Podcast Summary:

New Books Network – Library Science
Episode: Michael Fernandez and Amauri Serrano, "Streaming Video Collection Development and Management" (Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited, 2025)
Host: Michael Lamagna
Date: October 3, 2025

Overview

This episode features a discussion with Michael Fernandez (Head of Technical Services, Boston University) and Amauri Serrano (Head of Collection Strategy, Yale University Library), co-authors of Streaming Video Collection Development and Management. The conversation explores the complexities and evolving strategies behind building, maintaining, and advocating for streaming video collections in academic libraries. Key topics include acquisition models, licensing negotiations, budgeting, challenges of access and discoverability, and the changing landscape shaped by rapid technological and market changes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Authors’ Backgrounds and Path to Academic Librarianship

[02:48–05:23]
- Michael Fernandez: MLS from UNC Chapel Hill; early roles in nonprofits & federal medical libraries; found academia a natural fit for supporting teaching and research; became involved in licensing and acquisitions.
- Amauri Serrano: Diverse path—studied history and Italian, moved to Italy, pivoted to librarianship after realizing customs work at an airport “was not what I wanted to do.” Library work meant “doing research without a deliverable,” and streaming video provided a valuable bridge to interacting with faculty and students.

2. Why Write a Book On Streaming Video?

[05:23–08:50]
- Necessity born from change: Both authors started at Yale during a period of rapidly increasing demand for streaming content, especially with the rise of platforms like Kanopy (pre-2020).
- The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the transition to streaming as physical media became inaccessible.
- There were few existing best practices, so they developed policy and process “on the fly,” culminating in a need to document and share what they learned.
“What we had found in working on this, that there wasn’t necessarily ... any written down rules for this. We were kind of figuring this out as we went along. So that’s what kind of led to the book.”
—Michael Fernandez ([07:02])

3. Acquisition Models for Streaming Content

[08:50–15:23]
- Amauri Serrano outlines five major models:
  - Perpetual purchase: Buy and own (may host locally, sometimes get archival files).
  - Short-term licenses: One-off, time-limited access (1/3/5 years); often request-based.
  - Subscription/database model: Access to changing, curated content for a fee.
  - Use-driven/Patron-driven (PDA/DDA): Licenses triggered by user views; now more controlled than before (e.g., “Smart PDA”).
  - No streaming option: Sometimes content simply isn't available for streaming, particularly true for feature films and TV series.
- Choice of model depends on budget, needs, and practicalities.
  - Libraries often juggle models, driven by cost, priorities, and vendor options.
  - Faculty and student expectations often exceed what libraries can supply.
“Some of the things I’ve written in the book and examples I’ve written in the book have already changed because it’s a very fluid landscape.”
—Amauri Serrano ([11:50])

4. Budgeting and Sustainability

[15:23–20:13]
- Budgeting is challenging and must be priority-driven.
- Start with last year’s spend ± forecast; consider where to cut if funds drop.
- Usage data are critical for demonstrating value and justifying budget requests.
- Institutional context matters: budget structures differ (centralized vs decentralized, endowed vs operational budgets).
- Local hosting can be costly (infrastructure, staffing).
- There’s no “one size fits all”—budget approaches must adapt to local realities.
“I wish I could say—even in the book—this is how you do it. And the answer is … there is no one way. But I think having clear priorities really helps at the very beginning.”
—Amauri Serrano ([18:37])

5. Negotiating Streaming Licenses—Key Considerations

[20:00–22:41]
- Accessibility: Insist on closed captioning, transcripts, or audio description, or at least the institutional right to remediate content for accessibility.
- Fair Use: Watch for restrictive clauses—ensure content can be used for education/classroom needs.
- Authorized Users: Pay close attention to definitions and geographic limitations.
“Any license agreement ... that is overtly restrictive, going beyond what should be fair use for education ... that’s one thing that we would keep an eye out on.”
—Michael Fernandez ([21:36])

