Week 7: Podcasting and Online Hosted Video

Week 7 posting

I had never really done anything with YouTube. I knew what it was, but it seemed like a waste of time. (I can waste too much time reading my e-mail at home, and YouTube addiction could also be a hazard for me.)

This week's exercises gave me a GOOD REASON to explore YouTube. (Thanks!)

I used the search term "Library" and found some useful videos (some crazy ones too, of course....) I think YouTube videos can be used to introduce library products...with a humorous or serious bent. I found 'Superlibrarian" from the McCracken Co. Public Library--lauding what services your library can provide. It was clever and catchy. Because YouTube is so popular, libraries can use it to reach patrons with a medium they like and use. It's "going where they are."

Any sort of tutorial could be delivered via YouTube. Intro to the Library (orientation)...how to use PubMed or any other product. The 24/7 availability is very useful; patrons may not pay attention to a face-to-face orientation...and then have a reason to use a particular product and need instruction. The YouTube video could meet that real need at the time of need.

As far as podcasting is concerned: As an "audio version of a magazine subscription," or an audio book, the portability is a real plus. People enjoy having musuc, books, lectures available any place, any time. Again it's a popular media for many of today's patrons. The absence of video content makes it less useful for library instruction, in my opinion. Having slides available as a download could alleviate some of that limitation. I'll be eager to learn what ideas other librarians have for podcasting.