Last week, a book banning incident in Australia lead me to want to research the topic and create a podcast to voice my new knowledge and thoughts. The activity of learning to record a podcast was a new technological experience, one that could empower teens if added to library teen programming.
I have never made a podcast before this activity. I had to research a topic, write a script, set up a microphone with my computer, and ensure compatibility with recording software. Using my Apple computer, GarageBand proved to be a user-friendly choice for recording. The editing of audio took longer than anticipated as I had to familiarise myself with GarageBand’s editing tools. I also had to learn how to craft a jingle, structure a solo discussion, and share it online (Buzzsprout, 2024; Gray, 2024; Spotify, 2023).
A library program in Norway shed light on the process of running a podcast program for teens. Librarians provided brief podcast training and allowed teens to choose their topics, resulting in ten 5-15 minute podcasts uploaded to Spotify and their website (Kaasa & Tveit, 2022, p.5). Staff handled editing, adding jingles, and publishing, highlighting the valuable technical skills librarians can bring to such initiatives. My background in music production enabled my ability to create a podcast for the first time with relative ease despite it being a new experience, suggesting that my undergraduate music degree has more application to library settings than I previously assumed.
Podcast production is a way of active learning in a non-school setting that teenagers find fun and useful (Kaasa & Tveit, 2022, p.7). In preparing for the podcast’s teens need to research, read, write, edit, and so on, practicing important literacy and media creation skills in a practical environment that engages them (Dowling, 2017; Maxwell, 2022). It also allows the opportunity to improve presentation skills (Dowling, 2017).
Teaching teens to create podcasts as part of professional practice appears both achievable and educational. Libraries worldwide are already integrating teen podcasting into their programs. For instance, the New York Public Library hosts Keeping Up with Gen Z, a podcast by and for teens. This platform enables teenagers to address social and personal issues relevant to their generation, as they say, “who better to define that than teens themselves?” (Motsoasele, 2022). Moreover, research indicates that when teens are five the freedom to choose discussion topics, they often gravitate towards books, resulting in increased circulation of titles, or the acquisition of previously unavailable titles discussed during podcasting sessions (Kaasa & Tveit, 2022, p.8).
There are a wealth of ideas and examples for podcasts out there, such as those shared by Kelly (2021) and programs like Voices of Queens which libraries could adapt themselves. Podcast programming has immense value in allowing teens to have their voices heard and respected and enlist teens to engage other teens in the library. For myself, this has been an exercise in upskilling, so that in future I may be able to share these news skills with the next generation who have something to say.
This is the third in a series of reflective blog posts as part of my professional development for university subject INF505 Library Services for Children and Young Adults.
References
Buzzsprout. (2024, January 1). How to start a podcast: Complete step-by-step guide [2024].https://www.buzzsprout.com/blog/how-to-start-a-podcast
Dowling, B. (2017, October 6). Engaging Patrons with Library Podcasts. Public Libraries Online. https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/engaging-patrons-with-library-podcasts/
Gray, C. (2024, April 10). How to start a podcast: Launch to growth made simple for 2024. https://www.thepodcasthost.com/planning/how-to-start-a-podcast/
Kaasa, J. S., & Tveit, Å. K. (2022). Teenagers in the library: participatory mediation practices. Information Research, 27. https://doi.org/10.47989/colis2217
Kelly, K. (2021, April 19). Program ideas for media creation and engagement at your library. Programming Librarian. https://programminglibrarian.org/articles/program-ideas-media-creation-and-engagement-your-library
Maxwell, L. (2022, September 16). How to create a school library podcast. Book Riot.https://bookriot.com/how-to-create-a-school-library-podcast/
Motsoasele, K. (2022, October 11). Gen Z: A Podcast by and for teens. New York Public Library. https://www.nypl.org/blog/2021/11/22/introducing-keeping-up-with-gen-z-teen-podcast
Queens Public Library. (n.d.). Voices of Queens: Podcast program for teens. Retrieved May 13, 2024 from https://www.queenslibrary.org/programs-activities/teens/other-programs/podcast-workshop
Spotify. (2023, July 26). How to start a podcast: The creator’s step-by-step guide.https://podcasters.spotify.com/resources/learn/how-to/start-a-podcast