6. Classroom & Public Performance Rights

[23:39–27:48]
- US Copyright law covers in-person classroom use.
- Streaming licenses sometimes inappropriately restrict authorized users or limit by geography; must negotiate these.
- Public performance rights are sought, but can be expensive. Library catalogs and websites flag when films include such rights.
- Transparency and guidance for faculty/students are essential—FAQs, copyright sites, and direct communication.
“The problem that I’ve seen ... is in some licenses they will limit or … their definition of authorized users can be problematic. ... Also, if you have somebody accessing our collection ... we have no idea that they are, you know, in Sri Lanka. So ... we will breach the license if this stays in.”
—Amauri Serrano ([24:45])

7. Access and Discovery

[27:29–30:36]
- Catalog records and discovery layers are the main access point, but staffing constraints mean not all video titles are always cataloged—especially short-term licenses.
- Some libraries choose not to catalog everything to prevent unwanted usage triggers (and charges) in DDA/PDA models.
- Decision whether to catalog all streaming items is shaped by bandwidth, workflows, and risk tolerance.
“Ideally you would want catalog records for all ... The reality of staffing and bandwidth is that it can be very challenging ... there’s a lot of reasons why libraries may choose to be more selective.”
—Michael Fernandez ([28:04])

8. Demonstrating Value: Usage & Administration

[30:36–34:23]
- Usage statistics (COUNTER reports, vendor dashboards like Kanopy) are vital for assessment and negotiations.
- Usage justifies renewals and budget allocations; helps renegotiate pricing and supports cancellation decisions.
- Consortial negotiations and leveraging multiple contracts with vendors can help get better terms.
“Having those usage stats really helps with the negotiation process.”
—Amauri Serrano ([33:05])

9. The Challenge of Commercial Platforms (Netflix, Hulu, etc.)

[34:23–36:05]
- Academic libraries generally cannot license content from commercial platforms due to exclusivity.
- Only some documentaries are eligible, and often require an instructor's own account.
- Preserving scholarly record is a concern: if commercial content vanishes, it’s lost to academic collections.
- Managing faculty and student expectations is crucial.
“We can’t get what Netflix has. [...] Some of it is managing expectations ... Don’t put this on your syllabus because you’re not going to be able to get access.”
—Amauri Serrano ([34:37])

10. The Future of Streaming Video in Academic Libraries

[36:35–39:57]
- Decline in physical video purchasing, especially as even foreign vendors switch to digital delivery.
- Building a unique, sustainable streaming collection is a challenge due to lack of ownership inherent in most streaming models.
- Libraries with archives will still buy physical when necessary for long-term preservation.
- Increasingly, libraries may only “license, not own,” especially as major vendors shift to a subscription-only model.
“What constitutes [a streaming collection]? ... With physical media, it’s easy ... You buy it and you own it. ... There wasn’t really an ownership model happening ... We all just license the same things on, you know, finite short-term licenses.”
—Michael Fernandez ([38:38])

11. Inclusion of "Streaming Vignettes" in the Book

[39:58–43:52]
- The vignettes, drawn from interviews across diverse libraries, broaden the book’s perspective beyond Yale.
- Common challenge: budgeting—and its different impacts based on library type and funding structure.
- Decisions about selecting/licensing can be made by non-library entities, further complicating collection strategy.
“We really wanted to cover ... a broader range ... So we wanted to look at ... academics of varying sizes ... community colleges, ... public libraries ... That might have been honestly one of my favorite aspects of putting the book together.”
—Michael Fernandez ([40:15])

“The impact of streaming was different ... a public library ... cost of utilities ... affects their materials budget as well.”
—Amauri Serrano ([42:03])

