Podcast & Media Room

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Newcastle Libraries offers a bookable Podcast and Media Room at our Digital Library.

The Podcast and Media Room can be booked for sound recording, video conferencing and filming activities from 9am to 4pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 9am to Noon on Tuesdays.

The room has the following equipment available to use during a booked session:

  • 1 x RØDECaster Pro - Podcast Production Studio (see the FAQs below for tips on using)
  • 2 x Pod Mics
  • 2 x Behringer Headphones
  • 1 x Macbook Pro
  • 1 x Green screen
  • 1 x Smart TV with conference facilities
  • 1 x web cam
  • WiFi
  • Internet cable for network connection

Sessions can be booked in 30 minute increments up to 2 hours per day and can be extended if there are no other bookings.

Library staff can provide assistance in the set-up of the studio equipment, but we are unable to provide any editing or post-production support.

Anyone using the microphones in the Podcast and Media Room is required to use a pop shield. These can be purchased from the Digital Library at a cost of $10. You can keep this pop shield to use in any subsequent bookings.

A maximum of four people are allowed in the studio during a session.

Details of hiring costs can be found in our fees and charges schedule.

To find out more or make a booking – please email digitallibrary@ncc.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 4974 5300.

Frequently asked questions

The Podcast and Media Room is located in our Digital Library – Stewart Avenue.

The Library is on the ground floor of the Council Administration Building at 12 Stewart Avenue Newcastle West. The Library is open from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

The Podcast and Media Room is available to book from 9am to 4pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 9am to Noon on Tuesdays. This allows time to set up, pack down and clean

The Podcast and Media Room is only available for Newcastle Libraries Members. Membership is free and you can join quickly and easily online. Become a Library Member.

We also offer Organisational Membership if you are looking to book the room for a School, Community Group or Institution.

You can send us an email via digitallibrary@ncc.nsw.gov.au or call us on (02) 4974 5300 to make a booking. We will provide a form for you to complete so we can understand the type of booking you need.

Alternatively, you can come and book in person at the Digital Library (12 Stewart Avenue Newcastle West)

The room is available to book from 9am to 4pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 9am to Noon on Tuesdays.

You can book in 30 minute increments up to 2 hours. If there are no bookings after your session you can extend.

You can book as many sessions as you would like up to 3 months in advance.

Anyone using the microphones in the Podcast and Media Room is required to use a pop shield. These can be purchased from the Digital Library at a cost of $10 each.

Members are encouraged to use the alcohol wipes provided to clean down the tables and equipment at the end of their session.

A maximum of 4 people can use the room at any one time.

The Podcast and Media Room is the perfect place to learn how to podcast or sound record. We encourage those that have not used the RØDECaster Pro before to watch this tutorial.

We also have quick use guides for the equipment. You can request an appointment to have a run through of the equipment prior to your booking. Library Staff can provide basic assistance with the equipment set-up – but can’t provide any editing or post-production support.

For some great free courses on all things Podcasting check out what is on offer through LinkedIn Learning. All you need is your library membership!

Yes – the equipment is compatible with most mobile and laptop devices. You can also bring additional microphones.

The Library does not provide any SD cards – but you can BYO if you are using the Macbook.

A USB hub is also available with the Macbook Pro so you can save your recording to a USB stick or Hard Drive at the end of your session. Alternatively, you can use our public WiFi to connect to your cloud storage services.

Please note the Macbook will be cleared at the end of a booked session. The Library cannot be responsible for any lost work.

If you need to change or cancel your booking – please email digitallibrary@ncc.nsw.gov.au or contact the Library via our main number (02) 4974 5300. 

We will reschedule your booking but please note your preferred time and date may not always be available.

If you are not using the microphones for recording during your session you don’t need to purchase a pop shield.

Currently we only offer bookings from Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9am to 4pm and Tuesdays 9am to 12 noon.

We are actively looking for partners to help organise community events and programs. If you are interested in working with us, please contact us via email digitallibrary@ncc.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 4974 5300.