Podcasting @ the Library

Just a little note - Pioneer Library System has done their first "official" podcast. You should be able to listen to it here.

What did it take to do this?
1 librarian
1 nerdy tech librarian
1 poet
1 laptop with audacity
1 cheapo microphone (hope to upgrade that to a not so cheapo one)
1 month with a theme

So what are your podcasts?

Future of library science podcast

Inside Higher Ed | The Future of Library Science (Podcast)

The new president of the American Library Association is a professor in a college not of library of science, but of information.

Loriene Roy, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, has served as a reference librarian, a research associate, and a professor, and brings that varied background to the leadership of the ALA. In this podcast interview, she discusses the evolution of library science programs (including for some the evolution away from the “library name"), the role of professors within the association, and the growing role for library programs in training paraprofessionals who are taking on a growing number of roles in libraries.

This is what librarianship is all about...

Sometimes we all have crisis of profession. As we drive to work we wonder why, with all the politics and personalities, exactly we chose our given fields. For some of us it's that one colleague, who knows how to perfectly display indifference to all things wonderful, that pushes us to the edge -- for others -- it's the patron whose snide aside during a reference interview causes us to run to our offices and want to light a match to our cheaply framed Masters degree on the wall.

Working in a field that is seen as a glorified service industry can wear on us all -- regardless of our type of librarianship. In library school they don't warn you about the extreme situations or the entrenched personalities -- and once you have a degree in hand and begin the job search it's too late to turn back.

But we all know not all days are perfect and instead we look for moments of the day to help get us through the rest of the 24 hours. I had two such moments today.

One such moment was being part of a process to get the pictured items ready to go to the public. I know that even with all the spoilers out there -- there are still adults and children who have a passion for reading and an active imagination who will be gitty to get one of these beauties in hand. And it makes me happy to be a part of it (and I'm super proud I didn't even sneak a peak at the inside either).

My other moment came when I did my Podcasting for Teens presentation in Newcastle. I walked in to see a room with 8 teens -- all girls waiting to participate in a technology related program. And even though the fine folks at Onenet let me down in regards to internet access -- we recorded a few items (using Audacity) on my laptop (which I posted to podomatic this evening). These young ladies had fun with the technology - they asked great tech related questions - and even wrote down the url of the wiki my notes are posted on so they could see it all at home. So I got to assist these young ladies in thumbing their noses at the stereotype that girls don't care about tech.

So yeah - have a great weekend.

Choose your own (free download) adventure

I saw this on a little technology news segment this morning and was beyond thrilled. Late 20-somethings to 30-somethings rejoice because our beloved Choose Your Own Adventure classics has one available for free download to IPod!

Choose Your Own Adventure:
The Abominable Snowman comes to life!

You head to the Himalaya in search of the mythical abominable snowman. But when your climbing partner Carlos goes missing, your search takes a very different turn.

* First CYOA as iPod
* Read by series author and founder R. A. Montgomery
* Original text (116 pages)
* Exciting full color illustrations & sound effects
* Windows & Mac iPod compatible

Will you complete the tale or reach a cold frigid demise? Only you can choose your own adventure!

You can podcast right now!

I've typed about libraries and podcasting before. And I see that I was super successful at getting every library in the state doing it. ;-)

But sometimes hearing is believing -- so I'm going to now tell you how simple podcasting is -- especially if you use one of the free podcasting sites out there.

You can listen to a variation of this post by visiting our podomatic LibraryStories or download the podcast by clicking here.


How to podcast in 4 easy steps. (Click on images to enlarge)
Supplies: Computer, internet access, microphone hooked up to computer, semi-quiet room, something to say


Step 1.
Go to Podomatic.com and click on the Register button, located in the upper right hand corner.




Step 2.
Create your account. You don't have to use your real name but you may want to call yourself something associated with your library. The same goes for the URL -- pick something that relates to your library. Don't forget your email address and be sure to read the Term of Service before clicking continue.



Step 3.
Pick your look. There are a few nice templates to choose from - pick one that matches your style or theme.





Step 4.
Record your podcast and have fun!

That's just how simple it is -- so let me know if you create a podcast and send me the link so I can listen in -- I would love to hear the story you have to tell!

Oh and you are welcome to use the image at the very top of this post -- I made it and it kind of matches the library-podcast theme.