Libraries Lead! artwork

Libraries Lead!

41 episodes - English - Latest episode: 28 days ago - ★★★★★ - 7 ratings

Libraries Lead! is a provocative podcast about all things information & library hosted by Beth Patin (Assistant Professor, School of Information Studies, Syracuse U), Dave Lankes (Professor, iSchool, U of Texas), and Mike Eisenberg (Dean/Professor Emeritus, iSchool, U of Washington). Information age opportunities and challenges affect every aspect of human existence. We wrestle with such topics as social justice, political unrest, mis- and dis-information, kids, family and adult living; education and learning; work, employment, training and jobs; recreation, entertainment, and play; disasters & emergency preparedness with a focus on libraries & information science, services, and systems. 4 segments in approx. 1 hour: WAZZUP, AI WATCH, MAIN TOPIC, and AWESOME LIBRARY THINGY. For Resources & References for All Episodes please go to: https://tinyurl.com/libleadresources 

News Commentary News librarieslead libraries librarians education information new normal library public library school library information technology
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Episodes

Episode 30 (February 2024): INFORMATION Everywhere All At Once

March 01, 2024 17:00 - 1 hour - 44.1 MB

Information and technology are a ubiquitous part of our lives. We cannot escape. Many of us walk around with multiple devices, receiving hundreds of notifications, emails, alerts, texts each day. Much like the 2022 film Everything Everywhere All at Once  we are all navigating a multiverse of devices and information sources. We used to talk about and experience the world in real life (IRL) through our digital presences. But is it now the opposite? Do we experience our lives digitally more tha...

Episode 29 (Jan 2024) Deaths of Despair: Isolation and Despondency

February 05, 2024 22:00 - 1 hour - 46.3 MB

ContentWarning: This episode includes discussions about mental health, addiction, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with these issues, please seek professional help. It is important to prioritize your well-being and the well-being of those around you. In this episode, we get serious about a serious problem: despondency and despair across all age groups – middle age, young adults and seniors too. For example, going against all the statistic...

EPISODE 28 (Dec 2023): More AI: 'I’m Afraid I CAN do that, Dave'

December 20, 2023 19:00 - 1 hour - 43.7 MB

In recent weeks, Dave's gone down the AI rabbit hole and, in this episode, we’re following him. Besides using AI for creating graphics, Dave’s is using an AI app called Poe to create “answer bots” – AI chats based on one's own content. This differs from ChatGPT and others which are based on large language models of massive amounts of general content from the web. With Poe, Dave used transcripts of this podcast (Libraries Lead) to create a Libraries Lead "bot" - Lib_Leader bot - https://poe.c...

EPISODE 27 (Nov 2023): EDUCATION IS THE ANSWER! Now, what was the question?

November 05, 2023 18:00 - 1 hour - 44.9 MB

We - Beth, Mike, & Dave - are educators, so naturally we all believe deeply in the value of learning at all stages of life. We advocate for “education” as an answer to many if not most questions, problems, concerns, and issues that people face individually and collectively. But, let’s get more specific about what this really means today and tomorrow specifically in library and information science education, in formal school settings, and even more broadly in society. In this episode we delve...

EPISODE 27: EDUCATION IS THE ANSWER! Now, what was the question?

November 05, 2023 18:00 - 1 hour - 44.9 MB

We - Beth, Mike, & Dave - are educators, so naturally we all believe deeply in the value of learning at all stages of life. We advocate for “education” as an answer to many if not most questions, problems, concerns, and issues that people face individually and collectively. But, let’s get more specific about what this really means today and tomorrow specifically in library and information science education, in formal school settings, and even more broadly in society. In this episode we delve...

EPISODE 26 (October 2023): Pitchforks and Torches and So Much More!

