1. Promotion of Streaming Collection
Overview
Randall Library has a large educational and documentary DVD collection (4,800+) which continues to grow. Like many we are experiencing an increasing number of requests for streaming video titles due in part to UNCW offering more distance education and online courses.
In FY13 we received a faculty request for the Media Education Foundation’s Media Studies and Communication streaming video package. We considered the subscription despite a significant 65% overlap of titles in our existing DVD collection. With the availability of some one-time funding, we chose to subscribe to a 3 year license for the streaming package, hosted on Kanopy, and to analyze use.
Cost/Benefit Factors
$ spent on duplication of content
Ongoing costs for streaming vs. one-time purchase
High circulation of DVDs in collection
Ability to embed streaming video permalinks in course management software, syllabi, and web pages
Ability to select and use clips in streaming video
Closed Captioning and transcripts available for streaming videos
Potential unavailability of DVDs if damaged/lost/stolen/checked-out
Unlimited simultaneous use of streaming videos
Anytime availability of streaming video, including on mobile devices
High speed internet connection needed for streaming
Promotion of Streaming Collection
to subject liaison (Communication Studies)
to all library faculty
Presented at Research and Instruction, and all staff meeting

2. DVD and Streaming Video: Choices for an Academic Library ~ Susannah Benedetti, Jeanne Cross University of North Carolina Wilmington ~ Charleston Conference, November
Collection Management Question:
Is it worth it for the library to duplicate purchased content and support ongoing costs for a licensed subscription?
Results after 1st year of 3 year subscription:
DVD use
FY14
FY15
Total Checkouts 74 50
Number of titles used 27 19
% of DVDs used
57%
40%
Highest circulation of single title 10 7
Streaming use
Total number of plays
254
Number of titles played 17
% of streaming titles used
36%
Average length of time
23 minutes
Video with highest number of plays 46

3. Conclusions Use Analysis of 47 Overlap Titles
The technical benefits of streaming video are clear. After one year, this investment appears to be worth the costs. We believe that there can be value to double purchasing content in order to provide streaming access in subject areas where the physical collection exhibits consistent high use. Additionally, due to continued use of the DVD collection, after the first year of our streaming subscription, we do not foresee deselection of this physical format. In this way we can meet a variety of user needs and address today’s student expectations.