The Libraries have identified and are actively pursuing technology that can streamline the process and speed processing time in light of the updated procedures.

As part of the Libraries review of intellectual property rights for course reserves, all e-reserves and streaming videos will be de-activated effective September 6^th.   All e-reserve and streaming video reactivation requests will need to be re-submitted online in order to be ready for the Fall 2011 term.  You can reactivate your items by using Online Reserves Service form.  

Deirdre Childs

Head of Access Services

Drexel University Libraries

P | 215-895-6785

F | 215-895-2070

dap27@drexel.edu