So you’re a creator on YouTube, have lots of ideas, but not a lot of resources to make
‘em happen and you want to know what you can do with a limited budget but a whole lotta
heart?
Hi, I’m Peter, and I’m here to help you hack your libraries.
Not literally.
Please, do not hack into your library's computer systems.
Don't do it.
[musical introduction]
Ask people what they think of when they think about libraries nowadays, and they’ll say
books, of course.
But you might also hear about shushing, overdue fines, and other less-than-glamorous stereotypes.
Yep, a little harsh -- but between how libraries are portrayed in the media and the occasional
bad experience, it’s no wonder.
That said, Today’s libraries smash these stereotypes -- they provide access to advanced
technology, research materials, classes, space to work, and so much more -- and almost all
of it is *free*.
Now, you may not know where to start, and that’s okay!
That’s why I’m here: to give you the inside scoop on getting the most from your libraries
Together, you and your library are gonna make powerful content, bring it to new audiences,
and help make the world a better place. Right?!
Yeah, sure, why not?
You bet!
Of cooooourse!
Riiight!
Yeah!
...Right, yeah.
Thanks! Now, it’s important to note that there are a bunch of different kinds of libraries out there,
but today we're mostly talking about Public and Academic Libraries.
Public Libraries primarily serve their communities.
Take New York Public Library for example, which serves New York City, and provides community-oriented
services and collections.
Meanwhile, Academic Libraries mainly serve their universities, but their surrounding
communities may also have access.
A university may have several libraries on their campus that provide research-oriented
services, and usually each library is dedicated to a specific field like Art or Medicine.
Now let’s get down to business.
Here’s what you should be using your libraries for:
Space and Equipment
The Latest Research
Reference Services
Classes
And all kinds of other things.
If you want to skip ahead, to a particular topic, I put timestamps in the description.
Otherwise, let’s just go down the list!
[musical interlude]
OK. So you need a place to get together with your team, somewhere private to shoot, or just
a change of scenery.
So, go to a library!
You’ll find comfortable seating, lots of table space, more electrical outlets than
your coffee shop de jour, and usually at least one conference room.
And that’s not even looking at nearby or attached amenities like parks!
This is definitely the case with your local public library, but not necessarily so with
academic libraries, so check with them first to see what's only for students and what's
publicly available.
On top of this, your library might have access to tech that you can't afford -- this could be nice
computers, editing software, cameras -- or incredibly fast internet.
In the past few years, nearly half of all public libraries in California have gotten
access to CalREN, which is the California Research and Education Network, a fiber optic
network specifically for educational institutions.
How fast is it?
Well, when I was back home using it to upload hour-long interviews with Hank Green, Mike
Rugnetta and other edu folks on my other channel (link in the dooblydoo), I got 30 mbps down
AND up.
LA Public Library has a 100gb connection.
Not megabit, but GIGAbit -- a thousand times faster than the fastest connection most people
can get at home.
Just imagine, uploading a 4 minute video in, like, 7 seconds.
*incredulous* what?
As for the computers themselves: if you’re sick of using Windows Movie Maker or iMovie,
it wouldn’t hurt to see if your library has a media lab.
Economies of scale apply here: you can’t afford Adobe Premiere, but maybe your library
can.
The most extreme example I can think of is Vancouver Public Library, which has 5 recording
studios fully equipped with PC's, sound boards, and acoustic paneling, plus green screens,
mics, and digital cameras to borrow.
ALL FOR FREE.
Plus, there are 20 other high-end computers specifically for editing audio and video and
digitizing things.
Your library’s mileage may vary, but you won't know until you actually check.
[another musical interlude]
As a Creator on YouTube, you want to stay informed about your field.
To do this, you’ll want access to the latest information, and not just the sensationalized
and grossly oversimplified “X, Y, and Z cause cancer” headlines.
No, you want the original source, the actual research from the actual researchers.
The problem is, while you might find the abstract online, access to the meat and potatoes of
the article costs stupid amounts of money.
This is called a pay wall.
I hate them.
>:(
But!
A lot of times, public and academic libraries pay the costs for access to these journals
in bulk.
Again, economies of scale.
You can check online to see what they offer and how they offer it – they may have a
way to access them from your computer (for example, logging in with with your library
card), or you may have to go to the library and use one of theirs.
