With the rise of an ebooks format and the likelihood that ebooks will be distributed in existing media channels, it has become increasingly important for libraries to participate in our user's common information streams. iTunes is one of these common information streams, but did you know that iTunes can be used to distribute all kinds of media files, including .pdfs? With this capability in mind, MSU Libraries has been utilizing Apple's iTunes software as a content delivery platform to distribute files and university research content. In this session, we'll take you through some working applications from MSU using iTunes, show you how to build iTunes XML that can create a library media landing page, and talk through some of the lessons learned. Come learn how this cross-platform and free software can help you deliver content to your patrons in new and engaging ways.

1. Designing New Information
Streams:Libraries in iTunes
Jason Clark
Head of Digital Access and Web Services
Montana State University Libraries
Internet Librarian
October 26, 2010

2. Twitter #hashtag
#intlib10
#newstream

3. Overview
• New Distribution Channels
• Libraries in iTunes Libraries?
• How to do it?
• Questions

4. “Discovery happens
elsewhere.”
Lorcan Dempsey, OCLC Research and Chief Strategist
http://orweblog.oclc.org/archives/001430.html

5. iTunes as a Library Platform
“iTunes has now sold six billion
songs”
http://techcrunch.com/2009/01/06/itunes-sells-6-billion-songs-and-other-fun-stats-from-the-philnote/

6. http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mediahub-from-montana-state/id330315907

7. http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mediahub-from-montana-state/id330315907

8. iTunes U

9. iTunes is Social?

10. iTunes is Open?
http://itunes.apple.com/rss

11. “APIs, Links, Google Juice”
For Real?

12. API – iTunes Store
• Search and Lookup Functions
• Move outside of the “Black Box”
http://www.apple.com/itunes/affiliates/resources/documentation/itunes-store-web-service-search-api.html

13. Linkage

14. Google Juice

15. Getting Started
1. Create good metadata
• http://www.apple.com/itunes/podcasts/specs.html#metadata
2. Build and Test your XML feed
• http://www.apple.com/itunes/podcasts/specs.html
3. Submit to iTunes
• http://www.apple.com/itunes/podcasts/specs.html#testing

16. iTunes Submit Podcast View

17. iTunes Feed Creation (options)
• Use a Media Web Site
• Blip.tv
• YouTube mobile (.mpeg4) feed
• Build it from Scratch
• A simple text file

18. media RSS Feed

19. media RSS Feed (media:group)

20. Search iTunes from the Web
A Beta App
http://www.lib.montana.edu/~jason/files/itunes-search/index.php

21. iTunes iStuff
Cross-Platform: mobile, desktop, windows…
Ubiquitous
Content Delivery Platform: pdfs, epub, sound files, video files…

22. Final Thoughts
• Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, iTunes…
• Hack it
• Test before promoting
• Doesn’t have to be huge investment

23. Resources
• media RSS Specification
• http://www.rssboard.org/media-rss
• iTunes Specifications
• http://www.apple.com/itunes/podcasts/specs.html
• Convert ebooks for iTunes
• http://lifehacker.com/5509965/how-can-i-convert-pdfs-and-
other-ebooks-to-the-epub-format
• iTunes in Libraries
• http://www.libgig.com/itunes

24. Questions?
twitter.com/jaclark
www.lib.montana.edu/~jason/talks.php