Casting @ Owls
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In 2008, OWLS received a grant to purchase equipment and software to enable us and our member libraries to create podcasts, vodcasts, and screencasts. This presentation shares what we did, examples of projects, and other tips and resources. Presented WiLSWorld in Madison, Wisconsin on July 28, 2009.
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Casting @ Owls
- 1. ‘ Casting @ OWLS Beth Carpenter Director Kimberly-Little Chute Public Library This presentation will be available at http://www.slideshare.net/carpenter.beth
- 2. The Project $9327 LSTA grant award Equipment and software Podcasts Vodcasts Screencasts
- 3. The Focus &
- 4. The Plan
- 5. Two of Everything OWLS Staff Circulating “Casting Kit”
- 7. ‘ Casting Pod Vod Screen
- 8. Podcasting A means of distributing AUDIO CONTENT over the Internet, taking advantage of the power of RSS
- 12. http://www2.worthingtonlibraries.org/programs2go/ (audio and video available)
- 13. http:// www.nypl.org/audiovideo/index.cfm (audio and video available)
- 14. Podcast Purchases Blue Snowball omnidirectional USB mic $83.95
- 15. Podcast Purchases Sennheiser PC 160 Pro Headset w/microphone $75.96
- 16. Podcast Purchases Olympus DS-40 Digital recorder Nady MPF 6 “ Clmap Lapel microphone $145.39 $23.57
- 17. Podcast Purchases http:// audacity.sourceforge.net / FREE recording & editing software
- 18. Podcast Purchases ePodcast Producer Professional recording & editing software https:// industrialaudiosoftware.com /products/ epodcastproducer.html $249.95
- 19. Podcast Purchases Dell Latitude D830 Traveling recording laptop $2,213.50
- 20. Podcast Purchases Dell Optiplex 755 Staff recording workstation $1,831.59
- 21. Free & Low-Cost Alternatives http:// www.gabcast.com / Record a podcast via your phone http:// www.gcast.com USB headsets $24.99-$99.99 USB microphones $9.99-$29.99 Headsets recommended above microphones!
- 22. Podcast Results http:// www.apl.org/programs/archive.html 288 hits 383 hits 118 hits
- 23. Podcast Results – Post Grant Period http:// www.gabcast.com/index.php?a = episodes&id =30336 fed into SLP blogs at http:// creative.owlsweb.info/?p =457 and http:// express.owlsweb.info/?p =229 440 collective hits for 2 month period
- 24. More Info on Podcasting http://castingkit.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/getting-started-with-podcasting/
- 25. Vodcasting a.k.a. video podcast, videoblogging, vlogging A means of distributing VIDEO CONTENT over the Internet, taking advantage of the power of RSS
- 29. http://oneminutecritic.wordpress.com/ See also http://www.youtube.com/user/LDFargoLibrary
- 30. http:// www.ted.com / (See also http:// academicearth.org / and http:// www.youtube.com/edu )
- 31. Vodcast Purchases Flip Video Digital camcorder $114.99
- 32. Vodcast Purchases Sony DCR-SR300 DV Camcorder Accessories Tripod VCT D580RM Wireless Mic ECM HW1 Extra Batteries $114.99 $260.38
- 33. Vodcast Purchases Windows Movie Maker FREE w/Windows - video creating & editing http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/moviemaker2.mspx
- 34. Vodcast Purchases Laptop + Staff Workstation Podcast laptop & staff workstation also used for vodcast editing
- 35. Vodcast Results http:// owlsweb.blip.tv / 18 posts 949 views
- 36. Vodcast Results http:// www.youtube.com/user/MuehlPublicLibrary 12 posts 693 views
- 37. Vodcast Results – Post Grant Period http:// www.youtube.com/user/InfoSoupVideos 7 posts 1,185 views 2 month period
- 38. More Info on Vodcasting http://castingkit.wordpress.com/2008/08/27/getting-started-with-vodcasting/
- 39. Screencasting A digital recording of SCREEN ACTIONS usually with audio narration
- 41. http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v = jddYPQkyFvM
- 44. Screencast Purchases http:// www.techsmith.com/camtasia.asp $204.63 Camtasia can also be used for podcast and vodcast recording & editing Love it!
