L&P@CML: Podcasts

Many libraries are already podcasting. I like the Central Library (LA) podcast, which casts the content of programs at the library; the cast about the Dalai Lama was very interesting to hear. Other libraries seem to be casting about how to use their databases or the different services they offer. I was a bit dismayed at how infrequently many of the podcasts seem to occur. To the extent that podcasts primarily offer audio, they might be losing the war for survival to streaming video: for subjects that can be treated in a brief period of time (say 10 minutes), I suspect they may be less attractive than videos. Their ability to replay lengthy content (1 hour plus for the Dalai Lama program) and to save to portable listening devices in MP3 format may make them attractive for longer programs. CML might well be able to cast programs of interest. Perhaps we could feature a regular reader's advisory cast touting some hot new picks in fiction, non-fiction, children's, etc., on a monthly basis.