Skip to main content

Follow the Screener

When I first became a staff training instructor over 20 years ago, if we wanted to illustrate how to use a particular software or navigate a certain website, we had to take screen-shots that we saved as JPEG images, to which we would add text showing where to click or what to do.  Then we'd import the images into MS-Word or WordPerfect documents.  I wrote training manuals for hospital employees to use payroll software, patient record databases, or MS-Windows programs.  If we were really fancy, we'd prepare a PowerPoint slideshow.

In recent years, trainers have been using screen-capturing software to track their mouse movements on screen that they can incorporate into a video illustrating how to use a particular software or web-based interface.  Of course, my library is just now getting around to purchasing such software, and I've begun experimenting with it.

If, like me, you're new to this screen-capturing world, you might find that the software we use suits your needs:  Debut Professional 3.01, sold by NCH Software, is available for around $50 or less.  Learn more about its many features here.

The program has been reasonably user-friendly.  So far, I've attempted fairly primitive screen-capture videos, but simple is good, especially given my limited technological skills.  Here's an example of one of our "how-to" videos we created using Debut.  We've tried doing voice-over along with screen-capturing, using Audacity software, but inserting text boxes over the screen is easier.


Making Room Reservations Online (2017),
by Mooresville Public Library

My video's not going to win any awards, but our Evanced (now Demco) users might be able to follow along and learn how to make basic room reservations.

There are dozens of different screen-capture software brands available, including Snagit, Ashampoo Snap, Faststone Capture, FullShot Pro, ScreenHunter Pro, Hypersnap, Easy Screen Capture, CaptureWiz Pro, Any Screen Capture, and SPX Instant Screen Capture, all of which range from roughly $20-$80 each.  Some have more features than Debut, some fewer, but all will probably do the job reasonably well.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Using the MARC 856 Field for Book Trailers

Book trailers are videos used to promote particular books and encourage patrons to read them. They are comparable to movie trailers as marketing tools.  Book trailers are often posted on dedicated video channels, such as YouTube or Vimeo, or on websites, blogs, or other social media.  At Mooresville Public Library, we place our book trailers on the MPL YouTube Channel, as well as links on our website and social media.
Here's an example of one of our book trailers:
MPL Book Trailer #322 A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman
How do patrons discover our book trailers?  A simple Google search (or YouTube search) with the book's title and "book trailer" will retrieve them, along with hundreds of other videos.  Visitors to our website may see our specific web page devoted to videos, or may click links to our YouTube channel or other social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, blogs) that feature our videos.  But these are indirect methods of distributing this type of c…
Post a Comment
Read more

Making Library Videos: Types of Videos

What types of videos can library staff create?  Nothing is beyond your imagination.  Let's consider a few options.  At my library, we have made videos in the following categories:
Book trailers, which promote particular books;Program trailers, which showcase specific library programs;Promo trailers, which feature certain library events, services, collections, technologies, or other resources;Instructional videos;Local history videos;Music parody videos;Readalouds (of children's books);Singalongs;Children's songs;Puppet shows;Video blogs (vlogs);Readers' advisories;Children's crafts videos (for library programs);Public Service Announcements; andLibrary board reports.Sometimes, a single video may include several of these functions.  Would you like to see some examples?
First, a book trailer.
MPL Book Trailer #366 Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family's Story, by Margriet Ruurs; illustrated by Nizar Ali Badr
Next, a program trailer.
Watercolor Painting Program Trailer (2017)…
Post a Comment
Read more

Using QR Codes to Promote Book Trailers on Book Displays

The ubiquitous book display is a mainstay of traditional collection promotion in public libraries.  How many of these have you made over the years?  Frankly, I've lost count.









Book displays increase item circulation because they attract patrons' attention and provide them with immediate gratification without their having to search for what has caught their interest.  The books are right there; just grab them and head for circulation to check them out.  Nothing could be easier.
But what if the books are carefully wrapped-up (say, for a banned book display, which we did a couple of times), and patrons can't read the back cover descriptions?  For ordinary book displays, is there something more visually engaging that could appeal to patrons than just having to read the book jackets?  That's where book trailers could help "sell" the book. Wouldn't it be nice if patrons could watch the book trailers while they're looking at the books on a display?



Click Images …
Post a Comment
Read more