- 45. Screencast Purchases Headset + Laptop + Staff Workstation Podcast headset, laptop & staff workstation also used for screencast recording & editing
- 46. Free Alternatives http://www.screencast-o-matic.com / http:// camstudio.org / http:// www.debugmode.com /wink/ http:// www.jingproject.com / http:// www.screentoaster.com / http:// screencastle.com /
- 47. Screencast Results http:// infosoup.blip.tv / 7 posts 4,900 views
- 48. More Info on Screencasting http://castingkit.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/getting-started-with-screencasting/
- 49. Project Tidbits Feedback collected on screencasts and overall grant evaluation Homegrown calendar and online request form for ‘casting kit circulation http:// www.owlsweb.info /casting/
- 50. The Project: Overall Results
- 51. Challenges Learning without purpose
- 52. Challenges
- 53. Challenges Dial-up connections used by patrons
- 54. Successes Gadget Open House Video Scavenger Hunt
- 55. Successes “ This is fantastic. It was useful to me as a library staff person and will be great for training staff and the public.”
- 57. Unexpected Success http:// www.gotowebinar.com / Use other tools to capture training, then post online!
- 58. Webinar Capture Examples http:// projectplay.owlsweb.info/?page_id =92
- 59. TIP Ask your children’s librarians!
- 62. Be Where Your Users Are Serendipitous discovery!
- 63. Multiple Formats for Learning
- 65. Ideas
- 66. Resources http:// castingkit.wordpress.com /resources/
- 68. Resources
- 69. TIPS Embrace impErfEction Podcast your PASSION Share your knowledge and enthusiasm!
- 71. http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v = zlfKdbWwruY Outtakes: http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v =tT8jA_pps3o
- 72. Thank You! Beth Carpenter [email_address] castingkit.wordpress.com Slides available at www.slideshare.net/carpenter.beth
- 73. Photo Credits http:// www.flickr.com/photos/lesterpubliclibrary / http:// www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id =1991755 http:// www.flickr.com/photos/drachmann / http:// www.flickr.com/photos/billselak / http://www.flickr.com/photos/publik15 http:// www.flickr.com/photos/cheesebikini / http:// www.flickr.com/photos/librarianbyday / http:// www.flickr.com/photos/emagic / http:// www.flickr.com/photos/whatknot http:// www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id =1097999 http:// www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id =583338 http:// www.flickr.com/photos/brighton / http:// www.flickr.com/photos/fotologic / http:// www.flickr.com/photos/katietegtmeyer / http:// www.flickr.com/photos/andycarvin / http:// www.flickr.com /photos/mag3737/452838421/
Editor's Notes
- My slides with links to all of the resources I’ll be sharing today are available on slideshare.net. Grab a business card if you’d like to take the URL with you. Before I get started, I just want to do a quick show of hands to see how many people here have heard of : -podcasting -vodcasting -screencasting How many of you subscribe to podcasts or vodcasts in a feed reader?
- In 2008, Outagamie Waupaca Library System was awarded an LSTA grant in the Innovative Uses of Technology category. I was the Library Services Manager for OWLS at that time and administered the grant. The grants funds were to be used to purchase equipment and software to enable OWLS staff and our member libraries to create podcasts, vodcasts and screencasts And I’ll get into the definition of each in just a minute…
- Two areas of need were addressed in the grant proposal: InfoSoup patrons had expressed a need for mini-tutorials on how to use the catalog and associated resources. (Patron survey asking about their use of the online catalog & databases – comments came out in unstructured “additional comments” box.) OWLS member libraries do a great deal of programming: They rank 4 th in the number of programs per capita and 1 st in programming attendance per capita of the 17 Wisconsin public library systems We believed they could get even more bang for their buck if their programming was made accessible to more patrons using online tools.
- The plan for the project was to: 1. Research what equipment and software would be best to try out. 2. Make the purchases . 3. Learn how to use it all. 4. Develop processes for circulating the equipment. 5. Train OWLS staff and member library personnel how to use it all. 6. Assist OWLS member libraries with their projects. 7. Create InfoSoup screencast tutorials. 8. Evaluate the project.
- Once I had researched what was needed, I purchased 2 of everything, 1 set for OWLS staff use and 1 to create a ‘Casting Kit that would circulate to OWLS member libraries. Additional software was also purchased for some OWLS professional staff.
- So let’s talk more about ‘casting and examples of each. To get us started, let’s take a look at Common Craft’s video, Podcasting In Plain English. (PLAY VIDEO) – show only if newbies are in the audience… BTW, Common Craft is a great source for simple, graphic explanations of sometimes complex topics. Check out their videos on wikis, RSS, investing, electing a President, etc.
