New Library Tech Tools: Cameras & Podcast Kits

Our last blog highlighted our new projectors and portable monitors. Today, it's all cameras and our podcast kits!

Cameras and audio recording tools are a big part of the Tech Tools collection. We have camcorders, DSLRs, a vlogging camera, webcams, and video conference cameras, all of which serve different user needs. Students have reported using these tools for interviews, short movies, podcasts, and even cooking videos. This post introduces you to all these lovely new tools that you can borrow with a library account in good standing and a borrower's agreement form.

Meeting Owl 3

The Meeting Owl 3 is a great video conference tool, a dynamic option for a webcam that allows for a virtual meeting to feel more responsive to presentations as the owl notices active speakers and will focus on the presenter, even as they're moving. Users can download the Meeting Owl smartphone app for greater control over the type of camera view, microphone, and speaker settings.

Once the app is downloaded, users have several options for how the video is displayed in video software. The camera has full 360-degree coverage, so it's easy to adjust to fit your setup and provides a lot of different view options. Checkouts of the Meeting Owl 3 also include the expansion microphone puck, which allows for more sound to be picked up in a larger room. Holding a big virtual group study session? This expansion mic helps pick up every participant's voice, even in a long table setting.

Did we mention it's really cute? It's pretty cute. Just like our other tools featured here, it checks out for 2 weeks with a borrower's agreement form.

Cameras

If your camera needs are less meeting-oriented, we have a wide array of photo and video cameras:

The tiny and powerful (offers 4K video!) Sony ZV-1F vlogging camera will fit in your pocket, but it's capable of tremendous picture quality and even has a cute little windscreen attachment for its microphone.

Alternatively, the Canon Rebel T7 is a sturdy DSLR camera, perfect for learning a modern camera's advanced features, but it also offers standard profile modes for someone wanting a fun, casual camera experience. In addition to these cameras, we also have several traditional camcorder-format video cameras that are perfect for interviews, documentaries, or just slice-of-life recordings. Don't forget to download your photos and videos from the SD card before formatting it and returning it to the library once you're done!

Podcast Kits

Lastly, we're excited to announce podcast kits! These are bags containing two professional microphones, XLR cables, and an audio interface that students and staff can plug into a computer for a professional sound-recording setup.

Users unfamiliar with audio recording should be comfortable troubleshooting and exploring new technology before checking out the podcast kit. It's fun, but it does require setup and some patience!

Don't forget, we also offer sound-baffling screens that fold out into tiny, desktop recording booths that can offer you the best sound recording environment possible.

Tech Tools power users can also borrow tripods, sound recorders, and lavalier microphones alongside these cameras and podcast kits. Professional interviews, a recorded music performance, a student podcast with video? All possible through our Tech Tools collection!

Thank you for reading about our newest Tech Tools! You can see all our details on our Tech Tools website, including a link to the required borrower's agreement form. Don't forget, these items are first-come, first-served. It's always best to email or call the library about the status of a Tech Tool before arriving to campus to pick it up.