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Getting Started with Kanopy

Kanopy lets you stream television series, classic cinema, indie films and top documentaries to your computer, phone or tablet.

What you need

Create a Kanopy account in a web browser (computer, tablet or smartphone):

  1. Go to Kanopy and select Add Library Card. Enter your library card number and PIN. Select Continue.
  2. Enter your name, email address and a password of your choice. Select Sign up.
  3. Select the check box to confirm that you are 18 years of age or older and acknowledge Kanopy's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
  4. Select Sign up.
  5. Sign into your email account and open the email from Kanopy (it may be in your Junk Mail folder). Select Verify My Email in the message. This will return you to Kanopy's website.

Create a Kanopy account in the Kanopy app:

The Kanopy app is available for Apple, Android or Kindle Fire mobile devices and for several smart TVs.

  1. Open the Kanopy app and select Get Started.
  2. Select Find Your Library under Do you have a public library card?
  3. Select any Toronto Public Library branch from the list available or search for your local branch and select it. Tap on Select this library.
  4. Enter your Toronto Public Library card number and PIN.
  5. Enter name, email address and password of your choice. Select Sign Up.
  6. Select the check box to confirm that you are 18 years of age or older and acknowledge Kanopy's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
  7. Sign into your email account and open the email from Kanopy (it may be in your Junk Mail folder). Select Verify my Email in the message.
  8. Go back to the Kanopy app and select Watch Now to begin using Kanopy.

More information on using Kanopy is available on the Kanopy Help website.

A wireless connection is required to stream movies. Wireless internet access is available at all Toronto Public Library branches.

What kind of content does Kanopy have?

Kanopy provides access to films and series from top producers such as The Great Courses, BBC, PBS, The Criterion Collection, Warner Bros., Kino Lorber and more. Kanopy also includes independent films, documentaries and foreign language titles.

Children's movies, television series and shorts are available through Kanopy Kids.

While Kanopy videos are always available, Kanopy content may change similarly to other subscription websites.

Kanopy and your privacy

In order to access Kanopy, you will be required to create a Kanopy account. Kanopy is a third-party service that is governed by its own privacy policy and practices, not the Library's. We advise that you consult Kanopy's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy before agreeing to use this service.

Frequently asked questions

How many movies can I watch from Kanopy per month?
Toronto Public Library customers receive 16 tickets in their Kanopy accounts each month to borrow films and series. Individual films require 2 or 4 tickets to borrow and series will require between 2 and 5 tickets. Shorts are available to borrow for 1 ticket. Shorts are single videos with a running time of 30 minutes or less. Kanopy Kids content never requires tickets to watch.
There are hundreds of ticket-free (0 ticket) movies and series available. Browse the Kanopy PLUS shelves or use the '0 tickets' search results filter to find films and series.
When does the ticket limit reset?
Borrowing limits reset on the first day of each calendar month.
If I don't use all my tickets in a month, do they carry over to the next month?
No. Unused tickets cannot be carried forward to the next month. Once a ticket is used to borrow a film or series, it cannot be restored for any reason.
How will I know how many tickets I need to borrow film or series?
Check the detail page on the film or series. Each title includes a label indicating the number of tickets needed to borrow that title.
Kanopy does not provide a ticket indicator for Kanopy Kids titles as the videos in this collection never require tickets.
How long do I have to watch a movie?
The borrowing periods for films and series range from 48 hours to 7 days. The detail page for each title lists the length of the borrowing period.
To continue watching a previously borrowed film or television series, select My Lists and then select the item under Continue Watching. The time left on an active borrow is indicated here as well.
Do I have to return a movie once I'm finished?
No, titles will expire automatically at the end of the borrowing period.
Are there age restrictions on using Kanopy?
Kanopy content is intended for library users aged 18 years and above. Please see Kanopy's Terms of Service.
Can I create my own lists?
Yes. You can save titles to My Watchlist by clicking on + Add to My Watchlist. Access My Watchlist by selecting My Lists.
Does Kanopy work on my TV?
Yes, the Kanopy TV app can be downloaded to many supported smart televisions and streaming devices. Visit Kanopy Help for more information about Supported browsers and devices.
What if I am unable to create an account or sign in to Kanopy?
Your library card may be blocked or expired, or you may have entered a child or teen's card number.
What if I have replaced my library card?
If you have replaced your library card since you first registered with Kanopy, you will need to update your card number in your Kanopy account. You can update this information yourself in your profile.
More information is available in the Managing your account section of Kanopy Help.

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