Connections: A Podcast of the James L. Hamner Public Library
218 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsIf you want book reviews, don't listen here. The mission of the James L. Hamner Public Library is to facilitate connections that provide free learning opportunities. That means almost anything is relevant to the library. In Connections, library workers take advantage of this and talk about whatever interests them. Sometimes, they even talk about the library. Dance, religion, why the library thinks you're a terrible person (spoiler... it doesn't... usually), almost anything is up for grabs.
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Episodes
Hiatus Announcement
August 13, 2020 04:00 - 1 minute - 1.17 MBJill announces a hiatus. Contact Us: [email protected]
How to Apply for a Job with Me
August 05, 2020 04:00 - 25 minutes - 17.7 MBJill talks about how to apply for a job at her library. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Weekly Amelia Bulletin Monitor article Other Resources: Connections Episode #114: "What a Library Service Job Is Really Like" Part 1 Connections Episode #115: "What a Library Service Job Is Really Like" Part 2
What a Library Service Job Really Is Like, Part 2
July 29, 2020 04:00 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MBJill talks about the differences between a library job ad and what the work really is like. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Local History Archives
What a Library Service Job Really Is Like, Part 1
July 22, 2020 04:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBJill talks about the differences between a library job ad and what the work really is like. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Libby/Overdrive
The Adventure of the Copper Beeches, Ending
July 15, 2020 04:00 - 13 minutes - 9.07 MBJill starts year 3 of Connections by reading "The Adventure of the Copper Beeches" by Arthur Conan Doyle. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: A to Z World Food
The Adventure of the Copper Beeches, Part 2
July 08, 2020 04:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBJill starts year 3 of Connections by reading "The Adventure of the Copper Beeches" by Arthur Conan Doyle. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: IndieFlix
The Adventure of the Copper Beeches, Part 1
July 01, 2020 04:00 - 20 minutes - 14 MBJill starts year 3 of Connections by reading "The Adventure of the Copper Beeches" by Arthur Conan Doyle. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: SOVALUe/Overdrive/Libby
What Are We Thinking?
June 24, 2020 04:00 - 34 minutes - 23.8 MBJill explains some of the thoughts behind decisions the library made for Phase 2 of their reopening. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Marshall Bullock Summer Reading Program Other Resources: Virginia Phase 2 Guidelines for Business Sectors
What if I Get on the Wrong Bus?
June 17, 2020 04:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBJosh teaches Jill about the Farmville Area Bus and how to use public transportation. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: The Friends of the James L. Hamner Public Library Other Resources: Connections Episode #108: Matt Sandbank's Shadow Factory Farmville Area Bus
Matt Sandbank's Shadow Factory
June 10, 2020 17:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MBMatt Sandbank, a professional puppeteer from Matt Sandbank's Shadow Factory, talks with Jill about shadow puppets and poetry. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Marshall Bullock Summer Reading Program Other Resources: The Crossover by Kwame Alexander Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders Louis Armstrong: What a Wonderful World Masters of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut Matt Sandbank's Shadow Factory Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga Richard...
Marsha and the Positrons
June 03, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 44.4 MBJill talks with Marsha Goodman-Wood from the band Marsha and the Positrons about neuroscience, music, and more. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: World Book Online Other Resources: Connections Episode #58: "A Talk with Author Erin Teagan" "How Caffeine Hooks, Hurts, and Helps Us" from The Art of Manliness "The Lost Pleasures of Group Singing" from The Art of Manliness Miss Nina: Early Learning Through Music "The Philosophy and Practice of Building a Fire th...
The Inconsiderate Waiter
May 27, 2020 04:00 - 42 minutes - 29 MBJill reads The Inconsiderate Waiter by James M. Barrie. Featured Resource: The Marshall Bullock Summer Reading Program Other Resources: The Inconsiderate Waiter by James M. Barrie Project Gutenberg
Is There Anything Newer?
May 20, 2020 04:00 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MBUnabridged Podcast joins Jill to talk about modern books that deal with similar themes as classic school reading list titles. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: NoveList Other Resources: Unabridged Unabridged: Bookish Faves Books Mentioned All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brenan Kiely All American Muslim Girl by Nadine Jolie Courtney The Bridge Home by T. V. Padma Caleb and Kit by Beth Vrabel Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings Crenshaw by Katheri...
