Podcasts!

In LSSL 5391, we are discussing Podcasts this week!  I looked into three different platforms for creating podcasts, and I want to give you my impressions of each one. 

Podbean: I found Podbean to be a great site for beginners. You can operate a free account. This is the first website I used to make a podcast for another class.  I recorded my podcast on my phone, and then uploaded it to the website.  It was really simple. If you are wanting to reach an increasing amount of people, Podcast offers ways to track your listening statistics, as well as advertise and promote yourself.  Podbean is also set up so that you can easily share through social media or other markets. If you are interested in learning a little bit about a legendary librarian, Augusta Baker, take a listen here: 

Buzzsprout: You can also operate a free account on this website.  You can upload or create 2 hours of content per month for free. You can also edit your content pretty easily, and you can add features like transition music. Sound optimization is only available through a paid subscription. This website also offers monetization through ads or podcast subscriptions. Like the other sites, you can add music and/or artwork to your episodes.  They offer easy access to different podcast directories. I do like the ‘Resources’ section of this website.  It offers a lot of good information about all of the different options and services Buzzsprout offers.

Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor): This is the platform I chose to create the podcast for this assignment. I recorded using my standard laptop microphone. The audio quality is great. Because this is a branch of Spotify, you can quickly link your music playlists with your podcast recordings, and include 30 second segments of your favorite songs.  They also have a great database of short musical transition interludes. These can not only add to the listening enjoyment of your episode, but also set a certain mood for your listeners. 

I also like that they have added ways for podcasters to interact with their listeners.  You can attach questions or polls to your podcasts. I liked Spotify the best out of the three platforms. The podcast creation interface was colorful and easy to understand and manipulate. Here is my newest podcast (for 5391) about 10 Things I've learned from Kinder Storytime!

Podcasts are a great tool of communication and even promotion in the library.  Many times, young people are more apt to listen than read.  Unlike written forms of communication, podcasts can be enjoyed while someone is doing other things, like driving or doing chores. They readily fit into busy schedules. 

Communication or education through podcasts eliminate certain barriers like reading difficulties.  They can also expand accessibility of information to some that might otherwise not be able to read or access the information. I like the idea of using podcasts to premiere library programs or introduce topics of study.  I could also see them being useful in book clubs.  They could add additional context and depth to many activities within the library.  

I will admit that I am not a big podcast listener.  I feel like I do not learn as well without a visual element. So podcast communication or learning can be challenging for others like me.  That being said, I did find some great education- and library-related podcasts. 

Martine Guernsey created "The Teaching Space" podcast.  It concluded in April of 2022, but there are several years of episodes that are practical and helpful. Also, she has a great accent that's fun to listen to!

"The Cult of Pedagogy" podcast by Jennifer Gonzalez is another great educational podcast. Her podcasts cover everything from book reviews to technology to 'attitude adjustments.' :) She has some awesome stuff for today's educators! 

"Librarypunk" is a podcast created by a team of librarians, from both academic and public libraries. It is entertaining and address some broader issues that affect all libraries. 

"School Librarians United" by Amy Hermon, which is sponsored by Capstone, is a helpful tool for school librarians. 

Last, but not least, "Leading from the Library with Future Ready Librarians," which is sponsored by Follett, is a great resource for school librarians as well.  I listened to a recent episode about creating reconsideration policies for libraries.  It also has other very relevant topics to our current challenges as librarians.