UF students can now produce original podcasts using free equipment at Marston Science Library.
The library started offering podcast kits for rent two weeks ago. Each kit is valued around $700 and includes a $300 ZoomH5 four-track portable recorder, a standard microphone and a shotgun microphone, which would record more directionally with higher quality audio, said UF Marston engineering librarian Samuel Putnam. Both microphones are valued at about $400. The kit also includes additional memory cards and accessories.
Only two kits are available for rent, Putnam said. Marston is currently the only location on campus offering them. Two annual endowment funds, the Robert Hume Science Library Endowment with $5,500 and the Deborah Herbstman Science Library endowment with $3,500, helped pay for the kits, Putnam said.
Any UF student with a Gator 1 Card is able to rent a kit for the week, Putnam said.
The idea to provide free access to recording equipment started around a year ago, when students began expressing fascination towards the podcasting medium and professors started creating assignments that required vocal recordings, Putnam said. In total, over 50 students via social media and in person had shown interest in using the equipment, Putnam said.
“I like the idea of empowering students to share their stories,” Putnam said. “Podcasting is a really democratic medium.”
The concept of lending expensive equipment to students looking to start podcasting is a fascinating idea, said Sophia Meloro, a 19-year-old UF environmental engineering sophomore.
“I don’t really know much about podcasts or recording,” Meloro said. “For the people who would use that on a regular basis it could be super helpful for them.”
In the future, Putnam, who has a podcast with his friend, hopes to see students utilize the technology offered to pursue a dream of breaking into the podcasting world. He said if enough students express interest in the kits, Marston could consider setting up a studio for people to record in.
“I’m excited for students to be able to share what they want to share in their own voices,” Putnam said.
Contact Dana Cassidy at dcassidy@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @danacassidy_
Marston Library's basement's renovations are almost finished. The area will reopen wednesday.