Making Decisions Without Answers
May 13, 2020 04:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MBJill and Josh talk about big-picture considerations that public libraries are thinking about when they reopen after COVID shutdowns. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: RB Digital Magazines Other Resources: American Library Association: Recommendation to close libraries to the public American Library Association: Thoughts on impact of pandemic Connections Episode #9: But I Don't Care About Privacy! Johns Hopkins: Classifies public libraries as low number of co...
My Double & How He Undid Me
May 06, 2020 04:00 - 44 minutes - 30.5 MBInstead of yet another pandemic-themed episode, Jill decide to read a short story. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: RB Digital Audiobooks My Double and How He Undid Me by Edward Everett Hale Project Gutenburg
Library Directors Contemplate Dystopia
April 29, 2020 04:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MBLibrary directors Gregg Grunow and John Huddy join Jill to talk about how they prepare for dystopia and what they learned from dystopian novels. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Acorn TV Other Resources: Contagion Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson Great Courses Orleans by Sherri L. Smith Outwalkers by Fiona Shaw The Road by Cormac McCarthy V for Vendetta by Alan Moore The Wanderers by Chuck Wendig The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson
Maybe Give This a Listen?
April 22, 2020 04:00 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MBJill and Josh share some of their opinions about music and then talk about genres they listen to and suggest pieces for those wanting to explore different styles of music. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Qello Other Resources: Contemporary Christian Jordan Feliz: Count That High The River Matt Hammitt: Tears Sanctus Real: Lead Me Classical Aaron Copland: An Outdoor Adventure Cesar Cui: String Quartet No. 2 Ralph Vaughan Williams: Sea Songs Roman Ho...
Staying Busy at Home
April 15, 2020 04:00 - 34 minutes - 24.1 MBIt's hard to think about anything not COVID-19 related. Jill and Josh don't fight it and instead, Josh offers suggestions for staying busy while sheltering-in-place. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: JLH Digital Library Other Resources: Alton Brown Youtube The Art of Manliness: How to Sew a Button Caroline Williams Yoga Food Wishes Nerd Fitness Precision Nutrition
We Just Want to Do Something Good
April 08, 2020 04:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MBTrooper Jessica Shehan from the Virginia State Police talks with Jill about what the State Police are, what training and the job is like, and more. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: World Book Online Other Resources: Trooper Jessica Shehan VA State Police
A Conversation with a Foursquare Pastor
April 01, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBReligion, spirituality, faith... whatever it is called, people have questions about belief systems that are different from their own. In an effort to answer some of those questions, Jill asks Reverend Dave Muckel about the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel and how those beliefs play out in real life. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Pronunciator Other Resources: About Foursquare Hope Chapel The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel Other...
COVID Thoughts and Podfest Comparison
March 25, 2020 04:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MB*The opinions expressed in this episode may not be the library's official position. Products mentioned and linked to are for educational purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. Jill compares her experience at Podfest 2020 with her experiences at Virginia Library Association conferences. Bookending this comparison, she shares her thoughts on maintaining sanity during COVID-19. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Libby (This is the website connected to the...
Arabica and Robusta
March 18, 2020 04:00 - 28 minutes - 20 MBIn this episode, Josh talks to Jill about coffee. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: JLHPL Board of Trustees Other Resources: Bar Talks (formerly Coffee and Cocoa International) Kentucky Coffeetree National Coffee Association
Assam, Ceylon, Kenya, and More
March 11, 2020 04:00 - 35 minutes - 24.7 MBLast week, Jill and Josh talked about hot beverages. This week, Jill tells Josh about tea from the camellia sinensis plant. Suggest a Topic: [email protected] Featured Resource: Britannica Library Other Resources: The Republic of Tea Twinings World Book Online
Drink It How You Like It
March 04, 2020 05:00 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MBJill, a tea drinker, and Josh, a coffee drinker, talk about hot beverages. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: A to Z World Food
Log Out and Use Headphones
February 26, 2020 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MBJosh and Jill talk about privacy when using public computers. Suggest a Topic: [email protected] Featured Resource: Book-A-Librarian
It Needs Support and Ventilation
February 19, 2020 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MBIn this episode, Josh tells Jill about 3D printing, including explaining the difference between resin and filament printers. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Pronunciator Other Resources: Thingiverse Yeggi
If It's Comfortable, Wear It
February 12, 2020 05:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MBAre running shoes just a way for manufacturers to get people to buy expensive shoes? In this episode, Jeff Van Horn, owner of Lucky Road Run Shop, talks with Jill, answering this question and more. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Great Courses Library Collection Other Resources: Lucky Road
Be Flexible
February 05, 2020 05:00 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MBPeople tend to start working at the library's front-desk positions with a misconception of what the job will be. No matter how much we try to explain the reality and common misconceptions in the interview process, people tend to start their jobs with the same incomplete ideas. In this episode, Josh describes his first year working as a circulation assistant, including what he thought he would be doing and what he actually does. He also gives advice to others who are considering applying for ...