12. What’s Next for the Authors?

[43:52–46:32]
- Neither is eager to launch a new major research/writing project soon—more learning and practical application ahead, including applying insights at new institutions.
- Michael Fernandez mentions upcoming presentation at the Charleston Conference and serving as associate editor for Library Resources and Technical Services.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“We were kind of figuring this out as we went along. So that’s what kind of led to the book … providing some guidance to librarians figuring out how to budget for video.”
—Michael Fernandez ([07:02])
“Our faculty sometimes expect us to be able to find a film … Television series are horrible. They’re even horrible to get on DVD. … At a certain point you just like can’t find it.”
—Amauri Serrano ([14:40])
“Libraries don’t necessarily have ... distinctive streaming collections. We all just license the same things on finite short-term licenses.”
—Michael Fernandez ([39:53])
“What’s going to happen with that stuff? Where is it going to live? I think Netflix has sort of removed stuff from their platform ... it is worrisome for libraries at Yale ... the preservation of the scholarly record is important.”
—Amauri Serrano ([35:22])
“We started sort of trying to have an approval plan for DVDs ... And they would say, ‘You don’t do DVDs anymore. We can give you the files.’ ... So where are we buying DVDs from anymore?”
—Amauri Serrano ([37:08])

Timestamps for Key Segments

Backgrounds & Motivations: 02:48–05:23
Genesis of the Book: 05:23–08:50
Acquisition Models: 09:01–15:23
Budgeting: 15:50–20:00
Licensing Concerns: 20:13–22:41
Classroom Use & Public Performance: 23:39–27:48
Discovery & Cataloging: 27:48–30:36
Usage & Justifying Value: 30:59–34:23
Commercial Streaming Platforms: 34:23–36:05
Future Directions: 36:35–39:57
Book’s Vignettes: 39:58–43:52
Next Steps for Authors: 43:52–46:32

Tone and Style

The conversation is collegial, pragmatic, and marked by anecdotes and honest assessments of the unpredictability and “messiness” of streaming video in libraries. Both authors repeatedly underscore the importance of flexibility, creative solutions, and the necessity of communicating realities and negotiation points to both campus stakeholders and vendors.

For Further Reading

Streaming Video Collection Development and Management, Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited, 2025

Related:

Library Resources and Technical Services – Open Access Journal, ALA Core Division
Charleston Conference (for upcoming presentations on related topics)

Podcast Summary:

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Authors’ Backgrounds and Path to Academic Librarianship

[02:48–05:23]
- Michael Fernandez: MLS from UNC Chapel Hill; early roles in nonprofits & federal medical libraries; found academia a natural fit for supporting teaching and research; became involved in licensing and acquisitions.
- Amauri Serrano: Diverse path—studied history and Italian, moved to Italy, pivoted to librarianship after realizing customs work at an airport “was not what I wanted to do.” Library work meant “doing research without a deliverable,” and streaming video provided a valuable bridge to interacting with faculty and students.

2. Why Write a Book On Streaming Video?

[05:23–08:50]
- Necessity born from change: Both authors started at Yale during a period of rapidly increasing demand for streaming content, especially with the rise of platforms like Kanopy (pre-2020).
- The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the transition to streaming as physical media became inaccessible.
- There were few existing best practices, so they developed policy and process “on the fly,” culminating in a need to document and share what they learned.
“What we had found in working on this, that there wasn’t necessarily ... any written down rules for this. We were kind of figuring this out as we went along. So that’s what kind of led to the book.”
—Michael Fernandez ([07:02])

3. Acquisition Models for Streaming Content

[08:50–15:23]
- Amauri Serrano outlines five major models:
  - Perpetual purchase: Buy and own (may host locally, sometimes get archival files).
  - Short-term licenses: One-off, time-limited access (1/3/5 years); often request-based.
  - Subscription/database model: Access to changing, curated content for a fee.
  - Use-driven/Patron-driven (PDA/DDA): Licenses triggered by user views; now more controlled than before (e.g., “Smart PDA”).
  - No streaming option: Sometimes content simply isn't available for streaming, particularly true for feature films and TV series.
- Choice of model depends on budget, needs, and practicalities.
  - Libraries often juggle models, driven by cost, priorities, and vendor options.
  - Faculty and student expectations often exceed what libraries can supply.
“Some of the things I’ve written in the book and examples I’ve written in the book have already changed because it’s a very fluid landscape.”
—Amauri Serrano ([11:50])