October 11, 2023 01:00 - 1 hour - 44.3 MB

We’re back and where do we begin? Beth, Dave and Mike return to the podcast microphones after a summer break from recording, but certainly not a break from incredible developments in the library, information, and technology worlds. Headlines include: Not just censor, but actually close libraries! Invasion of the AIs, aka large language models (LLM). Dis-information – the new normal? Teaching – forget social media, smart phones, Zoom, and the pandemic. Is it real or is it ChatGPT? In this epi...

Episode 25 (May 2023): Celebrating Libraries

May 28, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 43.4 MB

Enough of the downer, doom, the sky is falling mentality that seems to pervade our lives and media. Let’s celebrate! Join us as we highlight libraries and librarians and their role in our lives. Libraries are great. Libraries are thriving. Libraries are cool. Beth, Mike, & Dave talk about why we love them and give specific examples of unique and innovative services, programs, and resources, across all types of libraries and communities. We’ll also discuss how they are actively and successful...

Episode 24 (April 2023): The New AI...It's Complicated

April 24, 2023 19:00 - 1 hour - 45.9 MB

In this podcast episode, Beth, Mike, and Dave dive into the latest advancements in AI, including ChatGPT, Bing, Dall-E, and others. They acknowledge that the new AI technologies are complex and not simply good or bad, black or white. Instead, they explore the nuanced capabilities of these tools and their potential impact on society. The hosts discuss how these AI advancements can be used to improve various industries, such as healthcare and education, while also acknowledging the potential r...

Episode 23 (March 2023): March Info Madness – Sports, Information, and Libraries

March 25, 2023 15:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MB

It’s March Madness, and we both readily admit it – we are sports junkies. We are VERY dedicated fans taking our teams’ successes (or lack thereof) way too seriously. But we also enjoy looking at sports through our “information-colored” glasses. Sport has always been an information as well as physical contest, and it’s even more so today. We have Moneyball-type data analytics across sports in team building, strategy, video analysis in training and playing, (for better or worse) and pro and co...

Episode 22 (Feb 2023): Higher Education: For Better, Not Worse!

February 13, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 43.4 MB

In our last episode, #21 – January 2023, we articulated our concerns about what’s going on in higher education. We lamented the striving for status and money instead of access and affordability for students. We also felt that there’s an over-emphasis among students and families on jobs and financial benefits rather than learning and gaining a well-rounded education. We ended the episode by promising to follow-up in this episode focusing on solutions, no matter how far out there they might be...

Episode 21 (Jan 2023) Higher Education: Please Come to Your Senses!!

January 11, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 43.5 MB

The three of us are proud academics. While we come from very different backgrounds, we are all examples of the power of higher education to change lives. Furthermore, each of us has dedicated our lives to “paying it forward” through teaching, mentoring, research, and professional practice.  However, things seem different now on campuses. The promise and fulfillment of learning, growth, and opportunity for students seems to be pushed aside by an insatiable institutional, self-serving strivin...

Episode 20 (Dec 2022): Ding Dong The Twit is Dead?

December 11, 2022 18:00 - 56 minutes - 38.7 MB

Meltdown at Twitter? Advertisers leaving, Apple may delist the Twitter app, many have canceled their Twitter accounts.  What does this mean? Is there something more meaningful, valuable, and humane to replace it -perhaps a trustworthy, digital platform for the exchange of information and ideas moderated for credibility and trust? Should librarians seek to shape or support a Twitter replacement?  What's a reasonable stance for librarians in the face of free speech versus responsible speech? L...

EPISODE NUMBER 19: OCTOBER 2022

October 11, 2022 22:00 - 58 minutes - 40 MB

Episode 19: WHAT????? February 21st. 2022 Beth Patin, Dave Lankes, & Mike Eisenberg What is going on in this world? Librarians in the crosshairs! Book censorship and actual book burnings! Heavy-handed government control of schools, curriculum, higher education, libraries! Handmaid’s Tale-like nightmare in terms of women’s rights! Climate catastrophes! War in Ukraine. Strife - hatred - violence! WTF????? For References & Resources  Visit us at www.acechicagoevents.com/libraries-lead-episode...