Do I Fit In?
January 29, 2020 05:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MBThe way people act in libraries and the way people think others should act in libraries is not always the same. In this episode, Jill and Josh talk about library etiquette. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Green Screen
What's That Word Mean?
January 22, 2020 05:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MBLibraries use words to mean specific things and often do things for a specific reason. People who don't work in libraries sometimes don't understand what these words mean or why certain things happen. In this episode, Jill and Josh try to explain some commonly misunderstood library words and answer questions they often hear. Suggest a Topic: [email protected] Featured Resource: Pronunciator Other Resources: Connections Episode #4: "Why Does That Chair Keep Moving?"
What Was My Resolution?
January 15, 2020 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MBJanuary is the month of making and forgetting resolutions. In this episode, Josh reads a Top 10 list of resolutions to Jill and they talk about ways the library can help people to succeed with their resolutions. Suggest a Topic: [email protected] Featured Resource: RB Digital Magazines Other Resources: "Be Less Disciplined in the New Year" from The Art of Manliness "Making Your New Year's Resolution Stick" from the American Psychological Association "Psychology Explains New...
Hoogah Coffee with Luke Griles
January 08, 2020 05:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MBAmelia Courthouse, VA has a locally-owned coffee shop, Hoogah Coffee. In this episode, owner Luke Griles talks about the process of starting a small food-service business in Amelia County, as well as the role he hopes Hoogah will fill in the community. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: A to Z Food America Other Resources: Hoogah Coffee Virginia Small Business Development Center
A Title Murder
January 01, 2020 05:00 - 7 minutes - 5.36 MBJill tells a story created from adult fiction books published in 2019. Due to a limited character allowance, authors and call numbers are not included in the title list. Links also count for the character limit, so we are unable to include those, either. Our apologies for any confusion between books with the same title, but different authors; the publication year should help to distinguish them. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Library Catalog Titles Used: A...
Carols and Yule Lads
December 25, 2019 05:00 - 25 minutes - 17.2 MBIn honor of the Christmas tradition of telling stories, Jill tells a story of carols and Josh teaches Jill about the Islandic Yule Lads. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Acorn TV
I Need More Lists
December 18, 2019 05:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBSome people really like checking items off of lists. When it comes to reading or viewing options, there is a plethora of lists to choose from. In this episode, Jill and Josh talk about ideas for lists based on the library's inventory. Due to space limits, not all titles mentioned are listed below. Suggest a Topic: [email protected] Featured Resource: SOVALUe e-Book Collection Other Resources: List Challenges Books Mentioned: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (YA F Car) ...
We Listen to Podcasts, Too!
December 11, 2019 05:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MBDo you have hours of holiday cleaning coming up? Long drives? Just looking to listen to something new? In this episode, Jill and Josh talk about the podcasts they are listening to, plus a few more. Suggest a Topic: [email protected] Featured Resource: Connections Podcast (See if your public library has a podcast or YouTube channel.) Podcasts Mentioned: The Art of Manliness Good Christian Fun Myths and Legends Sewing Out Loud Til Death Due Us Blart The Worst Idea of All T...
I've Got a Tradition and the Library Can Help
December 04, 2019 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.6 MBHolidays typically come with family traditions. In this episode, Jill and Josh talk about some of their traditions and how the library can help them. Suggest a Topic: [email protected] Featured Resource: Pimsleur Language Program CDs Other Resources: A to Z Food America A to Z World Food Connections Episode 32: "Holiday Remembrances" eBooks and More
Live the Story or Scream
November 27, 2019 05:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBJosh likes to visit theme parks, both the kind where the objective is to ride anything that will make you scream and those where the objective is to be immersed in another world. In this episode, Josh tells Jill about parks he has visited, which leads the discussion to human-eating pigs, racing woolly worms, and vengeful animatronics. Suggest a Topic: [email protected] Featured Resource: Great Courses Library Collection e-Videos Other Resources: Defunctland YouTube Channel ...
Are You Sure I Can Have That?
