Pages and Partners: a Muncie Public Library Podcast

In this episode of Pages & Partners, host Heather Troupe talkswith Keith Roysdon and Jill Blocker about the release of their upcoming books, their writing and publishing journeys, and an exciting event coming up at the Carnegie Library this summer. Find more information about their books and theirupcoming events below --    Keith Roysdon's book, Seven Angels : https://bookshop.org/p/books/...

In this episode of Pages & Partner, host Heather Troupe sits down with Linda Pohly, a member of America’s Hometown Band. Linda shares the local history of the band, discusses upcoming events, and explains how community members can get involved. Tune in to learn more about America’s Hometown Band and its impact in the community. For more about America's Hometown Band, visit https://amhometo...

In this episode of Pages & Partners , host Heather Troupe sits down with Kate Elliott, Associate Lecturer in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication at Ball State University. They discuss her involvement in the Big Read, her “old” new community project, and the ways she connects her students with meaningful community engagement. Tune in to learn how education and local partnership...

In this episode of Pages & Partners, host Heather Troupe sits down with Aimee Nezhukumatathil to discuss her book Bite by Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees , which was selected for the 2025-26 MPL Big Read program.  Tune in to hear about herwriting journey and the connections between food, family and storytelling thatinspired her work.

In this episode of Pages & Partners, host Heather Troupe discusses Classroom Connections of East Central Indiana with executive director Stacy Wheeler. Learn more about what Classroom Connections does, their push to fill backpacks, and how you can help.

In this episode of Pages & Partners , we shine the spotlight on another incredible staff member! Join host Gabby Sandefer as she talks with Katherine Mitchell, Assistant Director at Muncie Public Library, about her role in supporting both staff andpatrons.

In this episode of Pages & Partners , we shine the spotlighton another incredible staff member! Join host Gabby Sandefer as she talks with Dottie Kreps, Community Engagement Specialist at Muncie Public Libraries, abouther role in connecting the library with the community, securing the Big Read grant, and creating engaging programs that bring people together.

In this episode, host Gabby Sandefer, Great AchieversSupervisor, sits down with Shanna Hurd, Youth Services Supervisor at Maring-Hunt Library, and Heather Troupe, Ready Readers Specialist, to talk about children’s literacy. Discover practical tips for building strong reading habits and learn the five key steps to supporting literacy development at home.

In this episode, host Gabby Sandefer, Great Achievers Supervisor, sits down with Carly Acree-King, Executive Director of MadJax Maker Force, to explore the mission behind MadJax and the creative work happening there. They discuss MadJax’s collaboration with the library for the Big Read and their excitement for future partnerships. Tune in to learn more about how MadJax supports makers, innovation,...

Did you know you can check out board games from the library? In this episode, host Gabby Sandefer, Great Achievers Supervisor, chats with Kelly Batchelor, Maring-Hunt Library Manager, about the library’s board game collection, International Games Month, and the history behind this global celebration of play!

We’re kicking off a new series on Pages & Partners: Staff Spotlight! Join host Gabby Sandefer as she sits down with Stuart Cotton, the Digital Mentor at Centennial Library. Hear how Stuart connects tech, learning, and creativity with the community.   Here is the video Stuart mentions in the podcast: James T. Whitley - "Back Among the Living" Official Music Video https://www.youtube.c...

In this episode of Pages and Partners , host Gabby Sandefer chats with two special guests from Ball State University's Bracken Library:  Amy Petts, Associate Dean for Strategic Engagement and Learning, and Melissa Gentry, Supervisor of the Paul W. Stout Map Collection. Bracken Library is turning 50 this year, and there's a lot to celebrate! Tune in as we explore some of the library’s histo...

In this episode of Pages & Partners, host Gabby Sandefer, Great Achievers Supervisor at Muncie Public Library, talks with author Keith Roysdon about his new book “That October,” a coming-of-age story set in the mid-1980s in a small Indiana town. Listen in as they discuss how he writes and researches his stories and learn about his award-winning career at the Muncie Star Press.

