Connections: A Podcast of the James L. Hamner Public Library artwork

Connections: A Podcast of the James L. Hamner Public Library

218 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratings

If 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.

Education Society & Culture public library books culture social exploration
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Episodes

Please, I'm Human

September 19, 2018 04:00 - 29 minutes - 13.5 MB

Inspired by the fifth statement of the ALA Code of Ethics, Jill and Matt talk about office politics, competitive pay, and name tags. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: SOVALUe

You Provide, But They Don't Come

September 12, 2018 04:00 - 28 minutes - 13 MB

Educational and entertaining programs are one the services most expected from the public library. In this episode, Jill and Matt talk about programs they have enjoyed and try to explain why a library might not have the quantity or variety of programs users desire. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: The Great Courses

But I Made It!

September 05, 2018 04:00 - 30 minutes - 14.2 MB

Jill and Matt continue their discussion of the American Library Association's Code of Ethics. In this episode, they discussion the third and fourth statements of the Code, covering privacy and intellectual property rights. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: A - Z World Travel

Grey Cloaks, Pirates, and Inspiring Women

August 29, 2018 04:00 - 34 minutes - 16 MB

Jill and Matt talk about books that have made a positive impact on their lives. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: Global Road Warrior.

How Do I Decide If I Have No Choice?

August 22, 2018 04:00 - 32 minutes - 14.8 MB

The American Library Association has a code of ethics to guide library workers. The Code of Ethics has eight statements. In this episode, Jill and Matt talk about intellectual freedom using the second statement as a starting point. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: A - Z World Food

Salad, Anyone?

August 15, 2018 04:00 - 24 minutes - 11.5 MB

Jill does not enjoy eating salads. When the library acquired Naomi Twigden's Lunchbox Salads, she decided to be adventurous and try one recipe a day for a week. Join Matt as he learns about Jill's experience. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: World Book Online

Are You Ready? This Could Be Awkward.

August 08, 2018 04:00 - 29 minutes - 13.4 MB

The American Library Association has a code of ethics to guide library workers. The Code of Ethics has eight statements. In this episode, Jill and Matt talk about the first statement, including applying the ethical principles to a fictional scenario. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: Ask-a-Librarian.

Long Live the Library!

August 01, 2018 04:00 - 31 minutes - 14.7 MB

Matt heard that a potential politician said library funding should be cut because no one reads anymore. That comment angered him so much that a week later he still couldn't stop talking about it. In this episode, Matt explains why he thinks public libraries provide value to communities. His top reasons have nothing to do with reading. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured Resource: Chess Club.

I Need a Hug

July 25, 2018 04:00 - 32 minutes - 14.8 MB

Say "library" and most people think "books." A bit of thought might bring up story times or internet access, yet one of James L. Hamner Library's most used services is providing opportunities for human connection. In this episode, Matt and Jill talk about how they see people's lives being made better when they interact with other humans at the library. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: Friends of the James L. Hamner Public Library

But I Don't Care About Privacy!

July 18, 2018 04:00 - 28 minutes - 13.3 MB

Maintaining the confidentiality of how people use the library is a foundation of professional library work. Sometimes, a library's confidentiality policy can frustrate users. Jill and Matt discuss why libraries value confidentiality and try to answer common frustrations. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: Qello Concerts

It's Not You, It's My Job

July 11, 2018 04:00 - 29 minutes - 15.7 MB

Trigger Warning: Stalking, Sexual Harassment. Public library workers, like other customer service workers, are paid to be friendly. Sometimes, library users mistake friendliness for flirting. Jill and Matt discuss their experiences with unwanted "romantic" attention. All opinions, comments, and experiences are strictly their own. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured Resource: Friends of the James L. Hamner Public Library

It's Changing Me!

July 04, 2018 04:00 - 30 minutes - 16 MB

Matt works as a circulation assistant, a job similar to that of a cashier at a store. In this episode, he talks about what he thought the job would be like before he started and how that compares to what he actually does. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: Acorn TV

Manga: Simple, Yet Complex

June 27, 2018 04:00 - 24 minutes - 11.8 MB

Trigger Warning: Suicide. Angela and Jill explore manga, including Angela's work studying manga as a reflection of culture and Jill's thoughts on how reading manga can help people improve their reading comprehension. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured Resource: Universal Class

Give Us Back Our Stuff! The Truth about the Library's Naughty or Nice List.

June 20, 2018 04:00 - 25 minutes - 11.8 MB

What is an overdue fine? What's a lost fee? Why do I have to pay for not turning in something on time when my taxes bought the item in the first place? I returned something late; am I on the library's Naughty list? Please don't hate me, I've never been late before! Jill and Matt discuss common questions about overdue fines and try to explain how they think about people who return items late. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured Resource: ProCitizen

Why Does that Chair Keep Moving?

June 13, 2018 04:00 - 19 minutes - 10.4 MB

Jill and Matt peruse new interior decorating books, butcher every name they try to pronounce, and talk about their decorating styles. Meanwhile, Matt tries to understand why Jill keeps moving furniture in the library. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured Resource: Kid's Catalog

Library Workers Can Save Your Hair

June 06, 2018 04:00 - 18 minutes - 10.2 MB

Before working at the library, Matt attended cosmetology school, then worked in a salon for ten years. In this episode, Matt talks about bleaching and coloring hair and Jill connects the conversation to library services. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured Resource: www.hamnerlibrary.org

Easy Access? We Try.

May 30, 2018 04:00 - 21 minutes - 11.4 MB

Why is it sometimes so difficult to get a library account? Jill and Matt discuss this and other questions people often ask them about getting a library account. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured Resource: Pronunciator

Won't a Library Podcast be Boring?

May 29, 2018 04:00 - 6 minutes - 3.44 MB

Jill and Matt talk about why the library started a podcast and why they don't think it will be boring. Feedback: [email protected].