There is certainly lots of to explore on YouTube, just like you find on the rest of the web. The motto “Broadcast Yourself” says it all: plenty of people want to broadcast themselves and there is a massive watching audience for the broadest possible range of purposes. When I am doing research, I would be hesitant to tap in to the “wisdom of the crowds” on YouTube without answers to key questions about the identity and authority of the creator and the evidence for their point of view, etc.
There is a clear role for libraries in using video sharing websites to make historical footage in their collections available:
And to challenge us about the future of libraries and information seeking:
However, video sites like YouTube are certainly lots of fun but that is another matter!
Filed under: online applications Tagged: | video
