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
Music for Life
August 28, 2019 04:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MBJill and Josh both play musical instruments. One day, Jill asked Josh, "Is music a life skill or a nice-to-have?" This episode contains their thoughts on the answer to that question. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Qello Concerts
What Did That Boring Old Book Ever Do For You?
August 21, 2019 04:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MBOne day, Josh asked Jill, "Is there a book you had for assigned reading in school that you didn't think anything about at the time, but it has an impact on your life now?" In this episode, Jill and Josh talk about this question and go on at least three tangents. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: The Library Board of Trustees Other Resources: Beowulf (829.3 Beo) Connections Episode 43: "I Like Them Short" The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (F Dum) T...
What Do You Do All Day?
August 14, 2019 04:00 - 47 minutes - 33 MBLibrary directors have similar jobs, but the specifics can be different, depending on the library. In this episode, Jay Stephens, library director for the Halifax County South Boston Public Library System, starts out talking with Jill about what a typical work day is like, but then they end up talking about the things library directors talk about when they're just chatting. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: ProCitizen Pronunciator Other Resources: Ask a Mana...
The Person is Not the Crime
August 07, 2019 04:00 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBWhat does a Commonwealth's Attorney do? What's the difference between an attorney and a lawyer? How accurately does Law and Order portray trials? In this episode, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney John Bateman, Esq. answers these questions and more as he talks about his job, work-life balance, what happens in dime-a-dozen court cases, and more. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Gale Legal Forms
What is Success?
July 31, 2019 04:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBWhat is success? In this episode, Jill and Josh talk about possible answers to that question. Suggest a Topic: [email protected] Featured Resource: Passport Application Services Other Resources: The Art of Manliness: Begin With the End in Mind Casey Neistat YouTube Sawbones
Drawing is Easier than Swimming
July 24, 2019 04:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBJosh is an artist who believes that anyone can draw. In this episode, he talks with Jill about different ways to learn to draw and recommends books to help develop drawing skills. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resources: 741.2 Section of the Dewey Decimal System Great Courses Library Collection Universal Class Other Resources: The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams The Art of Basic Drawing with William Powell [et al] (741.2 Art) The Dot by Peter Reyno...
Be Online and Dress Appropriately: Groovy Nate Part 2
July 17, 2019 04:00 - 36 minutes - 25.4 MBGroovy Nate, a children's entertainer, has worked library shows for more than a decade. In the second part of this two-part series, he talks about the business of being a children's entertainer, especially when working with public libraries. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Qello Other Resources: Groovy Nate Potty Song Download
It's All About the Relationships: Groovy Nate Part 1
July 10, 2019 04:00 - 24 minutes - 17.1 MBGroovy Nate, a children's entertainer, has worked library shows for more than a decade. In this two-part series, he talks about the business of being a children's entertainer, especially when working with public libraries. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Great Courses Video Lectures Other Resources: Groovy Nate Potty Song Download
We Want You to Inhale
July 03, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 45 MBAsk someone to name a medical profession and "respiratory therapist" probably won't be in the top three answers. In this episode, retired registered respiratory therapist Roger Hames* describes to Jill what over 40 years in the profession was like, as well as giving suggestions for those considering entering the field today. *Full disclosure: Roger is Jill's dad. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: A to Z World Food Other Resources: American Association for Respi...
Sewing is Consolation
June 26, 2019 20:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBWriting an instruction book is different than writing a novel. In this episode, author Barbara Emodi talks with Jill about the process of using her decades of garment-sewing experience to create a sewing book designed to help new and returning sewers have a stress-reduced experience. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Pronunciator Other Resources: Clothes Making Mavens Podcast Sewing on the Edge with Barbara Emodi Sew...The Garment-Making Book of Knowledge: Re...
