IL 2006: Podcasting & Vidcasting

IL 2006: Podcasting & Vidcasting (a two-part session)
Greg Schwartz, Jeff Humphrey, David Free, Sean Cordes, and David King

IL2006

I was very glad to attend these two back-to-back sessions.  My library is just now recording its first podcasts (some storytimes, author events, speakers, "best of the web" shows, etc.).  Greg Schwartz's Sirsi Dynix webcasts (there were two) about podcasting did a lot toward getting us on our way.  This session confirmed much of what Greg had told us, but also gave me some new tips and tricks...places to look for examples and additional resources.

Greg Schwartz
Greg Schwartz started the talk with a brief overview of what podcasting is (distributing audio content online through RSS).  He then went onto discuss why libraries should podcast: to understand the technology and explore its possibilities, to meet our organizational goals, to enrich the experiences of our users in our online environment.  Greg gave us a warning: podcasting is _not_ a  one-time deal.  You cannot put something up once and let it stagnate.  Podcasting's chief strength is that it lets users continually receive new things from the library--so you will need to put some time into it and continue to produce content.  So, what should you podcast?
1) Programming: get permission first, but you are already putting a lot of time into getting these programs in place--make them available permanently via podcasts!
2) Library News: what new events and resources/services are available
3) Bibliographic Instruction
4) Serving the visually-impaired community
5) Internal staff communication and training
6) much, much more

Greg's 9 easy steps to podcasting:
1) Determine content and format.
2) Assemble equipment and people,
3) Record.
4) Edit and export to MP3.
5) Listen to what you've done and check for mistakes.
6) Post it on a server somewhere.
7) Generate your RSS feed (that's what makes it a podcast!  use Feedburner--ooh yeah!)
8) Publish the podcast so people can find it and subscribe to it.
9) Promote it; Let people give you feedback and respond to that feedback;  REPEAT IT!

Jeff Humphrey
Humphrey discussed video podcasting (aka vidcasting) and INCOLSA.  They had a lot of existing content available on VHS.  They are in the process of migrating all of this content into digital format and making it available.  They have a webpage with links for each of the videos, plus a feed to subscribe to the new additions.  He writes his video RSS feed from scratch (hard core!).  They partnered with IUPY (a joint venture with Indiana University and Purdue University) and they are able to help each other.  He was able to get some good administrative support, which he noted is crucial.

They have a release form that anyone they record must sign to be recorded and therefore podcasted/vidcasted.  (Sarah's note: this is essential--legally protect yourself if you are going to be recording anyone via voice, photo, audio...anything).  He does believe they need to find a better space for the videos with adequate memory space.  They now have a WordPress blog that will automatically code the RSS feed.  He also believes that they need to seek out more content pipelines--other content providers to keep the content fresh and ever-changing. 

He gave us several production tips:
1) Have a reason to include video--does video add anything to the content?
2) Invest in a good microphone--you can tell the difference!
3) Frame your shots properly--fill the screen, anticipate movement
4) Watch and proof the podcast 5) Have fun with it!

Jeff invites questions at jeff@incolsa.com.

David Free
David is involved with audio podcasting at GPC in Decatur.  They started podcasting in February of 2005.  His library was one of the first, if not THE first, to do a "library news" podcast.  These were 10-12 minute weekly podcasts of promotions, events, materials and services updates, etc.

8 Things He Learned About Podcasting
1) Make sure it feeds. 
2) Promote.  Then promote some more!  He recommends trying to keep the podcast as lively and engaging as you can.
3) Keep it short.  They have reduced the 12 minute show to 6 minutes or so.
4) Use music sparingly.  Don't include full songs--you can use bumper music though to indicate the opening and closing of the show or segment breaks.
5) Multiple voices rock.  Include multiple people's perspectives and voices--it keeps the interest level up.
6) Podcast your events.
7) Have a page with all of your podcasts permanently linked/archived.
8) Ask your users what they would be interested in.

He's using a USB Microphone, Audacity, recording at 96kB/second as an MP3, they use Liberated Syndication (an external hosting system) that produces the feed automatically as well as keeping all of the episodes in iTunes as well.  He thinks that future users will want more and more content via podcasts.

Sean Cordes
Sean Cordes's focus was really on university libraries and student-focused podcast content.  Sean began by talking about some general goals of podcasting: increasing user engagement and interaction with content.  Beyond just building your own podcast content, you should consider pointing to other organizations' content that may help your users.  He spoke about creating a unique voice with your podcast.  Institutions like Stanford are beginning to podcast their instructional sessions and classes for free access by anyone.  Find podcast content from your community, and point to them all from one page on your library's website.  He discussed some examples of podcasts that use student experiences to share learning.  He also discussed podcast opportunities for professional developments for library staff.  He showed a vidcast from the San Francisco zoo, showing staff working with the animals and explaining how they're doing. 

David King
King talked about his own experiences in vidcasting.  He has a video blog: ETC and cited Rocketboom as one of the most famous and most-watched video blogs.  That site gets 400,000 viewers per day throughout the world.  It's on Tivo and on iTunes.  They are making money for advertising on their site, and have 100% creative control over the form and substance of those advertisements (which they create themselves).

Vidcasting is called a lot of different names: Vodcasting, Vlogging, Video Blogging, etc.  The strength of any kind of "casting" is that it's really easy to post new content.  Another benefit is the automatic comments features, which allows community engagement.

He showed some vidcasting examples: a video from http://www.SteveGarfield.com documenting his frustrating getting a lid off of a soup can.  He showed us a video from a drummer who is giving online drum lessons through brief vidcasts.  He then showed us a library vidcast featuring a poetry troupe from National Poetry Month. 

Vidcasting has taken off in the last year or so due to cheaper equipment, cheaper storage, devices for watching video like video iPods, and the readily available blogging and feed technologies.

David emphasized the importance of having broadband if you're going to watch vidcasts, as well as having Windows Media Player, Quicktime, and Flash.  There are video aggregators like iTunes and Fireant that automatically download the videos for you that you have subscribed to.  PSPs let you watch QuickTime format videos (sweet portability!). 

How do you create vidcasts.  You need a computer with a Firewire input, a video camera (David's is from Sanyo and records to an SD card), video editing software, a blog, and a way to deal with different types of formats. 

Give some thought to format--do you want to release it in WMP, Quicktime, Flash, or more than one?

Storage: if you can handle the storage and bandwidth with your own server, great.  If not, you may need to outsouce the hosting to a media hosting company.  Blip.tv, Our Media, or Internet Archive are three options.  Google, YouTube, MySpace, and more all host video content.  Take your pick. 

David talked a bit about YouTube: it will store you video, keep statistics, and allow for comments.  But they won't let users download the video.  Keep that in mind if you only want to post things on YouTube.  Best practice would probably be to post the video both on your own blog with download capabilitis and on YouTube for more exposure.

Some ideas for libraries vidcasting:
1) Video-record your Book talks.
2) Tutorials and bibliographic instruction.
3) Video-record all of your events.
4) Video content of oral histories that you may already have on VHS or film.
5) Partner with school kids and let the school children make movies.
6) Record interesting events (magic shows, animal visits, etc.)
7) Video-record the local attractions in your area as little travel guides
8) Invite local candidates to discuss a topic (debate-style)
9) Interview prominent local citizens.

David recommends four books: Videooblogging for Dummies, Secrets of Video Blogging (and I didn't catch the last two).  There are also video blogging conferences as well.