Doing it yourself: A guide to planning & implementing the streaming service at Coventry University. The Lanchester Library Streaming project

Why Streaming? In keeping with the University’s e-learning agenda Encourages self-sufficiency Widens access to collection –Available on campus 24/7 (IP address controlled) –Can be accessed by to 40 simultaneous users No physical object – reducing costs –Loss –Wear and tear

Initial collaborators Media Services Library systems team Computing Services Academic staff

Getting ready to go live The advent of digital recording & pilot in 2004 The procurement and installation of a suitable PC The procurement of a designated server by IT services Testing, training & building content

Accessing streamed materials From the library catalogue:

Developing the service Initially Low level –Talking to academics – building awareness & relevant content –Demonstrating the service to customers Next stage –Creating a streaming circulation list with monthly updates of titles –Collecting data

The streaming process Transfer to DVD if necessary Extraction, conversion & encoding of data Transferring file to the server Making & checking link in the library catalogue

Going off-campus Facilitated by: The successful on-campus service - In excess of 180 titles with almost 3,000 uses The procurement by the E-learning unit of: – An institutional repository enabling secure remote login to take place –An ERA+ licence Closer liaison with all stakeholders through an effective ‘champion’ of the service

New Collaborators TLSU (student resource shop) The e-learning unit More academic staff

The new streaming process Creating a record in CURVE Creating a link between the item and CURVE

Accessing streamed materials: Staff Through the institutional repository (CURVE): Logon with University user ID & password ‘How to’ section in left hand column explains how to Make links in VLE

Accessing streamed materials: Students From the library catalogue:library catalogue –Browse full list of streamed items by entering ‘streamed video’ in the keyword search box –Make search for particular item Direct links in CU online through CURVE

Limits to the service Streamed materials recorded under the ERA & OU licences OU materials are still limited to Campus only access Video only

Developing the service Talking to academics to build relevant content Informing users of online availability Media blog Experimenting with audio Collecting usage statistics