For libraries that already produce recordings of programs or library tours, podcasting is the next step in promoting the institution to a wider audience.
For those that are considering reaching younger people and/or providing content that compliments a website, podcasting may be the way to go.
According to dictionary.com 2012, a podcast is defined as
“(noun) a digital or video file or recording, usually part of a themed series that can be downloaded from a website to a media player or computer.
(verb) to record and upload as a podcast.”
Often you subscribe to a podcast, meaning that the latest issue will be automatically downloaded for you to enjoy at your leisure.
A quick scan of the list of libraries utilizing podcasts indicates that many of them are academic libraries. This makes sense for a variety of reasons:
1) the majority of students today are part of the Millenials, a generation that grew up wired and are technologically saavy. This is a way of communicating that they are used to having available to them.
2) a lot of classes are conducted online and this technology is being used more and more by instructors.
3) podcasts can be played at a time convenient for the student.
4) podcasts can be played and replayed, until the material is understood. This is particularly helpful for students whose first language is not English.
5) one-size does not fit all when it comes to learning. For those students who are auditory learners, podcasts are ideal.
6) students can receive introductory information via podcast that makes future tasks easier – for example: a tour of the library or an introduction to searching using the library’s online catalog.
The reason to use podcasts in a public library setting includes all of the points stated above plus
1) they can be used to draw people into the library, promoting programs, services or new materials.
2) they can help people who can’t get to the library feel like they are part of a (the) community.
3) share library and community news with subscribers.
4) podcasts can help change a library’s image from a stodgy, dusty place to one that is welcoming, friendly, lively and hip.
There are a lot of resources on the web that demonstrate the technical aspects of creating a podcast. The list of equipment needed includes a computer, microphone, and a sound card. Recording/editing software is required, and most recommended Audacity, freeware available from http://audacity.sourceforge.net/. A powerpoint prepared by students at Washington State University on podcasting cautions that Audacity also needs the LAME MP3 encoder installed in the Audacity directory; otherwise it is easy to use (Galbraith, B., O’English, M. and Merrill, A., 2007). However, a group of librarians at the Curtin University Library did not find the software very intuitive so it took quite a while for them to find all of the functions they wanted/needed (Berk, J., Olsen, S., Atkinson, J., and Comerford, J., 2007, p. 414).
All of the resources I consulted emphasized that the equipment is inexpensive, costing as little as $100, not including the computer and internet connection.
Anyone creating podcasts must be very careful that they follow all copyright laws, publicity rights and trademark laws. Creative Commons has posted a Podcasting Legal Guide on their website that provides definitions and guidance for those just starting out.
As a marketing tool, a way to reach new (younger) audiences or people unable to physically visit the library, and provide “how-to” information, podcasts are one more way that librarians can engage the community in the unique and vital services they have to offer.
Citations
Berk, J., Olsen, S., Atkinson, J., and Comerford, J. (2007, January 8). Innovation in a podshell: Bringing information literacy into the world of podcasting. The Electronic Journal, vol. 25, no. 4. Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Galbraith, B., O’English, M., and Merrill, A. (2007, April 20). Library podcasting at Washington State University. Washington Library Association Conference presentation. Retrieved from
http://www.slideshare.net/oenglish/podcasting-in-libraries-presentation
http://www.slideshare.net/oenglish/podcasting-in-libraries-presentation
Grabianowski, E. (n.d.). How to create your own podcast. How stuff works, a Discovery company. Retrieved from
Griffey, J. (2007). Podcast 1 2 3. Library Journal online. Retrieved from http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6449566.html
Podcast – dictionary.com. (2012). Retrieved from
Podcast – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (last modified 2011, November 4). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast
Podcasting – Library success: A best practices wiki. (last modified 2011, March 22). Retrieved from http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Podcasting
Vogele, C. and Garlick, M. (2009). Podcasting Legal Guide. Creative Commons Wiki. Retrieved from http://wiki.creativecommons.org/Podcasting_Legal_Guide
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