YouTube is the first and largest of the “tube” sites, all of which revolve around the idea of the general public uploading and sharing videos. It was created in 2005, and later purchased by Google. Users have watched videos on the site more than 6 BILLION times since it started. It is in the top 5 most visited websites, and shows no sign of slowing down.
Anything that can be put on video is likely to show up on YouTube – family videos, political statements, instructional videos, amateur news reports, music, film clips, animation, etc. YouTube recently added YouTube EDU as a “channel” it offers. Frequent uploaders can even establish their own “channels.” Some movie and television production companies have started uploading selections of their work, as well. In fact, many students turn to YouTube as their first choice in doing research (one of the early reports of this trend is in the New York Times).
User-submitted videos must be no longer than 10 minutes in length and 2 GB in size. YouTube uses Adobe Flash to display the videos, which can be played directly from a web browser.
Libraries are using YouTube in unique ways. Some create their own book trailers, while others use the website to promote their upcoming events. Some sponsor teen video-making contests. There are library videos centered around training, library use, storytimes, performances, and much more.
For Thing 18, spend some time watching library-produced videos on YouTube. A few we’ve found: The Adventures of Super Librarian, Super Librarian, A Librarian’s 2.0 Manifesto, Allen County Public Library Channel
Some good search terms to help you find more: Texas library, public library, school library, academic library, library event
On a side note, Cisco recently released their Visual Networking Index: Forecast and Methodology which is not exciting reading, but did contain some startling statistics. Currently, one-third of consumer internet traffic is video. The paper goes on to forecast that by 2013 that video will account for over 60% of consumer internet traffic, and if you include internet video directly to your TV… a whopping 91% of all internet traffic.
In your blog, talk about the videos you saw. What were they trying to accomplish? How effective were they? Can you think of other uses of videos to help promote libraries or serve the public? How can we address “authoratative” in YouTube searching?
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FPL should have a YouTube link on its website for all upcoming events. Since our younger generation doesn’t like to read, viewing information may be the best way for shared information.
Comment by Rejoyce in Frisco November 7, 2010 @ 8:05 pm