Podcasting for Libraries

Agenda

• Define podcasting• Why and how podcasting fits in with

the library environment• How podcasting and RSS are related• How to podcast

What makes these different?

Podcasting defined

• “Podcasting is the method of distributing multimedia files, such as audio programs or music videos, over the Internet for playback on mobile devices and personal computers.”– Wikipedia

• “A podcast is a digital audio file (usually MP3 or AAC) made available for download on the internet through an RSS 2.0 feed. The web address of the media file is contained in the enclosure tag of an item in the XML file. The enclosure tag was added to the RSS 2.0 standard in 2004 making podcasting possible.”– http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/what-is-

a-podcast.htm

So, in English

• People can subscribe to regularly updated audio content– They don’t NEED to subscribe though,

more on that later

• Automatic downloads of new content• Podcasting= iPod + Broadcasting• Typically audio files are .mp3 files• Typically video files are .mp4 files

How do you access a podcast?

• Via your computer and internet connection• Using a tool for downloading content

– Receiver– Aggregator– Can be a website (e.g. bloglines), or a program

like Juice or iTunes OR even the website of the podcast itself

• Listen to the content– Computer– .mp3 player, etc.

Same thing, different name

Finding podcasts via iTunes

• Music Store>Podcasts• FREE (usually)

http://www.apple.com/itunes

Listening to a podcast via iTunes

Watching a podcast via iTunes

Download to computer, then watch

Download and listen

• Once you have downloaded the content, you can play it via iTunes

• Or transfer it to your iPod• What about other options?

What other ways can you find them?

• Look for the button• Copy Link Location• Paste into your aggregator• Don’t see the button?• Search for podcasts

– Podcast Alley– Podcast.net– Bloglines, etc.– Your favorite website?

Search for podcasts

• Example: – Search in http://podcastalley.com/ for

“libraries” – Skim list for one you are interested in– Click on “Get Podcast”– Copy URL into your aggregator

Result set from search…

add the feed to your aggregator or…

To listen, click on the play button!

C’mon, everybody’s doing it!

• Don’t do it just because “everyone” is doing it

• BUT it is an interesting medium of communication for your patrons

• And if you do it, remember to regularly record podcasts or people will not come back (to listen to yours)

What do libraries podcast?

• Upcoming events• News• Tours• Bibliographic Instruction• Interviews with local authors• Teen book reviews• Anything else you can think of?

Does podcasting fit in with the library’s mission and

vision?• Does it fit in with your library’s

goals?• Does it fit in with your library’s

communication strategy?• Have your patrons asked for it?

Who’s doing it?

• Arizona State University– Library Channel – news about what is going

on in the ASU libraries– http://lib.asu.edu/librarychannel/category/pod

cast/

• Western Kentucky University Libraries– Offer audio library tours via a podcast PLUS

lectures– http://www.wku.edu/Library/podcast/

index.html

Anatomy of a podcast

• A podcast is based on RSS technology

• RSS is a specific use of XML• RSS makes content available to be

published and viewed/listened to/etc. elsewhere

Anatomy of a podcast

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"> <channel> <title>Sheridan Libraries Podcasts</title> <description>Listen to our podcasts to learn about library collections, services and people, and get tips for making the most of your library.</description> <link>http://www.library.jhu.edu/podcasts/index.html</link> <category domain="http://www.dmoz.com">Reference/Libraries/College_and_University</category> <copyright>Copyright 2007, The Sheridan Libraries, Johns Hopkins University</copyright><lastBuildDate>Wednesday, 14 Feb 2007 10:05:35 -0500</lastBuildDate>

Anatomy of a podcast<pubDate>Mon, 5 Jun 2006 14:04:07 -0400</pubDate> <webMaster>webmaster@jhu.edu</webMaster> <generator>FeedForAll v1.0 (1.0.2.0)</generator> <image> <url>http://www.library.jhu.edu/podcasts/sheridanpodcastlogo.gif</url> <title>Sheridan Libraries Podcasts</title> <link>http://www.library.jhu.edu/podcasts/index.html</link> <width>92</width><height>99</height> </image> <item> <title>Alumni Virtual Library Services</title>

<link>http://podcast411.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=451</link> <description>Whether the ink is still fresh on your diploma or it’s been a while since you graduated from Hopkins, you can take advantage of library services designed just for JHU alumni. Pat Lovett, Distance Education Librarian, describes the online offerings that make up Hopkins KnowledgeNET. </description>

Anatomy of a podcast

<enclosure url="http://media.libsyn.com/media/podcast411/411_060325.mp3" length="11779397" type="audio/mpeg"/>

<category>Podcasts</category> </item></channel></rss>

How to podcast

1. Decide on your content2. Get equipment and people together3. Record4. Post-production5. Listen to your work before publishing6. Upload to server7. Create feed (RSS)8. Publish

What do you need to make a podcast?

• Computer• Internet connection• Microphone• Audio editor• Server space• Try out a podcast kit!

Planning your show

• Listen to other podcasts• Write an outline to help you stay

focused• Figure out hardware needs

– An example:• Computer: Mac MacBook Pro• Microphone: Andrea Anti-Nois USB NC-7100• Software: GarageBand ($79 w/ iLife) • MP3 conversion: iTunes

Podcasting Tips

• Noise reduction• Sound compression• Volume• Outline your show

Recording your content

• Get a decent microphone– Sennheiser PC 150– Sennheiser SH 330

• How to record your show in .mp3 format– iRiver H320– Samsung Yepp YP-T7X– Can also use the LAME encoder for Audacity

• Figure out how to use the audio editing software

• Save as .wav file

Including music on your podcast?

• Some things to keep in mind:– Read the Podcasting Copyright Guide

• http://wiki.creativecommons.org/Podcasting_Legal_Guide

– Learn about Creative Commons Licensing• http://creativecommons.org/about/licenses/

– Podsafe Music Network• http://podsafemusicnetwork.com

You might need to edit your audio

• Windows– Adobe Audition,

http://www.adobe.com/products/audition/ – Pro Tools

http://www.digidesign.com

• Macintosh– Garageband

http://www.apple.com/ilife

• Also check out Audacity – free, open source and multi-platform– http://audacity.sourceforge.net

Two terms to know well

• Sample rate– Like frames of a movie– The higher the rate, the larger the file– 44.100 kHz is typical (set this before

recording)• Bit rate

– Amount of information processed per unit of time (bits/sec)

– Higher number is better, but larger file– 64 kbps for voice and double for music

Using Audition to Podcast

You might need to edit your video

• Windows– Adobe Premier,

http://www.adobe.com/products/premier/ – Ulead Video Studio 10

http://www.ulead.com/vs/runme.htm – Camtasia

http://www.techsmith.com

• Macintosh– iMovie

http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/ – QuickTime Pro– http://www.apple.com/quicktime/pro/

win.html

Distributing/Publishing

• Hosting your audio files• Publishing on the web• Creating the feed• Validating the feed• Promoting your podcast

What will your patrons think?

Thank You for Attending!

Questions?Questions?• 1.800.999.8558

– Ext. 3848

• Web: lyrasis.org– Live Chat Service

Available!

•Email: jennifer.bielewski@lyrasis.org