November 20, 2019 05:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MBLibrary workers work in a place of tension between valuing allowing anyone to access any idea they want and being responsible adults who care about children's welfare. The American Library Association has a Code of Ethics that helps guide libraries as they make policies and procedures to help library workers navigate these values. In this episode, Jill and Josh look at some of the ethical and philosophical ideas behind their day-to-day decisions. Contact Us: [email protected] F...
Why Did You Pick That One?
November 13, 2019 05:00 - 33 minutes - 22.7 MBJosh starts this episode by asking Jill, "How do we decide which items to buy for the library?" Jill begins to answer and the conversation goes from there, including a tangent on classics and boring books that win awards. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: JLH Library Policy Webpage
I Wrote a Novel!
November 06, 2019 05:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MBNational Novel Writing Month challenges participants to write a 50,000-word novel during November. In this episode, Jill describes the challenge to Josh and talks about her experience participating. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: IndieFlix Other Resources: National Novel Writing Month NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program
Grandma Salad: Author Reading
October 30, 2019 04:00 - 21 minutes - 15 MBVirginia author Grandma Salad wrote and illustrated How the Mockingbird Found His Tune. This episode is a live recording of the reading she gave at a Friends of James L. Hamner Public Library author reading.* *For long-time listeners, the sound quality is much improved over the last live recording. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Friends of the Library
October is for Drawing
October 23, 2019 04:00 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MBJill and Josh were talking about National Novel Writing Month and Josh mentioned Inktober. In this episode, Josh explains Inktober to Jill and Jill takes Josh on tangents. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: A to Z Food America Other Resources: 24-Hour Comics Day Inktober National Novel Writing Month
I'm Intelligent, But Reading is Hard
October 16, 2019 04:00 - 49 minutes - 34.3 MBRebecca Warner is a founding member of Decoding Dyslexia Virginia. In this episode, Rebecca talks with Jill about dyslexia, explaining what dyslexia is and isn't, giving advice for caregivers helping dyslexic students, and more. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Libby/SOVALUe (e-books and e-audiobooks) Other Resources: Connections Episode 48: Good People Read Decoding Dyslexia Virginia Facebook Dyslexia pqbd International Dyslexia Association Orton-Gillingh...
What Do I Want to Give You?
October 09, 2019 04:00 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MBIn this episode, Jill and Josh dream about the services they wish they could offer to library users. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Library Meeting Room
This Isn't What I Expected
October 02, 2019 04:00 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MBJosh has worked as a circulation assistant for about nine months. In this episode, he talks with Jill about how what he actually does compares to what he thought he would be doing. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Virtual Reality (VR) Headset to Use at the Library Other Resources: Connections Episode 7: "It's Changing Me!"
Which World Am I In?
September 25, 2019 04:00 - 23 minutes - 16.5 MBJosh wanted to talk about games. Jill rarely plays games. The conversation turns to virtual reality (VR) and Jill begging for help to become the first public library with a holodeck. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Passport Application Acceptance Other Resources: Travel.State.Gov
Let's Go to Therapy
September 18, 2019 04:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBMark Loewen, LPC and founder of LaunchPad Counseling, talks with Jill about counseling. He answer questions about the difference between counseling and therapy, when someone should go to counseling, what to do about feeling embarrassed about wanting therapy, and more. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: A to Z Food America Other Resources: All Therapist LaunchPad Counseling Psychology Today Therapist Directory What Does a Princess Really Look Like? by Mark Loe...
Let's Talk Movies
September 11, 2019 15:00 - 21 minutes - 14.6 MBOne day, Josh asked Jill, "Are movies important in life?" This episode is their conversation in response to that question. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: RB Digital e-Audiobooks Other Resources: Casablanca Dr. Who Eragon (Book, Movie) Jurassic Park (Book, Movie) Kitchen Nightmares (USA, UK) Live PD The Lord of the Rings (Book, Movie) Mad Max Fury Road Midsomer Murders Rebecca (Book, Movie) Star Trek Star Wars
What's That Life Like?
September 04, 2019 04:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MBOne day, Jill asked Josh, "Have you ever read a book that made you wonder what it would be like to live a different type of life?" This episode is the conversation that resulted from that question. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: RBDigital Magazines Other Resources: A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramée Hildafolk series by Luke Pearson Interview with Mike Lanza, author of Playborhood The Jungle by Upton Sinclair Theodore Boone by John Grisham Writte...