Episode 19 (Oct 2022): What in the World?

October 11, 2022 22:00 - 58 minutes - 40 MB

Episode 19: WHAT????? February 21st. 2022 Beth Patin, Dave Lankes, & Mike Eisenberg What is going on in this world? Librarians in the crosshairs! Book censorship and actual book burnings! Heavy-handed government control of schools, curriculum, higher education, libraries! Handmaid’s Tale-like nightmare in terms of women’s rights! Climate catastrophes! War in Ukraine. Strife - hatred - violence! WTF????? For References & Resources  Visit us at https://1n2.b2c.myftpupload.com/episode-19-nov-...

Episode 18 (May 2022): The Censors are Coming! The Censors are Coming!

April 27, 2022 02:00 - 54 minutes - 37.4 MB

Episode 18: The Censors are Coming! The Censors are Coming! May 2022 Beth Patin, Dave Lankes, & Mike Eisenberg It is happening here. Again. There’s a huge increase in efforts to censor what is taught or even discussed in school along with banning, and in some cases even burning books in schools and libraries. In this episode, we delve into the nature of these threats along with ways to counteract them.  The same people who profess to champion freedom and rail against cancel culture, wokene...

Episode 18: The Censors are Coming! The Censors are Coming!

April 27, 2022 02:00 - 54 minutes - 37.4 MB

Episode 18: The Censors are Coming! The Censors are Coming! February 21st. 2022 Beth Patin, Dave Lankes, & Mike Eisenberg It is happening here. Again. There’s a huge increase in efforts to censor what is taught or even discussed in school along with banning, and in some cases even burning books in schools and libraries. In this episode, we delve into the nature of these threats along with ways to counteract them.  The same people who profess to champion freedom and rail against cancel cult...

Episode 17: Video Sharing & So Much More

March 28, 2022 17:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MB

Episode 17: Video Sharing & So Much More February 1st, 2022 Beth Patin, Dave Lankes, & Mike Eisenberg YouTube has more than 2 billion active users collectively viewing over 5 billion videos totaling a combined 1 billion hours of video viewing every day!! Tik Tok is the new kid on the block, just 4 years old worldwide, and already with over 1 billion active users watching 167 million videos every minute! These two entities wield tremendous influence across every demographic. Clearly more tha...

Episode 17 (April 2022): Video Sharing & So Much More

March 28, 2022 17:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MB

Episode 17: Video Sharing & So Much More April 2022 Beth Patin, Dave Lankes, & Mike Eisenberg YouTube has more than 2 billion active users collectively viewing over 5 billion videos totaling a combined 1 billion hours of video viewing every day!! Tik Tok is the new kid on the block, just 4 years old worldwide, and already with over 1 billion active users watching 167 million videos every minute! These two entities wield tremendous influence across every demographic. Clearly more than benign...

Episode 16 (March 2022): FACEBOOK: The Good, Bad, and the Ugly

March 02, 2022 02:00 - 1 hour - 43.4 MB

Episode 16: FACEBOOK: The Good, Bad, and the Ugly March 2022 Beth Patin, Dave Lankes, & Mike Eisenberg This episode continues our conversation about social media. We zero in on the 800 lb gorilla – make that the 1.6 BILLION pound gorilla that dominates social media,  FACEBOOK. That’s 1.6 billion because over 1.6 BILLION people (on average) visit Facebook every day. Listen in as we unravel this information age phenomenon. For References & Resources Visit us at https://1n2.b2c.myftpupload.co...

