FYI: The Public Libraries Podcast

In this episode, Kathleen Hughes, PL Editor, talks to Ady Huertas, Branch Manager of the Logan Branch/San Diego Public Library about the library's program, "Out of the Shadows." The program is designed to raise public awareness about the problem of sex trafficking in San Diego, bring to light the plight of sex trafficking victims and at-risk youth, and provide resources and support services for th...

In Episode 10, we talk to Sarah Lawton, Neighborhood Library Supervisor, Madison (WI) Public Library and Tariq Saqqaf, Neighborhood Resource Coordinator, City of Madison, Office of the Mayor, about how libraries can address racial disparities and create more inclusive public spaces. The Madison (Wis.) Public Library is working with local government to establish racial equity and social justice as...

Nichole Shabazz, Youth Outreach and Programming Coordinator at the Cleveland Public Library and Phyllis Hunter, Reading and Literacy Expert, Phyllis C. Hunter Consulting, Inc., presented "Where the Black and Brown Boys Aren’t (and Why) at PLA 2016." Here they talk with PLA's Brendan Dowling about closing the achievement gap, increasing representation, and finding entry points to engage this demogr...

Dan Wilson, Associate Director for Collections & Library Services at the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, University of Virginia Health System, and Siobhan Champ-Blackwell, Librarian at the National Library of Medicine, presented “Disasters Bring Out the Best in Us: Providing Community Support When it is Needed Most” at PLA 2016. Here, they discuss, with PLA's Brendan Dowling, how librarians...

The BOOMbox is an experimental space designed to facilitate STEAM learning for all ages. Every few months the theme of the room changes. Programming includes events, classes, micro-workshops, movies, books, resources lists, and more. We talked to Amy Holcomb, Experiential Learning Coordinator and Mikael Jacobson, Learning Experiences Manager at Skokie (Illinois) Public Library at The Boombox.

Live from the PLA 2016 conference, we talk to Erica Jesonis, Chief Librarian for Information Management, Cecil County (Md.) Public Library, about How To Keep Your Library’s Facebook Page from Getting Hacked. What would you do if your library’s Facebook page got hacked and unwanted or even (gasp!) scandalous posts started to appear? Would you be forced to wait in agony for Facebook to hand back con...

We talk to PLA 2016 conference "Make It Extraordinary" guest speaker Kari Chapin. Kari Chapin is a best-selling author, teacher, marketing mentor, and consultant. She is a guru in the handmade industry, with her bestseller “The Handmade Marketplace” and her website (karichapin.com) propelling a multitude of small business-owners to success. In addition, her other books, “The Brilliant Ideas Launch...

Kathleen Hughes (Manager, Publications, PLA)talks to Amy Koester, Youth and Family Coordinator at the Skokie (Illinois) Public Library about the concept of unprogramming (creating and offering programs that are at once highly engaging and collection driven without requiring large amounts of planning, funds, and staff time). Amy also is a blogger, you can check out her blog at showmelibrarian.blogs...

We talk to Sarah Kittrell, author of the new PLA book, "The Bed Bug Guide for Public Libraries" Kittrell, collection development division manager of the Wichita Public Library, has served as her library’s pest management coordinator since 2012 and has amassed a lot of experience in the arena. In this podcast, we go over how to recognize the signs of a bed bug infestation; creating an action plan;...

Kathleen Hughes talks to Valerie Gross, President and CEO of the Howard County Library System (Maryland) about the principles of two library initiatives, Libraries = Education and Choose Civility in this PLOnline Podcast.

http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2015/11/listen-to-the-debut-show-in-our-new-program-fyi-the-public-libraries-podcast/ In Episode 1, PLA Manager of Publications Kathleen Hughes talks to new library director Douglas Crane (Palm Beach County, Florida, Library System). Prior to and during his first year of serving as a library director, Crane embarked on a project to interview long-time public librar...