Listeners' Advisory: The San Diego Public Library Podcast

In this episode, Trevor sits down with American Library Association President Elect, Emily Drabinski. Emily is is the Interim Chief Librarian at the Mina Rees Library at the Graduate Center, City University of New York.  She ran on a platform described as being for “collective power, public good”, advocating for where library workers and library patrons’ interests meet. Drabinski’s project is to a...

In this episode, Bob sits down with Central Library's Emerging Technologies Librarian, Gigi Terzian and Legler-Benbough Teen IDEA Lab Manager, Francesca de Vera to discuss their respective IDEA Labs, reopening efforts, and the ins and outs of hands-on spaces during the pandemic. SDPL's IDEA Labs Central IDEA Lab Legler-Benbough Teen IDEA Lab This podcast is supported by the Library Found...

In part two of our Valeria Luiselli feature, Bob interviews SDPL Supervising Librarian of Youth and Family Services, Adi Huertas about her work bringing literacy tools and library-related services to unaccompanied migrant children since 2014. The Books for Good Trouble podcast will be sharing the feed of the Listeners' Advisory podcast for approximately 5 episodes. This podcast series feature...

In this episode, College-Roland Branch Library Manager, Trevor Jones sits down with Úna Smyth, Award Administrator of the prestigious Dublin Award. They discuss the award's history, how it serves the literary community, and the role international public librarians play in selecting winners.  The Dublin Award - Úna Smyth , Award Administrator The Short List Previous Winners   Participating Lib...

In this first episode of the offshoot series Books for Good Trouble, we'll hear from Rosiangela Escamilla and América Martínez, two San Diego Community College professors whose stories connect with the award-winning literature of Valeria Luiselli.  This episode is part one of two. The Books for Good Trouble podcast will be sharing the feed of the Listeners' Advisory podcast for approxima...

Welcome to Season Two! In this episode Bob talks with Jeffrey Davis, Branch Manager of the Linda Vista Branch Library about the many benefits of SDPL’s new ticketed pass program, Discover & Go. Also, Bob hangs with Deputy Director, Jennifer Jenkins and Library Assistant III, Cora Womble-Miesner to discuss their favorite podcasts of 2022 so far.   Discover & Go Jeffrey Davis - The Collectio...

In this bonus episode, Bob hangs with new Listeners’ Advisory collaborators Trevor Jones and Cora Womble-Miesner. They discuss Trevor and Cora’s upcoming in-person event, Great Books You May Have Missed! as well as provide some excellent book recommendations. Great Books You May Have Missed! Saturday, March 19th 11:00 a.m. College Rolando Branch Library 6600 Montezuma Road.  San Diego, CA 92115 Bo...

In our season finale, Bob chats with author Joanne Oppenheim, historian Susan Hasegawa, and Library Director Misty Jones about former City Librarian Clara Breed and her legacy of rebellion. Also, Scott provides an update on the 2nd phase of the Library Master Plan and its emerging framework. The Rebellious Miss Breed Joanne Oppenheim - Dear Miss Breed Susan Hasegawa - Call to Serve: Clara E. Breed...

In this episode, Bob chats with musicians Pete Miesner and Luke Henshaw about their original music contributions to Listeners’ Advisory. Bob and Pete discuss the creation of the podcast’s theme song, Rollin’ On as well as Pete’s early interests in playing guitar. Bob talks with Luke about his involvement in the breakbeat/turntablist scene along with his unorthodox listening habits and sources of i...

In this episode, Bob chats with SDPL's zine collection curator, Ernesto Vasquez about the 5 Ws (who, what, where, when, and why) of this eclectic, ephemeral collection. Also, Bob hangs with Gina, the long-time organizer of the San Diego Zinefest. They discuss the fest's origins, how it pivoted during shutdown, and what we can expect from this year's 10 day event. SDPL Zine Collectio...

In this episode, Bob speaks with Director of the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom, Deborah Caldwell-Stone and SDPL Supervising Librarian of Technical Services, Robyn Gage-Norquist about intellectual freedom, censorship, and the ethics of librarianship. Also, Bob and Scott hang with Listeners’ Advisory Executive Producer and Supervising Librarian, Jennifer Jenkins. They...

