By Shalu Gillum, Harriet F. Ginsburg Health Sciences Library, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, Florida. This article originally ran in the Southern Chapter of the Medical Library Association’s newsletter Southern Expressions, 2021;37(3):8.
Last year we started a weekly virtual podcast club for the College of Medicine (COM) staff and faculty to make up for the loss of in-person programming due to suddenly finding our library closed and having to work remotely. Little did we know that our podcast club would become a staple of our library’s programming lineup, or that it would contribute to the community-building that many of our users were seeking during and after remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Every week the HSL Podcast Club has been a source of Zoom-based group therapy for our members as we come together to discuss current and historical events through information provided in the week’s podcast. The podcast club was never intended to be curriculum related, so podcasts have ranged in genre from true crime, medicine, comedy, wellness, and history. Members have been predominantly COM staff from a variety of departments and librarians.
In April 2021 we celebrated the one-year anniversary of HSL Podcast Club! Over the last sixty weeks, we have created new, lasting friendships with old colleagues, welcomed new employees looking to network and meet colleagues, and created a safe and inclusive space for members to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Creating a virtual podcast club cost us no money and requires little planning other than choosing podcasts for the coming weeks and sending Outlook invites with information about the week’s podcast and a Zoom link. Two library team members handle all podcast club logistics and facilitate the sessions. This is ideal in case someone has to miss a meeting for any reason.
As we look to return to campus in person, we will likely continue to host HSL Podcast Club virtually. Doing so provides greater opportunity for members to attend meetings and to join the discussion from anywhere.
If you would like more information about HSL Podcast Club, please feel free to contact Shalu Gillum, head of public services, at shalu@ucf.edu and Carly Lambert, sr. library technical assistant, at carly.lambert@ucf.edu
