Podcasting

I subscribed to a Denver Public Library podcast where they read children's books. It's very cute, and seems like a natural thing for a library to do.

On the other hand, nothing can possibly replace a person, whether parent or library staff, reading to a child. The human contact, the actual voice, not to mention the book and its illustrations, contribute to a priceless experience for a child, and the interaction enriches the reader as well.

So while this podcast from the library could be useful for helping a parent learn about new children's books, or even for a child to sit and listen to, I would think something like Tumblebooks would be preferable for these purposes, because of the illustrations.

This exercise was useful, because I did finally learn what a podcast is, and I can see it as a possible tool for libraries to perhaps get some sort of message out, such as a speech by the library director or maybe a board meeting or training for staff, but I'm curious about just how much use the Denver Public Library gets of it's children's book podcasts.