Sunday, September 25, 2011

Youtube

I'm pretty familiar with YouTube. I've been in many situations (as I'm sure everyone has) when I'm forced to watch videos other people find funny, and when I force others to watch videos I find funny. (Everyone watch the Drunk History series. They're only like 7 or 8 minutes long and awesome.) Some of the time I find YouTube to be a little annoying because not everything people video is worth watching, but most of the time I find it to be an amazing concept. Just as blogs allow individuals to become authors, YouTube allows them to become directors.

I think that YouTube can be very beneficial for libraries. I know from experience that most students in an academic setting have no clue how to find books, let alone electronic journal articles in their school's library. I also know that most will not ask a librarian how to do so. I would think that creating how-to YouTube videos illustrating how to find materials in the library would help those students tremendously.

Looking for library videos on YouTube immediately brought me to an episode of Mr. Bean that features the man himself going to extreme lengths to avoid the legendary library taboo of making noise.

2 comments:

  1. Caroline, You are correct about people being unwilling to approach a librarian for help. I have data that supports your statement. Video may be an alternative to a face-to-face reference interview. Video can also be used to portray librarians in a less fearful light. I was unable to watch the Mr. Bean video, I am posting this during my lunch hour. You Tube is blocked on the work computers.
    Katie

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  2. This is totally unrelated to libraries, per se, but I love how people make fun of quiet libraries. My vision --> a dynamic learning environment that includes common spaces for exchanges, as well as private and public areas for quiet work and reflection and lively discussions. Ha ha ha. Libraries now a days surprise. WE KNOW that they are all about service, helping, providing access to information. Yet, it bothers me that some libraries are so intent on keeping the volume down, that their behavior is keeping their physical and digital circulation numbers down too . Makes me sad really. This video would be a great video for an entry level LIS class. "Class, let's watch this video and tell me if you think anything in it is worthwhile...disucss" and ... would loosen everyone up. Good video choice

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