Getting the Podcasts to the People
When I think about applying podcasting to libraries and library service, my main question is: How will patrons get to the podcasts? In other words, where would they be located and how would customers find them? I have two visions, and am interested to hear what yours are as well.
Vison #1:
Patron walks into library. There is an information desk with a computer immediately an the entrance. The patron can use this computer's podcast as an audio introduction to the library, similar to an orientation before starting a project (essentially, learning to use the library is its own project altogether). The computer has a pair headphones and a screen where the customer can simply put on the headphones and press a start button. This way, even the least tech-savvy library users can use it easily, and customers cannot avoid listening to the "orientation station" (forgive the cheesiness) because of how prominently it is displayed. This would be similar to automatic check-in at the airport or at a hotel--the first place a customer went upon entering the library.
Vision #2:
Patron visits library's website and downloads podcast. The disadvantage of this situation is that only moderatly tech-savvy library users will be able to use the internet to download a podcast, so only a portion of library users will ever encouter the podcast.
The issue with podcasts is primarily how to get the podcast to the customer, because at least half of our user population has never even heard of a podcast, much less downloaded and listened to one.
(My podcast on blip.tv is an example of one a library might use in Vision #1)
