Learning to Speak: Creating a Library Podcast With a Unique Voice
Chris Kretz
Dowling College
Podcasting in academic libraries is still so new that its importance and ultimate utility has yet to be determined. This has not stopped a number of institutions from experimenting with the technology, adapting it for a variety of uses ranging from library tours to database tutorials to recordings of library events. More than any of the suite of social software applications that exist today, such as blogs, wikis, and IM, podcasting adds a new dimension to the library, giving it the opportunity to create a personality for itself, its services, and its greater community.
The Dowling College Library began podcasting in October 2005 with a monthly program entitled Omnibus. Omnibus is a collection of news items, interviews, reports and special segments that focuses on the intellectual life of the library and the college, a medium-sized, private school in Oakdale, New York. When the decision was made to start podcasting, the nature of the library and its collections, of the student body, and of the curriculum all played a part in determining what a library “show” would sound like.
This presentation shows how one library approached podcasting and endeavored to produce a unique, worthwhile, and interesting program that would appeal to its various user groups.
Click here to listen to Chris’ podcast.
Links mentioned in this podcast:
Buffalo State College
http://www.buffalostate.edu/podcasts.xml
Butte College Chronicles
http://bcchron.blogspot.com/
Listen Up
http://gpclibraryradio.blogspot.com/
Podcast 411
http://www.podcast411.com/
Podcast for Teachers
http://www.podcastforteachers.org/
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Tags: podcasting, podcast, library, libraries, higheredblogcon
April 17th, 2006 at 12:34 am
As much as I love libraries, before starting to listen to this presentation, I must admit that I was wondering what exactly a podcast could do for a library. After your presentation, I am convinced, and wish our library had one. That must mean your presentation was pretty good
April 17th, 2006 at 9:55 am
Great presentation on a great library podcast! Definitely take a listen if you’re even remotely interested in”lib-casting”. I’m really glad our work at GPC was able to contribute to your stuff in some small way.
One thing, all of the podcasts in the presentation are linked from this page except the Omnibus. It’s online at:
www.dowling.edu/library/newsblog/podcasts.asp
June 5th, 2006 at 7:48 pm
Your podcast provides other libraries with a nice introduction on what we can create to promote programs, services and showcase how libraries are on the cutting edge of technology.
I attempted to explore producing a podcast to make available for viewing through our online library Web site. I was told there are “technical difficulties” in accomplishing a podcast.
In your experience, have you come across any technical difficulties in getting your podcast on your site?
Gisela Butera