Meredith Farkas in Chapter 12 of Social Software in Libraries summed up the usefulness of screencast or vodcast as information tools for today’s library when she pointed out that library customers are not anymore limited in terms of when, how and where they access and use library resources. Through the use of a computer with an internet connection, a library customer can manage their library account, place requests for library items, or access the online databases and this can happen even when the physical library is closed as majority of public and academic libraries have an online presence or are virtually open 24/7. This necessitate what Paul Pival, distance education librarian, as quoted by Farkas, refers to as a point-of-need instruction, wherein in the absence of a live person, virtual libraries can still provide assistance for their customers by providing links to tutorials on how to use online library services. For example, the Cochrane Library provides a screencast tutorial of how to use their medical databases. The CCAC Library through a screencast advertise how a student or faculty don’t even need to visit the owning library to borrow a book, since they can request it through the online catalog delivered to the library branch nearest to their campus location.
Aside from point-of-need instruction, libraries can also use screencast or vodcast to market and familiarize their patrons on particular collections or services, or the library as a whole. In my LIBR 204 class fall 2008, some of my classmates felt that libraries should not resort to marketing their products, like how commercial establishments do, since the quality of the services library offer should stand on its own merit. I believe otherwise. I agree that libraries do offer quality service and resources but their patrons are sometimes not aware of these precisely because libraries are not advertising or bringing their message where their patrons are. For instance, I sometimes get a surprise look from some new library customers that the libraries offer free wireless internet access. Producing vodcasts and posting them in popular video sites like YouTube is a cheap way to market services and also get the information on these services to their patrons.
There are several good examples of libraries already doing this. You have the Skokie Public Library in Chicago which produced a vodcast to highlight their Islamic collection exhibit. On the other hand, the David Wilson Library of the University of Leicester produced a series of vodcasts to highlight services like express check-outs, reading spaces and study spaces. The Topeka and Shawnee Public Library has a total of 80 videos on YouTube ranging from instructions on how to get a library card to book reviews and even parody of World of Warcraft. Some of these vodcasts would usually have humor as a way to hook the viewers with familiar faces the community (i.e. library staff, school administrators, library patrons, and students) acting, or rather intentionally hamming it up on cam. I literally laughed out loud when in this library tour video produced by the Harper College Library have one of the staff welcoming the viewer to library like an airline stewardess offering pillows and beverages.
Vodcasts are also a great way to promote programs to kids and teens. And examples abound of how creative library staff can be to appeal to their younger patrons. The Denver Public Library used mascots to act in one of their vodcast to promote their Summer of Reading program and DDR tournament, while the Birmingham Public Library in Alabama created this detective mystery-themed film noir to market their Teen Summer Reading program. The Pima County Library has 27 videos on YouTube, most of them with teens themselves acting in their trailers for books. And you also have libraries, like the Hoover Public Library that used vodcasting to do storytelling as a way to extend this particular service to homebound kids or when the physical library is closed.
Although we have looked at several possibilities for using screencasts and vodcasts as information tools in today’s libraries, there are also challenges that libraries would face if they decide to use these tools. Just like any new service, embarking on a screencast or vodcast project would require an investment in time, money, and a lot of commitment among the library staff. Producing screencasts and vodcasts would impact library staff and the technology infrastructure that the library have. For instance one basic question to ask is, does the library have the funds to buy the equipment and software needed, like video cameras and recording and editing software? And not only that, does the library have an existing technology infrastructure, like server space and bandwitdth, to handle the constant uploads and downloads of these files? If not, are the library managers willing to invest on building one. On the other hand, if they decide to have their files hosted by a 3rd party vendor or host provider, libraries should be aware of issues on privacy and ownership of content of the the company they would go with.
With regards to staffing needed, several questions come to mind. Does the library have the staff to spare to plan, prepare and create the screencast and vodcast? Does the library staff have the technical expertise or the willingness to learn to use the equipment and software required to produce the screencast and vodcast. Does the library staff have the stamina to maintain this project as an on-going concern? It would also require the staff to be creative and be familiar with what would appeal to their patron. One way for staff to familiarize themselves on what would appeal to their audience is through doing outreach and asking their patrons what other ways they want the library to provide information to them. And that could also an opening for staff to recruit their more dedicated or enthusiastic regulars to even help out by acting in the vodcasts or coming up with script ideas.
Finally, staff should be cognizant of copyright and fair use laws when using music and other people’s video content. There is also the issue of the privacy of their patrons, For example, if a library decides to show kids or let teens act in their vodcast it is advisable to ssecure a written permission form their parents. The same is ture with showing the faces of patrons who attend events. Maybe a good compromise for those who don’t want to see their faces on video is to offer an area of the seats that are blind spots for the video recorder. Of course, it is wise to make an announcement before the event starts that it will be recorded and uploaded to a video sharing site so the option of chaning seats can be availed of.
Cartoon by Andertoons