Using our Library Voices

In this episode, hosted by Mary, we learn more about the Gulf Coast Reads community event from John and the "I'm With the Banned" event from Kara.  Also, Sadina and Nikki sit down to talk with Tatiana Schlote-Bonne, author of the novel "Such Lovely Skin."  Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Kripp...

August is Read a Romance month!  If you don't know where to begin, listen in for Nikki and Delaney's recommendations on the HCPL Reading Room Radio! Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Katelyn Helberg, Darc...

 Hosted by John Schaffer, this episode is a deep dive into the problem’s libraries are facing in the aftermath of storms like Hurricane Beryl.  John discusses the “mold” and the new in an extended interview with Amber Seely, Division Director of Collections & Technical Services at HCPL. Please visit the Blog page for more information on the ways HCPL is dealing with humidity damage to our coll...

This episode, hosted by Delaney, we take a look into perspectives and experiences related to tech and cybersecurity.  Ty touches on tips and strategies to safeguard your personal information and deter cyberattacks.  Katelyn interviews Jessamyn West to discuss modern tech literacy and its implications.  We also have insights from John on the CyberPatriot program, which engages students and Civil Ai...

This month's host Katelyn, gives us a quick update on Beryl and our cooling center locations.  If you've ever been curious about cosplaying and didn't know where to get started, this episode will help you get started— or at least what not to use on your face. Darla interviews some seasoned cosplayers about the resources and inspirations that keep them creative and cosplaying! We als...

Summer is in full swing at the library and this month's podcast is aimed at supporting YOUR adventures! We'll chat with a friend who's out living their life on the road and RVing across the U.S.A., then we'll chat about the variety of sports that Texans just don't understand! Find more information about our Summer Reading Program at https://hcpl.net/summer-reading-program/...

Join John Harbaugh for this special episode of Using Our Library Voices as he talks to the prolific local SciFi/Fantasy author of the Murderbot Diaries, Martha Wells, before her appearance at Comicpalooza. Find more SciFi and Fantasy books at your local library www.hcpl.net/  Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, J...

We recently were announced to be a 2024 recipients of the IMLS National Medal for Library Service. In this episode we'll learn what the medal means and hear from some patrons on how much our library means to them. Learn more about the medal here and as always, check out our library's website for more resources, books and news! Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Libra...

Using Our Library Voices was given the opportunity to sit down with horror novelist and comic book author  Clay McLeod Chapman ahead of his Comicpalooza appearance this Memorial Day Weekend.  Join host Jennifer Finch as they discuss his upcoming book Wake Up and Open Your Eyes, his comic book influences, and the research and inspiration he uses to write his books.  Clay McLeod Chapman has written...

In this podcast episode, we visit memories of bookstores in honor of Independent Bookstore Day, April 27.  Let's not forget Earth Day, April 22, with notes about our seed libraries and Earth Day book recommendations. Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, A...

In this episode of "Gabbing with Librarians", Jennifer, Jasmine, Jessica, and Dedra touch on the cultural phenomenon that is Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" and explore the concept of gatekeeping in media. The discussion begins with an exploration of Beyoncé's artistic evolution and her ability to challenge traditional boundaries within the music industry.  They confront th...

We're celebrating Women's History Month by recognizing five ladies whose names grace a few Harris County Public Library locations.  These women led extraordinary lives and are forever synonymous with literacy, access and their communities. So let's meet our library patron saints, Barbara Bush, Maud Smith Marks , Edith Fae Cook Cole, Octavia Fields, and Evelyn Meador. This episode fe...

It's a jam packed episode! Where we're expresses our passion in all sorts of ways in this episode, first with "Heart" book recommendations from our library staff, books that travel with you and definitely worth checking out.  We extend our passion for democracy with an interview with Harris County Clerk, Teneshia Hudspeth,  and learn about the unique voting landscape that is Ha...

It’s a new year, and re-cap episodes are so 2023.  Are we going to talk about resolutions?  No, instead, we’re so excited about things coming in 2024.  Topics include HCPL getting sanctuary status, as well as interviews with staff from Baldwin Boettcher and Atascocita as they discuss their journeys to getting their branches up and running and so much more! Visit www.hcpl.net to learn about all 27...

Winter stories to keep you warm and chill your bones, following the tradition of telling ghost stories on Christmas eve...the Harris County Public Library's podcast team present to you 3 stories as we take a nod to the history of storytelling to connect with those around you. So gather 'round the car radio, share an airpod or turn up the volume for our final episode of the year. And reme...

This month, we shine light on National Adoption Month by sharing stories from three family on the adoption process and how they grew their families. We also talk with our Early Literacy program manager, Anjela Martinez, about Family Place Libraries and how the library provides different resources for families. This episode features the voices of host Beth Kripple, and guests Fred Schumacher, Jim J...

Join Harris County Public Library Staff and members of Students Engaged in Advancing Texas to discuss censorship and libraries in honor of the American Library Association's Banned Books Week.  Banned Books Week Website: https://bannedbooksweek.org/   Office of Intellectual Freedom: https://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/oif   Top 13 Most Challenged Books: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/fr...

It's officially spooky season! We're kicking off our favorite time of the year with a way to get your own little shadow with an interview with Citizen for Animal Protection's Freddy about black cat adoptions, and then come with us to chat with Elyssa about Tarot cards and how they work. Katelyn and Sadina then talk about body horror books in honor of Darcy C. Interview with Freddy f...

It’s September and you know what that means! Cooler weather? Not likely. Fall leaves? Sadly, not in Harris County. Library Card Sign Up Month? You bet! And who are libraries for? Voting season is looming and along with that questions such as who can vote, how do you register to vote, and how do you report voting issues. Sadina Shawver interviews elections officials, Kyle Cummins and Lynn Mumford,...

Have you ever wondered how a book gets to you from another branch? It may seem like library magic, but a book passes through many hands and beeps before it gets to you. This month, we follow the journey of a book getting from one borrower to another.   We’ll also take a look at the different borrowers that we have that inhabit the library eco-system. Listen now to find out where you fit into the r...

It's a Compicpalooza extravaganza episode as this month's host, Jennifer Finch, brings us voices from vendors and cosplayers alike, highlights from the live Gabbing with the Librarians podcast session, and an interview with fantasy author Kij Johnson.    This episode was produced by  Sadina Shawver edited by Katelyn Helberg and features the voices of Kij Johnson, Mary Mink, Lana Sell, Sa...

It maybe a dated phrase these days, but the "Summer Blockbuster" was a Summer time staple for kids who grew up in the 70s, 80s and 90s. This month's episode we celebrate and recall what the biggest Summer Blockbusters were to give listeners today a peek into what made these movies iconic for generations! If you're like to watch any of these blockbusters from the comfort of your...

On this Gabbing with the Librarians episode, we explain and talk about the Writing Guild of America's writing strike and how it will affect your T.V., Movies and Entertainment in the future.  This  episode was edited by Beth Krippel and features the voices of  to Jennifer Finch and Mary Mink from the Spring Branch Memorial Branch Library. Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Publi...

This month we celebrate Jewish American Heritage month with  interviews from two great organizations in the Harris County area! First we'll chat with Houston Hillel about their outreach serving the Jewish LGBTQIA community and we talk to Joel Bangilan of the Laurie and Milton Boniuk Library at the Holocaust Museum Houston about the different resources they have available . For more informatio...

People, let me tell you 'bout my best friend.  They're warm-hearted people that'll love the library to the end and on this month's episode we meet a few of our library friends of all ages and chat with them about the different ways they support the Harris County Public Library. If you'd like to be a friend to the library, please donate to or join https://www. hcfol.org   T...