Off The Shelf with Marie and Katherine

In this episode, Marie and Katherine explore books that inspire creativity and help readers thoughtfully curate their homes, workspaces, and everyday lives. From color and pattern to texture and design, they share titles that celebrate personal style and creative living.

In this episode, Marie and Katherine discuss the Rochester Public Library’s Summer Reading Program and share details about the activities, prizes, and opportunities available for children, teens, and adults.

In this episode, Katherine welcomes guest host Jody Walker from Technical Services to discuss his role at the Rochester Public Library and some of the initiatives he’s been working on, including a new catalog system that offers readers a variety of features and personalized suggestions to help maximize their library card.

Recently, the Teen Room at the Rochester Public Library hosted a YA Author Fair featuring local authors Terry Farrish, Ron Kaiser, J.R. Rainville, and Adi Rule. Organized by Teen Librarian Amy Lemelin, the participating authors discussed the stories behind their books, shared creative insights, and answered questions from the audience.

In this episode, Marie and Katherine talk about the power of movie scores and the composers who bring unforgettable stories to life. Along the way, they highlight memorable films like Stand by Me , Jaws , Star Wars , The Lord of the Rings , The Princess Bride , O Brother, Where Art Thou? , and many more. Whether you’re a film buff or just love a great film score, this conversation hits all the rig...

In this episode, Marie and Katherine talk about reinvention and what it means when you have to assess, pivot, and try new things. They discuss how reinvention can be an important part of personal and professional growth, especially when something no longer feels like it’s working or serving you well. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities that come with stepping back, reevaluat...

In this episode, Marie and Katherine reflect on the success of the Summer Reading Program and share updates from the Library. They also highlight upcoming events and programs available to the community.

In this episode, Marie and Katherine speak with Rochester Mayor Paul Callaghan about his life and career before entering politics. Callaghan highlights the library’s events and programming for people of all ages, and they discuss the many positive changes in Rochester over the past several years.

In this episode, Marie and Matt sit down with Children’s Librarian Christina Paquette, Teen Librarian Amy Lemelin, and Programming Librarian Abby Rosselli to dive into the library’s Summer Reading Program, which includes a fun lineup of events, creative programs, and a variety of prizes designed to inspire readers of all ages throughout the summer.

In this episode, Marie and Katherine dive into the world of romantic comedies, sharing their favorite films from the genre. From The Proposal (2009) to You’ve Got Mail (1998) and Sleepless in Seattle (1993), Marie and Katherine explore what makes these movies timeless, charming, and unforgettable.

In this episode, Matt talks to Library Director Marie Lejeune and Patron Services Supervisor Katherine Parker from the Rochester Public Library about potential funding changes to IMLS and their impact on various services— including audiobooks, a service that is widely used in Rochester. In 2024 alone, 895 users accessed audiobooks, totaling nearly 13,000 checkouts. With digital resources like eBoo...

In this episode, Marie and Katherine talk to Rochester Police Chief Gary Boudreau about his life, career, and service to the City of Rochester.

Ever feel like you need a place outside of home and work to unwind, learn something new, or meet new people? In this episode, Marie and Katherine explore the concept of libraries as a "third place"—a welcoming space for people of all ages to connect, access a world of resources, and find a sense of community. Tune in to discover why the library might just be the perfect spot for your next escape.

In this episode, Marie and Katherine talk about what they read over the summer. Tune in for book suggestions, hot takes, and lots of laughs.

In this episode, Marie and Katherine talk about William Shakespeare, his lasting legacy in literature, common sayings still in use today, their favorite works, and much more.

In this episode, Marie and Katherine welcome the Director of Economic Development for the City of Rochester, Michael Scala, back to the podcast to talk about what he's reading and watching lately.