Circulating Ideas

Steve chats with Gene Ambaum, creator and writer of the webcomic Library Comic, about his new Library Game on Kickstarter, the origins and mechanics of the game, collaborating with his Library Comic artist Willow Payne to create the cards, and how real-life library experiences (including a memorably nude patron!) find their way into his work. … Continue reading 323: Library Game Kickstarter...

Steve chats with Bobbi L. Newman and Sam Helmick about their recent Inside Higher Ed article, “The Case for a Professional Foundation in Librarianship,” about their spirited defense of the MLS degree, the shared ethical foundation that library school instills in its students, the importance of growing diversity through widening access rather than lowering standards, … Continue re...

Steve chats with Erin Jones, editor of the new 11th edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual from the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom, about her winding path from theater studies into librarianship, how she reshaped this edition to be more accessible by writing in plain language, adding personal stories, and diversifying contributor voices, … Continue re...

Steve chats with Alma Katsu, author of the new book Incarnate, about her CIA background into early social media research, AI’s threat to creativity and authenticity, the story’s parallels with Picture of Dorian Gray, and the diversity of voices in the current golden age of the horror genre. Then over on the Circ Desk, NoveList … Continue reading 320: Incarnate by Alma Katsu &#821...

Steve chats with Araminta Hall, author of Unreliable Narrator, about the literary concept of an “unreliable narrator,” what it means for writers to be “burglars of life,” how teaching writing changes her own writing, what it was like to have a previous novel adapted by Apple TV, and who gets to tell your story. Then … Continue reading 319: Unreliable Narrator by Arami...

Steve chats with Kerri Maher, author of Summer of Love, about why this novel is her most personal, intergenerational trauma, researching California’s wine history, her writing process, and her friendship / collaboration with her audiobook narrator. Then NoveList librarians Monica and Dawn suggest readalikes for Summer of Love from The Circ Desk! Read the transcript! … Continue reading...

Steve chats with Laura Sims, author of The Man, about her path from poet to librarian to novelist, using the real-life photographer Vivian Maier as inspiration, themes of fear and artistic rebellion, and a teaser about her next interstellar book! Then NoveList librarians Jamie and Suzanne suggest readalikes for The Man at The Circ Desk! … Continue reading 317: The Man by Laura Sims – S...

Steve chats with Zach Weinersmith, creator of the webcomic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal and author of the new book, Sawyer Lee and the Quest to Just Stay Home, about how his background shapes his work, the difficulties of crafting an Edwardian farce for eight year olds, how his daughter’s input affected the book, and how … Continue reading 316: Sawyer Lee and the Quest to Just Sta...

Steve chats with Rob Hart, author of the new book, Three Hitmen and a Baby, the third book in the Assassins Anonymous series, about how the skills of an assassin do not translate to the skills of a parent, the emotional depth the book explores, fight choreography, found family, and how Rob upended his plans … Continue reading 315: Three Hitmen and a Baby by Rob Hart – Summer Reading Sp...

Steve chats with Camille Perri, author of the new book, Social Animals, about reluctant dog parents, why librarians should star in a reality show, the loneliness epidemic, and how she balances humor, relationship-building, and mystery to craft her new novel. Plus, over at the Circ Desk, NoveList librarians Sydney and Caleigh provide some great readalikes … Continue reading 314: Social Animal...

Steve chats with Catherine Kurtz, author of the new book Feast, about how her painting and food writing skills contributed to her first novel, why food is the perfect vehicle to connect readers, the feeling of hope at the heart of the book, and a few anachronisms she could not help but include in the … Continue reading 313: Feast by Catherine Kurtz – Summer Reading Spectacular 202...

Kicking off the 2026 Circulating Ideas Summer Reading Spectacular, Steve chats with humorist and librarian Hayley DeRoche, author of the new book, Dress Your Baby in Sage and Taupe: a Handbook for the Sad Beige Parent, about the “sad beige” parenting aesthetic, how a Werner Herzog joke went viral, the deeper cultural critique of consumerism … Continue reading 312: Dress Your Baby...

