This week we look at podcasts and audio files.A 'podcast' is a non-music audio or video recording that is distributed over the internet. The distribution is what makes a podcast unique. It's also what makes a podcast powerful - interested listeners or watchers can receive updates through RSS when new content is posted. Watch this Commoncraft video on podcasting for a simple introduction.
Variety
Podcasts come in many shapes and sizes. They can be brief (just a few minutes) or considerably longer (interviews, panel discussions, radio shows, etc). They can be slickly produced radio broadcasts or home-grown recordings. They can be audio only or they can be video. You can listen to them on your computer (don’t forget to use headphones in your work area) or play them on an MP3 player. Despite the name, you don't need an iPod or a MP3 player to listen or watch - all you need is a computer with headphones or speakers.
You can listen to Orange Country Library Service podcasts via OCLS Podcasts. You can access all of their archives. LibVibe and Denver Public Library also podcast.
Discover: Listen to a podcast from the British Library and one from the ABC. [Hint use the subject option to see what is available].
Explore: Listen to some of the podcasts linked on the Library Success wiki. Blog about how your library could use podcasts for your clients and staff.
Adventure: Listen to one of the podcasts on the Online Education Database. To search for other podcasts use ‘podcast’ as a keyword in your search engine or you can use Yahoo podcasts search.
Credits
The New South Wales public libraries Learning 2.0 program is based on the work of our colleagues at The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County who developed the first Learning 2.0 program, Orange County Library System, King County Library System, Minnesota’s seven multicounty multitype library systems and the State Library of NSW.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 Australia License.
18 comments:
oh, the joys of a restrictive IT department! No podcasts for me!
Still getting to grips with the usefulness of podcasts and vodcasts but I am getting the hang of subscribing now, whereas previously I don't think I really knew what I was doing. Of course, that's because I am not a teenager!
I think podcasts would be a great as a tool to conduct inservices & learning modules especially for rural library workers
Hated the answer boards - but love podcasts. Time shifting radio programs is just one thing. I subscribe to a number of programs which are on when I'm at work - so I them listen to them later, for example when I'm doing the Library 2.0 web surfing.
I've now added a few more feeds from the links in this module. Great way to create to do your own media programming. I use Juice to manage my podcast feeds. http://juicereceiver.sourceforge.net/
Obviously in libraries we could use it for lectures, library tours. Staff meetings discussion could be recorded to allow access by remote staff.
Teen webcasts, storytime, book reviews, poetry readings, author talks, lectures on specific topics, celebration of special events, oral interviews and library newscasts ... these are just some of the programs, projects and activities that offer possibilities for audio and video podcasting. No doubt there will be more.
I realise that it's easier to think about podcasting these activities than actually converting this thought to reality, especially when one is faced with so many restrictions from the IT department.
What a great idea podcasts are. I can easily see them being utilised in a public library. Podcasts could be made for lectures and author talks at the library, also, to deliver online books to library members who use the cassette and cd formats. I also like the idea of going to one's favourite radio program to listen and download a radio show you happened to miss. Versitile and easy to use.
My library has recently introduced “living books” in to our collection’ and the stories these people tell are truly amazing. If we could podcast their tales, we would be able to share these around, send them to other libraries and include our home bound clients. I am really exited about podcasts and fantastic opportunities thay offer!
Podcasts have a lot of potential to share professional info and also to reach out to people who can't come to the library. Housebound readers spring to mind, also time-poor parents and others. I like the idea of living library books but also HSC lectures, author talks, storytimes.
Podcast hmm - I do not really like this tool & first thought was WHY would a library use.
I then thought of storytimes, authot talks etc (subject to copyright. After reading other comments I could see advantage of posible usage for home library service patrons, this woul 'link' them better to the library by able to benefit from all library programs.
I agree that Podcasts and vodcasts have potential in a library for the obviuos things like author talks and also as an alternative to ore traditonal ways of delivering staff training.
I think podcasts have got heaps of potential - for library orientations but also with oral history.
I loved the storytime podcasts too.
Actually, I'm looking for a podcast that I could use for some in-house staff training on successful reference interview technique. So if anyone can point me in the right direction...? I have tried searching for one, but so far unsuccessfully. I don't want anything too long - 2-3 mins. would be ideal.
Linda you may have to make you own podcast for reference interview. Like so many of these tools there are step-by-step instructions on the Library Success wiki.
Podcasts would be very useful for "Living books"/ oral history, author talks etc.
Also great for staff training/ inservice.
Great tool for training purposes.
"Pod casts" my kids have entered this phrase into the language around our home.
Yea just another mobile phone come computer game add on that computer hybrid generation X has latched onto and embraced as they do with techy toys. (SIDE BAR) I am one who is self taught computers, internet etc and I STILL think mobile phones should just be able to send and receive phone calls. Off the soap box now.
Comes week 9 Oh, pod casts Ho Hum.....WOOOOW I am hooked!!!!!!!! this is brilliant as to what one can do on his humble 186...(Joke). This is truly fantastic.
What a fantastic vehicle podcasts are. I can see them being utilised in a public library. Like other commenters they all seem to see a great future in Podcasts as they have written and I wont repeat but they are definitely right.
I went to the ABC's site and discovered the amazing amount of material there to be viewed this way. I assume many other utilities will or do offer this service.
And (Please excuse the conjunction starting this sentence)what about the future , only time will tell where this will end up.
Podcasts have a lot of potential for user-education purposes, I'd also like to investigate their use for 'Living Libraries'.
loved the podcasts, can see so much potential, esp for people who have reading or seeing disabilities.
Love the podcasts, I have enjoyed this week!
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