<div dir="ltr">Thanks, Ed. That's an interesting project...While I've been aware of and have used internet radio stations in years past, I wasn't specifically aware of how the back end was handled and I haven't thought about them in a good long time.<div><div><div><br></div><div>Chad<br clear="all"><div><div dir="ltr" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div>______________________________<br><b>Chad Neeper</b><br><font size="1">Senior Systems Engineer</font><br><br><b>Level 9 Networks</b><br><font size="1">740-548-8070 (voice)<br>866-214-6607 (fax)</font><br><br><font size="1"><i>Full IT/Computer consulting services -- Specialized in public libraries</i></font><br></div></div></div></div></div></div><br></div></div></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Thu, Jun 25, 2020 at 4:59 PM Ed Liddle via OPLINTECH <<a href="mailto:oplintech@lists.oplin.org" target="_blank">oplintech@lists.oplin.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div>
<p>Could an icecast server running on an existing local wifi network
that is available outside of the building be used in a similar
fashion? Perhaps it could run on a Raspberry pi
<a href="https://icecast.org/" target="_blank">https://icecast.org/</a> <br>
<br>
A link to the icecast server could be provided on a the library
webpage, information about it could be put on signage outside the
building at locations where people would use the wifi. I suspect
more people would carry a smart phone with them if they don't
drive a motorized vehicle compared to a portable AM/FM radio. If
they do drive a motorized vehicle, they may already have their
smartphone setup to use the vehicle's sound system to take phone
calls, read audio books and listen to music. <br>
</p>
<p>-Ed Liddle<br>
Marysville Public Library <br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<div>On 6/25/20 3:07 PM, Chad Neeper via
OPLINTECH wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div dir="ltr">
<div>Cross-posted to OPLINList and OPLINTECH:</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Peering into the crystal ball, it seems that the next few
years could possibly be harder than usual...perhaps even
permanently make-or-break for some, especially smaller,
libraries. Online storytimes and other programs that leverage
the internet are a good temporary short-term stop-gap measure
for keeping the library in the local community's minds, but I
think it could have a net negative effect for small/mid-sized
libraries after several months.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I remember as a kid calling in to a local library and
listening to the weekly stories over the phone. I enjoyed
that. I'm wondering if anyone has done a version of that using
an FCC Part 15 (permitted unlicensed) AM or FM transmitter.
They seem to be a reasonably priced and quite achievable way
to attract people specifically to a local library for a
drive-in style visit. You could have regularly scheduled times
for staff-read stories, either live or pre-recorded and played
at various intervals. You could have contests to highlight
local authors (both child and adult) and have their stories
read. I'm sure there's a bunch of other good ideas out there. <u>Most
importantly</u>, being a very short-range broadcast
limited pretty much to your parking lot and/or building,
people are required to visit the library to participate (to
the parking lot at the very least...regardless of whether or
not the library is open for normal business.) It enhances the
library's specific value to the local community come levy time
and has none of the negatives that an internet-based storytime
program has like disassociating a potential or casual patron
from your specific library.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Has anyone done this with an FCC Part 15 AM/FM transmitter?
What kind of issues did you encounter/overcome? What kind of
programs did you implement and seem to work well? (children
storytimes, adult storytimes, contestes, other ideas/uses?)</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>From the FCC: Low Power Radio - General Information:<br>
</div>
<div><a href="https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/low-power-radio-general-information" target="_blank">https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/low-power-radio-general-information</a><br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>From a quick Google search about Part 15 transmitters
available to purchase:</div>
<div><a href="https://www.hobbybroadcaster.net/resources/Part-15-transmitters.php" target="_blank">https://www.hobbybroadcaster.net/resources/Part-15-transmitters.php</a><br>
</div>
<div>(Not an endorsement of any kind for the website nor any
transmitter or manufacturer you might find there...do your own
homework!!)</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr">
<div>______________________________<br>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr"><b style="background-color:rgb(255,255,0)">My
personal OPLINTECH & OPLINLIST policy:</b></div>
</div>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;border:none;padding:0px">
<div>
<div><i><font color="#ff0000">I am no longer
responding off-list to topical replies sent
only/directly to me.</font></i></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div><font color="#ff0000"><i>Libraries have a
wonderfully amazing reputation for
openness and sharing, a concept I support
and encourage. </i><i>Your thoughts are
useful and valuable. As always, I beg you
to share them publicly so that other
libraries can benefit from them and
participate in a conversation</i><i>.</i></font></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<b>
<div><b><br>
</b></div>
Chad Neeper</b><br>
<font size="1">Senior Systems Engineer</font><br>
<br>
<b>Level 9 Networks</b><br>
<font size="1">740-548-8070 (voice)<br>
866-214-6607 (fax)</font><br>
<br>
<font size="1"><i>Full IT/Computer consulting services --
Specialized in public libraries</i></font><br>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br>
<fieldset></fieldset>
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