Unexpected Learning
June 19, 2019 04:00 - 22 minutes - 10.5 MBPeople sometimes wonder why, if libraries exist to help people learn, they have magicians and other entertainment. In this episode, Jill and Josh each tell a story about a time they did an activity and learned something unrelated that has influenced the rest of their life. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Marshall Bullock Summer Reading Program
A Talk with Author Erin Teagan
June 12, 2019 04:00 - 29 minutes - 13.7 MBVirginia author Erin Teagan writes fiction for elementary and middle grades. She is also a biochemist. In this episode, she gives suggestions for questions to ask authors. She also talks about microscopes, failed experiments, and her pet rabbit. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: The JLH Library's Catalog Other Resources: Erin Teagan Novelist Read Local
A Talk with Author Veronica Bartles
June 05, 2019 04:00 - 38 minutes - 17.7 MBMaryland author Veronica Bartles talks with Jill about how her successes are dependent on failures. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: The Marshall Bullock Summer Reading Program Other Resources: Read Local: Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Veronica Bartles
The Wanderings of Director-Chat
May 29, 2019 04:00 - 35 minutes - 16.3 MBWhat do library directors talk about when socializing with each other? This episode gives a peek into such an event when J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library director Ryan Higginbotham chats with Jill. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Programming
The Cause of My Change Is Not What You Think
May 22, 2019 04:00 - 18 minutes - 8.39 MBTo commemorate the first episode of Connections' second year, Jill and Josh each tell a story about how going to the library changed them. Spoiler alert: It wasn't the books. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: www.hamnerlibrary.org Other Resources: Episode 43, "I Like Them Short"
It's a Date!
May 15, 2019 04:00 - 13 minutes - 6.53 MBInspired by observing youth vie for each other's attention in the library, Jill and Josh can't be serious as they think of date ideas that take place at the library. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: The library building: 16351 Dunn Street, Amelia Court House, VA 23002
Pickles and Motorcycles: Stories from Wyoming
May 08, 2019 04:00 - 27 minutes - 12.6 MBSunshine makes Jill want to travel, so in this episode, Josh talks about his trip to Yellowstone and Jill tells a story about camping in southern Wyoming. Travel stories are relevant to libraries because libraries exist to help people learn and people tend to learn when they travel. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: A to Z the USA Places Mentioned: Gardiner, MT Grand Teton National Park Jenny Lake Laramie, WY Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests Yellowstone...
Is It the Future Yet?
May 01, 2019 04:00 - 26 minutes - 12.2 MBJill wanted a way to indicate to patrons what areas were staff-only spaces. Instead of a practical solution, her idea relies on futuristic technology. From there, the plans get even more aspirational. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Botley Robot Other Resources: AuRoSS (Autonomous Robotic Shelf Scanning System) I, Robot Issac Asimov Pepper Robot
The Book Hunter is Coming
April 24, 2019 04:00 - 34 minutes - 15.8 MBIn a previous episode, In Which I Hire a Mercenary, Josh explains what tabletop role-playing games are. In this episode, he leads Jill through a sci-fi adventure that includes Martians, libraries, and robotic bulldogs. Characters: Denny Dovan, the library user Janet, the office manager Lisa, the book hunter Meevis, the Martian Tara, the library director Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: The library has a printer that the public can use. It prints in...
Good People Read
April 17, 2019 04:00 - 32 minutes - 15 MBThe importance of reading is touted so pervasively, that sometimes it seems as if reading is counted as a virtue like honesty or compassion. In this episode, reading educator Amy Alvut and Jill attempt to explore this idea, but constantly return to ways in which reading is beneficial. For this episode, "reading" refers to reading for pleasure, not functional reading. Functional reading is the ability to read and understand bills, job descriptions, and the like. Pleasure reading indicates vol...
