Looking at the examples given I liked the way the libraries were using a video to provide more information about a particular topic such as the Topeka Public Library or the National Library providing the audio from a book launch. These are really good ways to utilise you tube for public libraries, however I do like it when information can be given with a bit of flair. For example the Goggle Vision: using electronic resources http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5slpJMRWKA8&feature=player_embedded which I found on Make, Collect and Do's blog in the early days of this training. And of course I love Lee LeFever's in plain English videos each week.
As someone else has suggested using videos like the one above as a short tutorial on various topics would benefit library users, although I'm not sure how effective videos would be for museums other than in a documentary style. Not that that's a bad thing, the UK National Trust use you tube to showcase conservation projects, properties and past events. So to summarise there are some pretty interesting things being put on You Tube amidst all the rubbish.
Now for the video I chose. Rather than something a bit academic I thought of a fun song that you can get stuck in your head :-)
Its a blast from the past - The Monster Mash. Hope you enjoy it.
When I worked at the Immigration Museum in Melbourne, we had what was called "The Screen Lounge", where visitors could view footage of museum festivals, conservation projects, exhibition development and personal immigration stories. You can read more about the Screen Lounge here: http://museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/discoverycentre/visit-our-onsite-centre/our-multimedia-resources/
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, well at least when I worked there, this footage was not available online (it may be now, though I can't seem to find any anywhere).
The sorts of videos that could be used for museums are much more than documentary style stuff - people that originally owned particular museum objects (or their family) could be filmed talking about the objects, you could make videos of your oral histories, you could even create some kind of interactive videos that engage people using certain museum themes.
In fact, another feature of the Immigration Museum was "The Interview Room" an amazing interactive video where the viewer played the role of a Customs Official and could choose to "interview" potential immigrants from a number of different time periods. It had a touch screen, and you could ask a selection of questions by pressing buttons on the screen. The "immigrants" would then provide answers and you could decide, based on the immigration policy of the time, whether or not to let them into Australia. It has won awards.
I suppose I am getting a little off topic because again, unfortunately, this video isn't available online - but what a fantastic resource it would be if it were!
Sorry the comment is so long - but thanks for your interesting post, Alethea! It really got me thinking :)
You have got to love youtube.
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