Exploring video as a training and promotional tool for libraries, on the web and in television.
An article at LISNews highlights a short video on virtual reference based at the Arlington Heights Library. However the real story is that they're launching a weekly library info program called What's Up At The Library. They're keeping it short at 2+ minutes, so weekly is certainly doable. You can see the various videos they have up so far here. I believe Arlington Heights is part of the group that created LibraryTV.org that I talked about the other day.
Some good advice from a Vermont school librarian: "Technology is pass/fail for librarians. You have to dare to be bad at it until you master it." This is especially true with video. The many screw-ups and mistakes I've made in working with computers are mostly hidden behind the Wizard's Curtain but video is going to be right there in the open.
www.librarytv.org looks like it might be dated but 'This Month's Cable Guide' is up to date and its apparent partner, What's New In Libraries is definitly up to date. The What's New isn't bad, its a cable show like Library Lowdown, but the clips available are in Real Media format, not one I'm fond of, although the quality is very good. The Library TV cable guide lists episodes that seem to be web available but no explanation as to how to get them. The goal seems to have been to create a library channel, and its looks like they've done it. Its similar to a lot of local cable access stations, relying on local talent, but with a heavy emphasis on promotional programs for libraries. If anyone has more information about this it would be appreciated.
Shifted Librarian links to a video celebrating the Elmwood Park Public Library's 70th anniversary. Its worth it for the exploding pumkins and the turtle.
I thought I was going to be very clever and get around certain copyright issues by using local high school performances as background music for future projects. However the arts director pointed out to me that I would still have to worry about arrangement copyrights. I think I can still get around that by using short snippets strung together, assuming that's practical. However, when I was asking for some advice on it over at LISNews I got an excellent suggestion for using military band music. Some good links there to check out.
One thing I have noticed from using YouTube is the ability to see how many people are watching. Archive will show number of downloads but not the number of people who watched the streaming video, which I would assume be a higher number. DVD copies (and older VHS) are kept of all our in-house productions so I don't feel any great need to keep stuff online longer than its intended expiration date. Since YouTube gives the advantage of embedding I may have to rethink my video strategy.
I said I wanted to see Brookdale's giant sorter in action. Well, I was looking for something else and came across this short vid for Seattle's sorting system. Its short, simple and self-explanatory. Wicked cool.
I uploaded a short piece concerning an update to our digital audiobook service and linked it from our blog.
