Library local history audio tour: the specifics of creation

The popularization of local history knowledge, based on the fund of materials about the native land that is being formed by local libraries, includes the use of new information and online technologies. The format of the street audio tour allows the library to get closer to the user, such a tour is «a historian in your pocket». The purpose of this text (based on the experience of creating street audio tours by the our department of local history) is to outline both the real obstacles in creating an audio tour and the underestimated resources of libraries.
So, for example, when preparing an audio tour, the libraries' own information resources may be underestimated. But relying on the local history fund the library has every opportunity to create a high quality excursion product. Especially noteworthy resources are the collections of periodicals, city directories and phonebooks  of past years, which allow checking the facts and raising the degree of reliability of the tour.
At the same time, one should not overestimate the competencies required for creating an audio tour, including those related to writing texts and working with audio recordings. The advantage of a guide created by non-pros is the possibility of creating an almost intimate one-to-one story. At the same time, librarians undoubtedly need both methodological support and technical advice.

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