Media Collections and Services Guide

Request Videos, Music, or Media not offered through the Library Databases

The library offers streaming services through a broad selection of streaming databases. To learn more about the resources we already offer, please click here.

To request media that isn't in the library collection, please contact the Media Specialist

Request Kanopy Videos

Kanopy is a streaming media platform offered through the library. Kanopy operates on a request-only model, meaning the Libraries will purchase or renew licenses for Kanopy films specifically requested by faculty or instructors for use in class. Once a license is purchased or renewed, a Kanopy video remains available for one year to the entire Mason community.

If you would like to use a Kanopy video, please follow the instructions on our Kanopy Guide.

If you have a legally purchased DVD (your personal property or checked out from the Library), playing the DVD on your computer and sharing your screen via Zoom falls within copyright Fair Use under the following conditions:

• Don't record the session
• Only allow registered students in the course to access the Zoom session.

Technical advice for streaming media using Zoom:

Step 1: Make sure you have the Zoom desktop client and have signed in to with your Zoom account ID and password at gmu.zoom.us. Open the Zoom desktop client and start meeting.

Step 2: Now start the movie that you want to watch. If you want to watch a movie in a streaming service like Netflix, simply open your browser and navigate to the movie. If you have it downloaded or on DVD, launch your favorite media player and load the movie in it.

Step 3: Now head back to the Zoom desktop client. Once the meeting starts, click on the ‘Screen Share’ button at the bottom of your Zoom meeting screen.

• Click the Share Screen button located in your meeting controls.
• Select the screen you want to share and select Optimize for full-screen video clip

Step 4: A pop-up window will now open showing you all the active applications on your system. Select the window on which the movie is playing. This will be the media player or your browser, depending on the source of your movie that you are watching.

Step 5: Find and enable the option titled ‘Share computer sound’ in the bottom left corner of the pop-up window. This will allow your viewers to get the audio of the movie you are going to play in real-time.

Step 6: Finally, select ‘Share’ in the bottom right corner of the sub-window to share your selected application with all your meeting participants. Play the movie. You and your meeting members will now be able to watch movies together using Zoom.

Note: How to fix stutter issue on Zoom when watching movies

If you are on a slow Internet connection or one of your meeting members is facing latency issues, then you can enable the ‘Optimize screen share for video clip’ in the bottom left corner of the sub-window. See step 3. You can bring the pop-up window back to select the option by clicking on the Screen Share button again.

Optimizing for full-screen video while screen sharing

  1. Click “More” in the screen share controls.

          2.  Click Optimize Share for Full-screen Video Clip to enable.

          3.  Start playing your video while sharing your screen.

You wlil need to enable sound as well, make sure your volume is an appropriate level.

Faculty Classroom Screening Request 

Place a request for the Libraries to put a media item on hold for a class screening. Media holds can be picked up from the Fenwick Library Information Services Desk.

To place a request fill out the form on the Faculty Classroom Screening Request page 48 hours in advance of the screening.

Please click here for a tutorial on placing a screening request.

Course Reserves

Place a media item on course reserve for student use. DVDs and VHS tapes on reserve can be checked out of the Fenwick Library Information Desk for four hours at a time.

Kaltura

Faculty can record videos, store them on Blackboard, and use them in their classes through Kaltura. On Blackboard, go to "Tools" > Kaltura MyMedia. If you have not yet downloaded Kaltura, you will be provided with the option to do so. For help using Kaltura, contact Mason Online.

 

Student Technology Assistance and Resource Lab (STAR), Johnson Center, Room 229

Video production studio and media equipment rentals for faculty and students

 

For questions concerning fair use and copyright when creating media for the classroom and distance education, please refer here.