Episode 16: FACEBOOK: The Good, Bad, and the Ugly

March 02, 2022 02:00 - 1 hour - 43.4 MB

Episode 16: FACEBOOK: The Good, Bad, and the Ugly January 18th, 2022 Beth Patin, Dave Lankes, & Mike Eisenberg This episode continues our conversation about social media. We zero in on the 800 lb gorilla – make that the 1.6 BILLION LB gorilla that dominates social media,  FACEBOOK. That’s 1.6 billion because over 1.6 BILLION people (on average) visit Facebook every day. Listen in as we unravel this information age phenomenon. For References & Resources  Visit us at www.acechicagoevents.com...

Episode 15 (Feb 2022): Life, the Universe and Everything Social Media.

February 02, 2022 04:00 - 59 minutes - 40.6 MB

Episode 15: Life, the Universe and Everything Social Media. February 2022 Beth Patin, Dave Lankes, & Mike Eisenberg This is the first of a series of episodes about the phenomenon of social media. Social media dominates and affects almost all aspect of life and society, sometimes purposefully and often not. In the series, we hope to inform as well as identify some recommended good practices, and to discuss how libraries can and are helping people to engage effectively and safely. Here in ep...

Episode 15: Life, the Universe and Everything Social Media.

January 31, 2022 04:00 - 59 minutes - 40.6 MB

Episode 15: Life, the Universe and Everything Social Media. December 21st, 2021 Beth Patin, Dave Lankes, & Mike Eisenberg This is the first of a series of episodes about the phenomenon of social media. Social media dominates and affects almost all aspect of life and society, sometimes purposefully and often not. In the series, we hope to inform as well as identify some recommended good practices, and to discuss how libraries can and are helping people to engage effectively and safely. Here...

Episode 14: Info Literacy - Now More Than Ever!

January 12, 2022 04:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MB

Episode 14: Info Literacy - Now More Than Ever! November 17th, 2021 Beth Patin, Dave Lankes, & Mike Eisenberg Information literacy relates to every aspect of human existence – individually or in communities. Almost all human activities and endeavors are information-based, especially in our turbocharged, networked, overloaded info world. In this episode, we explore a range of info literacy issues including information skills, relevance, credibility, mis- and dis-information, bias, technology...

Episode 14 (Jan 2022): Info Literacy - Now More Than Ever!

January 12, 2022 04:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MB

Episode 14: Info Literacy - Now More Than Ever! January 2022 Beth Patin, Dave Lankes, & Mike Eisenberg Information literacy relates to every aspect of human existence – individually or in communities. Almost all human activities and endeavors are information-based, especially in our turbocharged, networked, overloaded info world. In this episode, we explore a range of info literacy issues including information skills, relevance, credibility, mis- and dis-information, bias, technology, media...

Episode 13: Politics R Us?

December 16, 2021 23:00 - 58 minutes - 40.2 MB

Episode 13: Politics R Us? November 13th, 2021 Beth Patin, Dave Lankes, & Mike Eisenberg Aughhh! The po·lit·i·ci·za·tion of everything! We don’t seem to be able to escape increasing polarization and the division into rival groups identified by politics and worldviews as well as the demonization of the other side.  Is this the new normal? Even for libraries and public service? Is everything to be defined or viewed through a political lens? through a political identity?   What is the politici...

Episode 13 (Dec 2021): Politics R Us?

December 16, 2021 23:00 - 58 minutes - 40.2 MB

Episode 13: Politics R Us? December, 2021 Beth Patin, Dave Lankes, & Mike Eisenberg Aughhh! The po·lit·i·ci·za·tion of everything! We don’t seem to be able to escape increasing polarization and the division into rival groups identified by politics and worldviews as well as the demonization of the other side.  Is this the new normal? Even for libraries and public service? Is everything to be defined or viewed through a political lens? through a political identity?   What is the politicizatio...

Episode 12: Truth or Dare: A New Normal in Education and Human Services?

