Streaming Reserves Policy

University Libraries provide audio and video streaming services for materials held in the John M. Olin and the Gaylord Music Libraries collections which are needed for course reserve. The following policies and procedures may change as the streaming services evolve.

Requesting Streaming Audio

Please send requests for music/spoken word recordings held in the Gaylord or Olin Library collections to music@wumail.wustl.edu.

Requesting Streaming Video

Submit requests for streaming video through:

Additional Streaming Video Details

  • Streaming requests of materials already owned by the libraries are required 1 week before the semester begins to allow sufficient processing time.
  • Materials not owned by the library will need to be purchased, which can take from 1-4 weeks.
  • The University Libraries license a streaming version of the film if available from commercial vendors or provide a link to the material if available to the Washington University community through a subscribed database.
  • If unavailable from a commercial vendor, the University Libraries provide streaming video for DVDs currently in the Washington University Libraries collection or otherwise lawfully made and acquired (we cannot stream personal rentals or films borrowed on Interlibrary Loan).
  • The Libraries do not purchase films direct from filmmakers due to limited means to license and archive media files.
  • Some films are not available to stream due to limited distribution by the studio, filmmaker, or rightsholder (i.e. films released only on commercial services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu).
  • Blu-Ray, DVDs, and VHS tapes are not available for streaming.
  • Access to streaming video on mobile devices may not be supported.
  • If not currently owned, the University Libraries will attempt to purchase a DVD and, if need be, any necessary performance rights to fulfill a streaming request. This may increase the processing time.
  • Providing an assignment or “Need By” date helps us prioritize your request and meet your deadline.
  • Changes or additions made after the semester has started are processed in the order they are received.

Accessing Streaming Video

  • Streaming videos are linked through Ares, the University Libraries’ eReserves system.
  • Students who are enrolled in the course have access to the video by logging into Ares using their WUSTL Key.
  • Commercially licensed films may require browser plugins.
  • Films that are streamed in-house by the University Libraries will play in your web browser of choice.
  • All links to streaming video in Ares are deactivated at the end of each semester.
  • Contact Olin Library Reserves staff (reserve@wumail.wustl.edu) for assistance with supporting users with disabilities and questions, concerns, or suggestions related to streaming video.

Rights & Permissions

  • This service is available for Washington University faculty and instructors only to be used in conjunction with course reserves. The principles of copyright law that apply to electronic course content are the same as those that apply to printed course material, regardless of whether the electronic content is textual or audio-visual, or where it is stored.
  • Faculty and instructors are responsible for obtaining necessary permissions and determining whether the fair use limitation or other exception under copyright law (Title 17 of the U.S. Code) applies to their specific use. A clear and articulable nexus between the need for the material and pedagogical purpose is essential to any request relying on fair use. Please see Washington University Copyright Information page for information on copyright and compliance with Washington University Intellectual Property Policies.
  • Visit the Libraries Media Rights Guide to find additional information about the use of media in and outside of the classroom.
  • Individuals viewing streaming video are prohibited from downloading, sharing, installing, and/or operating unauthorized streaming media programs, applications, and devices in accordance with the Washington University Computer Use Policy.
  • Failure to abide by Washington University compliance and policies like those described in #11 of the offenses outlined in the University Student Judicial Code exposes students to the sanctions described from warnings to expulsion.
  • Instructors requesting streaming video services and individuals viewing streaming files agree to comply with the terms of this policy.