Perhaps you’re already used to talking to your technology tools? Your library clients may prefer to use their own devices with text-to-speech and speech-to-text apps to take notes, search for information or as assistive technology. There are also many opportunities to create content for library collections and exhibitions by recording voice (eg. oral histories, local stories and literacy activities).

DISCOVER:

• In 2012 Mashable compared Google Voice Search (Android) to Siri (iOS) .
• More recently Google Chrome browser allowed voice controlled search  and in future your browser may even begin to talk back.
• Depending on the mobile device you prefer, you may want to read up on Siri (iOS only) and Seeking with Siri, Google Now or Samsung’s S-Voice.

EXPLORE:

• SoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform which can be used to publish and distribute recordings (eg. Queensland Police, Triple J, UMASS archives) and is available for Android apps and iOS apps.
• Podcasting platforms like AudioBoo  could offer an alternative.
• Some professional sound recording apps are also available for mobile devices for higher quality recording.
• Explore more information about voice interaction and recording apps on our Pinterest board 

THINKING POINTS:

• Could you use text to speech translation software to communicate with clients who speak other languages?
• Could the computers in your library have software, headphones and microphones to allow clients to use text-to-speech and speech-to-text to browse? Is there a mobile alternative you could offer?
• Would your library app be more accessible if people could ‘ask a librarian’ rather than trying to type / scroll on a tiny smartphone screen?
• Could you use mobile devices to record and capture oral histories for your library collection?
• If you’re designing an app for your library could you include voice recognition?
• Do teachers in your community use speech-to-text apps in the classroom?
• Do your clients like to ‘read’ by listening – can they choose a text-to-speech option on the ebooks in your collection? Audible allows a reader to switch “seamlessly between an e-book and a digital audio book”