In this digital age, we need these mediums in libraries. What has been
pressed in this degree is that libraries are falling behind with their old
image of being book-centric and a means of simply borrowing books. A library is
a community hub today, and these mediums enhance the activities already being
conducted. Podcasting, online video, screencasting and slidecasting are
integral to helping illustrate a problem, or how to use a database and search,
or helping someone with a community activity.
Even in these university subjects, the role of screencasts (especially)
and the like have helped present assignments, illustrate an idea or as a means
of showing how to use certain program.
Podcasting is a means of talking at length about a topic, and these
typically have others on the podcast to bounce ideas off. The best known
podcast is arguably Ricky Gervais’ podcast which has been downloaded over 300
million times and has spawned two seasons of a cartoon TV show on HBO to
visually play the podcast. His podcast consists of three radio people
discussing inane topics from their lives. This speaks to the versatility of podcasting,
that they don’t require rehearsal or any kind of stringent format (putting a
slideshow together for example) to get information across.
Podcasting is simply
a platform for people to talk about what they’d like to talk about. This would
work in a library context as a means to conduct community discussion and make
it available to the public for download.
Online video is a cost-effective way to put together a presentation.
Numerous sites exist to upload video for linking online, and the benefits to
reaching a wider community are self-explanatory. A presentation can be given
once and then posted online for more people to view instead of using up
resources and money needing to repeat a presentation in the library.
Topics can
be explained in online videos, and I see the library’s online presence becoming
far more prevalent as more people use library services from home.
Screencasting and slidecasting lead on from this idea. These two services
can be used to explain library services, thus saving the time of both a
librarian and a user. Why explain how to use a search or borrow a book at the
front desk (which still should happen, the difference is there needn’t be as
many people on the front desk with online tools available) when there are
screencasts guiding the user through how to use a database?
great work ben. very interesting read. i have seen ricky gervais' podcast. great to share your thougths on that!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Definitely a great podcast. Made a fun cartoon too!
DeleteAgree that online services in libraries should/will be more prevalent. Even though we have lot of 'how to' guides etc. on the UQ library website, I'm still surprised at how many people come to the desk asking about the basics. I think a lot of people just don't bother looking. Anyway, great post!
ReplyDeleteHence why we need the online to have better design so people can find the guides. :P
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