What is Kanopy?

By Joi Jackson, Librarian, Sherwood Regional Library

On Feb. 1, the Fairfax County Public Library launched its portal to Kanopy, a subscription on-demand streaming video service. It offers "enriching films that bridge cultural boundaries, spark discussion and expand worldviews." With access to 30,000+films, documentaries, classics and indie titles, cardholders are sure to find something they love. FCPL cardholders who create Kanopy accounts are issued five ‘play credits’ at the beginning of each month and have three days to watch a video once a credit is used to borrow it.

In addition to the main streaming collection, the service includes unlimited access to Kanopy Kids, a children’s area with a parental control PIN to limit access. Children can view "Sesame Street" or PBS Kids episodes, read along with Vooks or enjoy a video biography of Robert Frost, Rosa Parks or Carl Sagan from Weston Woods.

Cardholders also have unlimited access to The Great Courses, video classes on topics from Architecture to Zoology and so much in between.

Anywhere, Everywhere

Kanopy can be viewed on computers, mobile devices and smart TVs. Partially funded through an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant, library staff are now able to incorporate video into programs supporting the educational, informational and entertainment needs of county residents. The timing could not have been better for the library’s Year of Literacy (2022), where each month highlights a different type of literacy. For instance, “Sports Figures” (Advocates of Change series), “Sports: The Real Thing” (Spirit of America series), “The Pride of the Yankees” (starring Gary Cooper) and “Washington for Sports Fans” (The Great Tours: Washington D.C.) all supported Sports Literacy in March. Health, Musical and Digital literacy are being highlighted in June, July and August respectively. There is plenty in Kanopy to enjoy on those topics and more; we hope you do.

Tell us about it

If you are using Kanopy, we would love to hear from you! Please let us know if you are enjoying this new service, if you have learned something or if you used it to help teach others about something. If you are not using Kanopy yet, please try it first… our feedback form will be available through the end of September.