UAPB library opens recording studio

John Brown Watson Memorial Library recently unveiled a state-of-the-art video recording studio at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

The One Button Studio provides a user-friendly method for students, faculty and staff to create professional videos.

As part of a growing trend, UAPB is joining university and college libraries by adding innovative technology to their facilities.

“A lot of people think that we are just about books. We’re not just about books, we’re about technology,” said Sonya Lockett, interim library director.

The name One Button Studio says it all about its ease of use. With the press of one button, a user can initiate a video camera, microphone, studio lighting, video recording equipment and two computer screens, according to a news release.

The user can also shut down the entire studio using the same button. One of the screens is equipped with a teleprompter, which allows the user to read their presentation. The other screen is used for recording. The studio is designed for ease of use, ensuring a comfortable and confident experience for all experience levels.

“We had a young lady who’s a student teacher come in and record herself teaching. She said practicing made a difference and helped her relax during her presentation. We all know the more we practice, the better we are,” Lockett said.

She added that UAPB faculty and staff also find the studio helpful for recording their lectures.

“You can also use your laptop with the system. If you have your presentation on your laptop, you can connect it, and we will pull it up on the recording side,” Lockett said.

She shared that she spoke to a coach who expressed interest in using the studio to teach athletes how to talk on camera when interviewed by media.

“We have a lot of people with a lot of ideas … our goal is for anybody and everybody that needs this room to have access,” Lockett said.

Sound panels align the walls of the studio. The library purchased adjustable chairs and tables to accommodate various interviews and talk show-style recordings with one or more guests. A green screen is available, with options to include a background such as a library, a beach, or UAPB’s logo. A person can change the background to suit the needs of the recording.

Users can adjust the camera. It can be positioned to the lower left or lower right, or the user can remove themselves entirely from the screen while still recording. The equipment is situated on a desk that is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible, meaning that it can be raised or lowered depending on need.

Lockett explained that the lighting is “set,” with no need to adjust the brightness level or bring in additional lights. Although the user can adjust the microphone’s volume, the One Button Studio has already been pre-designed to deliver a crisp, clear, quality sound.

One option allows the user to add digital annotation to their presentation.

“If you’re doing a PowerPoint (presentation) and want to mark on your PowerPoint, it allows you to mark up your PowerPoint during the recording. … And that will be really good for our instructors who are recording a live presentation,” Lockett said.

In response to the growing popularity of content creators nationwide, the library is considering allowing students to record for podcasts. Lockett said she is working with the Office of Communications to develop guidelines. The guidelines would require students to list the type of content they are creating and the person in charge of the production. If a department at UAPB wants to create content, the head of that department would have to approve it, Lockett said.

“Proper policies and guidelines in place work to ensure that what’s going out is quality content and supports the university brand. We want to be careful and thoughtful about what we produce for educational purposes. We always want UAPB shown in the best light,” Lockett said.

“We must ensure that our students use the technology correctly and according to university policy. I think one of the biggest issues will be understanding copyright restrictions; for example, if anyone plays music without proper permission to use it, that’s a problem. Or if you use pictures that you’re not supposed to use or don’t have the rights to use them, that’s a problem,” Lockett said.

The One Button Studio is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with two-hour slots available. To reserve a slot, students can visit the library’s website for a brief explainer video or contact the library directly.

Lockett said students interested in using the studio must have their current UAPB identification. For more information, contact Sonya Lockett at (870) 575-8423 or locketts@uapb.edu. Richard Redus, Media Specialist/Special Events Supervisor, may also be contacted at (870) 575-8327 or redusr@uapb.edu.