SPARC's Mind Mashup Video Contest

Speaking of videos, during some video contest research (cough *stay tuned* cough) I stumbled upon the SPARC Discovery Awards Competition. Videos should "demonstrate or illustrate what you see as the value of sharing information, ideas and knowledge." The winner will receive $1,000 and a "fabulous Sparky Award statuette." Two runners up will each get $500.

Videos must be two minutes or shorter and are due by December 2, 2007. The contest is open to anyone not working SPARC or ARL (or living with someone who works at either organization).

The winning videos will be publicly screened at the ALA Midwinter. That just clinched it right? I see you running off to start filming.

Another Interesting Library Video

I just stumbled upon this intro to the library video on the Ohio University Libraries news blog. Good stuff.


Related posts: UD's Funny Library Video

‘I Love My Library’ Video Contest Offers $10,000 Prize

I just read about Gale's 'I Love My Library' video contest in the Library Hotline. The contest is open to both librarians and library users. This seems like a good thing to tell library users about. I wish I had seen it earlier (you'd think $10 grand would generate some buzz) but there's still two weeks left to enter.

Here's the scoop:

Post a video that describes what you love about your library and how it serves your community and you could win the $10,000.00 grand prize in Thompson Gale’s ‘I Love My Library” video contest to split with the library you designate.

Load your video on librareo, Thomson Gale's YouTube channel, before midnight on Friday, May 25, 2007 to enter. By June 1, 2007, Thompson Gale judges will determine the top five finalists based on creativity, unique portrayal of love of libraries and the services they provide, and overall appeal. The top five videos will be featured on www.gale.com/librareo for a nationwide vote that will be held June 1-11. The video with the most votes wins the grand prize.

Find the complete contest rules, downloadable video releases and sample videos on Gale’s Web site.

UD's Funny Library Video

A funny library video? Impossible you say. Oh, but I must contradict you friend. It is possible! And the University of Dayton Libraries has done it.

How you ask? Admit the stereotypes and common perceptions about libraries and then exploit them. Another great tip from the UD video: if you're targeting students, use students as your spokespeople.

View the video here. (Warning: you need to be on broadband for this, it's a 26MB file. Oi.)

Want more examples of how academic libraries are promoting themselves? Visit the OhioLINK Idea Gallery.

(Thanks for sharing Heidi!)