[Publib] Using YouTube

[Karen Schneider]

The part I would immediately disagree with is the investment. Take a look at
the Flip Video and similar handheld products (Kodak makes one, for example).
The quality of the recordings is nowhere near that of a decent camcorder,
but these products are catching on like wildfire for good reasons: they're
inexpensive and extremely easy to use -- the Instamatics of video
production. (Or Polaroid may be a better analogy, as they make output
extremely simple.) I would say use a tool that lets you put the focus on
snappy, timely videos. (President-elect Obama uses better cameras, of course
:-) )

I will add two more things (since I'm fired up on this topic now). I have
seen very few library videos that truly impress me, at least as marketing
tools. Most are far too long and far too internally-focused. I've also seen
patron-produced videos that were definitely cute but still lacked the
whallop of a good message delivered the right way.

When I teach my workshop, "Writing for the Web," I point to this video by
QandANJ:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocLdyeAqUmg

But I see they have this one as well:

http://www.youtube.com/user/QandANJ

Well-done! I'd love more examples such as these -- tight, concise, polished,
funny. I'm trying to move into this space myself, and my goal is to produce
very short videos people want to watch.


On Fri, Jan 2, 2009 at 11:50 AM, Pat McMahon <pmcmahon at galwaycoco.ie> wrote:

> Dear Colleagues,
>
> This enquiry comes from Ireland.
>
> I am wondering if any Library Directors or Senior Librarians in the United
> States are using YouTube as method of getting their vision for their library
> service out to the wider public. I am thinking of how your President-elect
> Barack Obama uses YouTube on a regular basis.
>
> I am thinking in investing in a good quality HD camcorder.
>
> I would then put on YouTube short statements from myself on what our
> library service is trying to achieve, and I would also post on YouTube brief
> filmed presentations of what goes on in individual branch libraries.
>
> If this kind of thing is already happening in some public libraries in the
> United States perhaps some of the kind contributors to Publib would let me
> know.
>
> A Happy New Year to all Publib readers.
>
> Every good wish,
>
> Pat McMahon,
> County Librarian,
> Galway County Libraries,
> IRELAND.
>

-- 
-- 
| Karen G. Schneider
| Community Librarian
| Equinox Software Inc. "The Evergreen Experts"
| Toll-free: 1.877.Open.ILS (1.877.673.6457) x712
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