Aug 23rd, 2008
“hi-fi sci-fi library” video is here!+story
- Video is up and linked below!
Song available for download very soon through a link on
David Lee King’s web page
There is a slew of Libraryland folks singing along in the video (mostly in the second half). Thank you guys!
Here is “hi-fi sci-fi library”…behind the music!
Several months ago LITA asked me to be one of their keynote speakers at their upcoming National Forum (October 16-19). This made me happy, proud, excited and, well, a little nervous. It also left me wondering…what should the theme of my presentation be? Hmmm… LITA, eh? The Library and Information Technology Association of the American Library Association? Well, lets see…I travel all over the place talking about libraries, library futures and emerging technology, right? And I believe we are in the midst of a sea change in library, culture, community and info services. And I am convinced there are things libraries need to do *right now* to ensure our relevance going forward. And while we are generally smart enough, we surely don’t get rich from our jobs…yet we keep at it. So we need some inspiration AND amusement! We all work so hard and we keep on believing that libraries will and MUST endure as society evolves. So why not talk about libraries present and future in light of current tech, future tech, academic futurism and, yes, science fiction! But what might get people’s toes tapping before the presentation? Yep! A groovy library song! A song that shares the same name as that upcoming presentation :”hi-fi sci-fi library”!
As far as I am concerned, what the world needs is a collection of “hi-fi sci-fi libraries”. And I was so excited about this idea that I just had to sing it out loud! But alas, I know how to play only the most basic of notes on the most basic of instruments. Soooo, I approached my most helpful and generous Libraryland buddy (and joint author of the “Internet Spotlight” column in each issue of Public Libraries Magazine), David Lee King. You see, before he worked in Libraryland, David worked in Nashville, in the music industry. And as you might imagine, David is also a fairly accomplished musician and producer (though he is far too humble to admit that to most folks despite his great talent and ability).
So I said to David: “David, I want to make a song and a video for this LITA presentation I am doing in the Fall. Something that both you and I could do together and can both believe in and get behind. I’m slightly nervous about this presentation for some reason, but I also see it as a GREAT opportunity to help get the word out about what we both believe in when it comes to society, library futures and technology. I have some basic song ideas and all the lyrics ready. Would you like to help me make a song and a video?”
And David, being the generous and thoughtful friend that he is said “Of course!”. Actually, he said something like “Well I like the idea for sure. Why don’t you write down your ideas and lyrics, send them to me and we might be able to work on it once things settle down a bit.” And, of course, things never did settle down, for either of us. So, slowly but surely we worked on it like a hobby for a few months.
Over the course of those months David and I sent musical ideas and lyrics and rhythmical concepts back and forth. Then, I arranged to spend a day with David in Kansas recording our song. No, it wasn’t easy. But yes, we actually DID IT! And lo and behold, one day of recording later….we had our song. AND a few goofy video files! So..we were really on our way!
With the song complete, it was time to make the video. And since David had done 85% of the musical work, it seemed only fair that *I* (non-Mac owner that I am btw) handle the video making responsibilities.
So I dove in. And, well, it took a couple of weeks. Actaully, it took almost a month. And it took contributions from librarians all across the planet. Literally! BUT…we now have a video. And it is, in my opinion, a pretty decent video. Sure, it is goofy! But it is also just as hopeful and honest as it is goofy.
And let me tell you…it was quite a project. A project involving weeks of editing and nearly 100 different video and audio files. Is it perfect? Nah! Is it a labor of love for Libraryland? Completely. And heck, some of you folks reading this might even be in the thing,lip syncing along to the jaunty little “hi-fi sci-fi LIBRARY!!” chorus.
So, on behalf of David and I, THANK YOU! Thank you so much to the folks that contributed to this video! We both hope it provides some inspiration and energy to the quest we are all on as library professionals as we strive to help libraries realize their unparalleled potential in this crazy, cool and even sometimes scary, hi-fi sci-fi world we all now live in.
Rock on, Libraryland! We hope you enjoy it!
