FYI: The Public Libraries Podcast

In this episode, we chat with Jenn McKague, an Outreach Services Librarian at the Salt Lake County Library, who is dedicated to serving persons who are incarcerated and those who have been incarcerated. Jenn shares her background, the services she provides, the challenges she faces, and more in a candid and informative conversation. Tune in to learn about Jenn's work and the impact she's making in...

In this episode are joined by Dr. Maria Taesil Hudson McCauley, the current president of the Public Library Association for the 2022-2023 term. Dr. McCauley is also the director of the Cambridge Public Library in Massachusetts. In this episode, we ask Dr. McCauley about her background and involvement with the Public Library Association, her experience as President-Elect and President of the PLA, a...

In this episode we discuss Public Libraries and Digital Literacy, including PLA’s DigitalLearn and how a recent grant from AT & T of over one million dollars, has enabled PLA to empower more libraries to reach more people around the country with Digital Literacy training. Our guests are: Samantha Lopez, Manager, Marketing & Membership, PLA Joy Osuna Benfante, Senior Program Manager, AT &T Mary Cla...

In this episode our guests, Larra Clark, Deputy Director Public Library Association & ALA Public Policy & Advocacy and Natalie Ruppert, Manager, Career & Job Services Division at Kenton County (KY) Public Library, discuss PLA initiatives around workforce development including the concept of career navigators and new research examining the role U.S. public libraries play in supporting workforce and...

In this episode we are talking about the Cultural Proficiencies for Racial Equity Framework, which was approved by the boards of directors of the four partner organizations, the American Library Association (ALA), Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL), Association of Research Libraries (ARL), and Public Library Association (PLA), during summer of 2022. Our guests for this episode are...

Today our guest is Lindsay Trammell, Youth Services Librarian at the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Public Library in Florida. We talk about how to start a book subscription box for teens: including finding resources for it, building the framework, and putting it all together. Book subscription boxes can Discover the impact this program can have—particularly on book desert communities—and imagine...

In this episode we discuss the results of the Public Library Association's 2021 Public Library Staff and Diversity Survey and the current 2022 Public Library Services for Strong Communities Survey. Our guests are: Sara Goek: Project Manager, Data and Research, at PLA; Dan Hensley: Co-chair of PLA’s Measurement, Evaluation, and Assessment Committee (aka MEAC) and Coordinator of Adult Learning at th...

Job seekers with a criminal record face an enormous barrier to employment. While legal service providers can assist with the expungement process, often at little or no cost, they are predominantly located in urban centers, making access difficult for those in rural areas. In this episode Elena Coelho, Adult Program Manager, Worcester County (MD) Library; and Marshall Shord, Assistant Branch Manage...

From leadership and management matters to current public library hot topics to strategic planning, capital projects, collection development, program planning, and so much more, the Directors Dialogue episodes aim to share ideas, best practices, and lessons learned. For this inaugural effort, our guests are: Doug Crane, Director of the Palm Beach County (FL) Public Library And Kent Oliver, Director...

Want to learn how more public libraries in your state can participate in National Voter Registration Day? NVRD is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating democracy, planned for Tuesday, September 20, 2022. In this episode we talk with Lynda Reynolds, Public Library Management Consultant, State Library of North Carolina; and Lauren Clossey, Continuing Education Consultant, State Library of North Ca...

In this episode our guest is Lecia Michelle. Lecia is a long-time librarian, activist, and author. Her forthcoming book “THE WHITE ALLIES HANDBOOK: 4 Weeks to Join the Racial Justice Fight for Black Women” (published by Kensington Books) will be on sale July 26, 2022). The book is a practical, actionable, explicit guide for people looking to not just "start a conversation" but to take concrete ste...

In this episode we talk with Debra Keane and Margaret Ann Paauw, members of the Public Library Association Social Work Task Force (SWTF), about the emerging field of public library social work and the SWTF's new book (available from ALA in April of 2021) "A Trauma-Informed Framework for Supporting Patrons."

We talk with Cindy Khatri, Public Relations Manager, and Van McGary, Adult and Teen Services Assistant Manager, Downers Grove (IL) Public Library (DGPL) about the Anti-Hate Statements that the library releases in response to current events. The library believes that through the use of Anti-Hate Statements they are openly condemning hate and violence against historically marginalized groups. So Far...

Sara Goek, Program Manager at the Public Library Association and Linda Hofschire, Director of the Research Institute for Public Libraries (RIPL) discuss the 2021 Public Library Staff & Diversity Survey and "Benchmark: Library Metrics and Trends," the latest evolution in PLA’s data-driven initiatives and tools for libraries.

In this episode, Stesha Brandon, Literature and Humanities Program Manager at the Seattle Public Library (SPL) shares how the library successfully moved author programming to a digital format during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tune in for tips on hosting robust digital author events.

This episode is about misinformation. Whether it is lies about the election, or COVID-19, or conspiracy theories, we have seen just how insidious the spread of misinformation can be. Our guest is Suzanne LaPierre, the Virginiana Librarian at Fairfax County Public Library in Virginia. Suzanne has researched and written on misinformation and disinformation. You can find her work over at Public Libra...

How often do you catch yourself feeling like you are in ‘over your head’ at work? Imposter syndrome – the sense that you are inadequate for the task in front of you despite past proof of your ability – can wreak havoc on your career and keep you from taking on new challenges. It can also prevent you from sharing your unique talents and skills in ways that benefit you and your organization. But imp...

In this episode our guest is Jessica Bratt, Youth Services Manager at the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Public Library. Jessica began the DigiBridge partnership with Grand Rapids Public Schools, and received national recognition as a Library Journal Mover & Shaker. She writes reviews for library trade publications, serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Library Association, and on the ALA 201...

In this episode, Larra Clark, PLA and ALA Washington Office Public Policy and Advocacy Deputy Director, and Michelle Perera, Director of the Pasadena (California) Public Library discuss the 2020 census. With billions in federal funding at stake over the next ten years, it is crucial for libraries that an accurate count is taken. Clark and Perera detail how to help your community participate, how t...

PLA/ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Deputy Director Larra Clark and Emily Wagner, Public Policy and Advocacy Deputy Director discuss the publisher changes to library ebooks and the publisher embargo which led to ALA's 'eBooks for All Campaign.' Clark and Wagner further discuss how libraries are taking action, the online petition, and also detail how you can get involved.

Our guest is Cordelia Anderson, a marketing and communications consultant who works primarily with libraries and nonprofits. She is the former director of marketing and communications at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Library in North Carolina.

We talk with Oralia Garza de Cortés, Coordinator for REFORMA's Children in Crisis and Patrick Sullivan, Emeritus Librarian at San Diego State University, about the organization's efforts to provide books and storytime materials to children detained at the southern border.

We talk with Kate Coleman, Outreach Coordinator at the Hennepin County (MN) Library about the library's social services offerings, outreach, and more.

We talk with Rachelle Brandel, Adult Services Librarian at the Ferguson (MO) Public Library about PLA's 'Libraries Connecting You to Coverage' initiative and the Ferguson Library's efforts to help their community members enroll in health insurance during the Affordable Care Act's open enrollment period.

Our guest is Sarah Garbis, Service Manager Community Embedded Library Service (CELS) at Hennepin County Library. This program pairs librarians with Community Liaisons to shape library practices and extend programs and services for communities that experience the greatest barriers to library access. The collaborative staffing approach—librarians and local liaisons working together with community—dr...