Circulating Ideas
220 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 days ago - ★★★★★ - 34 ratingsthe librarian interview podcast
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Episodes
257: Financial Literacy with Richland Library
April 17, 2024 20:51 - 20.5 MBSteve chats with Sylvie Golod and Thomas Maluck from Richland Library about why financial literacy is an important topic for libraries to cover, the programs and services Richland offers in its Business, Careers, and Resources Center, how to make the subject appealing to teens and adults, and the importance of community partners. Plus, a Secret … Continue reading 257: Financial Literacy with Richland Library
256: Creating a Person-Centered Library
April 02, 2024 10:00 - 16.2 MBSteve chats with Elizabeth A. Wahler and Sarah C. Johnson, authors of the book, Creating a Person-Centered Library: Best Practices for Supporting High-Needs Patrons, about how they came to work with libraries, what a person-centered approach to library work looks like, why it’s important for both library staff and administration to buy in to the … Continue reading 256: Creating a Person-Centered Library
255: ALA Presidential Candidates (2024)
March 11, 2024 16:28 - 32.3 MBSteve chats with Sam Helmick and Ray Pun, the 2024 candidates for the President of the American Library Association, about why they want the role, how the profession can live up to its diversity goals, how they would help make the organization more attractive to new and prospective members, and whether libraries are (or ever … Continue reading 255: ALA Presidential Candidates (2024)
254: Three-Inch Teeth by C. J. Box
February 27, 2024 11:00 - 9.6 MBSteve welcomes C. J. Box, author of the new book Three-Inch Teeth, the newest entry in his Joe Pickett series, back to the show. They chat about how Box keeps the series fresh after 24 novels, the world of Joe Pickett, the research Box has done on grizzly bears and falconers, and the return of … Continue reading 254: Three-Inch Teeth by C. J. Box
253: On Censorship by James LaRue
February 19, 2024 11:00 - 12.1 MBSteve chats with James LaRue, author of the book On Censorship: A Public Librarian Examines Cancel Culture in the US, about his path to librarianship, the four main reasons people seek to censor books, his biggest challenges when he led the ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom, how to deal with politically-motivated censorship, and his theory … Continue reading 253: On Censorship by James LaRue
252: RAILS – Reaching Across Illinois Library System
February 05, 2024 20:02 - 16.1 MBSteve chats with Janette Derucki and Grant Halter from RAILS: Reaching Across Illinois Library System about how they got interested in the library and data science fields, what RAILS does for libraries in Illinois, how they work to gather and present data via dashboards and other methods, statewide initiatives like the SLIDE and SLATE projects,. … Continue reading 252: RAILS – Reaching Across Illinois Library System
251: Bookish Realm
January 17, 2024 17:49 - 15.3 MBGuest host Thomas Maluck from the late, lamented Secret Stacks podcast chats with Ashley from Bookish Realm, about reviewing books online, navigating book challenges, how publishing has changed young adult literature, and the positives and negatives of social media. Read the transcript! Ashley is an avid reader who pretty much has an interest in all … Continue reading 251: Bookish Realm
250: Tamar Evangelestia-Dougherty
January 02, 2024 11:00 - 15.6 MBSteve chats with Tamar Evangelestia-Dougherty, Director of the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, about her path to librarianship, her experience of joining the Smithsonian, how they support equity, diversity, and inclusion, some favorite hidden gems held by the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, and her plans for the future. Read the transcript! Tamar Evangelestia-Dougherty is the director … Continue reading 250: Tamar Evangelestia-Dougherty
Recirculated: Tracie D. Hall
December 11, 2023 11:00 - 23.4 MBIn June 2021, Steve chatted with Tracie D. Hall, then-Executive Director of the American Library Association, about her path to librarianship, her role as ALA’s Executive Director, what ALA has done and can do for library workers, libraries working for social justice, and accepting ourselves as members of the human race. Hall resigned from the … Continue reading Recirculated: Tracie D. Hall
249: All You Have to Do Is Call by Kerri Maher
October 31, 2023 17:14 - 10.8 MBSteve chats with Kerri Maher, author of All You Have to Do Is Call, about her personal experiences with libraries, how she researched the Jane Collective, why she decided to feature original characters rather than real, historical people, and how her stories reveal themselves in the writing. Read the transcript! Kerri Maher is the USA Today bestselling author … Continue reading 249: All You Have to Do Is Call by Kerri Maher
248: Elevating the School Library
