"Now Streaming: Library Media in the Digital Age." Poster session at ACRL2013. Jennifer Ferguson, Simmons College, www.simmons.edu/library “Transitioning to streaming media had been a long-term goal for Beatley Library, but the demise of Simmons College’s campus-wide broadcast system prompted us to move more quickly on investigating streaming options to improve media access for the College community. Lessons learned include: 1) Digitization and Copyright--If it’s not readily available in a digital format, or if you obtain permission from the copyright holder, you may be able to digitize your legacy VHS collection and avoid a stranded investment; you need permission to upload and stream your legacy DVD collection, since it’s born digital; if you buy or rent from a streaming vendor, make sure to understand your licensing options; 2) Technical Requirements—A streaming server for uploaded and/or home-grown content; a robust internet connection and upgraded classroom projectors for optimum broadcast quality; ILS and E-Reserves systems that can accommodate streaming files on multiple platforms; 3) Acquisitions and Collections--Cannot build a collection of streaming feature films without uploading legacy VHS content to an in-house streaming server; many options to purchase documentaries that are hosted remotely; many vendors sell DVDs with ‘streaming rights,’ which means hosting on a local streaming server; ownership versus access a major consideration; and 4) Outreach--Partnered with an academic department to host a streaming film festival; partnered with Technology to market, train and integrate streaming with the learning management system; single Library contact for consistent messaging and outreach. Finally, requests for streaming feature films can quickly overwhelm media budgets. In addition, the technical proficiency of user populations varies widely, so be ready to provide support. And managing user expectations can be challenging, so beware of what you wish for!”

1. Now Streaming
Library Media in the Digital Age
Why can’t the library be like Netflix?
Changing student expectations and increasing A cquisition Options: Buy or Rent, Local or Remote
online education mean that library content needs
to be delivered in new ways. Streaming media
.
can help fill that need. D igitization and Copyright: Upload and Stream Legacy VHS
Institutional streaming is complicated.
Based on considerations such as library budgets, T echnical Requirements: Robust Internet, Dedicated Server
technical capabilities and collection policies,
decisions about what to stream and how to do it
can have a wide-ranging impact on both the C ollection Building: Not for Feature Films
library and the larger institution.
Streaming is here to stay. O utreach Opportunities: Public Performance and more
So let’s talk about what it means for academic
libraries!
Jennifer Ferguson, Simmons College, jennifer.ferguson@simmons.edu
ACRL Annual Poster Session, 2013
See the ACRL 2013 Virtual Conference for detailed handouts.
http://slidesha.re/YzIvtb