Streaming Video Collection Development and Management

Many public libraries, some school libraries, and 96.7 percent of academic libraries offer patrons access to video content, and many users request or expect streaming options. Distance learning, educator and student preferences, materials that are not available as physical DVDs, and lack of easy access to a DVD player are a few drivers that make on-demand streaming video access an expanding and specialized part of the library collection landscape. Fernandez and Serrano walk collection development and acquisitions library staff at all levels of experience through the theoretical and the practical aspects, concluding with thoughts on future directions and challenges. Most examples are drawn from academic libraries, but public libraries, and to a lesser extent, school libraries, will benefit from the thoughtful discussions, arranged in chapters roughly by flow of activity, from evaluating purchasing sources, to accessibility considerations, licensing, hosting options, value/drawbacks of adding video records to a library catalog, usage statistics, and deaccessioning. Along with thoughtful big picture strategy and practical considerations, the authors provide workflow strategies and samples of usage statistic formats. Real world “streaming vignettes” of library experiences appear between chapters. Furthering utility are appendices with model guidelines, a cataloging template, contact information for educational providers and distributors, and additional resources, including articles and professional organizations.