October 11, 2023 16:49 - 19.4 MBSteve chats with Susan D. Ballard and Sara Kelly Johns, authors of Elevating the School Library, about why developing a brand is important for school libraries, how to separate your personal brand from your organizational brand (including who does it right), and why it’s important to do this work proactively. Read the transcript! What is … Continue reading 248: Elevating the School Library
247: Nocturne by Alyssa Wees
September 27, 2023 14:33 - 11 MBSteve chats with Alyssa Wees, author of Nocturne and The Waking Forest, about her youth services work in libraries, writing Beanie Babies fan fiction, her love of ballet, the appeal of fairy tales and the dark fantasy genre, and why she probably won’t ever write your next beach read. Read the transcript! Alyssa Wees is the … Continue reading 247: Nocturne by Alyssa Wees
246: Book Banning in 21st Century America, with Emily J. M. Knox
September 05, 2023 10:00 - 17.5 MBSteve chats with Emily J. M. Knox, author of Book Banning in 21st Century America and Foundations of Intellectual Freedom, about her path to the library field, understanding the reasons behind book banning and challenges, the fight for public services, and the power of the book. Read the transcript! Emily Knox is an associate professor … Continue reading 246: Book Banning in 21st Century America, with Emily J. M. Knox
245: The Safe Library
August 15, 2023 10:00 - 14.3 MBSteve chats with Steve Albrecht, author of The Safe Library: Keeping Users, Staff, and Collections Secure, about how he transitioned from working with law enforcement to libraries, the importance of having a security plan, learning to why assertiveness is the key to maintaining a safe environment, and the culture of cops that librarians need to … Continue reading 245: The Safe Library
244: The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
August 02, 2023 12:00 - 11.8 MBSteve chats with Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, authors of The First Ladies, about their thoughts on libraries as professional writers, why readers are fascinated by Marie’s and Victoria’s friendship and writing partnership, how the friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune developed, and what Marie and Victoria have learned from each other … Continue reading 244: The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
243: Knowledge as a Feeling
July 11, 2023 10:00 - 18.4 MBSteve chats with Troy Swanson, author of Knowledge as a Feeling: How Neuroscience and Psychology Impact Human Information Behavior, about how his research has evolved over the years, how we think our brains process information (and how our brains REALLY process information), how memories and emotions are linked, and what it means to “know” something. … Continue reading 243: Knowledge as a Feeling
242: PeMento
June 15, 2023 13:31 - 20.5 MBSteve chats with PeMento founders Lindsay Cronk, Maurini Strub, Ashley Krenelka Chase, and Rachel Fleming about what the concept of mentoring means to them, how PeMento got started, why they plan to keep PeMento in a perpetual “pilot” state, and what Steve’s new podcast should be called. Read the transcript! Lindsay Cronk is currently Assistant … Continue reading 242: PeMento
241: LibraryReads – Tenth Anniversary
May 24, 2023 13:38 - 20.6 MBSteve chats with LibraryReads Executive Director Rebecca Vnuk and LibraryReads Advisory Board member Stephanie Chase, about the tenth anniversary of LibraryReads, how it’s changed over its first decade, how it works with publishers, its commitment to diversity, and planning for the future. Read the transcript! Rebecca Vnuk is the Executive Director of LibraryReads, an organization … Continue reading 241: LibraryReads – Tenth Anniversary
240: Hopeful Visions, Practical Actions: Cultural Humility in Library Work
May 09, 2023 12:07 - 13.2 MBSteve chats with the editors of Hopeful Visions, Practical Actions: Cultural Humility in Library Work, Sarah R. Kostelecky, Lori Townsend, and David A. Hurley, about what cultural humility is, the importance of self-reflection, mitigating power differentials, and why Venn diagrams are always the answer. Read the transcript! Sarah R. Kostelecky is the Director of Digital Initiatives … Continue reading 240: Hopeful Visions, Practical Actions: Cultural Humility in Library Work
239: Open Educational Resources
April 25, 2023 02:40 - 20.6 MBGuest host Troy Swanson chats with CJ Ivory, Angela Pashia, and Mary Ann Cullen about Open Educational Resources, working with faculty and administration in implementing OERs, being mindful of whose voices are being considered in the creation of OERs, and why libraries should (or should not) lead the efforts to create OERs. Read the transcript! … Continue reading 239: Open Educational Resources
238: Storm Watch by C. J. Box
March 28, 2023 10:00 - 10.2 MBSteve chats with C. J. Box, author of Storm Watch, the 23rd book in his bestselling Joe Pickett series, about his early experiences with libraries, how he gets started with a new book, how his characters have changed over the years, and what it’s like to see his creations adapted for the screen. Read the … Continue reading 238: Storm Watch by C. J. Box
