Public libraries with video cameras, studios, and editing software

[KatyAdelson]

Hi everyone! I've made a discovery at my library that I thought I'd share!

More and more libraries are starting to purchase digital cameras for the public to checkout and film videos/take pictures with. Some of the cameras at my local library are very expensive -- up to 10k USD -- which is far above the budget I'd ever set for buying a camera (the expensive cameras require attending a free class before you can check them out). The only tricky aspect of using the library cameras is that if you break it, you need to replace it with your own money. :S

But that aside, I think it's awesome that libraries are starting to move towards having these resources available for the public! If you are in need of a camera for filming, I'd check out your local library first before sinking a bunch of money into a camera. I wish I had known about this before I bought my camera...

It's also a great way to try a camera out before you buy one. Not all of their cameras are super-expensive, and there are quite a few that I'm interested in trying just because I'm curious about what they are like. ^_^

In addition to having cameras available for checkout, my local library also has remodeled to include an audio recording studio AND a video recording studio -- fit with properly lighted green screens and different colored backdrops. I also learned that they have high-powered Mac and PC computers with Final Cut Pro X, and Adobe Creative Cloud Suite subscriptions -- all available free to the public with a library card! They also offer Adobe Premiere classes, After Effects classes, Logic classes, FL Studio classes, and introductory mixing and mastering classes. This is all super expensive stuff, and to have it free at a library is amazing!

I thought I'd share this info because I know there are a lot of people who cannot afford this stuff. It's worth it to check out your local library to see if they have similar programs! If they do not have a program set up, perhaps you can refer them to my local library's program for ideas (https://ppld.org/c3/studio). It's been a super big hit over here, and it has been getting a lot of folks back into the library (libraries have began to struggle to keep people visiting ever since the Internet and computers started to become popular, so they are always on the lookout for ideas that will attract visitors).

I hope this maybe sparks some curiosity! Perhaps your local library has, or is interested in creating, a similar audio and video production program. ^_^

 

[veronica33067]

I'm an Employee of the Library! Haha! I guess I should have shared this information. I've been working at the library for 8 months now. It is the best job I've ever had! It ties into every aspect of my life. I love creating video and I love educating people about Technology.

I couldn't believe all the resources the library offered when I started working there. I definitely took advantage of them. I took all the production and editing classes just so I could gain access to the green screen room. I plan to shoot my monologues at the library using the green screen studio since it's already professionally lit. I just have to take the free assessment. I don't know why I keep forgetting to do so.

Good job promoting the library. Wish I could share your post on social media.

Hi everyone! I've made a discovery at my library that I thought I'd share!

More and more libraries are starting to purchase digital cameras for the public to checkout and film videos/take pictures with. Some of the cameras at my local library are very expensive -- up to 10k USD -- which is far above the budget I'd ever set for buying a camera (the expensive cameras require attending a free class before you can check them out). The only tricky aspect of using the library cameras is that if you break it, you need to replace it with your own money. :S

But that aside, I think it's awesome that libraries are starting to move towards having these resources available for the public! If you are in need of a camera for filming, I'd check out your local library first before sinking a bunch of money into a camera. I wish I had known about this before I bought my camera...

It's also a great way to try a camera out before you buy one. Not all of their cameras are super-expensive, and there are quite a few that I'm interested in trying just because I'm curious about what they are like. ^_^

In addition to having cameras available for checkout, my local library also has remodeled to include an audio recording studio AND a video recording studio -- fit with properly lighted green screens and different colored backdrops. I also learned that they have high-powered Mac and PC computers with Final Cut Pro X, and Adobe Creative Cloud Suite subscriptions -- all available free to the public with a library card! They also offer Adobe Premier classes, After Effects classes, Logic classes, FL Studio classes, and introductory mixing and mastering classes. This is all super expensive stuff, and to have it free at a library is amazing!

I thought I'd share this info because I know there are a lot of people who cannot afford this stuff. It's worth it to check out your local library to see if they have similar programs! If they do not have a program set up, perhaps you can refer them to my local library's program for ideas (). It's been a super big hit over here, and it has been getting a lot of folks back into the library (libraries have began to struggle to keep people visiting ever since the Internet and computers started to become popular, so they are always on the lookout for ideas that will attract visitors).

