Podcasts and Libraries

Well, the most recent report from The Pew Internet and American Life Project tells us that the downloading of podcasts by Internet users has grown almost 75% in about 6 months. 12% of Internet users have downloaded a podcast according to their survey in Aug. 2006 compared with 7% in Jan/Feb 2006. Find the PDF (4 pages) here.
Interesting data. What does it mean for libraries?
First, we know that our Internet users have different profiles than our walk-in clients. So we might want to promote different containers for different users. For example, an audio-book users is more likely to be a commuter (highway driving, train, etc.) and might need different marketing and services.
What are the uses of podcasts in libraries?
– Library Tours (can even be downlaoded to smart phones)
– Story hours / Story Time (record your kiddy librarians)
– Information Literacy and Research Help (check out the many already in iTunes, etc.)
– Library updates and library news
– Colldecting and indexing good free podcasts (found through the podcast search engines)
– Local history (collected from veterans, pioneers, local characters, etc.)
– Teen book/DVD/Game reviews (collected by the circulation desk)
– Music collections
– Audiobook collections (ON iPods and MP3 players)
– Library events (like Science Fair help, Literacy nights, author readings)
– Library debates
– Archiving class lectures
– Library marketing podcasts (how to use RSS, databases, VR, etc.)
– Training
– Library gadget petting zoos (for staff and patrons)
– Public speaking training (partnering with groups)
There’s an interesting list of links on the Library Success wiki.
All it takes is imagination and a microphone that costs less than $20.
Of course, you’ll all remember that a podcast is, simply put, an MP3 recording posted to a blog, which allows it to be broadcast through an RSS feed. Do the same thing with a digital video and you’ve got a vodcast.
Stephen