Podcasting the Possibilities: Norman North High School’s YALSA Digital Equipment Grant in Action

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From passion projects to final assessments for units over psychology, human rights, and more, Norman North students have flocked to using the library makerspace’s audio equipment to record podcasts. Hundreds of students utilized the library during the last school year to showcase what they had learned in a unique way, as well as record podcasts with their friends about “whatever comes up in conversation at lunch.”

With the help of the YALSA and Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s Digital Equipment Grant, the Norman North Library was able to purchase additional podcasting equipment, as well as explore a topic yet to be discussed in our students’ podcasts — books! During the summer, North students that spent their summers volunteering with the public libraries were contacted about an opportunity to be the first to use the new equipment and record a podcast about any of the 2019 YALSA Teens’ Top Ten nominees. Before the school year began, several students came in record their podcast where they passionately discussed what their book was about, what they liked best, and what made it a “Teens’ Top Ten.” Many had never used the podcasting equipment before, so a quick crash course was given to each student so that they could use it independently afterward. Anchor was used to host the episodes of North’s Teens’ Top Ten podcast and each student was taught how to use Anchor to use in conjunction with the audio equipment.

As the school year began, more students who had read Teens’ Top Ten titles came in to record episodes. Library assistants were trained on how to use the equipment so that they could begin helping students as individual appointments began to come in from students interested in recording their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas about various topics. One assistant, Emma, a Senior and avid podcast listener, was amazed the library offered this. “I love podcasts and now I’m able to create my own and it’s amazing,” she said, after a training on how to use the equipment.

Because of the Digital Equipment grant, more of the 2400 Norman North students are now able to “podcast the possibilities” and a book podcast that the library will continue to record episodes for was born. Thank you to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and YALSA for this amazing opportunity.

Link to podcast: North’s Teens’ Top Ten

—Molly Dettmann, Teacher Librarian at the Norman North High School; currently reading Fullmetal Alchemist vol 1-3

Behind the Scenes: ALA Leadership Institute-Part 2 of 3

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We’ve all probably got an opinion or reaction when we hear the word “leadership.” Maybe we think, “oh that’s just not for me,” or “I want to be more successful at making change,” or perhaps “I think I’m doing a pretty good job but could always use more pointers” or even “I’m not a manager so this probably doesn’t really apply to me.”

If it’s all or none of the above, you’re in the right place.

Last month, ALA held an inaugural four-day’ Leadership Institute‘ in Illinois.’ Forty participants‘ from all types of libraries and all kinds of positions were invited to participate on an application basis. Six YALSA members attended. We’ll hear from three of them on the YALSAblog. Stay tuned to hear from others through’ YALS,’ as well as other upcoming publications that will share their excitement about the powerful experience.

Annisha Jeffries, Youth Services Manager, with the Cleveland Public Library, OH shares her experience via podcast here. Several highlights of her interview include:

  • Community engagement was an important theme at the Institute. For example, letting teens know that the library is their place and belongs to them.
  • Listening to others was very helpful.
  • Engaging others to buy-in to ideas is possible!
  • Sometimes people are put into a leadership role without setting out to and we need the tools to be able to be effective no matter what our situation is.
  • Teens are the library’s best cheerleaders!
  • As a librarian you have the responsibility to be the leader that you are!

YALSA Podcast #101: Teens & Music

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This episode’s guest is April Layne Pavis. As convener for YALSA’s Teen Music Interest Group, April takes us on a whirlwind tour of teens, music and ways to integrate music into your own library’s programming.

Teens & Music

If’  you prefer, you may go to the’ YALSA Podcast Site, download the Mp3 file and listen to it on the Mp3 player of your choice. To avoid missing future episodes, add’ the feed to Itunes or any other rss feed tracker.

If’  you’re interested, check out the Teen Interest Group on’  ALA Connect; while there you can get ideas, learn about new music or even share programming ideas of’  your own.

YALSA Podcast Episode #100: Serving New Adults

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For this episode we talk to Thomas Knowlton, librarian for the New York Public Library and Convener for YALSA’s Serving New Adults Interest Group, about new adults: who they are, how to reach them and some of the unique programs they might be looking for.

Serving New Adults

If’  you prefer, you may go to the’ YALSA Podcast Site, download the Mp3 file and listen to it on the Mp3 player of your choice. To avoid missing future episodes, add’ the feed to Itunes or any other rss feed tracker.

