Call Number with American Libraries Podcast

New Orleans is famous for many things—its sights, bites, sounds, and culture. And this January, it’s where the American Library Association’s LibLearnX conference will make an in-person debut with a vibrant array of speakers, educational sessions, and more. So, let the good times roll—or, as the locals say, Laissez les bons temps rouler! In episode 79, Call Number highlights two beloved aspects of...

And just like that, 2022 is coming to an end. It’s been a tumultuous time for the profession: We’re on course for another record-breaking year of book challenges, politically driven groups are working to pass laws that censor materials and measures that defund libraries, and library workers continue to experience burnout. But one source of hope and inspiration has been the authors who have stepped...

In Episode 77 of Call Number, we explore the work of medical librarians by highlighting two initiatives presented at the 2022 Medical Library Association Annual Conference. First, American Libraries associate editor and Call Number host Diana Panuncial speaks with Jennifer Davis, Gail Kouame, and Lachelle Smith. The three collaborated on virtual reality programs that teach health science concepts...

Halloween is nearly here. And leading up to the holiday, many of us do all sorts of things to put ourselves in a spooky mood—take haunted hayrides, watch horror movies, carve pumpkins. Sometimes we dust off that shelf of Stephen King, Shirley Jackson, and Anne Rice books, and sink our teeth into a terrifying story that keeps us up at night. In Episode 76 of Call Number with American Libraries, we...

These days, with our busy schedules, it can be difficult to find ways to develop professional skills. That’s why Gale has partnered with Udemy Business, a vast marketplace for online learning, to offer public libraries a program called Gale Presents: Udemy. The program is an online platform that provides instruction through more than 17,000 video-based courses for adults who want to boost their sk...

As any library staffer who has gone through a building renovation knows, significant behind-the-scenes work goes into updating or overhauling a facility. From working with architects to communicating with committees to soliciting community feedback, rethinking a library doesn’t happen overnight. On Episode 75, the podcast team focuses on library design and architecture. First, American Libraries A...

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has dominated headlines this year. The ongoing war has affected people globally, including American librarians and their work. In Episode 74, the Call Number podcast team looks at the ways the profession is supporting Ukraine. First, Call Number host Diana Panuncial speaks with Kristin Parker, lead curator and manager of the arts at Boston Public Library. Parker is par...

This year, the Newbery Medal celebrates 100 years of recognizing distinguished children’s literature. In Episode 73, American Libraries associate editor and Call Number host Diana Panuncial interviews four authors with four prior winners of the award: Jerry Craft, 2020 Newbery Medal winner for New Kid; Cynthia Kadohata, 2005 winner for Kira-Kira; Tae Keller, 2021 winner for When You Trap a Tiger;...

In less than two weeks, the American Library Association's 2022 Annual Conference and Exhibition will take place in Washington, D.C.—the first in-person Annual Conference since the pandemic began. In Episode 72, we’re gearing up to be together again in the nation’s capital. First, American Libraries Associate Editor and Call Number host Diana Panuncial speaks with Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congre...

Among the public libraries implementing Gale Presents: Excel Adult High School, a 21.5-credit online high school completion program, is Rolling Hills Library (RHL) in St. Joseph, Missouri. On this bonus episode of Call Number with American Libraries, sponsored by Gale, Diana Panuncial, associate editor of American Libraries and podcast host, speaks with Michelle Mears, director of RHL. They’re joi...

In Episode 71 of Call Number with American Libraries, “Setting Up for Self-Care,” we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, observed each May. The importance of self-care has become clearer than ever in recent years, especially in the age of the pandemic. In this episode, we look at some of the ways library workers have taken care of themselves—and others—in stressful times. First, American Libr...

This episode, we celebrate Financial Literacy Month and Money Smart Week, which runs April 9–16. Our show looks at three big questions around money: How can we raise it? How can we save it? And how do we spend it responsibly? First, American Libraries Associate Editor Sallyann Price chats with Jennifer Byrnes, supervisor of the Business Insight Center at Rochester Public Library in New York. She m...