- In the video they combined audio & video into the name podcasting. For the purposes of this grant, I divided ‘casting projects into 3 different types: Podcasting Vodcasting Screencasting I felt it would be easier to separate the different types based on the equipment needed to create each and the resulting output. It worked for me, but I’m not sure it was relevant to anyone else! At any rate, that’s how I’ll talk about them throughout this presentation.
- So for my purposes, podcasting is defined as… (read the slide text) Let’s take a look at some examples of library-created podcasts…
- Denver Public Library records podcasts of stories being read by staff members. They get permission from publishers and authors to do this.
- The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have posted recordings of author visits and interviews, library scavenger hunts, and other programming by or for teens. * Wonderful way to link programming with books (links into the catalog to request item) and links to additional information about the program, author, or materials! Creates a much more rich and engaging experience.
- Worthington Libraries in Ohio are doing a great job – Everything from childrens stories & rhymes to poems, short stories, and book reviews for tweens & teens To adult programming like career training, parent resources, and all kinds of stuff. They have done what we planned on doing for the OWLS member libraries – take their live programming and put it online for anyone to view later. So if you can’t make it to the library, just catch up later from home! RSS feed provided, too.
- FABULOUS programs are available from the New York Public Library! My only criticism is that it doesn’t appear that they are providing an RSS feed for their stuff from their web site. But they do have a channel on YouTube and on iTunes U, and you can subscribe to both of those. * It occurred to me that you could have people in your own community watch one of these together (or from home) and then discuss in person or via a blot. Free programming for your library! We purchased the following equipment to enable us to create podcasts…
- I tried to purchase tools that could be used in a variety of settings – solo or group or audience. (SHOW BLUE SNOWBALL) I’m always tempted to add fake eyelashes or something to this, because it looks like a little droid… Anyway, this is a Blue Snowball microphone. It can be used by a single person or by a group, as it has a switch that allows you to change from one direction to omnidirectional recording, meaning it catches sound from all sides. We just used this to record some group booktalks in which we had some people in the room and some joining us online via GoToMeeting. Worked great! * Keep in mind that the prices and products I’ll be talking about were purchased in January 2008 – there may be better options or better prices available now.
- (SHOW HEADSET) This is actually a gaming headset, but it’s fantastic for hearing very clear playback when editing postcasts And it includes a microphone with pop filter for recording podcasts. Only critique is that it can be uncomfortable if you have to wear it very long!
- (SHOW OLYMPUS RECORDER) Love this device! Highly recommend it! Easy to use, extremely portable. Has lecture, meeting, or dictation modes – lecture setting is great! (SHOW how mic comes off and add the lapel mic) Great for speakers who like to move around. (SHOW cables for connecting to computer) USB plug and play – your computer will simply treat it like an external hard drive.
- Audacity is FREE and can be used to record and edit podcasts. Saves in proprietary format, so you have to export to an MP3 or something else. Pretty easy to use.
- Thought we’d try this software out, but to be honest, Audacity is much easier to use. I’ve not given up on this one yet, but it will take more time to learn. Can create podcast enclosures, includes an FTP client, and lots of other advanced features.
- A laptop was purchased for the circulating Casting Kit, so member libraries can record and edit without having to download any software on their own computers.
- We created a staff recording workstation in our meeting room, so those without a private office could record and edit in relative quiet.
- You don’t have to spend as much money as I did – you can still create podcasts with little or no money. * Cheaper headsets and mics are available, though I highly recommend a USB headset over a microphone. Gcast and Gabcast allow you to record your podcast via your phone – can’t edit it, but works great for quick on the fly recordings or interviews. No equipment or software needed! Gabcast doesn’t charge if you’re uploading your recordings, but they have started charging to allow you to record via the phone.
- The Appleton Public Library used the Olympus digital recorder to record several author visits at the library. The hits for each represent just a 6-8 month period. I think this is a great example of how their programming reached that many more people than could attend the live program. People could also revisit a recording if they had attended.
- This summer a group of InfoSoup librarians got together to form our first ‘Casting Crew. We recorded group booktalks and individual booktalks. I recorded some via GoToMeeting with a librarian in Door County. The booktalks are being fed into our Summer Library Program blogs and are off to a great start!
- Visit the ‘Casting @ OWLS blog and click on the Resources tab for links to getting started guides. This will give you more specifics on podcasting, along with links to examples and other resources that will help you get started. * I apologize if some links are out of date – the blog was closed when I left OWLS and isn’t being maintained any longer.