For further information please check out these links mentioned in the episode:

YALSA’s Serving New Adults Interest Group: bit.ly/newadults-yalsa

New York Public Libraries Sci-Fi Summmer Program: bit.ly/scifisummer

YALSA Podcast Episode #99: 2011 ALA Annual Preview

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For episode #99 we’re talking New Orleans as we preview some of the upcoming YALSA-oriented events happening at the 2011 ALA Annual Conference. First we talk to Penny Johnson, who gives us the big rundown on The Nuts and Bolts of Serving Teens Pre-conference. Then Blog Manager MK Eagle interviews Matt Moffett about The Table Talk Mashup Program and things close out with Gretchen Kolderup giving us a nice overview of the Speed Networking for YA Librarians event.

2011 ALA Annual Preview

If’  you prefer, you may go to the’ YALSA Podcast Site, download the Mp3 file and listen to it on the Mp3 player of your choice. To avoid missing future episodes, add’ the feed to Itunes or any other rss feed tracker.

To find out more about these and other YALSA-related events happening at this year’s annual conference, take a look at the YALSA Conference Wiki.

 

 

YALSA Podcast Episode #98: The Art of Book Reviewing

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For episode #98 we are joined by critics Francisca Goldsmith, Candice Mack and Eva Volin to discuss the fine art of book reviewing and how it relates to the world of libraries.

Book Reviewing

If’  you prefer, you may go to the’ YALSA Podcast Site, download the Mp3 file and listen to it on the Mp3 player of your choice. To avoid missing future episodes, add’ the feed to Itunes or any other rss feed tracker.

After listening to the episode, come back to the post and let us know what you think about the book review sources out there, how you use them and even things about them that frustrate you.

YALSA Podcast Episode #97: OneBillionPoets.com

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For episode #97 we talk to Alex Trivas, an English teacher at the Brentwood School in Los Angeles, California and the creator of One Billion Poets, a new website that uses social networking tools to expose teens to poetry.

OneBillionPoets.com

If’  you prefer, you may go to the’ YALSA Podcast Site, download the Mp3 file and listen to it on the Mp3 player of your choice. To avoid missing future episodes, add’ the feed to Itunes or any other rss feed tracker.

After listening to the podcast, please take a look at the website OneBillionPoets.com and let us know what you think in the comments section. Alex also published a helpful article listing writing prompts and exercises that can be used in the classroom and in conjunction with his site.

 

 

YALSA Podcast Episode #96: Jesse Karp

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For Episode #96 we talk to librarian and YALSA member Jesse Karp about the release of his first published novel, a Young Adult story entitled Those That Wake.

Interview with Jesse Karp

For more information on Jesse, his novel and other upcoming projects please check out his website beyondwhereyoustand.com.

If’  you prefer, you may go to the YALSA Podcast Site, download the Mp3 file and listen to it on the Mp3 player of your choice. To avoid missing future episodes, add the feed to Itunes or any other rss feed tracker.

YALSA Podcast Episode #95: Think Big About Advocacy

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For this episode of the YALSA podcast we talk to Michelle Gorman and Kelly Czarnecki of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg library system, whose Teen Video Advocacy Project won YALSA’s Think Big About Advocacy Contest.

Think Big About Advocacy

If’  you prefer, you may go to the YALSA Podcast site, download the Mp3 file and listen to it on the Mp3 player of your choice. To avoid missing future episodes, add the feed to Itunes or any other rss feed tracker.

To see the videos and read more about YALSA’s Think Big About Advocacy contest, go the contest page on YALSA’s website.

App of the Week: StoryCorps

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Name: StoryCorps
Platform: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later
Cost: Free!!

Since 2003, the nonprofit organization StoryCorps has been traveling around the United States collecting digital recordings of the stories of regular people. According to their website, their “mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives. …StoryCorps has collected and archived more than 30,000 interviews from more than 60,000 participants. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to share, and is preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind.” You may have seen their silver airstream parked at a public building near you as they continue to collect new stories.

The organization has partnered with National Public Radio so that portions of recordings can be heard on Morning Edition weekly. They also maintain a’ podcast.’ Thus far, they have published two anthologies of interviews: Listening is an act of love and’ Mom: A Celebration of Mothers from StoryCorps. Perhaps your library has these titles. Perhaps you have already incorporated their oral history initiative into your teen programming.

If not, showcasing their App may be just the entry point you’ve been looking for. Read More →