In this article by Paula Webb, YouTube is presented as one solution to libraries for a way to tutor patrons on how to use the library's resources, or as a creative way to show patrons the resources available at their local library.
While I'm not completely adverse to the concept of using YouTube in such a fashion, this method of posting a library instructional video on the library's web page would only be useful to patrons who had Internet access. I also believe most patron's first experience with the library does not occur online, and that usually the library web page is used most often to access the catalogue database.
However, I think the best use of a YouTube video for my local library would be to show all of the resources available to the patron as a sort of online commercial for the library.
I don't think anyone is arguing that youtube should be a every patron's first point of contact with a library. I do believe that youtube, blogs, podcasts, etc. can be a great way to communicate with patrons, and can often leverage content that's already been developed for face-to-face instruction. It's a fairly low-cost way to increase opportunities for interaction with the community, which I have trouble seeing as a bad thing.
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