237: ALA Presidential Candidates (2023)
March 19, 2023 18:40 - 23.2 MBSteve chats with the 2023 candidates for President of the American Library Association, Cindy Hohl and Eric D. Suess, about why they want the role, creating safe and equitable environments for library workers and patrons, neutrality, and how new members can find their way in the Association. Read the transcript! Cindy Hohl is past president … Continue reading 237: ALA Presidential Candidates (2023)
236: Promoting African American Writers by Grace M. Jackson-Brown
February 28, 2023 11:00 - 10.2 MBSteve chats with Grace M. Jackson-Brown, author of Promoting African American Writers, about her path to librarianship, her involvement with the African American Read-In program, why libraries should include programs promoting African American writers, teaching critical thinking skills through reading, and how writing the book was beneficial for her. Read the transcript! Grace M. Jackson-Brown is … Continue reading 236: Promoting African American Writers by Grace M. Jackson-Brown
235: Romance Novels, with Falon Ballard and Robin Bradford
February 14, 2023 11:14 - 22.9 MBSteve first chats with Falon Ballard, author of Not My Type and Lease on Love, about her experience with libraries, her writing process, her two novels and her podcast, and which Marvel romance she would love to write. Then, Steve gets the rundown on the romance genre with Robin Bradford, author of the Readers’ Advisory … Continue reading 235: Romance Novels, with Falon Ballard and Robin Bradford
234: Library Link of the Day, with John Hubbard
February 01, 2023 19:21 - 19.8 MBSteve chats with John Hubbard, librarian at Washington University in St. Louis and creator of Library Link of the Day, about change management, library vendor consolidation, discovery layers, keeping up with professional news (and why it’s the same topics over and over again), and what the final Library Link of the Day will be. Read … Continue reading 234: Library Link of the Day, with John Hubbard
233: Actively Anti-Racism Service to Leisure Readers, with Robin Bradford and Becky Spratford
January 19, 2023 11:00 - 15.4 MBSteve chats with Robin Bradford and Becky Spratford, creators of the Actively Anti-Racist Service to Leisure Readers course for Learn with NoveList, about how they got started doing anti-racism training, the difference between “not racist” and “anti-racist”, working with NoveList to adapt their in-person presentations to a virtual self-paced format, and why they provide serious … Continue reading 233: Actively Anti-Racism Service to Leisure Readers, with Robin Bradford and Becky Spratford
232: Library Marketing, with Angela Hursh
January 04, 2023 14:11 - 17.2 MBSteve chats with Angela Hursh, Manager of Engagement and Marketing for NoveList, author of the blog SuperLibraryMarketing.com, and host of the YouTube series The Library Marketing Show, about her path from television journalism to libraries, how libraries can do better marketing without spending a lot, her work at NoveList, and a special online project from … Continue reading 232: Library Marketing, with Angela Hursh
231: Auditing Diversity in Library Collections, with Sarah Voels
December 20, 2022 23:14 - 14.5 MBSteve chats with Sarah Voels, director of Vogel Library at Wartburg College and author of Auditing Diversity in Library Collections, about her path through librarianship, why diversity audits are an essential tool for library collections, how to find diverse materials to add to collections, and how to get started in conducting a diversity audit. Read … Continue reading 231: Auditing Diversity in Library Collections, with Sarah Voels
230: Project Information Literacy, with Dr. Alison J. Head
December 01, 2022 11:00 - 18.5 MBGuest host Troy Swanson chats with Dr. Alison J. Head, founder and director of Project Information Literacy, about PIL’s early days, PIL’s unique place in the information literacy research field, the importance of student and information agency, and what’s next for the PIL group! Read the transcript! Alison J. Head, Ph.D. is an information scientist and … Continue reading 230: Project Information Literacy, with Dr. Alison J. Head
229: The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin
November 08, 2022 16:32 - 13.1 MBSteve chats with Madeline Martin, author of The Librarian Spy, about her childhood experiences with libraries, her love of history and historical fiction, how she does her research, and the wonder of visiting the Library of Congress! Read the transcript! Madeline Martin is a New York Times and International Bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance. … Continue reading 229: The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin
228: City Cast Chicago – Jacoby Cochran
