How come I didn’t know that Thomas Ford Memorial Library has started a Click-A-Story service, offering audio recordings of stories read by the library’s Youth Services department? Of course, there’s a podcast feed, although at present the content seems to be a copy of the feed for their YA Reviews series.

Update: Aaron let me know that the Click-A-Story is in early alpha mode, which explains the feed issues described above.

Also wanted to steer you toward David Free’s wonderful, lively interview with Tina McElroy Ansa, which forms the majority of Listen Up! #10. Ms. Ansa was already on campus for another program and David seized the opportunity to bring the author’s voice to more members of his service community and beyond. Are you looking at ways to extend the mileage/value of the programs that you work so hard to organize at your library?

Since Lori Bell already posted it on the LJ Tech Blog, I guess it’s safe to announce that I will be doing a webinar on the increasingly familiar topic of podcasting. The session will be offered via the wonderful Online Programming for All Libraries (OPAL) website on Thursday, December 8 at 2 PM Eastern time.

As the blurb reads: “Podcasting, an exciting new model for distributing audio content, is generating buzz across the Internet. But what is it exactly? And why should librarians care? We’ll discuss the hows and whys of podcasting, including how to tune in, how to find interesting content and how your organization can take advantage of this powerful technology to reach more people in your community.”

The event is free and open to all. To tune in live in the OPAL auditorium, you go to http://67.19.231.218/v4/login.asp?r=67955673&p=0 and type in your name. Live participation requires a small plug-in downloaded at the time of login. The presentation will also be recorded, archived and podcasted for your future listening pleasure.

Thanks to Tom Peters, Lori Bell and the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center for making this happen and inviting me to participate. Tell your friends and colleagues. It’s free for goodness sake!

Here’s the next few weeks’ worth of Carnival hosts:

And remember that I do maintain a complete list of past, present and future Carnival engagements.

Who else can I compel to rock the Carnival mic?