This document provides information about book trailers and how to create them. It discusses what book trailers are, different types of book trailers, how popular they are with teens, and basic steps for making a book trailer including planning, producing, editing, and sharing. The librarian suggests programming ideas for incorporating book trailers into teen events and activities at the library.

1. Coming Soon:
Book Trailers @ Your Library
Emily Ellis
Young Adult Librarian
Greenwood Public Library
www.greenwoodlibrary.us

2. What is a book trailer?
A video advertisement for a book similar to
movie trailers or teasers.
Types of Book Trailers
 Full production book trailers – similar to a short film with
actors, costumes, scripts, etc.
 Flash video – an animated trailer created using
specialized computer software (ex. Adobe Flash or
Scratch)
 Still photos – created using gathered still images, mood
music, and a written summary, quotes, or narration.

3. Is it worth my time?
Teens and the Internet
 93% of teens ages 12-17 go online
 73% of teens use social networking sites
 57% have watched a video on a video sharing site like
YouTube
 64% of online teens are creating content
“To respect the unique needs of young adults means to understand
those needs, to accept them, to accommodate them, and to
provide services which help to meet those needs.”
Jones, Patrick. New Directions for Library Service to Young Adults.
Chicago: American Library Association, 2002.

4. How do I make a book trailer?
Book Trailers in 4 Basic Steps
1) Planning 3) Editing
 Pick a book  Determine software
 Choose a format  Add logo
 Write a script  Include credits
 Prepare a storyboard
2) Producing 4) Sharing
 Determine length  Save file to computer
 Gather media  Upload or embed
 Film video  Choose multiple
 Create narrations locations

5. Finding Graphics
Creative Commons
www.creativecommons.or
g
Creative commons is a
nonprofit corporation
dedicated to making it easier
for people to share and build
upon the work of others,
consistent with the rules of
copyright. Click Find to
search for video, music, and
images.
Tip:
If you host a tech program
that includes book trailers, be
sure to take the time to
explain copyright to your
teens!

6. Finding Graphics
Stock.Xchng
www.sxc.hu
Stock.xchng provides access
to stock photography. Not all
of the images are available
free of charge. After you
search for an item, the
results page will list the
images for a charge at the
top and free at the bottom.

7. Finding Audio

8. Finding Audio

9. Editing
Photo Story 3
www.microsoft.com
Free Download
Using a drag & drop
method of adding
media to a timeline,
include:
 Images
 Text
 Narrations
 Music

10. Editing
Cyberlink
PowerDirector 8
www.cyberlink.com
$70 for Software
Using a drag & drop
method of adding
media to a timeline,
include:
 Images
 Text
 Narrations
 Music

11. Planning Your Book Trailer
1. Pick out a book
2. Choose a format
3. Write a script
4. Create a storyboard
Tip:
Book trailers provide an excellent
opportunity to teach kids and teens
how to summarize a book! Consider
teaching a homeschool book trailer
class, spending time on discussing
plot, character, setting, etc.

12. Finding Graphics

13. Sharing
Share Your Book
Trailers
 Youtube
 Library website
 Blogs
 Facebook
 Myspace
Tip:
Embed or upload your book
trailers to all of your Library’s
sites. Maximize the number
of patrons your cool reader’s
advisory tool can reach.

14. Programming Ideas
 Teen Tech Week
 Video/audio mixing and editing
 Video uploading and sharing
 Online video building and editing resources
 Teen Read Week
 Book trailer contest
 Homeschool Tech Program
 Book trailer workshop
 Discuss summarizing a book, plot, characters, setting, etc.
 Teen Film Festival
 Include book trailers as an entry format
 Teen Advisory Board Project
 Build book trailers for all age levels
 Use puppets, costumes, written scripts
 Teen Book Club Contest

15. Thank you!
Coming Soon: Book Trailers @ Your
Library
Emily Ellis
Young Adult Librarian
Greenwood Public Library
www.greenwoodlibrary.us