November 20, 2021 02:00 - 51 minutes - 35.1 MB

Episode 12: Truth or Dare: A New Normal in Education and Human Services? October 13, 2021 Beth Patin, Dave Lankes, & Mike Eisenberg Starting this, our second season, we have a huge change to the Libraries Lead podcast. In the last episode (#11) of the first season, Beth Patin, assistant professor at the Syracuse University iSchool joined us. She was fantastic, mind blowing, amazing. The conversation was electric; It sizzled. Beth added so much that it was clear that she needed to be part of...

Episode 12 (Nov 2021): Truth or Dare: A New Normal in Education and Human Services?

November 20, 2021 02:00 - 51 minutes - 35.1 MB

Episode 12: Truth or Dare: A New Normal in Education and Human Services? Nov 2021 Beth Patin, Dave Lankes, & Mike Eisenberg Starting this, our second season, we have a huge change to the Libraries Lead podcast. In the last episode (#11) of the first season, Beth Patin, assistant professor at the Syracuse University iSchool joined us. She was fantastic, mind blowing, amazing. The conversation was electric; It sizzled. Beth added so much that it was clear that she needed to be part of every e...

Episode 11: Emergency! Being Prepared in the New Normal.

November 01, 2021 19:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MB

Episode 11: Emergency! Being Prepared in the New Normal. October 1, 2021 Beth Patin, Dave Lankes & Mike Eisenberg Unfortunately, the dire future predictions of crises due to environment and climate change, disease, poverty, and social justice are today’s realities. This new normal requires communities, individuals, and governments to cope right now while also looking ahead to plan for and create the necessary infrastructure and processes (conceptually and physically) to deal with future em...

Episode 10: Data to the Rescue?

October 11, 2021 22:00 - 52 minutes - 36.2 MB

Episode 10: Data to the Rescue? Sept 2021  Dave Lankes & Mike Eisenberg We agree on something “data to protect you" is an oxymoron. Data can be dangerous–particularly in the hands of corporations, governments, hackers, scammers, & even well-intentioned non-profits, public service providers, and even libraries and librarians. Public libraries monitor patrons on social media to market services to better “meet needs.” School libraries create student Google profiles and capture user data. Ac...

Episode 9: BACK TO THE FUTURE

October 01, 2021 19:00 - 53 minutes - 36.8 MB

June 2, 2021 Dave Lankes & Mike Eisenberg Are we going back to offices and city living or will a new normal emerge? Judging from the articles and posts, it’s not clear at all. That means it’s likely to be a combination of both depending on contexts of nature of activity (e.g., business), geography, and the economics (jobs, commerce, supply chain). With uncertainty prevailing, what should libraries be thinking about and planning for? As an added bonus, our production manager, Yoni Yemini, fr...

Episode 8: Help, I Need Somebody!

August 10, 2021 02:00 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MB

May 26, 2021  Dave Lankes & Mike Eisenberg  In the last episode, Mike ranted about his frustrations and hours spent in trying to reach a human being for assistance with airline reservations, prescriptions, and insurance. In this episode, we dive deeper into the topic of help and information services of all kinds– human, mediated (telephone, digital), online. What’s going on with consumer help and what’s the status of Q&A, Ask a Librarian, and reference services in library land? In Wazzup, ...

Episode 8: Help, I Need Somebody!

August 10, 2021 02:00 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MB

May 26, 2021  Dave Lankes & Mike Eisenberg  In the last episode, Mike ranted about his frustrations and hours spent in trying to reach a human being for assistance with airline reservations, prescriptions, and insurance. In this episode, we dive deeper into the topic of help and information services of all kinds– human, mediated (telephone, digital), online. What’s going on with consumer help and what’s the status of Q&A, Ask a Librarian, and reference services in library land? In Wazzup, ...

Episode 7: “Whatever the Need!” Says Angela Craig

July 20, 2021 17:00 - 1 hour - 50.6 MB

May 12, 2021  Dave Lankes & Mike Eisenberg  74 minutes  Mike and Dave are joined by a very special guest – the talented and enthusiastic Angela Craig, Executive Director, Charleston County Public Library. Charleston County is a cutting-edge regional library system. In addition to offering all that we expect from public libraries, Charleston has been particularly responsive to the challenges of helping people and communities due to emergencies such as Hurricane and of course, the Covid-19 pa...

