Baltimore County Public Library Introduces 'Kanopy'

From the Baltimore County Public Library: The Baltimore County Public Library is pleased to announce the addition of a new streaming video service, Kanopy, to its digital collection.

Kanopy is a video streaming platform for libraries with one of the largest and most unique collections in the world featuring more than 26,000 movies, documentaries, and indie and foreign films from over hundreds of producers including The Criterion Collection, The Great Courses, Kino Lorber, PBS and thousands of independent filmmakers.

All Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) cardholders can now access the Kanopy page and watch popular films and documentaries by visiting here. First-time users will be prompted to sign up for the service, confirm an e-mail address and enter their library card information + PIN. Once all information is confirmed, BCPL cardholders are able to watch up to 15 films per month. Kanopy can be accessed from any device, including Roku, iOS and Android.

Kanopy’s motto is "thoughtful entertainment" and seeks to provide library customers with access to films of unique social and cultural, not just entertainment, value; films that are often difficult or impossible to access elsewhere. Kanopy is also committed to diversity, with a wide array of foreign language films and films on race, LGBT and others. Kanopy’s films are also compatible for the hearing (with captions and transcripts) and visually impaired (compatible with technologies such as JAWS).

“Not everyone can afford monthly subscription fees for big-name streaming services,” said Baltimore County Public Library spokesperson Erica Palmisano, “so we’re excited to be able to provide our cardholders free access to high-quality movies right from home. Kanopy is a great addition to the wide variety of digital resources that Baltimore County Public Library offers.”

In addition to Kanopy, Baltimore County Public Library offers free access to several websites and databases including Lynda.com, Rosetta Stone, Mango Languages, World Book Kidsand more.

Baltimore County Public Library has served the citizens of Baltimore County since 1948. BCPL’s 19 branches and online resources empower and engage individuals for a more inclusive and connected Baltimore County community, and provides opportunities to explore, learn, create and connect. In addition to loaning books, library card holders may borrow laptops, DVDs, music, e-books and gain access to our research databases. Branches provide computer and internet access, job search assistance and offer a multitude of daily learning programs for adults and children. For more information about branches and services, visit bcpl.info or follow BCPL on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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