I hope this maybe sparks some curiosity! Perhaps your local library has, or is interested in creating, a similar audio and video production program. ^_^

 

[KatyAdelson]

I couldn't believe all the resources the library offered when I started working there. I definitely took advantage of them.

Awesome! : D The library is like a public YouTube space that has no subscriber requirement!! I thought it was really cool. ^_^ I'm going to start taking all the classes I can -- I'm so excited! lol : D : D : D

 

[veronica33067]

Awesome! : D The library is like a public YouTube space that has no subscriber requirement!! I thought it was really cool. ^_^ I'm going to start taking all the classes I can -- I'm so excited! lol : D : D : D

The library is amazing! You can learn whatever you want for free. They have classes for photography as well. Once you take the required courses you can ultilized their photography studio. Some people refuse to take advantage of the endless opportunities.

 

[Famous]

In addition to having cameras available for checkout, my local library also has remodeled to include an audio recording studio AND a video recording studio -- fit with properly lighted green screens and different colored backdrops. I also learned that they have high-powered Mac and PC computers with Final Cut Pro X, and Adobe Creative Cloud Suite subscriptions -- all available free to the public with a library card

That's wild! Out of curiosity... do you know any details about sizes of the video recording studios, how long/when they let you use them, stuff like that? Only asking out of curiosity as the library is local to you and not me but... how could anyone not be interested in a library offering such cool opportunities?!

Only thing is... I wonder how soundproof the rooms are... I'll be music and video recording would freak people out in a totally quiet library!

 

[KatyAdelson]

do you know any details about sizes of the video recording studios, how long/when they let you use them, stuff like that?

There is only one room for video recording, but I'd estimate it's about 20 x 30 ft or so. It's kind of big, but not big enough for an action movie or something. The green screen covers about 4 feet of floor, so you'd need to either extend it with your own green screen, or avoid full body shots. Feet are hard to key into backgrounds, anyway, so perhaps it's a good thing. ^_^

I'm going to their orientation on Thursday, but I believe you can reserve it for as long as you need between library hours, so long as it's not already reserved. I don't think you can reserve it for longer than a day, so you need to be able to set up and take down within the library hours (but maybe they'd make exceptions..I don't know... )

I wonder how soundproof the rooms are... I'll be music and video recording would freak people out in a totally quiet library!

The books of this particular library are in the basement -- so the basement is dead quiet, but the rest is a little more noisy. The upper level is just "maker spaces" with computer labs, 3D printers, power tools, video stuff, etc. and is kind of noisy for a library - but not excessive. They also have a venue rather close to the video space. If anything, people are more concerned about library noise affecting their audio recording. The library has a chart that you can look at to determine when registered events are happening, so you can reserve your time slots to avoid noisy events. This particular studio is NOT soundproof (but I believe it's partially soundproof and has a door you can shut. It's quiet enough, IMO). They have another audio-only recording studio at another library that is completely sound-proof. However, that library isn't in a very safe part of town, so I won't be going to that studio...

But yes, this is all just my local library. The idea of this thread is for other people to check out their nearby libraries (you may need to check in large nearby cities as I'd imagine this is most likely only available in larger cities), to see if they have similar resources. ^_^

 

[Famous]

The idea of this thread is for other people to check out their nearby libraries (you may need to check in large nearby cities as I'd imagine this is most likely only available in larger cities), to see if they have similar resources. ^_^

20x30 is a big room... you can do a lot in 600 sq/ft.! Between the room size, lighting, equipment and everything, that's a huge leap forward for someone who wants to do more than just cell phone vlogs. That's ripe for how-to, fitness, and sketch channels of all kinds who really need a large, adaptable (and CHEAP!) place to film.

I wonder what's offered like that in my neck of the woods. Last time I was in a library they'd just replaced the traditional card catalogs with computers...(yeah, it's been a while!) but If I'd known libraries had gotten so cool I'd have gone out looking for what kind of awesome stuff they had like this a long time ago!

Great idea for a thread... will be awesome to see what people say is being offered by their libraries!

 

[KatyAdelson]

I wonder what's offered like that in my neck of the woods. Last time I was in a library they'd just replaced the traditional card catalogs with computers...(yeah, it's been a while!) but If I'd known libraries had gotten so cool I'd have gone out looking for what kind of awesome stuff they had like this a long time ago!

Let us know what you find out! Maybe we could get a list going of libraries with camera equipment and/or studio space in different states (or maybe countries! ). ^_^