Over the past decade, television has undergone several massive shifts as some viewers left traditional cable and satellite TV for streaming apps, which have grown from a few options into hundreds and increased household bills that opt-in to more than one.
Recently, the Dublin Public Library unveiled Kanopy, a streaming service free for any of its patrons with their library card number and internet access.
Kanopy is a service provided by Overdrive, which also oversees Libby, another service available to Dublin Library patrons which allows them to check out and download ebooks and audiobooks to their device until they are to be returned and automatically deleted from the phone, tablet or e-reader.
To use the service, patrons with an existing library account will need to download the Kanopy app to their TV, streaming device or phone/tablet (or visit kanopy.com. While registering an account, the patron can enter their card number and they’ll get access to the package approved for the library with 15 ‘tickets’ available to each person per month. (Users will need to check their email afterwards to verify their email address.) The Kanopy service has over 30,000 titles available in numerous categories including movies, TV shows, PBS features, British programming, Oscar winners, Hollywood classics, action, comedies, horror and more. The curated content also provides access to a lot of titles not found in big streaming options or cable packagessuchasindependent and foreign language films.
The library board selected a package offering hundreds of choices to patrons and approved it for a year to see if it was something that patrons like. Librarian Adina Dunn said one popular feature for several patrons is virtual books or ‘vooks’ which animate children’s books with the words presented on the screen so they can read along. The service also gives users the ability to set up a kids account with password restriction so children will have access to appropriate content while being blocked from titles with higher ratings and mature content.
“This is a fabulous resource if you are a film buff or just want to find something good to watch for free,”said Dunn. The Dublin Public Library offers a wealth of physical books, audio and movies for patrons without internet as well, all free to check-out. For more information, call 254-445-4141 or visit the library at 206 W. Blackjack during its open hours (9 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday-Friday or 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday).