PLA & Denver Public Library

I attended a PLA session today entitled, "Take Your Online Services to the Next Level: Audio, Video, and More!" which was presented by Michelle Jeske of the Denver Public Library. She did a great job sharing examples of what her library and other public libraries have done with media on the web. (I'll link to her presentation once it's posted on the PLA conference web site.)

Anyway, one of the things she mentioned really stuck in my mind. She was talking about the different kinds of videos they had created, some instructional related to their online resources, and others simply fun and kooky promoting summer library programs or other things going on at the library. She said that the instructional ones aren't viewed very often, but the fun ones have been viewed tons.

I think this goes to what I heard in another session this morning - that we need to tell our users about what they want to hear rather than what we want them to hear. There is a place for fun in what we do, and online audio and video offers a new way to play with the information we share with patrons.

Imagine this: Someone in your community is online poking around in YouTube and stumbles across a video your library posted that is promoting an upcoming program in a clever, fun way. The person thinks, "Hey! That's cool. I didn't know the library was a hip and fun place with loads of fascinating programs going on!" Okay, that's a bit thick, but you get my point. Putting our stuff out there in a fun way where new people can find us is a great way to change the stereotypes of libraries and encourage them to come in and give us a try.

I feel like I'm rambling a bit, but it's been a long day. Just wanted to get down a few thoughts before I forgot these points. I think Project Play has done a pretty good job exposing some new ideas and technologies to those playing along, and I'm proud to have been a part of it!