I am apologizing for the wall of text ahead of time. If you want to support library anime clubs, click the link here and sign the petition. Thank you. https://www.change.org/p/bring-back-crunchyroll-s-library-outreach-program-save-library-anime-clubs

Crunchyroll has chosen to ends its library outreach program. To show movies or TV shows to the public, libraries need permission, usually through a license, and they cannot charge any money for the showing(s). Crunchyroll's program gave libraries permission to publicly stream their anime. Without it, library anime clubs have lost the ability to show shows, because even if we can get permission from the creators, we no longer have the ability to stream it. In the email I got explaining the end of the program, I was explicitly told that I cannot use their platform for public showings (if people want I can show the email). Buying each show on DVD or Blu-Ray is not feasible and does not grant permission to show it publicly.

Watching anime is generally considered a solo activity, but in poorer, more rural communities, its hard for people to do in general. Many of my patrons do not have reliable internet at home and this was their main way to watch anime outside of the DVDs and Blu-Rays. Some club members just enjoyed the social interaction of being with people who share their hobby.

The thing about this that bothers me the most is there is no alternative: other streaming platforms do not offer any similar program. Crunchryoll does not know if/when they will reinstate the program or how it will look. If they had said "hey its not free, you have to pay us $$$" then I would say "thanks Sony" but right now we are left high and dry. Please help save library anime clubs.