Kanopy, a streaming video on demand platform for critically-acclaimed films and documentaries delivered for free to the consumer through the financial support of academic and public libraries, has launched at Southwark Libraries, creating a first-of-its-kind partnership with a public library in the UK and Europe.
Through this partnership, patrons of Southwark Libraries will gain access through their library membership to Kanopy’s robust catalogue of more than 13,000 films such as RBG, Three Identical Strangers, Blackfish, Matangi/Maya /M.I.A., Notes on Blindness and top videos from The Great Courses. Kanopy chose Southwark Libraries due to its active membership base and usage rates, commitment to growth and investment in improving local library service.
Currently available to more than 50 million public library users and more than 3,000 education-based libraries across the United States, Canada and Australia, Kanopy’s service marks a distinctively new resource for Southwark and UK library patrons. Kanopy provides communities and library patrons with premium digital resources made free of charge, thanks to its library partners. Through its innovative funding model, Kanopy also supports the filmmaking and creative communities by returning a healthy percentage of royalty revenues.
“Through this partnership with Southwark Libraries, we’re bringing our strong collection of global films and documentaries to a new audience and market, engaging patrons with their local libraries and encouraging thought-provoking conversations,” said Olivia Humphrey, CEO of Kanopy. “The expansion into the UK market is another milestone in Kanopy’s mission to deepen the appreciation of film with viewers around the world and expand the relationship consumers have with their local libraries in the process.”
With 12 branches and serving a population of 310,000, Southwark Libraries is the third-most visited library in London and has the highest number of loaned content, eBooks and eAudio in the metropolitan area. In December 2018, Southwark Libraries opened a new location at East Dulwich and has plans for properties on the site of the Aylesbury Estate and on Walworth Road. In addition, Kanopy has several academic library partnerships in place within the UK, including University of Cambridge, University of Manchester and University of Bristol.
Founded in 2008 by CEO Olivia Humphrey as an educational vehicle for colleges and universities, Kanopy evolved into a standalone premium-video streaming platform in 2010. Kanopy users sign up online with a valid library membership and can immediately access content for free, as the libraries cover the associated costs. Kanopy is available across all major devices including Apple TV, iPhone and iPad iOS, Android, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV and Tablet, Chromecast and Roku.
