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Library Digital Films (Streaming) Service

Provides information about streaming video resources and databases provided by the Library to the U-M (Ann Arbor) community.

Library Digital Films (Streaming) Overview

The University Library provides an abundance of streaming film to the U-M community for use in instruction, research, and personal interest. This guide provides information about the rich variety of databases that are available for use, and how to request streaming for specific documentaries or feature films. 

Instructors may place streaming film requests. We can provide help adding film links on Canvas course sites if necessary. Please use this form to submit streaming film requests. When submitting a request it's important to remember this process can take two weeks or more.

Instructors can also assign specific films in our physical collections by placing titles on reserve for students to watch in the Askwith Media Library. Please contact the Askwith Media Library staff to make reserve requests at askwithmedia@umich.edu or (734) 764-5360.

Please note that public performances rights (PPR) of films require the appropriate permissions from the filmmaker/s or production company. While some titles in the collection come with PPR, the library does not purchase additional PPR. For more details, see the Show a Movie on Campus webpage, and/or reach out to the film's production company. 

Streaming Video Databases

The U-M Library offers streaming video with these online databases. We recommend starting with the following:

Frequently Requested Streaming Video Topics, Series, Programs, etc.

Frontline Series (from PBS) can be found in:

Opera, Music, Ballets, Concerts, etc. (performing arts) can be found in:

Performances of Shakespeare plays can be viewed in:

Additional Resources for Streaming Video

The Digital Video Collections Guide is a curated bibliography created by Scott Spicer (University of Minnesota Library) that lists digital video collections on the web. 

Free Streaming Platforms

These streaming services are free to use and often times don't require sign-up.