4. Budgeting and Sustainability

[15:23–20:13]
- Budgeting is challenging and must be priority-driven.
- Start with last year’s spend ± forecast; consider where to cut if funds drop.
- Usage data are critical for demonstrating value and justifying budget requests.
- Institutional context matters: budget structures differ (centralized vs decentralized, endowed vs operational budgets).
- Local hosting can be costly (infrastructure, staffing).
- There’s no “one size fits all”—budget approaches must adapt to local realities.
“I wish I could say—even in the book—this is how you do it. And the answer is … there is no one way. But I think having clear priorities really helps at the very beginning.”
—Amauri Serrano ([18:37])

5. Negotiating Streaming Licenses—Key Considerations

[20:00–22:41]
- Accessibility: Insist on closed captioning, transcripts, or audio description, or at least the institutional right to remediate content for accessibility.
- Fair Use: Watch for restrictive clauses—ensure content can be used for education/classroom needs.
- Authorized Users: Pay close attention to definitions and geographic limitations.
“Any license agreement ... that is overtly restrictive, going beyond what should be fair use for education ... that’s one thing that we would keep an eye out on.”
—Michael Fernandez ([21:36])

6. Classroom & Public Performance Rights

[23:39–27:48]
- US Copyright law covers in-person classroom use.
- Streaming licenses sometimes inappropriately restrict authorized users or limit by geography; must negotiate these.
- Public performance rights are sought, but can be expensive. Library catalogs and websites flag when films include such rights.
- Transparency and guidance for faculty/students are essential—FAQs, copyright sites, and direct communication.
“The problem that I’ve seen ... is in some licenses they will limit or … their definition of authorized users can be problematic. ... Also, if you have somebody accessing our collection ... we have no idea that they are, you know, in Sri Lanka. So ... we will breach the license if this stays in.”
—Amauri Serrano ([24:45])

7. Access and Discovery

[27:29–30:36]
- Catalog records and discovery layers are the main access point, but staffing constraints mean not all video titles are always cataloged—especially short-term licenses.
- Some libraries choose not to catalog everything to prevent unwanted usage triggers (and charges) in DDA/PDA models.
- Decision whether to catalog all streaming items is shaped by bandwidth, workflows, and risk tolerance.
“Ideally you would want catalog records for all ... The reality of staffing and bandwidth is that it can be very challenging ... there’s a lot of reasons why libraries may choose to be more selective.”
—Michael Fernandez ([28:04])

8. Demonstrating Value: Usage & Administration

[30:36–34:23]
- Usage statistics (COUNTER reports, vendor dashboards like Kanopy) are vital for assessment and negotiations.
- Usage justifies renewals and budget allocations; helps renegotiate pricing and supports cancellation decisions.
- Consortial negotiations and leveraging multiple contracts with vendors can help get better terms.
“Having those usage stats really helps with the negotiation process.”
—Amauri Serrano ([33:05])

9. The Challenge of Commercial Platforms (Netflix, Hulu, etc.)

[34:23–36:05]
- Academic libraries generally cannot license content from commercial platforms due to exclusivity.
- Only some documentaries are eligible, and often require an instructor's own account.
- Preserving scholarly record is a concern: if commercial content vanishes, it’s lost to academic collections.
- Managing faculty and student expectations is crucial.
“We can’t get what Netflix has. [...] Some of it is managing expectations ... Don’t put this on your syllabus because you’re not going to be able to get access.”
—Amauri Serrano ([34:37])

10. The Future of Streaming Video in Academic Libraries

[36:35–39:57]
- Decline in physical video purchasing, especially as even foreign vendors switch to digital delivery.
- Building a unique, sustainable streaming collection is a challenge due to lack of ownership inherent in most streaming models.
- Libraries with archives will still buy physical when necessary for long-term preservation.
- Increasingly, libraries may only “license, not own,” especially as major vendors shift to a subscription-only model.
“What constitutes [a streaming collection]? ... With physical media, it’s easy ... You buy it and you own it. ... There wasn’t really an ownership model happening ... We all just license the same things on, you know, finite short-term licenses.”
—Michael Fernandez ([38:38])