In Which I Hire a Mercenary
April 10, 2019 04:00 - 27 minutes - 12.7 MBJosh plays tabletop role-playing games. Jill has never played an RPG. In this episode, Josh describes how his group's typical RPG evening goes and summarizes the different types of tabletop role-playing games. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: A to Z Maps Other Resources: Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual (793.93 Dun) Pathfinder Role-Playing Game: Core Rule Book (793.93 Pat) The Tearable RPG
It Had Purple Tentacles
April 03, 2019 04:00 - 22 minutes - 10.2 MBIn the episode "What Do I Like to Read," Jill and Josh attempted to define what readers' advisory is. In this episode, they work through two readers' advisory questions. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Acorn TV Other Resources: Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero The Nightshade Chronicles by Hilary Wagoner Novelist Redwall by Brian Jacques The Six Crowns by Allan Frewin Jones Warriors by Erin Hunter
Show Them Options
March 27, 2019 04:00 - 44 minutes - 20.6 MBYouth development can take many forms, but a common thread tends to be helping youth grow as a person. In this episode, Thomas Woodson, a 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent, talks about the programs he operates for Amelia County and why he chose those particular programs. If you think 4-H is all about raising livestock or canning produce, this episode will show how much more is available. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: A to Z World Travel Other Resources: ...
What Do I Like to Read?
March 20, 2019 04:00 - 22 minutes - 10.4 MBSensitive Topic: Sex Readers' advisory is a library term that might not describe exactly what it means. Does readers' advisory mean providing warning labels about the topic of books? Does it mean helping people find things they want to read? Does it mean advising people that they will have better lives if they read for pleasure? In this episode, Jill and Josh define readers' advisory as it is practiced at their library. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: NoveL...
I Like Them Short
March 13, 2019 04:00 - 24 minutes - 11.3 MBThere are as many different kinds of books as there are readers, but American culture tends to think of some types of books as "real" books and some types of content as "real" reading. In this episode, Josh describes how he changed from someone who didn't enjoy reading to someone who voluntarily reads mythology. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Episode 6, "Manga: Simple, Yet Complex" Other Resources: Beowulf The Epic of Gilgamesh Grimm's Complete Fairy Tale...
I'm Here to Talk
March 06, 2019 05:00 - 28 minutes - 13.3 MBJosh came to the library as a teenager. Now that he works here, his thoughts on the library experience have changed - maybe. In this episode, Josh tells Jill why he came to the library as a teen and how he views similar behavior as an employee. Despite Jill's frequent interruptions to pontificate on her library philosophy, Josh manages to tell his story.
It's Moving!
February 27, 2019 05:00 - 33 minutes - 15.6 MBThe library's newest circulation assistant, Josh Baker, is working towards a career in character design. In this episode, Josh gives Jill an overview of animation styles and how a drawing becomes a moving image. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Free notary services at the library Call for an appointment (In-person service only): 804-561-4559 Other Resources: Joshua Baker Art The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams Universal Class
A Conversation with a Muslim
February 20, 2019 05:00 - 38 minutes - 17.7 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 Patricia Kalimah Carter what she believes as a Muslim and how that plays out in real life. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Pronunciator Other Resources: Does My Head Look Big In This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah (YA F Abd) Why Islam
A Conversation with a Baptist
February 13, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 27.6 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 Terry Maples, Field Coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, what his branch of Baptists believe and how that plays out in real life. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: 233 Section of the Dewey Decimal System Other Resources: The Angela Project Cooperat...
Music to See: No Education Needed
February 06, 2019 05:00 - 35 minutes - 16.1 MBSpecial Event: Victor Haskins's Skein Sunday, February 17, 2019 3:00 p.m. Victor X. Haskins is a composer and educator whose music relies heavily on improvisation. In this episode, Victor explains how his music tells stories and can be enjoyed by everyone, even people with no technical or theoretical understanding of music. Photo Credit: Josh Marcus Photography Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: But I Made It! Connections Episode Other Resources: Victor Haski...
Can't Sing? No Problem!
January 30, 2019 05:00 - 59 minutes - 27.5 MBDo you want to teach music from your home? Have you ever wanted to take music lessons? In this episode, piano and voice teacher Joan Maples talks about teaching music to private students, gives advice to parents looking for a music teacher for their child, and discusses how music brings value to other parts of life. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Qello Concerts Resources Mentioned: Virginia Small Business Development Centers
Emergency! I Need a Taxi!
