Using our Library Voices

Ever wonder what the kids are thinking? This month Darla talks to Young Adults from our Atascocita Branch Library in Northeast Harris County, to hear what they're loving to read and why they love about the library! We  also chat with TeenBook Con organizer, Elizabeth Boggs and we learn from Anjela Martinez about Tournament of Books, a book club battle for teens !  With the launch of our new l...

As part of our African American History Month celebration, we're getting to know the performers and organizations that will be presenting their talents at our libraries this month. We have Tommy Terrific, a  traveling magician who adds a historical twist to his show that delights kids of all ages. Meet the Jalen Trio, a young up and coming jazz trio who perform their music as part of DACAMERA...

As part of our SciFi celebration— Our host, Jennifer Finch and other HCPL librarians to take part in the eternal debate: Star Wars, Star Trek, or... even more controversial... other Interested in checking out some of the books and fandoms mentioned in this podcast? Check out our Science Fiction list on www.hcpl.net Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podca...

Join this month's host, Sadina Shawver as we celebrate National Science Fiction Day or month... with an interview of Neoromancer Cover illustrator, Rick Berry! Also get a list of our top SciFic book recommendations to explore more of this exciting genre. Episode was produced by  Darla Pruitt and. edited by Christian Ornelas and features the voices of  John Harbaugh, Gisela Parker and  Katelyn...

This month we interview with award winning children's  Singer/Songwriter Laurie Berkner, and Jennifer chats with Melissa Martinez about the Project Grad and the Grad Cafe's wonderful work to help people explore career pathways. We also learn about the Career Online High School program at the library from Gaspar Guevara, our Adult Literacy Specialist, who tells all about ways you can earn...

This Month, host Sadina Shawver chats with Leonard Washington at our Evelyn Meador Branch Library in Seabrook, Texas about his passion for True Crime and how that translated to a series of captivating programs at our library. For more True Crime and Mystery, visit your local library, or visit us online at www.hcpl.net  Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net P...

This month, we share spooky stories and experiences from patrons and librarians! Hosted by Jennifer Finch, featuring voices from John Schaffer, Ellen Kaluza, Nancy Hu, and Sana Thalo . We also give out of this world romance book recommendations from Darcy Casavant! Stop by one of our library locations for yourself! Find your nearest location at www.hcpl.net or if you're looking for one of the...

On this episode of our podcast we take you into the world of passport services, chat with the League of Women Voters and  learn about Octavia Fields Library in Humble.. As we move through the pandemic into a new way of living, countries are welcoming visitors once more.  But visiting another country means updating or getting your first passport!  The Harris County Public Library system can help wi...

Join librarians from across Harris County as they discuss fan fiction's influence on pop-culture recorded live at Comicpalooza!  The participants were Anjela Martinez, Darcy Casavant, Logan Tuttle, and myself. Beth Krippel edited and Nancy Hu produced Borrow all your favorite comics, graphic novels, anthologies and stories from your local library or online at www.hcpl.net  Created by the Podc...

A short episode that features some of our awesome Summer Reading Program partners performing at our branches this Summer and one of the core departments at HCPL, CATS...or Collections and Technical Services. Voices on this episode: Leif Steenson, Jennifer Nandlal, Jennifer Finch, Darcy Cassavant, Amber Seely Partners in this episode: Jessica from Books Alive https://www.books-alive.org/ Matthew fr...

In celebration of PRIDE month, our hosts Sadina Shawver and MC Brickell chat with Leigh of History is Gay Podcast about  the history and implications of book banning has on the LGBTQ Community. Leigh shares their knowledge of queer history with Sadina and MC within the framework of rising trends in book challenges and bans. They will discuss the differences between and impacts of book challenges a...

Interview with Amy Campbell and HCPL Writes about the Importance of writing, how it supports reading and comprehension and just in time for Summer Reading Program... How to Make Reading Fun! We also check in with Ellen K. from our Northwest Branch Library to hear about what's been happening on their side of the county. Find our NaNoWriMo programs online at www.hcpl.net and sign up for our inf...

Book Covered: Camp Murderface by Saundra Mitchell & Josh Berk published in May 2020 by Harper Collins.  Summary: Are You Afraid of the Stacks will go on a brief break for the summer, but before we go, we talk about summer camp with Camp Murderface by Saundra Mitchell and Josh Berk.  Book Recommendations:  Welcome to Camp Nightmare by RL Stine  The Troop by Nick Cutter  Camp So and So by Mary M...

