1. A Presentation by Amber Bell
podcasts
Today I’m going to talk to you all about podcasts. I’ll give you an overview of what exactly a podcast is and how you can subscribe to one. Then I’ll let you know how you could make your own podcast. Finally, I’ll talk a little bit about how libraries can use podcasting technology, and give you some examples of podcasts that are already incorporated into library and educational settings.
A Presentation by Amber Bell

2. What is a podcast? audio file MP3 Regularly produced
with RSS availability
A true podcast is any kind of regularly produced audio show that is recorded as an MP3 file, and made available online through an RSS feed. I’ll let Fran tell us more about RSS feeds. Just like many insects aren’t true bugs, many audio files available online aren’t true podcasts. But I’ll include a few of them in this presentation anyway.

3. What kind of equipment and technology do you need in order to listen to a podcast?
an aggregator,
In order to subscribe to a podcast, Of course, you will need a computer with online access. Importantly, you’ll need an aggregator, or podcatcher, such as iTunes that will find your podcast and automatically download it for you. And if you want to listen to your podcast on the go, you’ll need an MP3 player such as an iPod.
A computer,
and an MP3 player

4. How can you catch a podcast?
and retrieve
subscribe
How do you catch a podcast? Just go to your favorite show’s website, click on the links to subscribe. It’s usually pretty easy.
The, when you open your aggregator, go to podcasts, and click on refresh to catch any new episodes.

5. What do you need to make your own Podcast?
A computer,
and a recording program.
All you need in order to make your own podcast is a computer, a microphone (some computers have built in ones), and software such a garageband or audacity, which is available for free online. Apparently, it’s surprisingly easy.
a microphone,

6. How do you publish? Burn it to a disk, post it on your website,
Once you’ve made your podcast, you can burn it onto a disk,
Post it on your website,
Or to make it a true podcast, turn it into an RSS feed.
or make it into an RSS feed.

7. Podcasts in the library
Use podcasts as reference source (Troutner, 2007)
Use as an assessment tool
Create book reviews
Create local walking tours
Record community interviews (Jones, 2009)
Create library tours
Tutorials on library services and technology
Record library events and lectures (Hines, 2007)
Library news and announcements (Jowitt, 2008)
There are many ways you can use podcasts in the library, no matter
what kind of library you work in. School, academic, public, and special libraries can all benefit from podcast technology.
Podcasts can be used as a reference source- there are many amazing podcasts on the internet, some of which I will tell you about soon.
Podcasts can be used to assess skills such as reading. A reader can record podcasts over time to track their own progress.
Librarians or library members can give book reviews or book talks in podcast form.
Library members can claim their place in the community by creating local walking tours or recording interviews.
As a librarian, you can create custom designed library tours or tutorials, record library events, and spread the news.

8. Advantages of using podcasts in the library
Opportunity to engage digital natives
Introduce technology to newcomers (Jowitt, 2008)
Connect to people with various learning styles
Library instruction when you want it
Review and reinforcement of skills (Griffey, 2007)
There are many advantages to using podcasts in the library. They create opportunities to engage those digital natives. They can listen to the podcasts, or create them! Podcasts are also a user friendly way to introduce technology to those who are uncomfortable or unfamiliar with the new digital world.
Podcasts present opportunities to teach to different learning styles. They are a library tool that can be used any time of day,
Podcasts provide opportunity for users to review materials at their leisure.

9. Great examples of podcasts
Denver Public Library’s stories, interviews, & songs for kids Cornell University’s walking tours of campus libraries Young Adult Library Services Association’s author interviews & reports on YALSA events Worthington Public Library’s teens and tweens writing contest winners Yale Medical Library’s video tutorials
Here are just a few examples of libraries using podcasts that are available on the internet.
Denver Public Library has a collection of podcasts of stories and songs for kids
Cornell University has posted walking tours of their several libraries as podcasts
YALSA has an extensive selection of author interviews and news reports on their goings-on
Worthington has posted recordings of the winners of a local writing contest reading their work
Yale has made video podcast tutorials of how to use their medical library.

10. References and Resources
Adam, A., & Mowers, H. (2007). Listen Up!. School Library Journal, 53(12), Retrieved October 6, 2009, from Library Literature & Information Full Text database.
Daniel, H. (2007). Kids Connecting Through Podcasts. Information Searcher, 17(3), Retrieved October 7, 2009, from Library Literature & Information Full Text database.
Griffey, J. (2007). Podcast Library Journal (1976), 132(11), Retrieved October 6, 2009, from Library Literature & Information Full Text database.
Hines, S. (2007). Wikis, Blogs and Other Collaborative Tools in Library Services: A Workbook and Reference. PNLA Quarterly, 71(2), Retrieved October 6, 2009, from Library Literature & Information Full Text database.
Jones, N. (2009). You're on the Air! Podcasting with Teens at the Library. Voice of Youth Advocates, 32(3), Retrieved October 6, 2009, from Library Literature & Information Full Text database.
Jowitt, A. (2009). Creating Communities with Podcasting, Computers in Libraries, 28(4), 14-15, Retrieved October 6, 2009, from Library Literature and Information full text database.
Troutner, J. (2007). Best Sites for Educational Podcasts. Teacher Librarian, 34(3), Retrieved October 7, 2009, from Library Literature & Information Full Text database.
audacity.sourceforge.net
Freedigitalphotos.net
There you have it. Now you, too, can listen to podcasts, or make your own.
Hopefully you’ve gotten some new ideas about how you might want to use podcasts on your own, or as a librarian.