Coming soon! This is where you’ll find an ever-growing list of genres on YouTube, a brief description of them, and how they might be applicable to libraries.
BookTube
People talking about books, typically in a very vloggy format. Reviews, book love exuberance, “what I’ve been reading,” etc…- Library Relevance: You can guess this one.
- Examples: emmabooks, Kathy Trithardt, the (book) supplier
YouTube EDU
Videos created with the express purpose of educating viewers on or inspiring curiosity about a subject; usually the same subject across a channel.- Library Relevance: Learning about different topics in an interesting, novel, maybe even entertaining way.
- Examples: Smarter Every Day, Sexplanations, minutephysics
Gaming
Videos showing creators playing through a game while also providing narration or showing their reactions to the game.- Library Relevance: Sometimes folks will watch other people play the games that they can’t, or for entertainment value. Yep, including minecraft.
- Examples: jacksepticeye, markiplier, DaisyyMichelle
How-To
Videos created to guide the viewer through the completion of some kind of task or process.- Library Relevance: step-by-step instructions on how to do something very specific (home improvement, programming, cooking, math).
- Examples: Bon Appétit, NanciPi, ExcelIsFun
Think Pieces
Similar to EDU, but more of a one-shot rather than following a theme or subject area across an entire channel.- Library Relevance: Satisfying curiosity, answering questions you didn’t realize you had. Often cover contemporary ideas.
- Examples: veritasium, Vsauce, PBS Idea Channel
Vlogs
V(ideo B)logs created as a platform for individuals to talk about whatever topics come to mind. Authentic, intimate, and interpersonal by design.- Library Relevance: a way to feel connected when otherwise socially isolated, seeing one’s self represented in media, etc…
- Examples: Akila Obviously, vlogbrothers, Sabrina Cruz, Ash Hardell