The Pod Invasion Continues

Let me get this out of the way: More podcast exercises don’t make me like it more. While I’m impressed with what other libraries, such as Arizona State University, Denver Public Library and Sheridan Libraries have done to incorporate podcasts and videos into their website, I don’t see myself avidly podcasting either.

I can see some of the work that is needed to make podcasts successful, and it is a big undertaking. If the Library starts posting podcasts, we need to make sure entries are added regularly so that listeners will come back for newer entries. Denver Public Library had podcasts dating back to 2006! I would think if we ever do podcasts, each library would do their own podcasts about stuff at the particular library. We’d also have to figure out how long we need to keep the entries. The podcasts should also be searchable by content, so categories for podcast topics and tags for podcast materials can help the customers find one that interests them.

Podcasts can be great, but they still have some faults. Podcasts are still for the most part audio files, so they aren’t as immediate as a person talking or reading to you. How about those people who are visual or tactile learners? Audio format won’t be as effective for them. While some of the storytelling I listened to from other libraries’ podcasts was great, I missed seeing a book with pictures in front of me. It was disconcerting to hear a disembodied voice read a story but not be able to see the storyteller.

The Pod is Overrated

For instance, think of the overpriced iPod or the fact that “podcast” was 2005’s word of the year. Perhaps it is because I hardly ever listen to radio shows, but I don’t find podcasting particularly exciting. I am amazed by how many podcasts there are out there, so much that podcast directories have been created to gather them together! It was enough to find a podcast to subscribe to. The difficulty lay in the subscription process.

There were so many different feeds for readers depending on whether you wanted to read or hear them. My mind was simply reeling. There are tons of library related podcasts around, and there’s such a wide range of what they cover: from news at your library and reference tutorials to book readings.

I can see podcast being useful for the library, but just not for me. It sounds too time-consuming and too much like a talk show over the internet. I think this could be useful for the Special Services division of the Library, especially when today’s computer savvy customers will be some of our future Special Service customers. News can be regularly shared through a podcast that anyone could subscribe to. No more money spent on cassette tapes for Special Services’ audio newsletter and we can keep up with the times. Special Services can have its own talk show and loyal following!