Podcasts

 Podbean

The podcast app that I am most familiar with is Podbean.  I first used this app over the summer when I had to create a podcast for another class.  I found this app easy to use and I was able to download it to my phone.  It is a free app that allows you to create podcasts as well as browse and listen to other podcasts.  They have sound effects that you can add to your podcast as well as a variety of background music.  The only thing that I was unable to do was add another voice to my podcast.  I was unable to add my partners recording to mine to make one podcast.  Therefore I had to record both of our parts myself.  There are many ways to share your podcast on social media, embedded into a blog, or shared by direct link.

Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout is a free app that allows you to record up to 2 hours of audio each cycle for free.  This app had a few more bells and whistles like magic mastering which fixes the volume on your audio to make it uniform throughout the episode.  It also had something called dynamic content that allows you to record a set introduction to your episodes.  However, I could not figure out how to add it to my episode.  So I was unable to use it.  This app seems to be more for the serious podcaster.  It lets you design your own thumbnail with Canva and you can share your podcast with all the major podcasting apps and social media.

Audioboom

This app is not free.  It is $9.99 per month or $99 per year.  This app also seems to be more for the serious podcaster who has several podcasts they may be working on.  This app allows you to share with all the major podcast apps and social media.  You can also embed your podcasts into your blogs.  Audioboom allows more than one person to work on your episodes and includes the capability to add a cohost.  Because you are paying for this app you have an unlimited amount of podcasts.  This app is for someone who knows what they are doing in podcasts and wants to monetize their podcast.  

The app that my partner and I used was Podbean.  I recorded a podcast that we co-wrote about what an ideal elementary library looks like.  

Podcasts in the Library

Some benefits of podcasts for the library is that it is another way for librarians to get information out to their students.  I think that it would also be fun to allow students to use podcasting as a way to share what they are reading or what is going on with the library.  

Some challenges would be learning the ins and outs of using a podcast app.  Having the time to really work with and understand all of the tricks and tools on how to make a successful podcast is difficult.  Also, learning how to edit sound clips together was difficult for me and would require extra instruction.

Some librarian podcasts that I found were: 

American Libraries' Dewey Decibel Podcast- this one discusses hot-button library issues and plans.

Circulating Ideas- this podcast is on librarianship

Cyberpunk Librarian- a podcast about all things digital in the library.

The Librarian's Guide to Teaching- this podcast gives you teaching tips and ideas for the library.