-Michael
—————
Now playing: David Lee King & Michael Porter - hi-fi sci-fi library
[…] this song *will* get stuck in your head. Cheers to Michael Porter and David Lee King for making such an awesome […]
[…] read Michael’s post for the nitty-gritty details (and this post for the lyrics and credits). Here are some song […]
[…] Michael (known to some only as Libraryman) explains, he is delivering one of the keynotes at the American Library Associations LITA National Forum […]
[…] music video sweeping libraryland. Warning! It’s catchy! Thank you to David Lee King and Michael Porter for the tremendous amount of effort they put into making this awesome library related song and […]
[…] the video and Kathryn’s full clip on her post. Also the video, back story and the lyrics and credits on Michael Porter’s blog. Be warned - the song will give you an […]
wtb subtitles
aweseome1!!!
Too much fun! I particularly LOVE the kid at the end.
OMG this makes me laugh so much. We had a blast filming our little bits. Thanks for using them.
Fun,cool, and you guys seem to be able to dance & sing at the same time (a talent that bypassed me!). I’m going to see if we can show it to our Statewide Reference ThinkTank participants today or tomorrow.
oh rawk yes
You guys so rock…literally! But Cindi’s Miss is going to overtake you old fogies soon, so rock out while you have the chance!
excellent ! very very funny !
Holy cow, what a great endeavor - you two did a fabulous job! I can’t stop singing along now
Great songwriting, David, and kudos to you both for getting through the tongue-twisting lines!
Dang!
???? ? hi-fi sci-fi library…
美國知名圖資部落格 Libraryman 的主人 Michael Porter 為了準備一場 LITA (Library and Information Technology Association) 的演講，特地找來曾經在號稱「Music City」之田納西州的納許維爾(Nashville) 音樂產業工…
great- at the risk of sounding corny- you guys rock!
too catchy for words!
thanks
You guys should include the lyrics on the video so we can all sing along and rock out. =)
Librarians from San Diego, CA
You are my hero.
Although, the image of you licking the guitar is not one that is recommended for lunchtime viewing.
Still needs more cowbell. Other than that, I totally bow to your awesomeness.
[…] the music video and story “behind the music” of Hi-Fi Sci-Fi Library on his blog, Libraryman. Porter will be presenting his keynote session of the same name at the 2008 LITA National Forum in […]
[…] Michael Porter and David Lee King with the Hi-Fi Sci-Fi Library. Good luck getting the song out of your head afterwards! […]
[…] here are a few blog posts about it from the men themselves: “hi-fi sci-fi library” video is here!+story and hi-fi sci-fi library: The Lyrics and Credits (Michael) and New Song & Video: Hi-fi Sci-fi […]
[…] “hi-fi sci-fi library” video is here!+story […]
hi-5-sci-fi-library is a cute video.
[…] You’ve heard the song and seen the video. Now you can see the presentation that inspired them […]
The chorus will forever be stuck in my head but my favorite bit was the Alien visual reference. Where’d you get that fabulous toy?
That gem was submitted by Michael Sauers. All his idea. I was very happily surprised to see it though when I opened the file he sent. http://www.travelinlibrarian.info/
[…] de preparar uma apresentação sobre a Library and Information Technology Association da ALA, Michael Porter pensou: Eu viajo para vários lugares falando sobre bibliotecas, o futuro das bibliotecas e tecnologias […]
[…] http://www.libraryman.com/blog/2008/08/23/hi-fi-sci-fi-library-back-story/ […]
[…] There’s a decent chance you’ve seen the “Hi-Fi-Sci-Fi Library” video that Porter and David Lee King of Topeka and Shawnee County (Kans.) Public Library made in August. If not, or if you just want the catchy hook again, see it here. […]
Thank you for all that you have done for this excellent application.
I have read this post. This is very much true. Even I own a blog account on video conferencing. Video conferencing is indeed a great innovation in technology and communications. One day video conferencing will be like an ordinary house-hold item in the next 5-10 years.I will mention your post in my blog.