BiblioTechno Global Footprint

At one time, public libraries determined their overall effectiveness in serving the public based upon door count, i.e., the number of persons entering the building.  With the advent of online history and genealogical resources, increasing numbers of people are using the Internet (rather than visiting their local libraries) to conduct their genealogical research or to learn about their communities' histories. How, then, does a library reach patrons who don't physically visit the facility?  Many libraries have found social media as their new pathway to patrons.  Videos, podcasts, blogs, and posts to such social media sites as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and others have become effective mechanisms to reach a new, different audience than those coming through the library doors. These two slideshows, along with a handout (links below), summarize some of the resources available for history/genealogy librarians to use in creating a digital footprint. Short Slideshow Long S

Youth Services librarians are constantly on the lookout for new and exciting programming ideas.  In the era of COVID-19, much virtual content has been created.  Here's our two cents. MPL Sound Safari Video Playlist by Mooresville (Indiana) Public Library   Sound Safari is a video series devoted to exploring sounds from the world (and maybe beyond).  It is recommended for ALL AGES, but especially for preschoolers and early elementary school age viewers and their caregivers. Each Sound Safari episode includes video clips with accompanying audio tracks that match visual and auditory aspects of various types of sounds.  Often, the video clips are mute (or their soundtracks are poorly rendered), so separate audio tracks must be inserted.  The library obtains nearly all of its audio and video clips free-of-charge from Freesound.org and Pexels.com .  These usually require a source attribution in the video credits. It can sometimes be challenging to find and download free audio-visual f

Have you encountered among your library colleagues the door count fallacy in the use of social media?  Here it is, in a nutshell: Library use of social media should be focused only toward local patrons (i.e., those people coming through the library doors) You can detect the door count fallacy in these actual library social media use directives: "Book trailers must reflect books that the library has on its shelves (or has ordered)." "Facebook and Twitter posts shall be limited to library programs, events, collection items, and technologies and services available in the library." "Instagram shall be used exclusively to promote youth services programs." "Library videos shall promote library programs or library collections." "Reposting is prohibited on any social media, as these reposts may not reflect the libraries' services or collections." Limiting social media use to those patrons who actually visit the physical library (or its outr

For decades public libraries have presented readaloud children's programs to encourage reading and early literacy.  The photo (below) presents a typical scenario. Click Image to Enlarge Some libraries videorecord librarians reading children's books so that patrons may read along from the comfort of wherever they happen to be at the time.  Here are a few examples (click the boxes below to play the videos): Story Time Anytime!, by Clinton (Indiana) Public Library (see their Story Time LIVE video playlist ) Read Aloud, by Meghan Adams: Barn Dance, by Bill Martin, Jr., et al. Ms. Casey Reads a Chapter From Mr. Popper's Penguins , by Richard & Florence Atwater Videorecording someone reading an entire children's picture book could constitute copyright infringement, although some have argued that these types of videos fall within the "fair use" exception under Section 107 of the federal copyright act (17 U.S.C. §

In a previous blog post , we learned how catalogers could use MARC 856 fields to link cataloged books with book trailers (videos) summarizing their contents.  There are other digital media tools available that could be linked in 856 fields to promote cataloged books, such as: Podcasts; Readalouds; Blogs; Video Blogs (Vlogs); Video Book Reviews; Videos showcasing children's library craft activities related to specific books. Librarians use podcasts, blogs, video blogs (vlogs), and video book reviews to discuss library-related topics, including what they (or their book groups) are currently reading.  Podcasts may be audio- or video-recordings, while vlogs and video book reviews are filmed.  Blogs are traditionally online written content.  Podcasts, vlogs, and video book reviews may be done by a single librarian, or they may involve paired conversations or even group discussions.  Written blogs may have one or more authors.  URLs linking any of these types of electronic c

Libraries use videos to promote an extensive variety of resources.  Have you used videos featuring special library collections?  Here's an example. Beyond Books Infomercial by Mooresville (Indiana) Public Library You can have some fun with these types of videos.  Humor encourages viewers to watch all the way to the end.  People recollect promotional videos best if they resonate emotionally.  Your message is delivered and remembered. Library staff also have fun making videos like this.  It can be a rewarding team-building exercise at your next library in-service training day.