Steve chats with Jarrett Dapier, writer of the graphic novel Wake Now in the Fire, about his path to librarianship, the story of Chicago public school students fighting back against censorship, the irony of Persepolis being the target of that censorship, and what librarians can do to fight quiet censorship. Read the transcript! It starts … Continue reading 311: Wake Now in the Fire by Jarret...

Guest host Troy Swanson chats with journalism instructor Jeremy Shermak about the state of media today, how AI is reshaping journalism education, and why local news may be the best hope for rebuilding trust in an increasingly polarized information landscape. Read the transcript! Dr. Jeremy Shermak is a journalism professor at Cuesta College and a … Continue reading 310: Journalism Education,...

Steve chats with Lynne M. Thomas and Katy Rawdon, authors of The Infinite Loop: Archives and Time Travel in the Popular Imagination, about how they each got into the profession, why archives can never truly be neutral and objective, how archives and special collections are portrayed within time travel narratives in pop culture, and what … Continue reading 309: The Infinite Loop: Archives and...

Steve chats with Alex Segura, author of the new book Daredevil: Enemy of My Enemy: a Daredevil Marvel Crime Novel, about the book, how Daredevil’s dual life as a defense attorney and vigilante makes him uniquely suited for legal thrillers, Alex’s journey from comics fan to writer of Spider-Man, Star Wars, and Dick Tracy, and … Continue reading 308: Enemy of My Enemy: A Daredevil...

Steve chats with Tamika Barnes and Becky Calzada, this year’s candidates for President of the American Library Association. Tamika Barnes is Associate Dean for Perimeter Library Services at Georgia State University, and the current President of the Georgia Library Association, and Becky is the District Library Coordinator for the Leander Independent School District, TX. They … Continue readi...

Guest host Troy Swanson chats with Terra Jacobson and Spencer Brayton, editors of  Valuing the Community College Library: Impactful Practices for Institutional Success, about the value that libraries bring to community colleges, the gap in research on community college libraries, the power of partnerships across campus, future opportunities for AI literacy and misinformation education, and …...

Steve chats with Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, authors of You & Me and You & Me and You & Me, a time-traveling romantic comedy about long-term love, about their past experiences with libraries, their writing process, the fun (but also the dangers) of nostalgia, and why your perfect life may be the one you’re … Continue reading 305: YOU & ME AND YOU & ME AND YOU &...

Steve chats with collection development librarian Lila Denning about passive readers’ advisory, practical tips for creating effective book displays, making displayed accessible and inclusive, partnering with local businesses to promote library services and collections, and how the horror genre helps readers understand different perspectives and emotions. Read the transcript! Lila Denning is...

Steve chats with Lucas Maxwell, author of Roll for Adventure: Tabletop Roleplaying Adventures for Your School or Public Library, about his journey from D&D enthusiast to librarian, the educational and social benefits of gaming for young people, and practical advice for librarians looking to start their own tabletop gaming programs! Read the transcript! Become the … Continue reading 303:...

Steve chats with Karla Bame Collins, author of School Libraries Supporting Students with Hidden Needs and Talents: From ADHD to Vision Impairment, about her focus on supporting students with diverse and often invisible needs, practical strategies for making school libraries more inclusive, universal design for learning, and the importance of building supportive networks within schools … Cont...

Guest host Troy Swanson chats with Dr. Bradley Custer, higher education expert, about his experience at the U.S. Department of Education, the impact of recent mass firings, and what these changes mean for students, educators, and the future of American education. Read the transcript! Dr. Bradley Custer is a higher education policy expert in Washington, … Continue reading 301: Federal Educati...

In this milestone 300th episode of Circulating Ideas, Steve Thomas chats with Rich Harwood, president and founder of the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation and author of “The New Civic Path: Restoring Our Belief in Each Other and Our Nation,” about Harwood’s inspirational journey, the importance of community in building hope, and how libraries and … Continue reading 300: The...

Steve chats with Max Brallier, author of The Last Kids on Earth and the Destructor’s Lair, about the evolution of the series over its ten-year run, the appeal of post-apocalyptic stories for kids, the enduring importance of friendship at the heart of the series, and the challenges of balancing humor with darker themes. Read the … Continue reading 299: The Last Kids on Earth and the Des...