A Guide to YouTube Shorts for Libraries

Find out what makes Shorts unique and how libraries can use them

By Julia Giantomasi

Published December 10, 2025

Short-form videos have proven to be the most successful form of content to engage followers. Your library may have dabbled in TikTok or Reels, but if you find yourself wondering about how YouTube Shorts differs, we’ve got the full guide for how to use this platform, what audience it’s geared toward, and how it can help promote your library.

What Are YouTube Shorts?

YouTube Shorts are short-form videos that range from a couple of seconds, up to 60 seconds. These bite-sized videos are created in a distinctive 9:16 vertical aspect ratio, making them easily distinguishable from traditional horizontal YouTube videos. YouTube’s algorithm prioritizes Shorts, so it’s a great way to get your content in front of new eyes. In addition to having their own dedicated feed populated much like a “for you page”, Shorts appear on YouTube channel pages, search results, and the YouTube homepage. Since they pop up and it’s easy for users to then navigate to your YouTube page, it’s recommended that you have longer-form content and information on your main content channel as well to maximize engagement. Click for a more in-depth YouTube Shorts Guide.

YouTube Shorts vs. TikTok vs. Instagram Reels

YouTube Shorts

• Video length 0-60 seconds.
• Shorts and YouTube long-form content are integrated, so both appear in searches.
• Users cannot skip ahead in shorts, keeps users engaged.
• Primary Audience: Ages of 25 – 34, making it ideal for reaching Generation Z and Millennials. 
• Content that does well on shorts is often a shorter version of a long video, acting as a preview that leads to your channel.

TikTok

• Video lengths are longer and can range from 15 seconds to 10 minutes.
• Younger primary audience: ages 18-35, geared more toward Gen Z.

Reels

• Longest video length: Reels can run for up to 20 minutes. However, videos over 3 minutes won’t be recommended to new audiences.
• Multiple Integrated Platforms: Instagram Reels can appear in all types of Instagram content, with the ability to show up in people’s feeds, an Explore tab specifically for these videos, and Instagram Stories. They are shown on both Instagram and Facebook, which helps increase reach and engagement.
• Primary Audience: Ages 18-34

How Libraries Can Use YouTube Shorts

Shorts can be the perfect way for your library’s services or programming to get discovered by new patrons and build relationships with younger audiences. It’s also a great way to promote webinars through teasers. If you have an existing event or program recording, try creating a vertical 30-40 second quick promotion of it through clips or graphics geared toward the audience of that topic. This Short will pique the interest of a user, and then they can easily navigate to your page and watch the full recording.

DIY and Crafts are one of the most popular topics on YouTube Shorts, so creating a step-by-step/timelapse creation of a craft or having a library staff member teach something quickly are great ways to increase engagement.

Here’s a couple more ideas to get you started!

• Book Talks – 60 second book recommendation, staff picks, new to the library shelves. Ex) YA recommendations in Sixty Seconds! Today: spooky but not too spooky.
• Local History & NJ Collections – quick facts, history trivia, historic photos, one cool item from the archives. Ex) This 1777 map shows what New Jersey looked like during the Revolution!

No matter what platform your library uses, the art of a short-form video remains the most effective way to grab attention and engage with scrollers. If you have an established YouTube channel and would like more eyes on your long-form content, YouTube Shorts is your best option to enhance your presence and promote all the great programs and services you have to offer.

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