More Free Streaming Options May Be Coming to Your Local Library

If you love finding new movies and TV shows to stream, here’s a source to check out: your local library.

A recent survey conducted by Kanopy, a free streaming service that partners with public libraries and universities, indicates that your local library may soon become a viable option for accessing streaming content — if it isn't already!

Report: Libraries Set To Expand Streaming Options

The report includes responses from more than 730 librarians, most of them based in the United States.
Here are some key findings in the report:
  • 54.5% of public libraries currently offer more than one streaming video service.
  • More than 71% predict streaming video budgets to grow over the next three years.

The report also says that many public libraries are reducing their DVD budgets and investing in streaming video instead.

Download and read the free report from Kanopy.com.

How To Stream Movies Through Your Local Library

Here’s how to check out streaming content through Kanopy and another library-based service, Hoopla.

Kanopy

Go to Kanopy.com, and click the Find Your Library or Find Your University buttons to see your access options. The service says it is available in more than 4,000 locations across the country.

Team Clark member Nick, who has reviewed Kanopy, says: “The biggest hurdle to climb with Kanopy is acquiring your free access. Unlike most of the free streaming services that we’ve reviewed, which make signing up for accounts optional and the content easy to access, Kanopy requires a little bit of legwork on the front end.”

Hoopla

Another free streaming service that caters to libraries is Hoopla, which allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and more for free.

It’s available through more than 1,500 libraries across the United States and Canada. Once you sign up, Hoopla will use your location to find the closest participating library. Then, it will prompt you to enter your library card to get started.
If it’s not offered at a location near you, you can contact your local library and ask them to partner with Hoopla.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to saving money, which Team Clark is all about, the future looks bright for free streaming options, thanks to libraries.

Keep in mind that a lot of your free streaming access will be determined by what device and accessories you’re using.

Looking to watch some great movie and TV content at no cost? Here are the best free streaming services.

More Streaming Resources From Clark.com:

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