- (Read slide text) As I mentioned earlier, vodcasting is sometimes included in the definition of podcasting, but for my purposes it means VIDEO content, again, taking advantage of RSS. Let’s take a look at some examples…
- From the E.H. Butler Library at Buffalo State College in Buffalo, New York. They have a rooftop garden where they provide a venue for local writers to perform their work. Then they load the sessions on YouTube. (VISIT play Commodity)
- Harper College Library in Palatine, Illinois has had some fun with this one! (VISIT and play) What a great way to engage students who might think the library isn’t for them. Much more entertaining and fun!
- LOVE this example!!! Take current events and get your community talking about them.
- Library material reviews in one minute. (VISIT and play?) They invite you to create your own one minute videos and post them to YouTube with the tag “oneminutecritic.” ** Something like this puts a personal face on your library and your services. Much more engaging than just reading a review on a web site, don’t you think?
- Here’s an example from outside the library world, but it’s one of my absolute favorites! Check out videos here by Seth Godin and Clay Shirky. Academics are also starting to share via YouTube EDU and Academic Earth.
- (SHOW FLIP) Love this! Called the Flip because you record your video, then flip out the USB connection and pop it into your computer. Extremely easy to use. This one can record up to an hour of video – you can purchase different models that allow more time or better quality, like HD. Great fun for creating short videos. Sound quality not the best, but doesn’t really matter. Use this with your teens and tweens!
- (SHOW camcorder on tripod and accessories) This camcorder is better for recording programs or longer clips than what the Flip can capture. We purchased a tripod that can extend, so you can record over audience members’ heads, Extra batteries, And a wireless mic system to ensure that a presenter’s voice is captured clearly with the recording.
- The laptop and staff workstation I mentioned in the podcast section are also used for video editing.
- One of my other hats at OWLS is continuing education coordinator, so I decided to start recording any workshops for which I could get permission from the presenters. Most are more than happy to oblige. We now have 18 individual posts available on our blip.tv channel, which have collectively been viewed over 900 times.
- The Muehl Public Library, one of the OWLS member libraries in Seymour, had a poster unveiling event that I went up and recorded for them. They created a poster with local gentlemen dressed up as “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” which they were hoping would encourage boy readers. We also recorded interviews with the models and other locals at the event. There were 12 posts total, which were viewed almost 700 times in a 9 month period. (VISIT show interview with Bill Collar)
- The InfoSoup ‘Casting Crew I mentioned earlier also worked on creating craft vodcasts to feed into the SLP blogs. 7 videos were produced, which were viewed over 800 times in a one month period.
- Visit the ‘Casting @ OWLS blog and click on the Resources tab for a getting starting with vodcasting guide. Again, there is more information there about the specifics of recording, editing, etc. with links to additional resources.
- (Read the slide text) So in this case, you would, for example, open an application on your computer, start recording your actions within that application and record instructions to go with the recorded actions. Great for creating tutorials for your library’s online resources!
- The Enoch Pratt Free Library has a lengthy list of what they call “Show-Me-Guides.” Provides a great way for people to learn new skills! (VISIT show Determining Soundex Codes) I like how they’ve included closed captioning for those who either have difficulty hearing or who may be on a computer without speakers.
- Similar to the last example. The Orange County Library System includes classes in Excel, PowerPoint, and other applications. Some of their tutorials require that you login with your library card and PIN, so you won’t be able to see them all.
- Love, love, LOVE this software! It’s well worth the investment. Can be used for all of the ‘casting projects I’ve mentioned so far, not just for screencasts. They provide loads of video tutorials to help you get started. Wonderful, wonderful tool!
- Equipment mentioned in the podcasting and vodcasting sections are also used for screencasting.
- If you can’t afford to invest in Camtasia, try one of these free alternatives!
- So far, I have created 6 screencasts for InfoSoup users, covering how to add reviews and ratings to the catalog, how to freeze holds, how to use new features like My Lists, etc. Collectively, they have been viewed over 36 hundred times. Very positively received by both library staff and patrons. Chose blip.tv for our host again.
- Visit the ‘Casting @ OWLS blog and click on the Resources tab for a getting starting with screencasting guide. Again, there is more information there about the specifics of recording, editing, etc. with links to additional resources. * Mention article from TechSoup!
- We linked to evaluation surveys for everything created during the grant period and used SurveyMonkey to manage them and to analyze the results. Not a lot of feedback received, but mostly very positive. Evan Bend, my partner in crimes at OWLS, created an online calendar for the casting kit reservations, along with a form to request equipment. (DEMO IF TIME)
- The overall results for this project were quite mixed. I’ll start by sharing some of the challenges I faced.
