Kanopy Streaming Service

We are pleased to introduce Kanopy, a film and video streaming service that provides access to over 30,000 movies, documentaries and kids programs. Here’s how the content is described in promotional material: “From thought-provoking documentaries to the latest festival hits, from classics of the Arthouse and the Oscars to the deep catalog discoveries that inspire today’s best storytellers, the Kanopy library provides tens of thousands of hours of truly essential film and TV content. Kanopy has partnered with studios like A24, The Criterion Collection, PBS and more to bring library access to thoughtful entertainment.” Over 50 new titles are added weekly to keep the content fresh and interesting.

Ready to sign up? You must be 18 years old or over to obtain an account but the process is very simple: all you need is a library card and PIN (registration must be current) and an email address. To create your account go to kanopy.com, click Get Started, find and select Thunder Bay Public Library, enter your card number and PIN then click Continue. Type in your name and email address, create a password and click Sign Up. The first time you create your account a verification email will be sent to the email address you provided.

As soon as you’ve created your account a welcome message will advise you that you have 4 play credits for the month. This is also displayed in the upper right corner of the screen. Unused credits are not rolled over and, with the exception of Kanopy Kids, are viewable for 3 days (72 hours) after selection.

Kanopy Kids, or K-Kids as it’s known, is “a tightly curated collection of over 1,500 of the best children’s programming available today. Our kids selection is curated to support early literacy, STEM education, and foreign language learning. Using favourite children’s characters from Sesame Street, PBS Kids, Weston Woods, and more, our collection of kids films inspire empathy, critical thinking, and self-esteem in young viewers.” All Kids films in the Kanopy Kids collection allow for unlimited viewing for 30 days after first play and, best of all, do not affect your play credits. And you can customize your account so that your children only have access to K-Kids.

Content in Kanopy is not downloadable but there are mobile and TV apps for watching on a number of devices; details are available on the help page of kanopy.com. We also have FAQs at tbpl.ca/streaming that will help you on your way.

We’re always interested in hearing what you think so please send any feedback to comments@tbpl.ca. If you need a library card, we’d be happy to help you. Simply send an email to the address above and we’ll set you up!  You can also call us at 345-8275 from Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm. Happy viewing!

Sylvia Renaud– www.tbpl.ca. If you have a comment about today’s column, we would love to hear from you.