User generated content plays a big role in the culture of Web 2.0. The grand idea that anyone (with the right equipment) has the freedom to create a blog, podcast, or video and share it with the world has helped create many new communities.
Here is what Maryland Libraries Learning has to say about YouTube:
Within the past year online video hosting sites have exploded allowing users to easily upload and share videos on the web. Among all the web 2.0 players in this area, YouTube is currently top dog serving up over 100 million video views a day and allowing users not only to upload their own video content easily, but also embed clips into their own sites easily.
Again, Web 2.0 is about making things easier for the users. Not only can you upload clips but you can share clips, your own and others, but embedding them in your blog or other web page. YouTube makes it easy, providing the HTML code for you to copy and paste. No actual knowledge of HTML is required. You don’t even have to right-click, YouTube provides a “copy to clipboard” button which automatically stores the information into your computers clipboard so you can quickly paste it into your site.
Last year, YouTube was at the center of a lot of controversy, since users do not always upload content owned by them. You’ll find a wide variety of television show clips, movie footage, and other copyrighted material. Now, because of its popularity, many companies are creating official YouTube accounts so they can share videos, movie trailers, and so forth of content that they own (For example, music publisher BMG has created official accounts for their artists so they can post music videos. Have a little fun and check out the video for Brad Paisley’s song “Online”).
How can libraries and librarians use sites like YouTube to promote their library and its materials? Here are a few examples already online:
The Harper College Library filmed a video tour of the library for new students to view.
An attendee of the 2007 ALA Conference posted footage of the Book Cart Drill Team event.
While we’re having fun, take a look at the Library Ninja: Defender of Books.
Want to see more? Search “Libraries” in YouTube and browse the variety of videos you find.
Liking what they saw on YouTube but wanting their own private site, a group of educators got together and created TeacherTube. The site launched in March of 2007 and has videos on a wide variety of topics; from creating a picture frame out of a piece of cardboard to how to use Google Earth to investigate water flow.
Another form of user-generated content that is here to stay is the podcast. Podcasts can range from short audio commentaries to regularly filmed video programs. Anyone can create a podcast and share it online and you will find there seems to be a podcast for every interest. Podcasts have their own RSS feeds so that listeners/viewers can be automatically notified when a new one is uploaded.
You might think because it is a podcast, you would need an iPod or iTunes to listen to one, but that is not the case. Most podcasts are published in mp3 format and saved to the host’s website so that users can download the file right to their personal computer. Most video podcasters will upload their shows to YouTube or other free video hosting service (like the popular Ask A Ninja series – check out the Ninja’s explanation of Podcasting).
Libraries have begun to use podcasting for a variety of purposes. If you have iTunes, there is a searchable podcast directory that comes with the program. If you do not have iTunes, don’t worry – sites like Podcast Alley are a great starting point for finding podcasts (a quick search for “libraries” brings up over 28 intriguing results).
Now it is time to blog. Here are some prompts to help you brainstorm:
What are your thoughts on video hosting sites like YouTube?
Share your thoughts on podcasting. Do you listen to any podcasts?
How can sites like this be useful to patrons?
How might libraries and librarians use these sites and services?
Why is it important for librarians to be aware of this technology?
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