Ever thought about joining a book club but not sure where tostart? You're in the right place! In Part 2 of our two-part podcast series, Gabby chats with MPL's book club leaders Donna Catron - Reading Circle , Joe Nelson - Off the Shelf , and Laura Geesy - Books on Tap  as they share what their clubs are reading, how they’re run, and how you can join thefun. 

Did you know that Constitution Week is celebrated from September 17–23? Join us for this episode of Pages and Partners, as host Gabby Sandefer, Great Achievers Supervisor at Muncie Public Library, sits down with KathrynHirons Kesterson, regent of the Paul Revere Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), to talk all things Constitution Week! Tune in to learn about the history and s...

Have you heard about The Big Read?  Join host GabbySandefer, Great Achievers Supervisor at Muncie Public Library, as she chats with Dottie Kreps, Community Engagement Specialist, to dive into this excitingcommunity-wide reading initiative. Tune in to learn how MPL received the NEA Big Read  grant to bring the community together through a shared reading experience themedaround food, family, and tra...

Ever thought about joining a book club but not sure where to start? This two-part podcast series is for you! Join Gabby as she chats with MPL's book club leaders.  In Part 1, meet Alexis Robinson -Global Perspective, Taylor Slater- Droids and Dragons, and Dottie Kreps- Club 641, as they share how their book clubs run, what they’re reading, and how you can join the fun!

Explore Muncie Public Library and discover what makes each of its four branches unique. In this episode, host Gabby Sandefer, Great Achievers Supervisor, continues this series at Centennial Library, formerly known as Connection Corner. Gabby sits down with Tenisha Harris, Centennial Library Manager, about the exciting resources and programs at MPL's  digital/technology branch, located on Munci...

Explore Muncie Public Library and discover what makeseach of its four branches unique. In this episode, host Gabby Sandefer, Great Achievers Supervisor, continues this series at Carnegie Library. Gabby sits down with Sara McKinley, Library Manager and MPL Archivist at Carnegie Library. Located in the heart of downtown Muncie, Carnegie Library, which now primarily serves as the Local History &...

Explore Muncie Public Library and discover what makes each of its four branches unique. In this episode, host Gabby Sandefer, Great Achievers Supervisor, continues this series at Kennedy Library. Gabby sits down with Donna Catron, Manager of Kennedy Library, to explore what makes this library a great place to visit on the north side of Muncie—from a fun and vibrant children's room to the beautiful...

Explore Muncie Public Library and discover what makes each of its four branches unique. In this episode, host Gabby Sandefer, Great Achievers Supervisor, kicks off the series at the Maring-Hunt Library. Gabby sits down with Kelly Batchelor, Manager of Maring-Hunt Library, to learn why this library is a great place to visit on the south side of Muncie—from its vibrant garden space and engaging prog...

The annual Summer Reading Program is just around the corner! Tune in as host Gabby Sandefer, Great Achievers Supervisor, welcomes Shanna Hurd, Maring-Hunt Library Youth Services Supervisor, and Laura Janiga, Kennedy Library Adult Services Supervisor, to talk about Summer Reading and explore some of the special programs and events planned for this year.

Calling all sewist! Tune in as host Gabby Sandefer, Great Achievers Supervisor, welcomes Kelly Batchelor, Maring-Hunt Library Manager, and Laura Geesy, Technology and Training Manager, to talking about their hobby of sewing. Learn about the sewing program and how it got started at the library.

Calling all history buffs! Tune in as host Gabby Sandefer, Great Achievers Supervisor, welcomes Sara McKinley, Carnegie Library Manager and MPL Archivist, to discuss the history of Muncie Public Library. 2025 is the 150th anniversary of the Muncie Public Library system. Enjoy this short trip back in history to learn more about how Muncie Public Library got its start.