Videos and QR Codes in the Library

YouTube
YouTube is a website that is used to upload and share videos. I have used YouTube to share screencasts and other videos I’ve created for my library science coursework. YouTube is another way librarians can connect with students and the community. I explored several YouTube channels from different libraries, and was very impressed with what I found. Librarians are finding innovative ways to utilize YouTube and adding value to their library programs. Below are some of the channels I visited and two videos from each that I enjoyed:

The NHS Library (Norman High School) I noticed that this channel has several great tutorial videos to explain and guide students in using library resources. There are also several promotions of an event called Tigerpalooza.

   

I think this video would be the most helpful for students, as it provides guidance on how to use EBSCOhost. I LOVE the idea of sharing this type of video on YouTube so students could access it at anytime (even for those late night projects!).

   

I think students would love this video because it parodies a very popular song and a popular book series. It was created as a promo for their Tigerpalooza, fitting with other videos in the channel that are Harry Potter themed and promote fundraising for Tigerpalooza.

The Unquiet Librarian
It is difficult to choose one “most” helpful video from this channel because it is full of wonderful tutorials and resources for students. There are mini-lessons and screencasts to help students use library resources and digital tools. I am very impressed with the commitment to help students use and access library resources.

This is one of the wonderful tutorial videos on this channel. This one is a screencast that teaches students how to find images using Wikimedia Commons. Again, I love that students have 24/7 access to this type of tutorial.

   

I think students would really like this video. It is a compilation of pictures of students at work in the library, and I think they would enjoy photos of peers using the library. 

Pikesville HS Library (Pikesville High School)

In this channel there are a lot of video picture slideshows, several videos of fun events in the library, and some other resources such as course advisement and encouragement to fill out a FAFSA.

   

I think the most helpful is this course advisement video. It tells students what credits are required, explains classes they can take, and what they need to graduate as required by colleges. Course/credit plans can be confusing, so this is beneficial for students.

   

This fun video shows seniors celebrating their upcoming graduation by dancing on the tables and throwing papers in the library. Students would love this and it shows the library is a fun place. 

BBMS Media 

The videos in this channel are mostly funny parody videos about overdue library books using things such as Frozen, celebrities, and popular songs. There are also book reviews by who I am assuming is the librarian, and fun videos to promote reading. Here are two I really liked:

   

I think one of the book reviews from this channel such as this one for "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" would be the most helpful for students. It gives them an idea of which books they might like to read that are available in their library.

 

I think students would really like this video because their peers are in it, and it uses a popular song to promote reading. By sharing videos of student work, promoting school and library events, and providing screencasts or other videos demonstrating how to use library resources, librarians can advocate for the library program while greatly benefitting library users. 

After exploring these school library YouTube channels, I’m very interested in creating tutorials of library resources (and digital tools) to upload for my students, as well as a video for library procedures. I also like the videos that show students in the library, either through photos of students working or fun activities and library events. I think it would be neat to feature student-created book trailers and book talks as well. 

Book Trailer and QR Codes 

Book trailers are a wonderful way to get students excited about reading. I’ve used book trailers in my classroom for several years both as a tool for promoting reading and as a way for students to share their reading. Though we typically use iMovie to create our trailers, I have a bit of experience with Animoto as well. For this entry, I used Animoto to create a book trailer for "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman. I read this book last spring for my children’s literature course and fell in love with it. Below is the book cover and synopsis from the publisher:

”In this Newbery Medal-winning novel, Bod is an unusual boy who inhabits an unusual place—he's the only living resident of a graveyard. Raised from infancy by the ghosts, werewolves, and other cemetery denizens, Bod has learned the antiquated customs of his guardians' time as well as their ghostly teachings—such as the ability to Fade so mere mortals cannot see him. Can a boy raised by ghosts face the wonders and terrors of the worlds of both the living and the dead? And then there are being such as ghouls that aren't really one thing or the other.”

 And here is the QR code that will lead you to my book trailer for "The Graveyard Book." Just scan with a QR reader and it will take you to the video:

QR Codes have so much potential for use in the library.  I have used QR codes in my classroom for the past two years.  For example, I have done a "Lewis and Clark Adventure" in which students walk around the school with the iPad, and visit different posters with QR codes on them.  Each poster represents a leg on the journey, and students use the QR scanner to pull up pictures of the plants and animals that Lewis and Clark discovered.  They then have to draw them in their adventure journal.

I think in the library I will use QR codes to share videos of student book talks or book trailers.  It would be neat to have a display of books with QR codes next to them that linked to student or even teacher recommendations.  I could also have QR codes posted by library computers with quick reminders of how to use library resources, such as signing into DestinyQuest or logging into the library databases.  I liked the reflection dice using QR codes.   As I researched, I saw some libraries that were using QR codes to pull up reference sources, or to link to the library catalog to help users find resources on their mobile device.  This is an area I will continue to read and learn more about as I transition into librarianship so I can use QR codes in meaningful and innovative ways.