Exploring the Library. . .Without Leaving Your Home
by Pat Rumore
These days you can explore the library without leaving your home. Over the last couple of years I have downloaded several apps to my iPad and my Android phone to take advantage of downloadables from the library.
This way I can use library services day and night, even from my bed. One I've been exploring lately is Kanopy, which is a video streaming service for libraries with a collection that is described as being five times larger than Netflix—over 30,000 films.
When you enter Kanopy, you quickly get an idea of what's available. It is a little more highbrow than Netflix because it includes a wide variety of independent films, world cinema, short films, classic films that are not necessarily what you see on Netflix or TCM, art house films, true crime, horror, as well as The Great Courses.
There are lots of documentaries—food for thought on such subjects as human rights of all kinds, pop culture, guns in America, women leading social causes across the world, and more. There is a whole list of Ken Burns films as well as New York Times critics picks. You can pick from movies, documentaries, the arts, business, education, global studies and languages, health, media and communications, science, social sciences, and instructional films and lessons. And it's all free.
Right now I am mostly into entertainment, so my "watch list" includes several independent and foreign films that I haven't come across at local theaters or on television. Last night I watched Ken Burns' two-part insightful portrait of the life of Thomas Jefferson.
So far I've enjoyed everything I've watched. Of course you can opt out at any time if you start something you find you don't like or can't finish.
Add Kanopy, hoopla, Freegal, Flipster, Mango, Overdrive and Libby (Overdrive app) you have a whole world at your fingertips. Your favorite librarian can help you access this world if you have any problems.
P.S. Support BPL on #Giving Tuesday so we can keep downloading in the middle of the night.
These days you can explore the library without leaving your home. Over the last couple of years I have downloaded several apps to my iPad and my Android phone to take advantage of downloadables from the library.
This way I can use library services day and night, even from my bed. One I've been exploring lately is Kanopy, which is a video streaming service for libraries with a collection that is described as being five times larger than Netflix—over 30,000 films.
When you enter Kanopy, you quickly get an idea of what's available. It is a little more highbrow than Netflix because it includes a wide variety of independent films, world cinema, short films, classic films that are not necessarily what you see on Netflix or TCM, art house films, true crime, horror, as well as The Great Courses.
There are lots of documentaries—food for thought on such subjects as human rights of all kinds, pop culture, guns in America, women leading social causes across the world, and more. There is a whole list of Ken Burns films as well as New York Times critics picks. You can pick from movies, documentaries, the arts, business, education, global studies and languages, health, media and communications, science, social sciences, and instructional films and lessons. And it's all free.
Right now I am mostly into entertainment, so my "watch list" includes several independent and foreign films that I haven't come across at local theaters or on television. Last night I watched Ken Burns' two-part insightful portrait of the life of Thomas Jefferson.
So far I've enjoyed everything I've watched. Of course you can opt out at any time if you start something you find you don't like or can't finish.
Add Kanopy, hoopla, Freegal, Flipster, Mango, Overdrive and Libby (Overdrive app) you have a whole world at your fingertips. Your favorite librarian can help you access this world if you have any problems.
P.S. Support BPL on #Giving Tuesday so we can keep downloading in the middle of the night.
#Giving Tuesday is a global giving movement that inspires people to take collective action in their communities to give back to the causes they believe in, and help create a better world. #Giving Tuesday demonstrates how every act of generosity counts, and that they mean more when we give together. Show your support for Birmingham Public Library and our community on Tuesday November 28.
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