January 23, 2019 05:00 - 36 minutes - 16.6 MBDo you know the difference between an emergency medical technician (EMT) and an ambulance driver? How old do you need to be to volunteer with emergency medical services (EMS)? Who certifies EMTs? Karen Giles, with decades of EMS experience, answers these questions and more in today's episode. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: Pronunciator
Let's Move a Tower!
January 16, 2019 05:00 - 31 minutes - 14.4 MBHave you ever wanted to drive a truck with wheels taller than you are? Do you want to move structures that are too heavy for the highway? Do you want to do something different everyday? Do you thrive on adrenaline and danger? Do you want to use math and physics to astound the average person? No, this isn't an ad for military recruitment, it's a conversation with Tommy Gleason who had a career in heavy rigging and hauling. In this episode, Tommy talks about moving houses, towers, almost going...
Are You Hirable?
January 09, 2019 05:00 - 33 minutes - 15.6 MBJob searching is marked by uncertainty. Sometimes, it can feel like the applicant has no control over the outcome. In this episode, Jill talks about qualities she looks for in job applications and interviews, showing that the applicant has several ways to influence the process in their favor. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: 650 Section of the Dewey Decimal System
A Conversation with an Episcopalian
January 02, 2019 05:00 - 59 minutes - 27.2 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 Doctor Bruce A. Gray what Episcopalians believe and how that plays out in real life. Contact Us: [email protected] Featured Resource: 283.73 Section of the Dewey Decimal System Resources: The Book of Common Prayer Christ Episcopal Church The Shakiest Gun in the West
Holiday Remembrances
December 26, 2018 05:00 - 41 minutes - 19.2 MBThe Christmas season and nostalgia go together like hot chocolate and cookies. In this episode Jill and Matt talk about their holiday memories. Feedback: [email protected] Featured Resource: 394 Section of the Dewey Decimal System Resources: Bethlehem Walk River City 3 Railers Train Display
A Conversation with a Presbyterian
December 19, 2018 05:00 - 1 hour - 36.2 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 Presbyterian Reverend Jeremy Cannada about what Presbyterians believe and how that plays out in real life. Feedback: [email protected] Featured Resource: 285 Section of the Dewey Decimal System Resources: Amelia Presbyterian Church Bible Presbyterian Church Covenant Order of Evangelica...
A Conversation with a Methodist
December 12, 2018 05:00 - 51 minutes - 23.5 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 Methodist pastor Reverend Callie Walker about what Methodists believe and how that plays out in real life. Feedback: [email protected] Featured Resource: 287 Section of the Dewey Decimal System Resources Mentioned: Tabernacle United Methodist Church The Art of Manliness - The Spiritual ...
Read Local Authors Karin Anderson and Kathryn Erskine
December 05, 2018 05:00 - 25 minutes - 11.8 MBThe library participates in The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Read Local program. In November 2018, Karin Anderson and Kathryn Erskine spoke at the library. This episode is a recording of that event. Karin Anderson is a photographer and Kathryn Erskine is an author. For ease of reference, in this recording, they are both referred to as "authors." Feedback: [email protected] Books Mentioned: Impact! Asteroids and the Science of Saving the World by Elizabet...
Read Local: Karin Anderson and Kathryn Erskine
December 05, 2018 05:00 - 25 minutes - 11.7 MBThe library participates in The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Read Local program. In November 2018, Karin Anderson and Kathryn Erskine spoke at the library. This episode is a recording of that event. Karin Anderson is a photographer and Kathryn Erskine is an author. For ease of reference, in this recording, they are both referred to as "authors." Feedback: [email protected] Books Mentioned: Impact! Asteroids and the Science of Saving the World by Elizabet...
