http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A59932

I love the idea of a studio/production space in the library. Where does “information commons” meet “digital media lab”? Can they be the same thing? I’m just thinking of my library and all of the databases and digital content we spend precious dollars on and need to promote as well as train people to use.

@Rich do you have plans to do public technology training sessions in your media lab? Will there be courses on Photoshop or iMovie or something? How about less glamorous stuff, like internet basics, or resume workshops? Portfolio classes? Do you feel like there is some responsibility to use this media lab to promote information products that your library subscribes to, or is that a totally separate issue?

Thanks, yes, I do know what you do. Cheers!

As to the question of its relevance to the mission of public libraries: after doing a few programs around this theme, I’ve come to realize that in some communities, the consumer electronics used for projects such as these are not really obtainable by kids or their families, mostly because they cost too much. While that’s slowly changing (the price of gadgets is gradually decreasing, their necessity in daily life is increasing), at best I may be advertising the gadgets to potential consumers, and at worst flaunting luxury items to those who are unable to have them and, therefore, use them properly.

Encouraging children and teenagers to create their own content is a very powerful thing that schools and perhaps libraries should continue to do. But it should really be more of a priority for institutions to make the professional (not amateur) technology more available to students so that they are able to learn and create quality media. Perhaps is should also be a goal to remove some of the mystery and fascination that seems to surround these gadgets (largely artificial and perpetuated by manufacturers to foster brand loyalty amongst their consumers).

Thanks for the equipment suggestions. It would be interesting to do some kind of needs (or wants) assessment with library users to ask them what kind of things they might want to create or remix digitally at the library. Us librarians get so excited about gadgets, and particularly in this case the cost of some of these tools is high enough it’d be shame to make purchasing mistakes without asking the users what they might want to do.

So… just like my book collection at my library would not serve the needs at the Darien Library (or yours- where do you work?), the tech needs for content creation would differ as well.

Any other libraries have creation station setups like this?

Thanks for the links!

I think that it is great that Fairey (be he a weasely scumbag or a genius artist) is capable of:

a) creating at least 3 powerful, iconic images within my lifetime
b) getting everyone talking about fair use issues in a time when technology makes it incredibly easy to make copies of and distribute media
c) drawing attention to and making people consider the creative process, influence and inspiration and their relationship to effective marketing and distribution practices

Is he a hypocrite? Maybe he is. Does it matter? Probably not. He’ll tell you that he’s never had a unique idea in his life. I know I haven’t either, have you? I’d say the really interesting thing that is happening as a result Fairey’s fame and antics is c), and I think that is where his real artistry lies.

Fairey (with Lessig’s assistance) is effectively publicizing the story of his creative process, a process which is not evenly remotely unique in our digital media-saturated world. Like Lessig points out, if we can’t find a way to decriminalize this type of activity appropriately, we are making criminals of an entire generation of creative minds. At this point, I’d suggest that attention itself is Fairey’s agenda, and I’m not that surprised that some hipocracy would be in the mix. @Septic One, Shepard Fairey is a troublemaker, a rabblerouser. That is what artists who are asking good questions do; they stir things up and piss you off. Aim your disgust at helping create the kind of policies that you think are correct. That is all he wants you to do.

Our local library will loan out laptops (for use within the library). It would make sense for the laptops to be configured for Skype video or recording video for Youtube (et al.). I have a good (<< $100) Logitech USB webcam with a built-in microphone that works fine for video calls, and I presume would also work for Youtube. Also it’s possible that the webcam built-in to current laptops is good enough.

If you want to make an audio recording (e.g., for a podcast or video narration, or to attach to an email), you’d want a good microphone (and a quiet, low-echo place to record). I think it makes sense for the microphone to be connected to the laptop rather than a stand-alone recorder.

If you want to take a good photo of something, it helps to have a tripod and one or more lights. It would be good if the same setup worked for both objects (e.g., for selling on eBay) and for portraits.

So, I think something like this is a great idea that would be useful to adults as well as kids.

http://www.myartspace.com/blog/2009/02/shepard-fairey-sues-associated-press.html

And the Supertouch article bashing Mr. Vallen is bogus. They only bash Mr. Vallen becauses Vallen is a true revolutionary artist and mentor of the streets. They do it because Mr. Fairey makes them money.

http://www.myartspace.com/blog/2009/02/jamie-oshea-obeys-shepard-fairey-by.html