There were some articles regarding creating recorded books in recent issues fo SLJ -- here is an excerpt: Page 30 of the April 2007 School Library Journal! You should not create a podcast that can be downloaded -- question 1, BUT Question/Answer 3 refers to the August 2006 article I mentioned ....

QUESTION

In your August 2006 column ("Voice of Reason," p. 27), you said that it was acceptable to record a teacher reading a story for student use. Is it also OK to make a CD of the recording and let the students check it out with the corresponding book? (Lynn Lowell,library media specialist Old Town Elementary Library, Old Town ME)

ANSWER

If a commercial recording is available, you should purchase it. If one doesn't exists, go ahead an CD. Then , your students can check out the audio and print versions of the book. I recommend that you label the CD and/or announce at the beginning of the recording that the work may be protected by copyright law and further downloading is not allowed.

At this time, some of the books I've recorded may have versions with an CD available. I will have to check that out. I will not let those leave the library.

-- the bottom line seems that it is OK to do it for use in your own library if you own the book. That is how I am using it -- I do record and create CD's -- with page turn signals to include in our library listening center. Children also create recordings. I've even videotaped children sharing picture books sitting in my chair -- pretending they are the "librarian". I make these available for in-school viewing only as we do not publish children on the net.

Perhaps you could record and send the book with the CD to the children in Taiwan for use in their library. I think that would be safe -- it also shows that you can combine "high-tech" with "low-tech" in a meaningful way.

I do have a private directory on our webserver for library book podcasts so that I can access them from anywhere -- but they are not available to the public.

Hope your project is successful -- love to hear how it turns out!