October 21, 2022 03:27 - 16.7 MBGuest host Troy Swanson chats with Jacoby Cochran, host of City Cast Chicago, about the joys and challenges of covering local community news, the future of journalism, upcoming Chicago elections, and managing misinformation. Read the transcript! Jacoby Cochran is a writer, educator, and storyteller. He is the award winning host of City Cast Chicago, which … Continue reading 228: City Cast Chicago – Jacoby Cochran
227: American Library History, with Wayne Wiegand
September 20, 2022 10:00 - 19.9 MBSteve chats with library historian Wayne Wiegand about how he came to the library profession, how to view historical figures and actions honestly (warts and all), the history of American libraries, the life and times of Melvil Dewey, and the vital places coffee and cats hold in American library history. Read the transcript! Wayne A. … Continue reading 227: American Library History, with Wayne Wiegand
227: Wayne Wiegand
September 20, 2022 10:00 - 19.9 MBSteve chats with library historian Wayne Wiegand about how he came to the library profession, how to view historical figures and actions honestly (warts and all), the history of American libraries, the life and times of Melvil Dewey, and the vital places coffee and cats hold in American library history. Read the transcript! Wayne A. … Continue reading 227: Wayne Wiegand
226: Library Services and Incarceration, with Jeanie Austin
August 30, 2022 10:00 - 19.5 MBSteve chats with Jeanie Austin, Jail and Reentry Services Librarian with San Francisco Public Library and author of Library Services and Incarceration: Recognizing Barriers, Strengthening Access, about their path to librarianship, the history and present state of library service to incarcerated persons, and why libraries should focus services on incarcerated persons and those experiencing re-entry. Read the … Continue reading 226: Library Services and Incarceration, with Jeanie Austin
225: Addison Armstrong
August 09, 2022 10:00 - 9.88 MBSteve chats with Addison Armstrong, author of The War Librarian and The Light of Luna Park, about her experiences with libraries, what she likes about writing historical fiction and dual timelines, finding story ideas in her historical research, and how her love of school supplies and ants fueled her writing life as a young girl! … Continue reading 225: Addison Armstrong
225: The War Librarian by Addison Armstrong
August 09, 2022 10:00 - 9.88 MBSteve chats with Addison Armstrong, author of The War Librarian and The Light of Luna Park, about her experiences with libraries, what she likes about writing historical fiction and dual timelines, finding story ideas in her historical research, and how her love of school supplies and ants fueled her writing life as a young girl! … Continue reading 225: The War Librarian by Addison Armstrong
224: Area Studies Librarianship with Liladhar Pendse
July 31, 2022 19:24 - 19.9 MBGuest host Natalia Estrada chats with Liladhar Pendse, librarian for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies and the Caribbean and Latin American Studies at the University of California-Berkeley, about the concept of Area Studies, his work archiving Afghanistan’s digital and cultural content after the US withdrawal, the challenges of archiving war-torn areas such as Ukraine, … Continue reading 224: Area Studies Librarianship with Liladhar Pendse
223: Native Community Liaison Allison Waukau
June 27, 2022 10:00 - 15.4 MBSteve chats with Allison Waukau, Native Community Liaison at Hennepin County Library, about her work connecting the library with the Native community, how libraries can better hire and retain Native staff, how publishing is (slowly) improving at telling authentic Native stories, and the importance of land acknowledgements. Read the transcript! Allison Waukau (Menominee/Navajo) resides in … Continue reading 223: Native Community Liaison Allison Waukau
223: Allison Waukau
June 27, 2022 10:00 - 15.4 MBSteve chats with Allison Waukau, Native Community Liaison at Hennepin County Library, about her work connecting the library with the Native community, how libraries can better hire and retain Native staff, how publishing is (slowly) improving at telling authentic Native stories, and the importance of land acknowledgements. Read the transcript! Allison Waukau (Menominee/Navajo) resides in … Continue reading 223: Allison Waukau
222: Brain Science – Dr. Virginia Campbell
June 01, 2022 10:00 - 10.3 MBGuest host Troy Swanson chats with Dr. Virginia Campbell, host of the Brain Science Podcast and author of Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty, about why she created and continues the podcast, the hidden layer of the brain, how cognition differs from knowing, and why science is not just a set of boring … Continue reading 222: Brain Science – Dr. Virginia Campbell
221: Library Systems Report 2022 – Marshall Breeding
