Tag Archives: soundcloud

Thing 21: Voice interaction and recording

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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:

EXPLORE:

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”

Thing 20: Mobile music

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“The term Mobile Music generically defines digital content that can be directly sourced using a mobile device such as a smartphone (iPhone, etc.), Internet tablet, or other portable device capable of connecting to the Internet or a Wi-Fi network.” Source: About.com  The way music is distributed has been revolutionized. More and more people subscribe to streaming services where you pay for access to a big catalogue of music instead of buying an album or downloading a single. Music is one format that is frequently affected by geo-blocking so we hope these apps are available to you wherever in the world you are, if not please be creative and search out some that are.

Please beware that you may be asked for credit card details when you use some music apps. Where this is the case be sure to unsubscribe if you don’t want to pay to continue to use the service if a free trial period applies.

DISCOVER:

EXPLORE:

  • Soundwave is a new music start up that hopes to shake up music discovery on iPhone and Android
  • Music with a copyleft / public domain or Creative Commons license is available via this Android app
  • The Freegal Mobile Application is a free and legal way to access MP3 songs via subscribing libraries. If this service is offered at your local library there are mobile apps available for Android  and iOS devices
  • For more mobile music links to explore please check out the Pinterest board 
  • A 23 mobile things playlist from Jan

THINKING POINTS:

  • Has streaming changed the way you listen to music and how you discover new music – or if you are new to streaming – do you think it will?
  • Does your library offer a music download or streaming service for clients? How do you promote it?
  • Could you use Soundcloud to promote a local “Loud in the Library” or “Battle of the Bands” event featuring original music?
  • Producing digital music is one of the popular programs offered to teens at Chicago’s YOUmedia  library, have you considered music themed programming for your library?