FYI: The Public Libraries Podcast

FYI 91 Leading from Where You Are: A Conversation with PLA President Brandy McNeil by Public Libraries Online

In this episode, Dr. Margaret Ann Paauw shares insights from her new book, "Navigating Difficult Situations in Public Libraries," which offers straightforward de-escalation and crisis navigation tools that any library worker can use.

Job searching can be daunting, especially when it comes to crafting the perfect résumé. Many of us were never formally taught how to write one, and best practices seem to change constantly. In the January/February 2025 issue of Public Libraries, Alison King of King Career Services, provided a practical guide to creating an interview-winning résumé tailored specifically for public library workers....

Public libraries often serve as a first stop for people seeking legal information, but assisting patrons with legal reference questions presents unique challenges. How can librarians provide useful guidance without crossing into legal advice? What resources are available to support pro se litigants? In this episode, we're joined by Anthony Aycock, Legislative Librarian at the North Carolina Genera...

In this episode of FYI: The Public Libraries Podcast, host Kathleen Hughes speaks with Julius Harper, Emmy-nominated executive producer, and Nicole Velez, senior producer at GBH KIDS, about Acoustic Rooster—a joyful new PBS KIDS series based on the beloved book by Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander. Learn how the series introduces young viewers to the world of jazz, encourages creativity and collabo...

In this episode, we explore Be MediaWise: The Misinformation Resilience Toolkit for Libraries, a powerful new resource helping librarians teach digital media literacy to adults. Our guest, Heath Umbreit, an Adult Services Librarian and Be MediaWise Advisory Board member, shares insights on combating misinformation and empowering communities with critical information skills. Tune in at the link. #B...

Join us as we explore the world of children’s educational media with Marisa Wolsky, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning producer and Executive Producer for GBH Kids. Marisa shares the magic behind Work It Out Wombats!, the new PBS KIDS animated series that introduces preschoolers to computational thinking through engaging stories, lovable characters, and a vibrant community setting. Learn how this inno...

This episode explores how Arlington (VA) Public Library’s (APL) Holiday Gift Nook redefines holiday giving and promotes sustainability. Join APL's Programs & Partnerships Librarians Katherine Chiriboga and Jennifer Odlum as they share the story behind this unique initiative. Entirely fueled by community donations, the Gift Nook transforms donated items into a curated shopping experience where fami...

In this episode of FYI: The Public Libraries Podcast, we share inspiring stories of Library Joy. Ten stories in under twenty minutes! Inspired by Mychal Threets' focus on celebrating joy in libraries, this episode highlights moments from library workers across the country that capture the magic, connection, and transformation that happen in libraries every day.

In this episode, we look into a crucial topic that intersects social work and library services—how libraries can navigate crises and ensure the safety of both staff and patrons through trauma-informed de-escalation techniques. Joining us is Dr. Margaret Ann Paauw, an assistant professor at Eastern Michigan University and a licensed clinical social worker with over a decade of experience. Dr. Paauw...

In this episode we are talking about workplace burnout. It's a growing issue in many professions, including our own, and it can have serious consequences for both individuals and organizations. Our guests are Ris Labib and Amber Salmon, both Adult Services Librarians from the Akron-Summit County Public Library in Ohio. They've been looking into workplace burnout, particularly as it relates to the...

True crime podcasts have captured the fascination of audiences worldwide, with their gripping narratives and captivating storytelling. According to a 2023 Pew Research study of the U.S. podcast market, nearly a quarter of top-ranked titles in America focused on true crime stories. The same study also showed that true crime topics make up nearly a quarter of all the top-ranked podcasts and had the...

In this episode of FYI, the Public Libraries Podcast, we delve into the potentially transformative impact of AI on public libraries. Our guest is  Juan Rubio, Digital Media and Learning Expert at the Seattle Public Library. Juan provides insights from his article, "The Role of Libraries in Navigating an AI-Empowered Future," which was featured in the May/June 2024 issue of Public Libraries magazin...

