LibraryTechtonics

Due to my ongoing war with a bacterial sinus infection, I’ve been a bit out of the reality loop for a spell. I did see a Tweet this morning about the Democratic debate this evening, and I promptly forgot about it.

For those of you living under a rock, like me, they did something a little bit different this time around. CNN partnered with YouTube to allow Joe & Jane American to submit their debate questions via video (they took submissions until 3am, according to Anderson Cooper). From the part of the debate that I saw, it was wildly successful, and the post-debate commentary has highlighted how they can’t imagine future debates *not* including user-generated content and queries. Just think: once upon a time, it was revolutionary for a politician to have a *blog*, now it’s not a true campaign without Facebook groups, listings on Wikipedia, and videos YouTube and on campaign web sites.

So, I’m thinking. YouTube accepting submissions for the Republican debate on September 17 in Florida. Most libraries either a) have video cameras or still cameras that take videos in possession, or b) could get a hold of one (in this day and age, I’m seeing this more as a necessity). High or low quality video, it doesn’t matter — have you seen some of the stuff on YouTube? — as long as voices are heard. Also, there are likely library and community volunteers, or even local voter advocacy groups willing to offer time and resources, to, say, upload the photos and be there to help record.

Wouldn’t it be wicked cool if libraries could help people without the technology at home to submit their own questions for the September debate? It’s providing a (short-lived, seasonal) service, supporting free speech and voicing community concerns, and showing the libraries have the know-how (in terms of technology and understanding community civic participating needs) to help people participate. Patrons can make an appointment, get a 10 mins time slot to get their 30-second question right, post it as-is (no heavy editing), and the library/volunteers can do the rest.

I’m going to pitch it to my library later this week.

Tags: government