How It Works
ASR Library uses a three-stage pipeline to create high-quality transcripts through community collaboration.
The Three-Stage Pipeline
Video Requests
Public, no login required
Transcript Creation
Contributors, login required
Review & Publication
Stewards, login required
Stage 1: Video Requests
Who can do this: Anyone (no account needed)
Anyone can submit a video URL that needs a transcript. This could be:
- A teacher who found a great ASL educational video
- A content creator who wants their work accessible
- A community member who wants to share valuable content
What happens when you submit:
- Our system validates the URL and checks it's a supported platform
- Video metadata is automatically fetched (title, creator, duration, thumbnail)
- The video is added to our catalog with "Needs Transcript" status
- It becomes visible for contributors to claim
Stage 2: Transcript Creation
Who can do this: Registered contributors
Contributors browse the catalog and choose videos they want to transcribe. When claiming a video, they:
- Select a transcript style (verbatim, cleaned, summary, meaning-for-meaning, or podcast)
- Watch the video and create the transcript
- Add any relevant cultural context or notes
- Submit for steward review
Transcript Styles Explained
- Verbatim
- Word-for-word gloss of signing, including all filler and repetition. Best for linguistic analysis.
- Cleaned
- Verbatim with false starts and filler removed. Easier to read while maintaining accuracy.
- Summary
- Key points and main ideas only. Good for quick understanding of content.
- Meaning-for-Meaning
- Conceptual translation that captures intent and emotion. Preserves the "feel" of the original.
- Podcast Style
- Narrative format suitable for text-to-speech. Reads like a story or article.
Stage 3: Review & Publication
Who can do this: Stewards
Stewards are trusted community members who review submitted transcripts for:
- Accuracy of content
- Cultural appropriateness
- Quality of writing
- Proper attribution
Review outcomes:
- Approved: Transcript is published and becomes publicly accessible
- Needs Revision: Sent back to contributor with feedback
- Rejected: Not suitable for publication (rare)
Quality Indicators
Every transcript displays its quality status:
- Steward-Verified: Reviewed and approved by a steward
- Community-Review: Submitted but not yet verified
- AI-Assisted: Created with AI tools (always human-reviewed before publication)
URL Health Monitoring
We automatically check all video URLs weekly to ensure they're still accessible. If a video becomes unavailable:
- The transcript remains accessible (preserving the work)
- The video is marked as "Unavailable"
- Users are notified the original source may not work
Ready to Get Started?
Submit a Video
Know a video that needs a transcript? Submit it now - no account needed.
Submit Video