I am enrolled in a Library Marketing Course and one of the hot topics for class discussion has been the use of podcasting technology in the library. We have talked about this in a general sense, and we have also talked about podcasts in relation to the teen patron base. Dr. Tomer visited our class session yesterday, and offered his two-cents on how to connect podcast technology with teens. First he showed us a hilarious,camp vodcast of two young adults lip synching “I want it that way“. He argued that, if libraries want to use vodcasts to connect with teens, they should create funny and entertaining content that speaks to teens. Young adults watch hilarious homemade videos on the internet, and we should tap into this interest when creating content that targets young adults.

I agree with Dr. Tomer’s assessment that the use of podcast technology with teens should be fun and exciting. If I were using podcast technology to attract teens to the library, I would approach the Teen Advisory Board to create content for these videos. Teens would be the best source, presumably, to come up with creative skits that promote the library as a cool place to be.

I also think vodcast technology might be used as a vehicle for teens to express their creativity and work on constructive projects. For example, local teens might create a weekly television show that is published on the library’s web site. The vodcast might be the medium of choice for a teen film club to publish their short films.

Teens patrons can use podcasting technology to benefit the library (marketing videos) and to work on constructive projects (TV show, film club); let us embrace the podcast technology!