Podcasting at the Library

Do you have a story to tell? Or opinions to share? Would you like to interview people to learn more about a certain subject? Maybe you should consider creating a podcast!

Podcasts are digital voice (and sometimes video) recordings that can be as short as a few minutes or as long as a couple of hours. They are similar to a pre-recorded radio program and are generally centered around a theme or topic.

Podcasts are published as episodes, on a daily, weekly or other regular schedule and may have multiple speakers and/or interviewees.

If you have a passion you’d like to share, podcasting can be a great way to get your ideas out there.

Getting Started

The different sections on this page will help you learn what is involved in producing a podcast. The multi-step process will look something like this:

Speak to staff to book the Gallery Room, our most suitable room at the library for recording podcasts.
Select and request which podcasting equipment you would like to use.
Learn how to create a podcast, including getting your initial episode ready to record.
Learn how to edit your podcast so it is fit for broadcast.
Review the Frequently Asked Questions section for possible answers to your remaining questions.

Please note that most staff are only able to answer basic questions related to podcasting so technical support during your recording and editing sessions at the library will be limited. It is expected that you will take time to learn how to use the equipment and software needed for your project.

Two podcasters are video-recorded on a smartphone that is attached to a tripod.

1. Book the Gallery Room

The Gallery Room is our most suitable room for recording a podcast at the library.

To book it, speak to the staff at the iConnect desk on the 2nd floor of the Main Branch. They will assist with making your Gallery Room reservation and make note of the equipment you request for your session.

You may also call 604-527-4665 in order to connect with staff and reserve the room and equipment.

The Gallery Room can be booked 4 weeks in advance, for a maximum of 2 two-hour bookings.

Additional time, if required, may provided on a case-by-case basis, depending on availability of the room.

2. Select podcasting equipment

A MacBook laptop computer and Koss over-ear headphones. The following equipment is available for use in the Gallery Room. Speak to our staff for more information about how to borrow.

For recording

MacBook Pro with GarageBand
3 Samson Q2U XLR/USB microphones
4 Audio-Technica ATH-M20X headphones
1 Zoom PodTrak P4 portable recorder (maximum of 4 microphones)
Pop screens, boom arm, and shock mount

For editing

GarageBand on MacBooks
Adobe Audition (can be downloaded to MacBooks)
Audacity on Creation Stations

3. Learn how to create a podcast

Library Guides

Websites

Videos

4. Learn how to edit your podcast

LinkedIn Learning (sign in with your library card)

Producing Professional Podcasts (Richard Harrington)

Websites

Adobe’s Welcome to the Audition User Guide

Videos

5. Review Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to have a library card to borrow equipment? Why?

Yes you will need a library card. We need to check equipment out to you so that it is reserved for your use during your session.

What do I have to bring with me in order to borrow podcasting equipment?

If you are recording on one of our computers, you will need to have either a USB Flash Drive or a cloud storage account (like iCloud or Google Drive). We are unable to have you save your files on any of our computers.

If you are using the Zoom Podtrak P4 recorder, you will need to bring an SD Data Card.

You will also need your library card!

Why can’t I see the podcasting equipment in the catalogue?

The podcast equipment is dedicated for podcasting sessions and is used in conjunction with a room booking, we require that you speak to staff at the desk to discuss your equipment needs. This way we can be sure you get what you need for the recording you are planning.

Can I make a video podcast?

The initial service implementation phase will provide only for voice recording podcasts and not for video podcasting. We will review options for video recordings once we have ensured that the recording space is working well for its intended purpose.

Do I have to use the equipment inside the Library?

Yes. For the initial launch of this service, we require that people use our equipment in-library only.

Is the Gallery Room fully soundproof for recording?

We have made some significant changes to the Gallery Room to accommodate voice recording for the production of podcasts. However, the room is not as soundproof as a professional studio. We ask that podcasters also be aware of environmental noises and be prepared to accommodate those. The Gallery Room is surrounded by other public spaces that may from time to time produce some noise but overall the room is very quiet.

How often can I book the Gallery Room for and for how long?

The Gallery Room can be booked as follows:

2 sessions per calendar month
2 hours per session, with extensions depending on availability and staff discretion
booked a maximum of 4 weeks in advance
any additional time will be reviewed on a case by case basis

Can I use the podcasting equipment without booking the Gallery Room?

In the initial phases of this new service, all podcasting equipment is for in-library use only. If you are recording with our equipment we will expect that you have a Gallery Room booking as well. An exception to this is if you are editing material you have already recorded. You might use our MacBook Air to edit or one of our Creation Stations and not require the Gallery Room. Please speak to iConnect staff to discuss your needs.

How much storage space will my podcast recordings take up?

The basic voice recording that we recommend is done at 16 bits / 44.1 kHz. For each track (each speaker) you will need 5MB of storage for each minute. Some examples shown below will give you an idea of what type of storage you will need:

2 speakers recording for 1 hour will require 600MB (.6 of a GB) If you are creating an 8-part podcast with 2 speakers doing 1-1.5 hours each session, you may want to purchase a 20GB USB flash drive or make sure you have sufficient cloud storage.

I forgot to bring a USB stick or SD Card for storing my files

If a customer has come to record their podcast and they do not have a USB stick with them or other storage device. They can do one of the following:

Save their files to a cloud-based backup account
Email the files to themselves if they are not too large
Borrow our SD Card (if using the Zoom Podtrak recorder) and then transfer the files to email or a USB afterwards
Buy one of our USB sticks to store their files on

How long will it take to edit my podcast recordings?

For every hour of voice recording you will need approximately 2-4 hours for editing, depending on your experience.

Can I use the Creation Stations to edit my podcast?

Yes if you have your sound files exported from the software they were recorded in you can import the sound files into either Adobe Audition or Audacity on the Creation Stations.

Can I download my preferred editing software to the Creation Stations?

The Creation Stations do not permit downloads of any apps or programs.

Why are you using the Gallery Room for podcasting?

We understand that meeting space is hard to come by and in high demand. We required a smaller, cost-effective space solution to accommodate our new Podcasting service. For the initial phase of implementation we will be reviewing the impact of additional bookings due to podcasting and will continue to evaluate meeting space use to meet the changing needs of our community.

What kind of help can we expect from staff?

Staff assistance is limited to helping the customer by providing the information in our Getting Started Guides. Customers are expected to know how to use the podcasting software and equipment and those requiring additional assistance will be directed to the resources outlined on this podcasting webpage. Our monthly Podcasting Meetup is a great way to connect with others who are at different stages of learning where you can get advice and tips and how to optimize your own production.

Do you have podcasting programs?

Check our Events Calendar for any upcoming podcast-related programming.

Questions? Email AskUs@nwpl.ca, call 604-527-4665, or message us.

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