Week 10: Podcasts & Video

What is a podcast?

Enjoy  Podcasting in Plain English, a Commoncraft show, on YouTube

The word podcast is used to refer to a non-musical audio or video broadcast that is distributed over the Internet. What differentiates a podcast from regular streaming audio or video is that the delivery method for podcasts is often done automatically through RSS.

Podcasts take many forms, from short 1-10 minutes commentaries to much longer in person interviews or panel group discussions.  Since podcasts use the MP3 file format, a popular compressed format for audio files, you  just need a PC (or portal device) with headphones or a speaker to listen.

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Where can I hear a podcast?

You may have heard of iTunes, a free downloadable Apple application that is the directory finding service most associated with podcasts, but if you don’t have iTunes installed there are still plenty of options. Here are three of the popular ones, that, unlike iTunes, don’t require a software download:

Of course, many websites also now include postcasts including:

• NPR Podcast Directory
• LearnOutLoud
• Podcasts from MarketWatch
• Library of Congress (Webcasts)
• Podcasts from the US Goverment
• iTunes (there are many free ones on library topics, news, grammer, etc but you have to install iTunes to get them)
• Public Radio Podcast Directory
• American University Washington College of Law

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How podcasts are being used in the library:   

Why podcast?

1. For marketing purposes
2. To enhance library services/web presence
3. An added means of communication with the public
4. Because your patrons want it

Check out the links below for ideas:

• Arizona State University
• Cheshire Public Library
• Fairfield University
• Online Programming for All Libraries
• More examples at Library Success Wiki: Podcasting

And for professional development:

• LIS Wiki: Podcasts – podcasts for library staff
• Libvibe – A newscast of our own. Concise, professional, listenable.
• PALINET Podcasts
• SirsiDynix Institute Web Seminar

 

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Is it legal to use podcasts?

Take a look at Creative Commons Podcasting Legal Guide

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How can I make a podcast?

Audacity and LAME MP3 encoder are are free open source software that you can use to create a podcast.  Learn how at Super-fast Guide to Audio Editing

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Learning Activities:

1. Take a look at one or two of the podcast directories listed and find a podcast that interests you. See if you can find some interesting library related podcasts here like book review podcasts or library news.
2. Add the RSS feed for a podcast to your Bloglines account.
3. Considerations for your blog: Was it easy to find a podcast? Can you envision a way you might use podcasts at your library?

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Online video hosting sites allow users to easily  upload and share videos on the web. YouTube allows users to not only to upload their own video content easily, but also embed clips into their own sites easily.

All of the Commoncraft videos that we’ve watched have been hosted on YouTube.

Play around in  

The Connecticut State Library, the Colt Collection, and William Webb are all represented!

You’ll find everything from 1970s TV commercials and 60s music videos to library dominos here. Of course, like any free site you’ll also find a lot stuff not worth watching too. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t explore and see for yourself what the site has too offer.

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How and why are libraries using YouTube?

• To promote services and programs
• To introduce or familiarize the library to the community
• To enhance the libraries web presence

• Check out the pbwiki  Youtubeandlibraries  or Libraries on YouTube  for other ideas

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