Videos and QR Codes in the Library

In the ever expanding world of digital technology, libraries and librarians are having to get creative in the ways that they get information to students and community members alike. YouTube has become a crucial web tool for creating and sharing video content with people of all ages. From quick funny videos that your friend sends you to watch, to hours long lectures and instructional material, YouTube has quickly become one website that millions of users turn to everyday for entertainment, education, and news. The YouTube Studio feature also allows for simple video uploading and creation of a channel that other users can subscribe to and check out user-made content. Librarians have fully embraced YouTube, and they are creating their own videos to better reach students with important information about their libraries. Just check out a few of these videos from different library channels. 

These first few are some videos that would be most helpful to students: 

Getting Started with the NHS Library Website

Tillery Tutorial Video: Creative Commons 101 for Senior Project Slides

Pikesville High school FAFSA

NHD Annotation Writing

Utilizing video tutorials allows the librarian a chance to answer questions without having to sit next to students. A link to a series of videos that answer commonly asked questions or tutorials that walk students through how to access certain materials and resources would be incredibly beneficial. Most questions that students are going to have in the library have probably been answered before, so having that list of resources available to students whether they are at school or in the library would allow students who may be hesitant to ask for in-person help a chance to access the same resources as everyone else. 

These next four videos are some that students would like best. They contain less helpful library information, but they are attention grabbing and fun nonetheless. 

Tiger Visits The Norman High Library

New Arrivals, April 2012

Senior Party in Library

I'm The One by DJ Khaled Overdue Library Book Parody

Less informative than the previous four, these videos show the power of student-centered or student created videos. Many students, especially at the middle and high school level, are unlikely to use even the most helpful of websites. But an engaging video that includes or features classmates, especially one with a catchy song parody, is likely to grab their attention. Not all videos have to be informational to be beneficial to the library. Highlighting student work and projects, showcasing new or exciting book arrivals, or even silly videos showing library procedures and etiquette are all ways that videos can help promote your library. 

Book Trailers

Some educational, some just for fun, these videos showcase the talents of school librarians and the reach of which these videos can have on students. In addition to video tutorials, informative videos, and overdue book parodies, book trailers are another way that librarians have adapted to extend their reach beyond the walls of the library. With no way for all students to hear a book talk on every book on the library shelves, librarians have turned to creating and recording book trailers to demo some popular, classic, or new releases to the library. Here's an example of a book trailer I created for the book Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds: 

Look Both Ways is a book that I read with students while schools were closed this past spring, and many of them really enjoyed it. It includes ten short stories from different student's perspectives about their walk home from school and the challenges they face along the way. Some funny, some thought-provoking, all of the stories intertwine eventually and create one incredible story about student life and the many mysteries of the world. 

"This story was going to begin like all the best stories. With a school bus falling from the sky. But no one saw it happen. They were all too busy—

Talking about boogers.

Stealing pocket change.

Skateboarding.

Wiping out.

Braving up.

Executing complicated handshakes.

Planning an escape.

Making jokes.

Lotioning up.

Finding comfort.

But mostly, too busy walking home.

Jason Reynolds conjures ten tales (one per block) about what happens after the dismissal bell rings, and brilliantly weaves them into one wickedly funny, piercingly poignant look at the detours we face on the walk home, and in life."

-From Amazon

QR Codes

In a way to create more engaging ways to get students involved in the library, many have turned to using QR codes as a way to display their videos and other websites on the walls around the library. QR codes are a quick, easy way to direct students to a video or other website without having to list out the entire URL. Just a quick picture of a QR code will open up the website for students to view on their own devices. 

I have seen other librarians use QR codes on student tables as a quick access portal to resources they are using for research, as well as placed around the library walls containing book trailers and other videos. One teacher I saw used the QR codes on a self-made cube as a way to debrief and reflect after a lesson. I have even seen QR codes used for displaying and showcasing student-created projects during curriculum or literacy nights up at school. All of these would make great use of QR codes, and I would love to hear about some ways that you have used them yourself in your classroom or library. 

Here is the QR code for the book trailer I made for Look Both Ways: