As part of the CNI program, I'm interested in beginning  to examine issues and practices for academic institutions dealing with "broadcast"-style content other than formal distance education offerings or commercial materials; at least a session at one of our upcoming meetings, and possibly something more, such as a white paper. Specifically, many institutions hold special events (performances, colloquia, lectures, etc) which are captured in audio or video formats; in addition, many institutions run radio or TV stations that generate original programming.  I believe that in some cases the same group does both functions; in other cases, the activities are very separate.  It's now possible to digitize much of this material and make it available on the web; it's also possible to broadcast it via the net using streaming technologies. High bandwidth networks like Internet 2 make these possibilities more effective, but experience with Internet 2 to date has also underscored the relatively limited amount of audio and video material held by higher education institutions that can be broadly shared without rights problems.

I'd be interested in hearing from institutions regarding the following questions:

-- Is the development of a strategy for this kind of material a current issue at your institution?

-- What are the roles and relationships at your institution involving the capture, management and archiving of these materials? For example, what roles (if any) are the library and the information technology organization playing?

-- What are the intellectual property rights issues? Are you thinking in terms of offering this material for free, or charging for it? Who holds the rights? Are there problems getting permissions to make the information available digitally?

-- Are you considering this material "archival" and saving it for the long term? If so, which materials, and who makes the decision? Who is maintaining it?

-- What organization is dealing with "broadcasting" via the net? Who is paying for this? Are you using commercial services to host and stream the material, and if so which ones, and with what success?

As always, your help and input are appreciated.

Clifford Lynch
Director, CNI