Annals of Library and Information Studies 122 ANN. LIB. INF. STU., JUNE 2010 Vol. 57, June 2010, pp.122-129 Podcasting in library environment Anna Kaushik Librarian, Modi Institute of Technology,Nayagaon Rawatbhata Road, Kota (Rajasthan) Email: [email protected] Examines the uses of podcasting technology in libraries and identifies the various podcasting activities taking place in LIS sector. Reveals that podcasting is spreading rapidly in LIS field and that the technology can be used to promote library services and products, library instructions and contents to the uers. Web enabled technologies have broken physical barriers due to widespread availability of broadband and increasing and are playing a key role in disseminating valuable access to the internet at home, with more than 100000 information in different formats. Web 2.0 technologies podcasts listed on the iTunes Store as of August 20073. comprise an array of web enabled services which are used for diverse purposes. Podcasting is one of the Meaning of podcasting Web 2.0 applications, which enhances the new ways of A podcast is an audio file made available on internet. It is information communication, especially content a combination of two words broadcasting (the term used information. It is used in the web-based environment for the transmission of television and radio) and iPod (a for broadcasting audio. A number of synonymous terms well known portable media MP3 player developed by such as audiocasting, audioblogging and webcasting are Apple computer Inc.). In the podcasting technology, the used for podcasting. Vodcasting, on the other hand audio is syndicated, through RSS (Really Simple consists of video and broadcasting that turned as a Syndication) feed that was adopted from blog community. popular medium due to video sharing sites like Google Anyone can subscribe to RSS feed for any specific Video and You Tube1. According to Wikipedia, podcast that facilitates downloading new contents of the “podcasting” term was used for the first time by Ben podcast automatically when a new podcast is produced. Hammersley, a journalist, in his article “The Guardian” on February 12, 20042. The term podcasting leads people to think that an iPod is mandatory to download and to listen to podcasts. But Libraries and other information provider agencies are podcasts can be downloaded and listened through any also incorporating podcasting technology into their MP3 format supported media player or on personal services by creating, editing, linking and disseminating computers and even can be burned on CDs/ DVDs own and other podcasts to their users. Podcasting offers directly and heard on CDs/DVDs players. new opportunities to deliver information contents more effectively and with flexibility to access them anywhere Review of literature and at any time users want or have desire to listen. Most of the literature regarding podcasting in library field Podcasting is often referred to as ‘push’ technology is on how to create podcast, history of podcast, overview because information publishers/ agencies are pushing of podcasting and tools required to develop as well as information contents directly to the users. listen to podcasts. Mahjouri and Purnell provide essential steps to create podcasts for a library4. Fetaji described In 2007, Apple Inc. reported that the popularity of the role of podcasting as to produce and distribute podcasts has exploded over the last two years probably electronic content and enhance the communication level KAUSHIK: PODCASTING IN LIBRARY ENVIRONMENT 123 among various readers through a case study that was communication11. Worcester and Barker expressed that initiated in the South East European Universitya5. Some podcasting is a recent phenomenon on the internet that authors recommended inclusion of podcasting technology explores possibilities to act as alternative tool for academic in libraries to enhance their services. For instance, Kraft and public libraries through a description of the University urged to integrate podcasting technology into library of Texas at Arlington Libraries’ experiences12. collection and asserted the ways about how a library could find, organize, evaluate and incorporate the How podcasting works podcasts programme into their collection by setting an A podcaster records and edits using suitable software 6 example of South Pointe Medical Library podcasts . and produces an audio file often in MP3 format that may Janes emphasized that podcasting needs to be adopted contain lectures, interviews, instructions etc., and posts 7 because it supports library goals . Murley describes the final audio file on internet server. Thereafter, RSS podcasts as important for law librarians and discusses (Really Simple Syndication) feed is added in audio files ways in which podcasting may be helpful to law librarians through any RSS feed generator software like Feed 8 to deliver library services . Burner/ Feed for All etc., or with the help of any blog software. The audience of the podcast uses address of The use of podcasting technology is increasing and the RSS feed file to subscribe the podcast by using any podcasts are being developed by various libraries for podcast reader/ aggregator/ podcatcher software such different purposes. Libraries and information centers are as iTunes, Jiuce, iPodder etc. Once subscription for also distributing iPods to their users to intensify their podcast is setup, the podcatcher software will podcasting services and resources. automatically check the new MP3 files recently added Jowitt studied current levels of podcast usage and within subscription. If there is any update found, podcast perceptions of library instructional podcasts by six sample reader starts to begin downloading these new files and podcasts that were made available via New Zealand’s other accompanying files also. The audience of podcast UCOL (Universal College of Learning) website in MP3 has option to synchronize and download podcasts with format9. Barnes provided a model for creating podcasts other multimedia devices such as a mobile, MP3 player to promote academic library resources and services, and iPod etc., to use them any where during their leisure especially emphasized on government documents time. collections by the Mississippi State University (MSU) Libraries’ project10. Jowitt defined how podcasting Objectives of the study technology could be used to provide instruction sessions • To examine the use of podcasting technology in by the librarian and for promotion of information libraries; Fig.1— Working of podcasts (Adapted from a model of podcast publication and subscription presented by Margaret Maag13 ) 124 ANN. LIB. INF. STU., JUNE 2010 Fig. 2 –– Podcasting website of The Library 2.0 gang • To identify the podcasting activities taking place libraries web site gives information regarding entire library in online resources in library and information in 15.3 MB (about fifteen minute audio) with necessary science area; and direction floor by floor15. Lunar and Planetary Institute • To review some prominent podcasting websites Library – What’s New Podcast highlights new additions available in LIS sector. to the library collections, tips on using library services and resources16 for information about library tour and Methodology instructions. Georgia Perimeter College Library Listen Up! produces podcasts on monthly basis since 2005 that An extensive search was conducted through three search focuses on library related news, events and promotion engines, viz., Google, Yahoo and MSN using a of library services17. OPAL podcasts deal with library combination of different search terms such as library staff development including training sessions18 for podcast, library podcast blog, library podcast database, conferences, tutorials and training sessions. South and library podcast journal. A few resultant podcasts Huntington Public Library has published various audio relevant to LIS field were retrieved through above search books19. “Talking with Talis” website is imparting engines, Apart from this, podcast directories like information in podcast format about conversations held Podcastalley, Podcastdirectory and several online among different technical leaders on the latest technology resources such as databases, journals, websites, and blogs issues like web 2.0, library 2.0 and semantic web20 for etc., were also searched to access podcasts in library lectures, interviews and resource guides. Lib Vide website and information science field. The identified podcasts provides news in podcasts format about what is happening were thoroughly examined to know the possible use in in the library and literary world21 for professional libraries and podcasting activities governed through development and learning tool. various online resources. Finally, a few selected podcasts in each category of online resources is reviewed. However, use of podcasting technology can vary from library to library where each library develops podcasts Use of podcasting in libraries according to their information needs or focusing an area Presently, many libraries and information centers are of the services. By using podcasting technology in library using podcasting technology for various purposes. services, users have another option to get readymade Roberts pointed out the uses of podcast for information information in portable format that promotes mobile literacy14. Alden Library podcast on the Ohio University learning environment. KAUSHIK: PODCASTING IN LIBRARY ENVIRONMENT