Virginia Beach offers podcasts of city news

"People are bombarded with messages all day long," Frasca said. "The city, in order to stay relevant, has to find new ways to get to them."

Four departments are using the feature, economic development, the library system, police and the Media and Communications Group. Listeners can learn about new books, about the Law Enforcement Youth Explorer Program and an overview of City Hall "current events."

In addition to the podcasts, listeners can listen directly from their computers. In fact, that seems to be the way most listeners use the podcasts.

"I want to know what's going on, but I don't want to commit my leisure time listening to it," said Beach resident Cathy Thomann, 39, who listens at her work station.

"It's something I wouldn't normally go looking for online," she said. "I can be doing other things when I'm listening. It's just easier."

Mike White, 55, who works in real estate and listens to the podcasts from his computer. said, "It's very informal, short and sweet, and tells you what's going on."

White said the younger crowd is more likely to download programs and the next podcast innovation - video - could help reach that audience. Now, the downloads are audio only.

A YouTube channel is planned, on which residents can submit videos.

"My hope is to get citizens involved and excited about this," Frasca said. "We know public meetings still have a place. We know news releases still have a place. But we are trying to reach a new audience."

Next stop: Real World City Hall? Stay tuned.

John Warren, (757) 222-5114, john.warren@pilotonline.com