Give Your Feedback on FDL Video
Submitted by dcornwall on Wed, 2008-11-19 21:12.
Today, thanks to subscribing to the "fdlp" tag on del.icio.us, I was introduced to the first video that GPO produced as part of it's "Easy as FDL" campaign:
Since GPO is allowing ratings and comments on this video, I really want you to go and watch, rate and comment. You need to have a YouTube account to rate and comment, but it's easy to set up. If you'd prefer not to set up a YouTube account, please leave your name and comment and I'll post it for you.
I rated the video a 3 out of 5. It's a great video for people already interested in the Federal Depository Library program. If I weren't a former depository librarian, I don't think I would have hung out until 3 minutes in when they started talking about what the program could do for me.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciated all the librarians and GPO staff who appeared in the video. Plus the production values were excellent and light years beyond what *I'll* ever come up with. It just didn't feel user oriented until the middle. And today's potential users won't wait that long.
Here are the suggestions I left at YouTube:
I'd strongly recommend flipping the content of this video and lead off with Cindy Elkins talking about the types of questions that can be answered at an FDL, then Mary Alice and the others highlighting material (Adventures of Echo the Bat, etc) that's available. Then end with background on the program. Hook people first, then explain. Finally, the end URL should be to the Depository Directory and not GPO Access. Though you should make videos about GPO Access!
GPO also posted several versions of the video and more background information at http://www.fdlp.gov/promotion/easyasfdlvideo.html.
Watch the video for yourself and let us know what you think, preferably at YouTube, but here will do.
Finally, despite the comments above, it is a GREAT THING that GPO is producing videos and other promotional content. Let us, the librarians who work with users every day, help them tweak what are decent products into real user creation machines. But bless them for giving us something to work with!
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Made comments at YouTube
I agree, Daniel. I also told them they need to show the librarians working with patrons/students using the materials together, including using GPOAccess.gov so they know this information can be found in a variety of formats and also on the web.
I agree with the commenter after you who asked what was up with showing the American Jurisprudence volumes? That's not a gov doc! ;-) I am so glad they are making videos though!
Another (Vintage) FDLP video, Needs Tweaking
Here's a video that YouTube recommended for people who viewed the GPO Video:
It looks like it was made in the 1970s, but it has a good introduction that sets user expectations. I would have liked to see this video be a minute long with 1) at least one NASA resource displayed and 2) end with instructions on finding your local depository library.
Anyone with an institutional memory remember when FDLP last made video PSAs?
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"And besides all that, what we need is a decentralized, distributed system of depositing electronic files to local libraries willing to host them." -- Daniel Cornwall, tipping his hat to Cato the Elder for the original quote.
Old School FDL
Wow. One can find anything on YouTube these days, huh? Thanks for finding that, Daniel! What a gem!
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