11. Inclusion of "Streaming Vignettes" in the Book

[39:58–43:52]
- The vignettes, drawn from interviews across diverse libraries, broaden the book’s perspective beyond Yale.
- Common challenge: budgeting—and its different impacts based on library type and funding structure.
- Decisions about selecting/licensing can be made by non-library entities, further complicating collection strategy.
“We really wanted to cover ... a broader range ... So we wanted to look at ... academics of varying sizes ... community colleges, ... public libraries ... That might have been honestly one of my favorite aspects of putting the book together.”
—Michael Fernandez ([40:15])

“The impact of streaming was different ... a public library ... cost of utilities ... affects their materials budget as well.”
—Amauri Serrano ([42:03])

12. What’s Next for the Authors?

[43:52–46:32]
- Neither is eager to launch a new major research/writing project soon—more learning and practical application ahead, including applying insights at new institutions.
- Michael Fernandez mentions upcoming presentation at the Charleston Conference and serving as associate editor for Library Resources and Technical Services.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“We were kind of figuring this out as we went along. So that’s what kind of led to the book … providing some guidance to librarians figuring out how to budget for video.”
—Michael Fernandez ([07:02])
“Our faculty sometimes expect us to be able to find a film … Television series are horrible. They’re even horrible to get on DVD. … At a certain point you just like can’t find it.”
—Amauri Serrano ([14:40])
“Libraries don’t necessarily have ... distinctive streaming collections. We all just license the same things on finite short-term licenses.”
—Michael Fernandez ([39:53])
“What’s going to happen with that stuff? Where is it going to live? I think Netflix has sort of removed stuff from their platform ... it is worrisome for libraries at Yale ... the preservation of the scholarly record is important.”
—Amauri Serrano ([35:22])
“We started sort of trying to have an approval plan for DVDs ... And they would say, ‘You don’t do DVDs anymore. We can give you the files.’ ... So where are we buying DVDs from anymore?”
—Amauri Serrano ([37:08])

Timestamps for Key Segments

Backgrounds & Motivations: 02:48–05:23
Genesis of the Book: 05:23–08:50
Acquisition Models: 09:01–15:23
Budgeting: 15:50–20:00
Licensing Concerns: 20:13–22:41
Classroom Use & Public Performance: 23:39–27:48
Discovery & Cataloging: 27:48–30:36
Usage & Justifying Value: 30:59–34:23
Commercial Streaming Platforms: 34:23–36:05
Future Directions: 36:35–39:57
Book’s Vignettes: 39:58–43:52
Next Steps for Authors: 43:52–46:32

Tone and Style

For Further Reading

Streaming Video Collection Development and Management, Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited, 2025

Related:

Library Resources and Technical Services – Open Access Journal, ALA Core Division
Charleston Conference (for upcoming presentations on related topics)

Michael Fernandez and Amauri Serrano, "Streaming Video Collection Development and Management" (Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited, 2025)

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Summary

Podcast Summary:

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Authors’ Backgrounds and Path to Academic Librarianship

2. Why Write a Book On Streaming Video?

3. Acquisition Models for Streaming Content

4. Budgeting and Sustainability

5. Negotiating Streaming Licenses—Key Considerations

6. Classroom & Public Performance Rights

7. Access and Discovery

8. Demonstrating Value: Usage & Administration

9. The Challenge of Commercial Platforms (Netflix, Hulu, etc.)

10. The Future of Streaming Video in Academic Libraries

11. Inclusion of "Streaming Vignettes" in the Book

12. What’s Next for the Authors?

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Tone and Style

For Further Reading

Summary

Podcast Summary:

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Authors’ Backgrounds and Path to Academic Librarianship

2. Why Write a Book On Streaming Video?

3. Acquisition Models for Streaming Content

4. Budgeting and Sustainability

5. Negotiating Streaming Licenses—Key Considerations

6. Classroom & Public Performance Rights

7. Access and Discovery

8. Demonstrating Value: Usage & Administration

9. The Challenge of Commercial Platforms (Netflix, Hulu, etc.)

10. The Future of Streaming Video in Academic Libraries

11. Inclusion of "Streaming Vignettes" in the Book

12. What’s Next for the Authors?

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Tone and Style

For Further Reading