I have always thought of myself as an early adopter of technology and have had an MP3 player since 2004; however, I have to admit that prior to this posting I had little more then a cursory understanding of podcasting. This posting taught me that I am not the techno geek I thought I was!
To better understand all of the various components that comprise the “Library 2.0” concept I have been reading more all of it various applications. One of the things that surprised me is the speed at which this relatively new technology has been adopted. I was also impressed by the number libraries that have added RSS feeds and podcasts to their listings of resources that they offer and by the number of libraries using podcasting as a means to disseminate news and share information both locally and globally.
While research podcasting one article that I found particularly interest was “2.0: Beyond the Concept Practical Ways to Implement RSS, Podcasts and Wikis” http://www.cybersailors.com/docs/edlibsummer2006.pdf (see page 11 of pdf),
by Karen Huffman of the National Geographic Society. In the article Huffman describes how the National Geographic Society’s Libraries & Information Services has implemented RSS feeds, podcasts and wikis into their service offerings to provide users with additional means to access their research and informational products. The article also suggests a number of practical applications for implementing some of these technologies into academic libraries.
Digging a little deeper I also visited the “Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki” website. http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Podcasting. (If you have not visited the site you should check it out, it has a tremendous wealth of information on a wide variety of library related subjects). The podcast section also includes a list of libraries and organizations that currently offer podcasting as well as links a number of sited to help users to create your own podcasts.
While searching the internet I was amazed at the incredible number of podcasting resources that are available. I have always been a fan of talk radio and audio books, (especially on long car trips), however, I had no idea that podcasting was so popular. While visiting the website http://www.podcast.net I discovered that you can download a podcast on just about any subject, and if by chance you cannot fine a podcast on a particular subject then it is pretty easy to make your own podcast. I also found the site: http://www.podcasting-tools.com/ to be quite helpful.
In my research I also learned that you don’t need an iPod to listed to a podcast, and that they can also be listed via a computer. While reading the USA Weekend Magazine of the Sunday paper a few weeks ago I came across and article titled, “Don’t leave home without it: iPods for tourists.” http://www.usaweekend.com/07_issues/070610/070610travelsmart.html. The article described how over 100 million MP3 players have been sold since 2001 and how downloadable phrase books and walking tours are reinventing iPods as handy travel tools. Articles such as this serve to raise public awareness as to the value of podcasts and generate public interest and arouse curiosity.
Although not all libraries offer podcasting, it would seem to me that libraries are well positioned to take on a leadership role to help educate patrons about the features and benefits of podcasting and to provide then with instructional information of how to use the technology. Podcasts are also a great way for libraries to further market their services to a broader audience and to provide patrons with access to local or library specific content.