In this episode, Bob sits down with Michael Klam and Dr. Anthony Blacksher, co-creators of Conversations with Poets, a new 8 part poetry series made in partnership with the City of San Diego’s Commissions for Arts & Culture. They discuss their beginnings in poetry, San Diego’s new poet laureate, and what to expect from Conversations with Poets. Also, Scott catches up with poets Jim Hurley and...

In this episode, Scott chats with SDPL librarians Vanessa Gempis, Marika Jeffery, Christina Wainwright, and Trevor Jones about their panel moderation duties at this year's Festival of Books. They discuss the nuts and bolts of moderating a good panel and the question of when criticism of guest authors is appropriate.  The San Diego Union Tribune's Festival of Books FOB Author Bios   Jerry...

In this episode, Bob meets up with local creative Parker Edison, host of the KPBS podcast The Parker Edison Project. They talk Hip Hop and emceeing, Parker’s creative inspirations, and his various artistic endeavors. Also, Bob hangs with librarian II, Dustin Vogel to discuss his web series, Speed Date with a Record, as well as their favorite golden era Hip Hop and other music recommendations. The...

In this episode, Bob hangs out with Curtis Williams, SDPL’s Technology Resources Manager and Sam Cerrato, Circulation Supervisor at the Central Library. They discuss the new city-wide initiative, SD Access 4 All and the City of San Diego’s efforts to address digital equity by getting the community connected via computer labs, devices, and various Wi-Fi hotspots.  SD Access 4 All Internet Services...

In this episode, Scott speaks with LGBTQIA+ Services Committee members Erin Wilson and Francesca de Vera about the dilemma of rainbow labels on library books and how "othering" can be an unintended consequence, despite good intentions. Also, Bob hangs with San Carlos Branch Manager, Dave Ege to talk comics and graphic novel recommendations as well as the GOAT, Alan Moore. LGBTQIA+ Servic...

In this episode, host Bob speaks with some of the folks involved in bringing the newly acquired Joseph Murphy Baseball Autograph Collection to the San Diego Public Library’s Sullivan Family Baseball Research Center. Interviews include Steve Murphy, son of Joseph; Tom Larwin, President of Society for American Baseball Research Ted Williams’ Chapter; and Pete Miesner, Manager of the Sullivan Family...

For our third episode, Scott catches up with Supervising Librarian of Youth and Family Services, Ady Huertas about SDPL’s long-running Summer Reading Program. Scott also does some digging into the origins of SRP with the help of some tenacious Central librarians. Finally, Bob speaks with North Clairemont Librarian, Maureen Meadows about her new web series, Let’s Talk Audiobooks and why audiobooks...

In this second bonus episode, host Bob sits down with Adrianne Peterson, Rancho Peñasquitos Branch Manager and head organizer behind one of SDPL’s annual signature events, the How-To Festival. They discuss the festival’s origins, how it responded to the pandemic of 2020, and how those lessons are shaping this year’s How-To Festival and beyond.  How-To Festival  How-To Festival on Facebook How-To F...

For our second official episode, the theme is books! Host Bob speaks with Steven Torres-Roman, one of the librarians behind the new digital readers’ advisory service, Matchbook; co-host Scott catches up with writer Hunter Hackett, illustrator Anisi Baigude, and program coordinator, Emily Derry, the team behind SDPL’s first children’s book, Odi’s Library Day ; and Bob talks books with College Rolan...

In this bonus episode, we meet members of the Book Coven, an off-the-books book club for librarians that love young adult literature. The Book Coven consists of various members of SDPL staff including Sciences Manager, Monnee Tong, Pauline Foster Teen Center Manager, Vanessa Gempis, and Collection Development Librarian, Angie Stava. They discuss their origin story, book recommendations, the value...

In this premier episode, host Bob Surratt speaks with Library Assistant III, Destiny Rivera about the Ocean Beach and Scripps Ranch Miramar Seed Libraries; co-host Scott Ehrig-Burgess, SDPL Director Misty Jones and San Diego Public Library Foundation CEO, Patrick Stewart discuss the Library Master Plan; and Bob, Scott, and Supervising Librarian, Jennifer Jenkins recommend their favorite podcasts....

New episode drops March 24th. Find us wherever you get your podcasts.  This podcast is supported by the Library Foundation SD .