Episode 6: The Post-Pandemic Workplace

July 06, 2021 00:00 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MB

April 19, 2021 Dave Lankes & Mike Eisenberg 44 minutes As we start to see some light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, what does it mean for the locus and nature of work? Will everyone simply return to their offices, businesses, and schools as if nothing has changed? Or has the lockdown been a catalyst for reconsidering location, work-home balance, and the trade-offs of physical vs. virtual work. And, what about the accompanying effects on the environment, transportation (commuting and tra...

Episode 5: Library Activism

June 03, 2021 17:00 - 38 minutes - 26.6 MB

March 17, 2021  45 Minutes  Dave Lankes & Mike Eisenberg  In this episode, Mike and Dave start with a brief exchange on the changing nature of work and the need to help low-wage earners find out about high demand jobs, requirements, and opportunities for getting access to quality training.  Mike & Dave then pick up the conversation about education in the evolving new normal from episode 3’s insights from Colet Bartow, Teaching and Learning Senior Manager in the Montana Office of Public Ins...

Episode 4: Education: Old Normal No More

May 23, 2021 18:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MB

March 17, 2021  45 Minutes  Dave Lankes & Mike Eisenberg  In this episode, Mike and Dave start with a brief exchange on the changing nature of work and the need to help low-wage earners find out about high demand jobs, requirements, and opportunities for getting access to quality training.  Mike & Dave then pick up the conversation about education in the evolving new normal from episode 3’s insights from Colet Bartow, Teaching and Learning Senior Manager in the Montana Office of Public Ins...

Episode 4: Education: Old Normal No More

May 23, 2021 18:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MB

March 17, 2021  45 Minutes  Dave Lankes & Mike Eisenberg  In this episode, Mike and Dave start with a brief exchange on the changing nature of work and the need to help low-wage earners find out about high demand jobs, requirements, and opportunities for getting access to quality training.  Mike & Dave then pick up the conversation about education in the evolving new normal from episode 3’s insights from Colet Bartow, Teaching and Learning Senior Manager in the Montana Office of Public Ins...

Episode 3: EDUCATION CHALLENGED!

May 07, 2021 15:00 - 1 hour - 51.5 MB

March 3, 2021  75 Minutes  Dave Lankes & Mike Eisenberg  It pretty much happened overnight: schools are closed, kids are home, teaching and learning are online, parents are responsible for coordinating it all. While every aspect of life has been affected by the pandemic, no sector has been more quickly and more significantly by the pandemic than education – on all levels. The most direct impact is on students, parents, and teachers, but it really affects everyone.   In this episode, we try...

Episode 1: Libraries Lead! Our very first episode!

April 26, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 47.5 MB

January 20, 2021  109 minutes Dave Lankes & Mike Eisenberg This is the first episode of our new podcast - Libraries Lead in the New Normal. We aim for a wild conversation between two close friends who share a passion for all things library & information but frequently disagree on specifics.  This episode which was recorded in January 2021 and simultaneously broadcast at that time as part of the Publishers Weekly Skillset Podcast. We originally intended to talk about the pandemic and the em...

Episode 2: Shots & Systems

April 26, 2021 18:00 - 57 minutes - 39.6 MB

February 3, 2021  57 minutes Dave Lankes & Mike Eisenberg In this second episode (and our last simultaneous broadcast as part of the Publishers Weekly Skillset Podcast), Mike is all upset about how difficult it was to get an appointment for a Covid vaccine. “This should be a very manageable information problem! Why can’t we set up an easy system for everyone and anyone – using people, databases, systems, and the telephone?”  Dave agrees and explains how libraries can support the rollout alo...