- Once I had the equipment in hand, I had to learn how to use it all so I could train everyone else. The problem was that I was kind of learning in a bubble… no one else in the area was doing these kinds of projects, and other than the InfoSoup screencasts, I didn’t have any projects available to me that I could use to practice on. So I was learning without purpose. That’s when I decided to start recording our CE workshops. It gave me real-life material that would be useful to share and that led to a purpose I could learn from.
- Even though I had been immersed in Web 2.0 and new media tools and was very interested in the grant project, it felt like I was all alone for a while. * My colleagues weren’t interested, the member library staff weren’t interested or are simply too busy with day to day life, so I was playing by myself for quite a while. * I’m also finding that most people working in libraries are introverts who will avoid being recorded at all costs! Little by little things are changing and interest from the OWLS member libraries is growing, but it has taken some time and a lot of enthusiasm.
- Though our libraries all have broadband, not all of our library users do. Some still have dial-up. With the InfoSoup screencasts in particular, they are just too large and take too much time to download for them to be useful to those folks. We’re looking at providing text instructions or transcripts to partner with the screencasts in order to help those stuck with dial-up connections.
- While the initial training options I provided were only requested by 1 person in the entire system, other programs were quite successful in getting the equipment into people’s hands. I had a gadget open house and put out the Casting Kit equipment along with the gadget kit that can be requested from WPLC. * Hands on time with others made things less intimidating. Also, at a staff inservice training day, I had attendees do a video scavenger hunt exercise using the Flip video cameras. It was a huge hit and loads of fun. Again, it made the equipment much less intimidating.
- Both the OWLS CE workshops and InfoSoup screencasts have been very well received, as have the SLP podcasts and vodcasts. Well worth the effort!
- Using a blog to record all activities done throughout the grant period was incredibly helpful. It allowed me to pull together resources, links, and results all in one easy to use place. Hopefully, it will now be a resource for all of you! ** I would highly recommend using a blog for grant reporting!
- OWLS had been using OPAL and GoToMeeting and GoToWebinar to hold online meetings and workshops. These tools have a recording feature, so you can capture your event and then post it online for those who couldn’t come.
- We’ve been doing this for Project Play Dates, so any webinars missed can be accessed at your convenience.
- If you’re looking for willing participants, ASK YOUR CHILDREN’S LIBRARIANS! I asked OWLS children’s librarians if they’d like to give it a go, and we came up with more ideas than we have time to do!
- Hopefully the “WHYS” of podcasting, vodcasting, and screencasting have been answered as I’ve been talking, but just in case, here are some things to think about…
- Media like podcasts and vodcasts present an opportunity to engage people with your library in new ways. They can create an emotional and personal connection to your services, as they provide a more personable voice or face to your facility. Additionally, most hosts provide commenting features, so you can invite discussion on your posts and begin to collaborate with your patrons in new and exciting ways.
- You can’t rely on people coming to you or finding your web site any more! There are too many other competing distractions. Get out where your users are and make yourself available for serendipitous discovery.
- Some people are visual learners, some use sound, some touch. People can start and stop your ‘cast as they wish and can repeat sections they need to return to. Providing your information in multiple formats will engage users of all learning types!
- People can access your materials any time they want without being limited to your library schedule. They are served at point of need or interest – whatever works best for them.
- Are there things your library is doing that could be provided in a podcast or vodcast? What services do you provide that would be easily explained in a screencast or other ‘casting project? Let’s throw out some ideas! Take your recording equipment out into your community – become a community liaison and share what’s happening outside your doors. Commercials for upcoming events. Book cart drill teams – record your performances! Cliffhanger booktalks. Have classes and teach your patrons how to make podcasts & vodcasts!
- There’s lots of info I don’t have time to provide today, like the specifics on hosts or compression, etc. Everything I’ve discovered through the grant process is on the ‘Casting @ OWLS blog. Go there and explore!
- I’ve collected resources in a delicious account, which is fed into the ‘Casting @ OWLS blog. Start there for some good links. * Also, if you search everyone’s links in delicious, you’ll find loads of info on podcasts, vodcasts, and screencasts!
- Great book for libraries! Include basic info to get you started. Some of the links in it are already outdated, but that’s to be expected. Lots of examples and tools to try.
- Don’t be like me and do 40 takes of a voiceover for a screencast! Embrace imperfection and realize that any flubs just make you more lovable and entertaining to your audience. Your enthusiasm is what will bring people back to see what else you’re going to do. Let it out!
- Any questions?
- Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions & please come up and play with the equipment if you’d like to try things out. Thanks for coming!