In this episode, Kathleen Hughes, PLA, talks with Amy Mikel, Director of Customer Experience at the Brooklyn Public Library. Amy shares the catalyst for the Cardholder Signup Practices study—the Books Unbanned initiative—and how it spurred their curiosity to examine library access and then walks us through the study's objectives and key findings, shedding light on the challenges of ensuring equita...

In this episode we're tackling a topic close to the hearts of many public librarians: navigating the Public Library Association Conference. But we're taking a unique angle – focusing on the perspective of attendees from small and rural libraries. Joining host Kathleen Hughes, PLA, is Jennie Garner, Library Director, at the North Liberty (IOWA) Public Library, and immediate past president of the As...

In this episode, we delve into the realm of federal government student loan repayment programs with our expert guest, Kyra Hahn, a librarian at the Denver Public Library. Kyra has successfully navigated the public service student loan forgiveness process and is here to shed light on recent changes introduced by the Biden Administration. Kyra will also be featured in a session on the How-To Stage a...

In this episode of FYI, The Public Libraries Podcast, Kathleen Hughes, PLA, hosts Lori Leiberman, a Teacher/Librarian from Lincoln High School in Portland, Oregon, as they explore the intricate dynamics of the romance genre, and Lieberman's upcoming PLA conference program, "Read Romance/Fight Patriarchy." The conversation navigates the popularity and enduring stigma surrounding romance literature,...

Today we are talking with Researchers at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research who have received a grant to study Black History Month Programming in Public Libraries. This three year project is the first national study to assess the content, scope, and factors influencing Black History Month offerings at public libraries in the United States. Our guests are Dr. Grace Jackson-Bro...

Dive into the buzzworthy world of library beekeeping with our latest episode featuring Amber Lawvor, Librarian at the Salt Lake City Public Library. Discover the ins and outs of their successful beekeeping program, from beginner tips to creative programming and community engagement ideas. Whether you're contemplating introducing bees to your library or simply curious about the benefits of pollinat...

Discover the ever-evolving landscape of library technology as we explore insights from the PLA Public Library Technology Survey. Our guests, Sara Goek, Project Manager for Data and Research at the Public Library Association (PLA); Dan Hensley, Co-chair of PLA's Measurement, Evaluation, and Assessment Committee (MEAC) and Coordinator of Staff Training and Development at Carnegie Library of Pittsbur...

In this episode we'll hear about a successful project to revitalize the Spanish Beginning Readers Collection at the Multnomah County (Portland) Library System. The project, “Bienvenidos a la lectura” which included developing a culturally responsive collection and themed "bolsitas" (bags) of books for patrons, was designed to better serve the needs of the Latine community. In this interview, we di...

"Let’s Talk Race" emerged from the Richland (SC) Public Library as a response to the tragic events of 2015, including the murders of Walter Scott and the Charleston Emmanuel AME Church shooting. In the aftermath of these incidents, many South Carolinians were left grappling with a mix of emotions—anger, confusion, and fear. As the community sought ways to process and heal, the library took a proac...

This podcast is sponsored by Craft & Hobby. Visit https://go .CraftandHobby.com/ALA to access over 4,000 hours of content across 20 different creative disciplines. Unlock the Creative Potential at Your Library with Craft and Hobby. On this episode we are talking about STORIES BEYOND BORDERS, a booklist created by the Chinese American Librarians Association to commemorate their 50th anniversary. St...

The latest edition of “The Black Librarian in America” the seminal Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) publication, published by Rowman & Littlefield, is the first to be wholly edited by Black women, including Shauntee Burns-Simpson, Nichelle M. Hayes, Dr. Ana Ndumu, and Dr. Shaundra Walker—and it also features a foreword by the Librarianof Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden. This ref...

On this episode, we discuss the history of library segregation in the Jim Crow south and the fight for desegregation. Our guests, Suzanne LaPierre and Chris Babuschak are librarians at the Fairfax County Library in Virginia and the authors of "Desegregation in Northern Virginia Libraries," Their book sheds light on the libraries in Northern Virginia during the era of segregation and the civil righ...