Episode 52, “Libraries and Sustainability”—which originally aired in July 2020—looks at how librarians were living green at the library and in their own lives before the COVID-19 pandemic began. First, American Libraries Associate Editor Sallyann Price speaks with Gabrielle Griffis, assistant youth services librarian at Brewster (Mass.) Ladies Library, about the Blue Marble Librarians, a group tha...

While American Libraries is busy searching for its new podcast host, we thought we’d dip into the vault and re-air some of our most popular episodes. Today we’re replaying Episode 35, “Fostering New Businesses,” which originally aired in February 2019. Three years ago, we released this installment to coincide with National Entrepreneurship Week, which this year is being observed February 12–19. Th...

While we’re busy searching for our new Call Number host, we thought we’d dip into the vault and re-air some of our most popular episodes. Today we’re replaying our sixth episode, “Banned Books,” which originally aired in October 2016. In 2021, libraries across the country saw a record number of book challenges, and the wisdom of this episode from five years ago is—unfortunately—just as applicable...

In Episode 69, Call Number with American Libraries looks back on interviews—with authors and ALA conference speakers—conducted by American Libraries staffers during 2021. Featured in this episode are never-before-released clips from conversations with Fox Sports analyst and former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho; acclaimed writer Isabel Allende; reggae musician and philanthropist Ziggy Marley; TV hos...

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is an American institution, instilling the importance of literacy and learning—and a love of words—in generations of children since its founding more than 95 years ago. Beyond word lists, the Bee provides reading lists, a book club, and additional resources, creating a rich ecosystem that helps spellers contextualize the words they are studying and educators get i...

As November draws to a close, thoughts naturally turn toward food. It brings people together, bridges cultures and divides, and can be used as a teaching tool, providing insights into everything from history and politics to mathematics and problem-solving. On Episode 68, Call Number with American Libraries looks at the wonderful world of food. First, American Libraries Managing Editor Terra Dankow...

For more than a year, educators, school librarians, and administrators have been responding and adapting to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last spring, Gale, a Cengage Company, and the American Library Association (ALA) partnered to rejuvenate Gale’s guide to best practices for school librarians. For this Agents of Change 2.0 paper, ALA spoke with educators and administrators working thr...

In his 1968 film Night of the Living Dead, George A. Romero unleashed the modern zombie upon the world. These reanimated corpses with a hunger for human flesh have taken many forms over the years, from slow, shambling ghouls to fast, menacing creatures. But why do they endure? What is it about zombies that fascinates and frightens us? And how have libraries gotten into the action? In Episode 67, C...

In Episode 66, Call Number with American Libraries looks at two libraries featured in American Libraries magazine’s 2021 Library Design Showcase. First, American Libraries Senior Editor and Call Number host Phil Morehart speaks with Heather Hart, manager of Salt Lake City Public Library’s Sprague branch, about renovations that were made to the 93-year-old, English Tudor–style library after a flood...

Librarians in the US serve different populations, each with a distinct set of needs. Among those are veterans, who often face unique challenges when returning to civilian life after their military service ends. Many of them turn to the library for help and resources, so it’s essential for library workers to know more about this community to better serve its members. On Episode 65 of Call Number wi...

Since its emergence in New York City in the late 1970s, hip-hop has grown to become a musical, cultural, and economic force around the world. And it’s been embraced by libraries, which are using the art form for community outreach, teaching, preservation, and more. In Episode 64, Call Number with American Libraries looks at libraries and hip-hop. First, American Libraries Senior Editor and Call Nu...

In Episode 63, Call Number with American Libraries looks at outdoor-related activities with conversations about bugs, beach reads, and outdoor learning. First, ALA Editions Senior Acquisitions Editor Rachel Chance speaks with Erin Rothenbuehler and Sean Duffy from Ohio County (W.V.) Public Library about a series of programs the library offers on bugs, most notably the Brood Ten cicadas. Next Ameri...

In Episode 62, Call Number with American Libraries looks at law librarianship through conversations with law librarians representing two different areas of the profession. First, American Libraries Senior Editor and Call Number host Phil Morehart speaks with Emily Florio, senior research services manager at international law firm Hogan Lovells and president of the American Association of Law Libra...