But, if you’re already there to write or shoot or edit, where’s the problem?
If your local library doesn’t have access to these resources but you live close-ish
to a larger city like Cleveland, LA, New York, or Halifax, take a day trip out there, enjoy
the sights and sounds, and get a library card at the main branch.
It’s a nifty souvenir that’ll get you access to hundreds of thousands of dollars
of research.
Not all libraries require you to be a resident of their city, either; at the ones I mentioned,
you just need to live in-state or in-province.
Just be sure to check the website or call in advance before you go
[musical interlude]
Neil Gaiman said it best: “Google can bring you back a hundred thousand answers.
A librarian can bring you back the right one.”
[excerpt from "The Time is Now" -- John Cena's song]
Librarianship’s roots are in cataloging, organizing, and making available information
of all sorts.
The entire profession exists to help you find the the information you need, make sure it’s
accurate, and help you ask the right question in the first place!
The reference services that librarians provide are a staple of *any* library, but in my humble
opinion, this really shines at academic libraries for a really cool reason: academic libraries
are often subject libraries.
For example, here at UBC we have 11 libraries across campus focusing on Asian studies, Biomedical
Research, Education, Law, Art, and more!
These libraries are staffed by librarians who specialize in that field, and they can
get you things that you won’t find on Google.
Chew on this: Last June, I did some research for Jessica over at How to ADHD (link below),
and asked my university’s public health librarian for help.
She introduced me to a bunch of resources that I’d never heard of before and told
me what each of them was good for.
Then, she suggested other researchers on campus who would be good to talk to.
She even recommended podcasts talking about exactly what I needed.
I was blown away, not in the least because she did all this from memory!
Take advantage of this amazing, underutilized resource.
It’s free, it’s what libraries are, and the value that you can get from not just any
answer, but the right answer, is the difference between fine and fantastic.
[musical interlude]
Okay! So.
Supposing your library does have computers that have Premiere and Photoshop, or a 3D
printer, or a particle accelerator -- all at your disposal.
That’s pretty cool, right?
One small problem: you might not know how to use any of it.
Now, it’s really likely that if your library offers things like that, they’re also going
to offer classes on how to use it, or they’ll have someone on hand to help guide you.
You can certainly jump onto YouTube and find tutorials, of course -- but if you want instruction
in person, it’s available!
And, some libraries also offer access to Lynda.com, too.
And that’s not all: at public libraries, classes on how to write resumes, find jobs,
and interview well, are part of their core programming.
If you want to trade your two part time jobs for one that’ll pay better and give you
more free time to focus on your channel (plus, I dunno, health benefits?), this is a good place to start.
And again, it’s free.
But!
Let’s say your library doesn’t offer classes on what you want -- what do?
Two things: First, let the library know that you want there to be classes.
Libraries have a mandate to serve their communities, and do their best to shape their programming
around that.
But to do that, they need to know what their communities want.
Telling them is the first step to them making it happen.
Second, ask them to help you find a place where you can learn what you want to learn.
They may not have a class, but they may know who does, and would be happy to help you find
them!
Just gotta ask.
[Musical Interlude]
Finally, here are some other things you might find at your library:
Art shows
Movie Screenings
Private/Special collections
Maker Spaces
Technology Rentals
Community Services
And most importantly, people - both collaborators and audiences.
I’ll make another video about these in-depth, but for now, I just wanna pique your interest.
My final pro-tip for you is this: explore your library.
Come in on different days of the week, different times of the day.
See what it has to offer.
Walk up and down the shelves, go into the abandoned corners and hallways, take a few
minutes to look at the cork boards, and see -- really try to take in -- all of what it
has to offer you.
Sure, it’s a place for books, but it isn’t *just* a place for books.
There are labs, maker spaces, music rooms, quiet corners, amphitheatres, and more.
Your library is a place to learn, and do, and feel a sense of wonder -- so go check it out!
And after you do, come back and tell me what you found!
Alright y'all, that's all I got. Thanks so much for watching this video, and if you’re picking up what I’m putting
down, be sure to like this video, subscribe to this channel, and click the little bell
below so that you find out when I release new videos!
If you liked this, let me know!
And while I’ve got your attention, leave me a comment telling me what you want to know
about libraries and information science down below!
Until next time, my dear patron, don’t forget to ask questions.
Thanks, bye.
[Musical Outro]