May 11, 2022 20:25 - 25.3 MBSteve chats with Marshall Breeding, longtime library technologist and writer of the annual Library Systems Report, about the history of library automation, putting together the data for the Library Systems Report, proprietary and open source ILS systems, and how vendors work well with each other (and sometimes don’t). Read the transcript! Marshall Breeding is an … Continue reading 221: Library Systems Report 2022 – Marshall Breeding
220: Book Censorship Database, with Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson
April 19, 2022 13:16 - 14.3 MBSteve chats with researcher and writer Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson, and John Chrastka, Executive Director of EveryLibrary, about Dr. Magnusson’s Book Censorship Database and why EveryLibrary Institute wanted to support and promote it, the integrity of the book challenge process and how it’s often hijacked and corrupted, and why Steve and John will never get email … Continue reading 220: Book Censorship Database, with Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson
220: Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson
April 19, 2022 13:16 - 14.3 MBSteve chats with researcher and writer Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson, and John Chrastka, Executive Director of EveryLibrary, about Dr. Magnusson’s Book Censorship Database and why EveryLibrary Institute wanted to support and promote it, the integrity of the book challenge process and how it’s often hijacked and corrupted, and why Steve and John will never get email … Continue reading 220: Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson
219: Passive Programming Playbook
March 30, 2022 10:00 - 14.1 MBSteve chats with Paula Willey, co-author (with Andria Amaral) of The Passive Programming Playbook: 101 Ways to Get Library Customers Off the Sidelines, about what passive programming is, why libraries should be doing it, some creative examples, and why candy corn divides Paula and Andria’s friendship. Read the transcript! Paula Willey is a librarian at … Continue reading 219: Passive Programming Playbook
218: ALA Presidential Candidates (2022)
March 07, 2022 11:00 - 22.5 MBSteve chats with the 2022 candidates for President of the American Library Association: Emily Drabinski, Critical Pedagogy Librarian and Interim Chief Librarian at the Graduate Center, City University of New York, and Kelvin Watson, executive director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. Read the transcript! Emily Drabinski is Critical Pedagogy Librarian and Interim Chief … Continue reading 218: ALA Presidential Candidates (2022)
217: Audiobook Narrator Dion Graham
February 15, 2022 11:00 - 18.5 MBSteve chats with Dion Graham, actor and audiobook narrator, about his love of libraries from an early age, how he approaches books he’s going to be narrating, representation in audio work, and some of the recent books he’s narrated. Read the transcript! Dion Graham, from HBO’s The Wire, also narrates The First 48 on A&E. A multiple Audie Award–winning … Continue reading 217: Audiobook Narrator Dion Graham
217: Dion Graham
February 15, 2022 11:00 - 18.5 MBSteve chats with Dion Graham, actor and audiobook narrator, about his love of libraries from an early age, how he approaches books he’s going to be narrating, representation in audio work, and some of the recent books he’s narrated. Read the transcript! Dion Graham, from HBO’s The Wire, also narrates The First 48 on A&E. A multiple Audie Award–winning … Continue reading 217: Dion Graham
216: Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett
January 25, 2022 22:45 - 22.1 MBGuest host Troy Swanson chats with Lisa Feldman Barrett, University Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University, about her background, her neuroscience beach read, Seven and a Half Lessons about the Brain, mindfulness, and why your brain is not for thinking. Read the transcript! Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett is the University Distinguished Professor of Psychology … Continue reading 216: Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett
216: Lisa Feldman Barrett
January 25, 2022 22:45 - 22.1 MBGuest host Troy Swanson chats with Lisa Feldman Barrett, University Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University, about her background, her neuroscience beach read, Seven and a Half Lessons about the Brain, mindfulness, and why your brain is not for thinking. Read the transcript! Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett is the University Distinguished Professor of Psychology … Continue reading 216: Lisa Feldman Barrett
215: Librarian Tales by William Ottens
January 04, 2022 11:00 - 10.6 MBSteve chats with William Ottens, author of Librarian Tales: Funny, Strange, and Inspiring Dispatches from the Stacks, about his path to librarianship, starting Librarian Problems on Tumblr way back when, and fun / maddening librarian stereotypes. Read the transcript! William Ottens is a librarian and the creator of the library-centric Librarian Problems Tumblr. Described by Library Journal‘s Tumblr-in-Chief, … Continue reading 215: Librarian Tales by William Ottens