Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of YouTube and podcasting.
Overall, the concept is great: generate a video or audio file that either promotes a new service at the library or instructs someone on how to use a library resource, then make it freely available to anyone with an internet connection. This is an excellent, innovative way to reach users that find reading pages of instructional information (such as our help sheets) cumbersome or provide instruction to users who are not able to come to the library but still need help using our plethora of online resources.
This form of virtual communication offers a new and fun way of reaching not only members of our institution but others in the community as well. Though we are able to have our online tutorials freely available on the web, YouTube and iTunes are user friendly and may be less intimidating to use than our formal tutorials. They are resources that many are comfortable with and having our materials available in these formats may increase their use. This capablity alone inspires me to look into YouTube as our next tutorial medium.
What gives me a little pause is having to search for these materials. The thought of our patients trying to find reliable medical information on YouTube (or at podcast.net and Podcast Alley) is frightening. If someone knows exactly what they are looking for (or if a library posted the direct link to their video), YouTube can be helpful. Perhaps what we really need to do is better eduate our users about YouTube if we decide to create these and similar resources. With anyone being able to post anything and with the lack of search features (pointed out by my colleague Janice), YouTube is a resource that should be used with caution.
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