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Making Library Videos: Finding Images

In 2013, my library presented a workshop at the Indiana Library Federation (ILF) annual conference.  My bit was called "Using Videos to Promote Your Library."  In case you slept through it, here's a PowerPoint presentation (updated in 2022) summarizing my part of the discussion.

When creating videos for your library, particularly if you're using photographs or other still images, you need to find a website that offers (ideally) free, share-alike images (i.e., no royalties or fees paid for their use).  There are several from which to browse.  Many also offer free, share-alike videos, music, and sounds, which you may also use in your library videos.  Some popular sites include:

Additional image sites include:
  • Wikimedia Commons:  This website includes over 39 million images that you may download and use free-of-charge.
  • Flickr Creative Commons:  Hundreds of millions of free images, sounds, and videos are available, with different permission levels for use.
  • Photobucket:  Over 15 billion images from which to select.  This website requires you to register.
  • Creative Commons:  Images, video, and music are shared with various permission levels for use.
  • Free Images.com:  (Formerly, Stock.Xchng.)  Over 390,000 stock photos and illustrations.
  • Public Domain Pictures:  Free public domain images are available.
  • USA.gov:  Free government images and videos are searchable and downloadable.
  • Vimeo:  Some videos are available to download and use.
 
Share-alike sites require users to attribute authorship or copyright to the owners of the images, videos, music, or sounds.  Some restrict use to non-commercial use, while others permit commercial applications.

Once you have searched, found, and downloaded your images, you may import them into your video editing software as part of your library video.  Still images may be utilized in a variety of ways, but book trailers are a good illustration.

MPL Book Trailer #197
Kamishibai Man, by Allen Say

Still images are versatile in library videos, because text may be superimposed against the picture to tell the story.  This also works for video clips used alongside still images.


2016 Banned Books Week Promo Trailer,
by Mooresville Public Library

Images alone can convey the desired message, especially when synched with music.



Local History Photograph Collections
(MPL Treasure Trove Video #9)

As you can see from our examples, my library carefully attributes images, videos, and music in the end credits.  We certainly wish to acknowledge the many talented people who have provided us with their invaluable resources with which to craft our videos.

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