You Know Me By My Books
November 28, 2018 05:00 - 32 minutes - 15 MBInspired by the Art of Manliness's Libraries of Famous Men series, Jill and Matt thought about what titles are representative of the kinds of things they read. In this episode, they each discuss five books that collectively give insight into who they are. Feedback: [email protected] Featured Resource: The Library's Catalog Books Mentioned: All Over But the Shoutin' by Rick Bragg Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? by Pamela Keogh The Bible Bonk by Mary Roach The Bracken Trilo...
We're Different
November 21, 2018 05:00 - 33 minutes - 15.3 MBThe James L. Hamner Public Library's strategic plan contains a list of ways the public library is different from other community organizations. In this episode, Jill and Matt consider this list and try to think of how it applies in real life. Feedback: [email protected] Featured Resource: After Business-Hours Hours Monday: 10:00 - 6:00 Tuesday - Thursday: 10:00 - 8:00 Friday: 10:00 - 6:00 Saturday: 10:00 - 2:00 Other Resources: Strategic Plan
We've Got Values
November 14, 2018 05:00 - 26 minutes - 12 MBThe JLH Library has a five-year plan that is build on four foundational values. In this episode, Jill and Matt talk about how these values are used in the day-to-day work at the library. Feedback: [email protected] Featured Resource: Large Print Books Other Resources Mentioned: Five-Year Plan Indie Flix
We're on a Mission
November 07, 2018 05:00 - 20 minutes - 9.54 MBThe library has a five-year plan that includes a mission statement. Sometimes, mission statements are forgettable and irrelevant, but not this one! In this episode, Jill and Matt think about how the mission statement describes what the library does and how it influences decisions about where the library is going. Feedback: [email protected] Featured Resource: The Hamner Room (Meeting Room) Meeting Room Policy Meeting Room User Agreement Other Resources Mentioned: Five-Year...
I Didn't Expect It to Be So Much Fun
October 31, 2018 04:00 - 43 minutes - 19.7 MBCirculation Assistant Angela goes to conventions for fun. Recently, she went to her first library conference. In this episode, Angela talks about her experience at the library conference and how it compared to manga and gaming conventions. Feedback: [email protected] Featured Resource: Universal Class
I Remember When... And Now I'm Officially Old
October 24, 2018 04:00 - 42 minutes - 19.6 MBJill and Matt describe their first memories of a public library and what part the library played in different life stages. They also get sidetracked talking about books they are reading and then finish the episode by contemplating Fall 2018 hair trends. Feedback: [email protected] Featured Resource: Digital Concert Network from Jazz at Lincoln Center - See Library Calendar for dates Books Mentioned: Driving by Starlight by Anat Deracine The Lives They Left Behind by Darby ...
You're So Inspiring! And Now I'm a Fanboy.
October 17, 2018 04:00 - 28 minutes - 13.2 MBThe American Library Association's Code of Ethics encourages maintaining professional knowledge and at our library, continuing education is a priority. In this episode, Matt talks about what it was like to attend his first library conference. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: Songwriting Workshop with Slugger Morrissette (October 24, 2018)
How's the Pasta?
October 10, 2018 04:00 - 33 minutes - 15.6 MBJill likes to eat pasta. Angela knows that pasta is more than spaghetti and sauce. In this episode, Angela talks about different pasta shapes, choosing the right sauce for the pasta's shape, cooking pasta, and more. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: Cookbooks at the Library (Dewey Number 641.5)
Beliefs, Preferences, Culture, and Professionalism
October 03, 2018 04:00 - 31 minutes - 14.7 MBInspired by the seventh statement of the ALA Code of Ethics, Jill and Matt explore how personal convictions interact with professional behavior. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: The library's weekly article in The Amelia Bulletin Monitor.
May I Dance?
September 26, 2018 04:00 - 39 minutes - 18 MBJill's college major was music and Matt attended a performing arts high school. In this episode, they talk about their experiences and try to explain the mental and emotional impact of not participating in the arts. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: R.E.A.D. Dog Story Time