Libraries and Content Creation
At the Tame The Web blog, Ben Lainhart talks about Print On Demand services and how they can be used to make libraries more of a content creation laboratory than a content consumption warehouse. This is a grand idea – but the use of a very expensive Print On Demand machines isn’t necessary. After reading Walt Crawford’s most recent book, The Librarian’s Guide To Micropublishing, (disclaimer – I contributed a “blurb” to the cover of the book, but I have no financial stake in the book whatsoever – other than wishing my friend Walt well), there are many, many ways that a library can support content creation without investing a crazy amount of money to do so. From following Walt’s advice on self-publishing support for patrons to setting up a media creation station with a Mac and some hardware and software, libraries can do a lot to support their patrons in both consuming and creating content at the library.
April 3rd, 2012 at 5:28 pm
You’re absolutely right. I believe the Sacramento Public Library received the POD machine via a grant, which is excellent if you can get it. Of course, not many libraries can. But, there are a lot of ways (from cheap to expensive, simple to difficult) that libraries can get involved and facilitate “content creation” without purchasing expensive machines. They don’t all have to require an expensive grant. It could be something as simple as, like you mention, having a librarian who can offer support or teach a class on self-publishing.
Justin Hoenke (a fellow TTW Contributor whom I mentioned in my post) is doing some really cool stuff with his teens at the library in Portland and isn’t breaking the bank to do so. He is, I’m sure, just one example of many.
Thanks for the link to the book. I’m going to see if I can locate a copy when I get to work tomorrow.
April 4th, 2012 at 9:15 am
Thanks for the further information, Ben! I’ve been seeing some cool stuff happening with Print on Demand and I think it’s excellent – for those who can afford it. A smallish midwestern library like the one at which I work, though, will probably not be getting a machine like that in the near future… Walt’s book is great, and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to support small and self-published authors in the community, but as you said, there are lots of other ways to support content creation!
April 4th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
Thanks for the mention. As you know, the methods I describe in the book would work perfectly with a system like Sacramento Public’s: In fact, it would be a perfect fit. But they’ll also work for the rest of us, which is a good thing.