Middle Country Public Library Podcast

For our last Spooktober episode of 2026, we're putting our knowledge of all things spooky to the test. Sara and Nicole will face a simple choice: Trick or Treat? They should pick wisely, because some of these Halloween facts may surprise us!

Spooktober and the 250th anniversary of the United States come together in a special episode exploring eerie tales and ghostly lore tied to the American Revolution. The journey highlights the strange dual-burial and wandering ghost of "Mad Anthony" Wayne, the tragic history and haunting apparitions of the HMS Jersey prison ship, and the real Revolutionary War event that inspired the Headless Horse...

A sinister traveling carnival arrives in a quiet 1930s Illinois town, bringing supernatural dread and dangerous temptations under the guise of fulfilling the residents' deepest desires! Join Sal, Sara, and Nicole as they dive into Disney’s surprisingly dark 1983 dark-fantasy classic adapted directly from a famed Ray Bradbury novel. This Movie Chat explores the film’s eerie atmosphere, vintage spec...

Welcome to another spooky episode as we continue this year's Spooktober! This week, Nicole discusses family-friendly and teen horror movie recommendations, including classic titles and helpful viewing resources. Then, Sara dives into scary movies for adults and explores non-fiction books covering the origins of vampire folklore, werewolf legends, and psychic vampires. Tune in for more spooky seaso...

We're kicking off Spooktober 2026 with a dive into the ultimate spooky reading and watch list. Sara and Nicole breaks down eerie book recommendations for all age groups, from silly, mildly creepy tales for young kids to terrifying supernatural thrillers for older readers. The horror doesn't stop with books—get a breakdown of hair-raising movie picks spanning slow-burn thrillers, classic slasher fl...

As fall arrives, Sara and Nicole highlight upcoming October releases, including new DVDs like Jackass, Hadestown, Masters of the Universe, One Night Only, and The Brink of War. Nicole shares her book recommendations such as the Wildwood series—soon to be an animated film and available on Hoopla—Tom and Nancy, and the latest Percy Jackson release. Reserve your copies today, stop by for a Pumpkin Sp...

Discover everything coming up this programming season, from major community fairs like the Women's EXPO and the Fall Festival... Learn about workshops focusing on career resources, attend a hands-on workshop, or join a reading club... Whether you're looking to gain new tech skills, explore local history, meet fellow readers, or find fun activities for the whole family, this fall lineup has somethi...

Join Sal and Jim for a look back at the events of September 11, 2001, marking 25 years since the day that changed the nation forever. This special episode features a historical retrospective on the timelines and tragic moments of that morning, honoring the incredible bravery shown by first responders, flight crews, and everyday citizens who risked everything to save others. Also hear personal refl...

We are going back to school! It's that time of year again: Sara and Nicole are here to remind you of the amazing resources available at your library!  For students, discover free online databases providing early-learning programs, math help, and live homework tutoring, along with reading displays tailored to help kids ease first-day jitters or ace book reports. For adults, boost your career with f...

Nicole has an update on the multi-billion-dollar federal legal settlement with Meta that brings unprecedented shifts to digital safety, forcing new usage limits and safety measures to protect young users online. Alongside this historic update in tech accountability, Sara has a heartfelt look back at the incredible legacy, career, and enduring philanthropic impacts of music and pop-culture icon Dol...

Nicole is here to help you discover a fresh outdoor way to share a story with the family this month, complete with conversation starters and a little something to take home for your garden! Then, Sara digs into one of the library’s greatest digital services packed with binge-worthy TV shows and educational deep dives, movies, music, eBooks, audiobooks and more. Check out this week's show to hear a...

Test your weather smarts with a lively round of trivia covering everything from what really drives the wind and why some storms have different names depending on where they form, to record-breaking heat, snowy cities, lightning myths, cloud types that pack a punch, and those classic sayings sailors still swear by.

Jim Ward is here for another This Week in History - August 2nd through the 8th! Explore pivotal moments from this week across centuries, from the formal signing of the Declaration of Independence and early constitutional debates to landmark explorations under the Arctic ice, Olympic triumphs that challenged prevailing ideologies, the creation of a enduring military decoration, a daring high-wire f...

First: Sara has a fresh list of August DVD new releases, from folk horror and space adventures to family comedy and more. Then: Nicole read the article and provides a lively follow-up on the idea that reading is supposedly fading away. Find out what’s really going on with attention spans, screens, and long-form reading, plus why libraries still matter more than ever. Grab a book, check out a movie...

In this episode, we tackle some sobering news about reading habits in America and explore why The Odyssey remains essential reading. We discuss a recent Atlantic essay declaring the age of reading is over, declining book readership stats, shrinking attention spans, and the low percentage of adults reading to children. We also share hopeful developments in literacy education and why reading for ple...

This week, Nicole explores heartfelt ways to talk to children about death and grief with thoughtful book recommendations and practical advice drawn from trusted sources like the Fred Rogers Institute. Join us to learn tips on using honest language, answering questions openly, and supporting kids through loss while embracing it as a natural part of life. Then Sara dives into a selection of brand-ne...

Discover more defining moments that shaped the United States in part two of this special series on Great Moments in American History with Mr. Ward. From groundbreaking inventions and daring firsts in aviation, to landmark civil rights advances, cultural shifts, and modern triumphs in space, explore the events that propelled the nation forward. This episode continues the journey through iconic achi...

Discover the pivotal events that shaped the United States in this special two-part series on the podcast: Great Moments in American History with Mr. Ward! From the adoption of foundational documents to landmark battles, explorations, and unifying achievements, explore the defining chapters that built the nation. Part one highlights extraordinary turning points from the Revolutionary era through th...

This week, Nicole shines a light on Mercy Otis Warren, the remarkable playwright and writer from Massachusetts whose works helped rally support for independence. Often overlooked in history, Warren used her plays and writings to challenge British rule and inspire the revolutionary cause. Sara then delivers a "dramatic" reading of the full Declaration of Independence as only Sara can, followed by a...

In this special America 250 episode, Sal quizzes Sara & Nicole with questions from the US Citizenship Civics test! Explore the path to naturalization, eligibility requirements, and the naturalization process before diving into trivia covering the Constitution, separation of powers, the Great Compromise, the Electoral College, key amendments, historical figures like Benjamin Franklin and Sojour...

We kick off our special series celebrating America's 250th birthday with a discussion of the musical (and movie) Hamilton! Stay tuned to the end for some exciting news for our patrons coming this fall...

Join librarians from the adult, children's and teen departments as we cover this year's clubs and learn how reading this summer can enter you into a raffle to win amazing prizes and access to fun experiences. Sign up and unearth a story with reading! And remember: audiobooks and graphic novels count, too!

Discover the untold story behind the film that changed cinema forever. On the 49th anniversary of its release, uncover the wild origins of Star Wars: surprising early concepts, revolutionary effects, and casting choices that nearly went a very different direction. From desert shoots to groundbreaking visuals and a soundtrack for the ages, this is how the original space opera was born.

This week, Nicole explores the Authors Guild's latest best practices for writers using AI, along with a major lawsuit settlement involving Anthropic and the implications for authors whose work may have been used in AI training. Then Sara dives into timely summer advice on protecting your skin from cancer risks, including what to watch for and simple ways to stay safe in the sun.

Dive into a delightful chat about North America's only marsupial—the opossum—and why these wobbly, tick-munching backyard heroes deserve more love. Learn their wild facts: pouches full of tiny babies, playing dead like pros, snake venom resistance, and why they're secretly ecosystem superstars. Then shift gears to the rising world of young adult romance graphic novels, where dreamy stories, figure...