How can we use this technology to promote the library?

How can we use this technology to promote the library?
Who know, the possibilities are endless

In January (or possible Feb) I was at the Online Information conference in Melbourne. I went to a session on ‘Podcasting your library’ presented by the University of Newcastle library. It was particularly relevant for me at the time as I was Information Literacy librarian with Holmesglen then and we were focused on the creation of podcasts for the Information Commons (Library). If they’re still on the website, you could probably hear me voicing at least one pod their podcasts still. Until then I thought Podcasts were short movies comprising of vocals and visual. Now I know that they are mainly vocal, some times featuring visual. If you’re interested in watching some of the podcasts created by the University of Newcastle go to their website at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/library/orientation/index.html and check out their ‘Hear- Do – Learn’ section on the ‘Getting to know the library’ page. Although technically I think they may be Vodcasts. But I’m still a bit vague on the exact detail.

The podcasts they demonstrated at the conference made me see that it was possible to make podcasts about the library some what entertaining and fun, while imparting relevant and useful information. The podcast they played at the conference was about the library being open 24/ 7. The aspect that made it most entertaining was that the library had asked actual students to help with the script and in performing it. I think they may have been performing arts students too. The script involved a students chatting to another students about the long opening hours then falling asleep and snoring half way through cause he, had stayed at the library 24/7 just to test the theory.

I also discovered a cool Vodcast (mainly cause it’s set in Melbourne) but it is funny. Girl Friday http://www.girlfriday.tv/
Although I haven’t seen all the episodes so can’t vouch for the content. I can tell you that at least one episode is set at the Holmesglen Information Commons in Moorabbin and that while they were filming a piece involving some one complaining to the librarian (an actor) that it was too noise and the librarian of course, goes on to shhhhh some one, there were real life students in the IC complaining to the real life librarians about the film crew being too noise.

The up shot of all of this is that there are many examples of libraries’ integrating podcasts (and other new web 2.0 technologies) into their marketing plans and I think if we investigate a little we could come up with some brilliant ideas. Every one having a go at the 21 lunges and familiarising with the sorts of technologies out there is a brilliant first step!

Podcast to come...as soon as I can choose one I like enough to post !
Although have you seen how long it can take me to choose what to eat!? And this is just a podcast ;)