Libraries used to be only for books. Then they added periodicals, followed by movies and even music. Now, for those with a library card or a university ID, there is Kanopy, a streaming service filled with a variety of movies to stream on-demand.

Kanopy partnered with public libraries and universities around the country to supply ad-free movies and series. The cost is free to those with a library card or a university ID. Most libraries subscribe to Kanopy, but check with yours to make sure it is part of the group. Provo City Library, Weber County Library System, Tooele City Public Library, and Salt Lake City Public Library are currently all subscribed to Kanopy.

The libraries pick up the subscription cost, so if you have a card or ID, it’s a win-win situation.

Each personal account is given 12 credits each month. The credits go to streaming movies. Most films take two credits to view, however there are some that take four credits, so movie lovers need to keep track of how many credits remain in their account each month. The credits do not roll over from one month to the next. If any remain in an account at the end of the calendar month, they do expire. The next month each account is populated anew with 12 credits.

The Kanopy Kids section does not use credits and the content is appropriate for young viewers. Kanopy Kids shows provide unlimited viewing, which is a bonus for young viewers who want to re-watch a movie or series over and over, without taking credits away from adults. Although the majority of the options in Kanopy Kids are appropriate for most youngsters, parents do have the ability to set parental controls.

Besides the Kanopy Kids section, the platform is divided into genres: Classic Films, Movies, Documentaries, Family Friendly Films, Animated Films, TV series, and more. Once accessed, each movie or TV selection is available for 72 hours of streaming using the appropriate number of credits.

There is a wide selection of movies and documentaries ranging from biopics, world cinema, classic cinema, new releases on the platform, comedy, horror, thriller, action, and more. Users also have the option of saving titles to their personal list for easy access when they want to watch the film. Unfortunately, titles do leave so if there is something you especially want to see, make sure you watch it before it goes away.

To start a Kanopy account, visit their website and register with a library card number.

BYU students can access Kanopy by logging into the BYU site. The same goes for UVU, Weber State, University of Utah, Westminster University, Utah State University, and Southern Utah University. Just sign up with a university login. Check with the university for exact enrollment into the service.

These days when people are cutting the cable and relying on streaming options, Kanopy is a good addition. Without any fees, this ad-free platform includes titles for every taste. And the Kanopy Kids section is a welcome addition to families that want to keep their kids entertained without worrying about content or ads.