So I’m getting ready for a meeting with our branch managers and I’ve been scouring the web for examples of innovative ways that other libraries are using media production. I came across this amazing collaboration between the New York Public Library and the design blog . They’re producing a series of videos called “Design by the Book” in which they film five NY designers as they visit the library to find inspiration and incorporate their findings into new work!
I get really excited about using media production to do more than just tell people things. It’s so boring when it just ends up being a one-sided conversation- “buy this, do this, visit the library because it’s great”. Booorring. It’s so much more interesting when you can engage your community like this and then actually SHOW how your resources can be utilized.
Plus it’s really nice looking and well edited. I wish more libraries would take a minute and figure out how to use a microphone and a tripod before shooting stuff. Ooh, snap.
Once an institution devoted to book circulation, the public library is evolving. A recent study of the members of ICMA, the premier local government leadership and management organization, found some communities are using their public libraries for compelling new projects, such as providing services for teens, immigrant residents, recycling, health, and public safety.
During the next two years, with the help of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ICMA plans to encourage adoption of more such leading practices among local governments and demonstrate the value of public libraries as a vital tool in supporting community sustainability through the ICMA Public Library Innovation Grant. Local governments can employ these grants to develop new and creative ways of using their public library to deliver services in areas such as public safety, disaster preparedness, sustainability, health, immigration, civic engagement, and economic development.
Um, hello? That is awesome. Individual grants will range from $20K- $60K with a total of $500K being provided for the program. It looks like they’re really trying to encourage local governments to look at libraries as a direct link to their communities and to get creative with using those links to address important local issues.
Hopefully I can drum up some interest around here so we can move forward with applying. I would love to implement either some kind of literacy program with a focus on native Spanish speakers or something related to educating the community on sustainable living. There’s a great little community garden on 7th Street where residents can sign up for a plot and grow their own fruits and veggies. They even grew cotton one year! Some of them take their produce home to their families, some of them take it to local markets to sell, and some of them donate it to those who need it more. Seems like that could be a great starting place and a great model for bigger projects down the line.
I think YouTube is icky and creepy and commercial-y. I think the site is ugly and their compression is for crap and I try to avoid it at all costs. But when I started my position doing media production, it was the only video sharing site I really knew about, so I started uploading our videos there. However, after a little research, I came across Vimeo. Right from the welcome page, the look and feel of Vimeo is completely different from YouTube. The site’s design is thoughtful, sleek, and very user-friendly.
Despite it’s rapidly expanding size (280,000 users and growing strong), Vimeo manages to cultivate a tightly knit community feel. Vimeo was created by people who make videos and who were not satisfied with the existing video sharing sites. They have a real presence on the site and I think that really contributes to the sense of community.
After signing up for a free account, you can create groups based around certain subjects and participate in all kinds of ongoing discussions and forums. You can also make contacts and subscribe to other user’s videos. You’re allowed to upload 500 MB per week. Uploading is easy, and the image quality far outshines YouTube and Google Video. Vimeo has higher bitrates and better resolution than either of those sites, and it shows. Vimeo also offers HD support, which neither of those sites do (yet. I’m sure they will and I’m sure it won’t look as nice and shiny).
I emailed Vimeo with a technical question when I was getting started, and I heard back from Mr. dalas verdugo (he insists on using those lower case letters), Vimeo Community Director, literally within five minutes. (Side note: I have a kind of internet crush on dalas- it might have something to do with his unruly facial hair. Check out his site , if you want to care about my internet crushes.)
So, in summation, Vimeo is the best. You should use it. I set up an account for library videos, plus I have my own personal account. I also recently (yesterday) started a lovely group on Vimeo called “Vid4Libs,” or “Video for Libraries”. I thought it would be nice to kind of round up all the video-producing library folks out there and create a place for us to share videos and exchange ideas. Come hang out with us at .
