The library wanted to expand access to media through streaming. It analyzed usage data, identified relevant media types and provider options. Trials of Swank, VAST and Classical Music Library were well-received. The library acquired additional packages but faced challenges with copyright and hosting streaming feature films. It saw a 60% increase in streaming reserves and aims to budget for more streaming content and a cloud-based server to improve access.

1. NOW STREAMING
LIBRARY MEDIA IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Jennifer Ferguson
Simmons College
ACRL Annual Conference
April 12, 2013

2. Why streaming?

3. What did we want to
accomplish?

4. How did we proceed?
Step 1: Literature Review

5. How did we proceed?
Step 2: Usage Data
 Gathered data on
media
usage, including
broadcast
requests, course
reserves and
collection
development.
12%
88%
Course Reserves by Media
Format
3-Year Average
Music CDs DVD/VHS

6. How did we proceed?
Step 3: Media Types
 Video (feature films
and documentaries)
 Audio (music)
 Audio (not music)
 Educational video
 Free sources of
streaming media

7. How did we proceed?
Step 4: Providers
 Video
 Swank Digital Campus (feature films)
 VAST: Academic Video Online (documentaries)
 Films on Demand (documentaries)
 Ambrose Video 2.0 (documentaries)
 MEF Digital Licensing (documentaries/Education)
 Education in Video (Education)
 Intelecom (Education)
 Learn 360 (Education)

8. How did we proceed?
Step 4: Providers (cont.)
 Audio
 Naxos Music Library (music)
 Naxos Music Library Jazz (music)
 Classical Music Library (music)
 Smithsonian Global Sound for Libraries (music)
 Contemporary World Music (music)
 American Song (music)
 DRAM (music)
 iTunes U (audio and video podcasts)

9. How did we proceed?
Step 4: Providers (cont.)
 Free streaming media
 Internet Archive
 Moving Image Archive
 Audio Archive
 National Film Board of Canada
 PBS Video
 NPR Podcasts

10. How did we proceed?
Step 5: Trials
 We recommended
trialing the following
three products:
 Swank Digital Campus
 VAST: Academic Video
Online
 Classical Music Library

11. How did we proceed?
Step 5: Trials (cont.)
 Links posted on Library
blogs and news section of
Library website.
 Liaison Librarians shared
trials with faculty
 Signs placed strategically
in Library, including next to
computers and in media
viewing room, to
encourage student
participation
 Gathered feedback via
online Google form
 Additional written and
verbal faculty and staff
feedback collated along
with statistics from form
 Recommended
acquisitions based on
feedback
Marketing Results

12. How did we proceed?
Step 6: Initial Acquisitions

13. What did we learn?
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 may need permission
to upload and stream your
legacy DVD collection.
 If you buy or rent from a
streaming vendor, make
sure to understand your
licensing options.
 Don’t be afraid to
negotiate!

14. What did we learn?
2. Technical Requirements
 Streaming server for
uploaded and/or home-
grown content.
 Robust internet connection
and upgraded classroom
projectors for optimum
broadcast quality.
 ILS and E-Reserves
systems that can
accommodate streaming
files on multiple platforms.
 Easier to access hosted
services, but is the
subscription model viable
in the long term?

15. What did we learn?
3. Collection Building
 Cannot build a permanent
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.

16. What did we learn?
4. Outreach Opportunities
 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.

17. Results
 Streaming popular with
students and faculty.
 60% increase in
streaming reserves
from Fall 2012 to
Spring 2013.
 Acquired two additional
packages.
 Moratorium on
streaming additional
feature films pending
further budgeting and
planning.
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VAST Page Views
January-December 2012

18. Next Steps
 Budget for a significant
increase in streaming
feature films.
 Acquire streaming
audio.
 Partner with Technology
to acquire a cloud-
based streaming
server.
 Move all audio/video
course reserves to
streaming format.
 Incorporate streaming
files into Digital
Institutional Repository.

19. Finally
 Requests for
streaming feature
films can quickly
overwhelm media
budgets.
 The technical
proficiency of user
populations varies
widely, so be ready to
provide support.
 Managing user
expectations can be
challenging, so
beware of what you
wish for!

20. Do you have any questions or want to talk
more about streaming options for libraries?
Contact me!
 Jennifer Ferguson
Liaison Librarian
Arts, Humanities & Careers
Simmons College
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115
jennifer.ferguson@simmons.edu
617-521-2777
See the poster at:
http://slidesha.re/YzIvtb