Come listen to three librarians from around the county discuss how reading doesn't always mean words on a page and why those other types of reading are important and should be respected. Find our audiobook collection at hcpl.overdrive.com Host: Jennifer Finch Editor: Beth Krippel Guests: Rebecca Trent and Amy Campbell Listen to more podcasts from the Harris County Public library at www.hcpl.n...

Did you know that libraries support small business owners ? On this episode, we talk to Jeremy Griswold, from Griswold Solutions. and Million Dollar Climb for Small Business Owners Podcast,  who partners with our Maud Smith Marks Branch library to help regular people start their own businesses. Laura explains a couple of the most helpful databases library card holders have access to, and we find o...

Jennifer and Sadina cover a very relatable fear this month: THE DARK! Horror has a way of helping you confront fears and this month, we will give you some book recommendations and reviews to help your little ones conquer the dark.   Book Recommendations:   The Dark by Lemony Snicket  Tiny T.Rex and the Very Dark Dark by Jonathan Stutzman  The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield  Orion and the Dark by E...

This month we are telling you about the unexpected places you'll find library services, inside and outside the library's walls. Harris County is vast and diverse, a land filled with hidden opportunities for discovery and creation. Our libraries harbor some of the best spaces for patrons to explore new technologies and machines, our Maker Spaces...and all you have to do to get started is,...

Come listen to three librarians from around the county discuss how inclusion in media or the lack thereof has affected them and why it is important for everyone to be represented in the media they consume. Host: Jennifer Finch Editor: Beth Krippel Guests: Erica Koop and Desmond London Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth K...

You Choose the Scare ! Sadina and Jennifer cover the subject of choice and how it can be influential when it comes to consuming horror as a young reader. Give Yourself Goosebumps by R.L. Stine is a fun way to learn about choice and how our choices affect outcomes.  Book Recommendations: Choose Your Own Adventure (various authors)    Books mentioned in this episode: Welcome to the Wicked Wax Museum...

We’re growing readers at Harris County Public Library!  Logan visits with Jennifer and Anjela about the systemwide Growing Readers program launched earlier this year.  Sadina gets a parent’s perspective on the LENA project when she chats with Nikki and Nikki’s son, Noah.  We also learn more about the Barbara Bush Branch Library at Cypress Creek, one of the busiest libraries in Harris County. Music...

This month's Are You Afraid of the Stacks covers zombies in children's literature. Zombies can be scary but Sadina and Jennifer look to dispel the fear. Books Mentioned: Zombie in Love by Kelly DiPucchio Zombie in Love 2 +1 by Kelly DiPucchio Gustavo the Shy Ghost by Flavia Drago Even Monsters Need Haircuts by Matthew McElligot Vampirina Ballerina by Anne Marie Pace Crankenstein by Saman...

We are celebrating and honoring Creators this month with interviews with Harold Trotter and the Jalen Baker Trio. We stop by the Crosby Branch Library for a highlight of what's happening, and end with a Database Drill for all you Genealogists out there.  Credits: Host: Darla Pruitt Producer: John Harbaugh Editor: Jennifer Nandlal Segments: Laura Smith, Jennifer Finch, Logan Tuttle, Molly Mcgi...

This month on Are You Afraid of the Stacks, Jennifer and Sadina explore alienation, toxic parenting, and communication through sci-fi horror.     Book and Media Mentioned:    The Owls Have Come to Take Us Away by Ronald L. Smith   Stranger Things     This podcast was produced by Jennifer Nandlal and Sadina Shawver. More books are available at www.hcpl.net   Created by the Podcast Team at the Harri...

January marks the start for new opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with those in your community and beyond. Harris County Public Libraries is here to help with our robust programs and events. This month's spotlight features our amazing collaboration with the Society for the Performing Arts, hearing from our fantastic staff at High Meadows Branch Library, and getting insight about resou...

We end the year with a look back. Meet the voices behind "Using the Library Voices" podcast as they discuss all they experienced behind the scenes.  This episode was produced by Darla Pruitt, edited by Beth Krippel, and hosted by Sadina Shawver and John Harbaugh.  Featured staff in this episode include: John Harbaugh, Nancy Hu, Jennifer Finch , Jennifer Nandlal,  Darla Pruitt, Nicole Hin...