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DC Public Library rolls out new movie streaming service

WASHINGTON — If you want to cut the cord, get a D.C. Public Library card.

The library has rolled out a new video streaming service, powered by San Francisco-based streaming service provider Kanopy, that lets library members watch videos on smartphones, tablets and TV sets. It is free and includes more than 30,000 titles.

April DeRome, the D.C. Public Library’s digital collections librarian, told WTOP that the streaming service already has an impressive number number of titles from a broad selection of categories.

“There are documentaries; there are indie films, there is world cinema. We have the Great Courses, which is a way to learn about new things, and there are also movies from film festivals,” DeRome said.

The Prince George’s County Public Library is offering the same service to its members.

Kanopy, founded in 2008, offers streaming services of mostly educational material to thousands of universities and recently expanded its business to include public libraries.

While the video streaming service available to D.C. Public Library cardholders is free, there are limits.

“You get six films every month,” DeRome said. “Once you start a movie, you have three days to watch it. You can take three days to watch it or you can watch it multiple times. At the beginning of every month your play credits start over and you get six new titles.”

You can browse and search titles available before you sign up.

The D.C. Public Library has a goal of putting public library cards in the hands of 75 percent of District residents.

Massachusetts court hears arguments in lawsuit alleging Meta designed apps to be addictive to kids

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' highest court heard oral arguments Friday in the state's lawsuit arguing that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram to make them addictive to young users. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, alleges that Meta did this to make a profit and that its actions affected hundreds of thousands of teenagers in Massachusetts who use the social media platforms. “We are making claims based only on the tools that Meta has developed because its own research shows they encourage addiction to the platform in a variety of ways,” said State Solicitor David Kravitz, adding that the state's claim has nothing to do the company's algorithms or failure to moderate content. Meta said Friday that it strongly disagrees with the allegations and is “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” Its attorney, Mark Mosier, argued in court that the lawsuit “would impose liabilities for performing traditional publishing functions” and that its actions are protected by the First Amendment.
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