Explore every episode of the podcast The Library Pros

In this installment, Chris speaks to Luna Westish, self published author of Meet Me at the Ruins to talk about the journey of self publishing. Luna discusses the process, marketing and even audiobook creation! She touches on the demise of Baker and Taylor, how to get your self published work in libraries and Hoopla!

Lisa Kropp, a friend of the podcast joined the podcast. Lisa has done so many things. She is a Library Journal Mover and Shaker. Director of Lindenhurst Memorial Library. Past New York Library Association president. Advisory Board member of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative. Her expertise in leadership and her knowledge of sustainability seems endless and she joined us to talk about all of these things and more.

The podcast returned again to the Long Island Library Resources Council’s Conference on Libraries and the Future. Everyone is talking about AI and change in our field and these next two guests are both on the cutting edge.

Dr. Sanda Hirsh, Special Assistant to the Provost for AI Initiatives at San José State University and author of the book iLbrary 2035: Imagining the Next Generation of Libraries chats with Chris about artificial intelligence, how libraries can adapt and use it as an effective tool and about embracing change as a concept.

After the break, Chris was joined by Dr. Rajesh Singh, professor at St. John’s University. Dr. Singh spoke about change, how AI is reshaping the profession and his optimistic outlook for the future!

Episode 120! In this episode we speak with Joseph Furnari, Trustee of the Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library in Shirley New York. Joe speaks about inspiration, life as a Library Trustee, entrepreneurship and inspiration! Joe has many “oars in the water” and shares what his definition of “Community” is along with living in a family connected to libraries!

Madi Mullen from Libro.fm joins the podcast to talk about audiobooks for local bookstores! Libro.fm works with local bookstores to offer audiobooks.Madi talks about the passion behind the project, Libro.fm embraces the local bookstores and their supporters with providing those booksellers with a way to expand their offerings with audiobooks. She also talks about what it is like to be a “Social Purpose Corporation”. There is also a great discussion about artificial intelligence and how you still need people to curate collections because Algorithms Libro.fm also provides free audiobooks for librarians! The human touch is always best. Shout out to our local bookstore Tiny Raccoon Books in Sayville NY!

LIBRO.FM

National Library Week Program

This installment of the podcast features Kristen Gwinn-Becker from History IT. The fellas speak with Kristen about the love of history, how rare it is to find someone who is a “history nerd” and a “tech nerd” all rolled into one and passion for preservation. Digitization is so much more than documents and even 3D scanning doesn’t involve “scanning” (one of the dirtiest words in archiving). Kristen also talks about how she considers herself and people like her as “History Savers”!

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In this installment, Chris speaks with Tim Ribaric from Brock Univeristy in Ontario. Tim talks about digital librarianship, whether he sleeps, what a “Computational Notebook” is along with working with Google Colab. We also talked about “spark”, bringing the abstract of ideas to life, the “Software Carpentry Organization“, python for libraries and a wonderful organization called Library Juice Academy. If you want to “geek out”, this is the episode for you!!

In this episode, Chris speaks with Katie Ester, Director of the Shelby Township Library in the suburban Detroit Michigan area along with Dennis Janer from Bluewater Technologies Group. Katie and Dennis talk to us about Shelby’s amazing transformation, what Bluewater is all about (and it is a very unique and creative company), and Magic Book, which is a collaborative product dreamed up by Katie and brought to live by Bluewater. Magic Book is a large digital display in the form of a book with a cover children can open. Describing it here will not do it justice. Look at the photos below and have a listen to this amazing story!

Want to laugh and learn at the same time? Then this is the episode for you. Megan Lotts, an Art Librarian at Rutgers talks and laughs about so many great things she is doing. She is a Maker, Author, Artist, Librarian and INNOVATOR!! We talk about the “spark”, the concept of “play”, unleashing the concept of play with colleagues and yes, Chris’ favorite concept of “Failing Forward”. You will love her story regarding adults getting along better after playing together! Chris also talks about how to keep the grind of the day and those who are not creative from brining you down at work.

Check out her books!

On this installment, Chris and Bob speak with Beth Bayley from Karger Publishers. Beth joins us from Switzerland to talk about public access to information, Creative Commons Licensing, how librarians can assist in supporting open access, misconceptions about open access and the role artificial intelligence has in open access. Beth was such a good sport and she even shares her earliest memory of the library with an article featuring her in a photo!

In this installment of the podcast, Chris speaks with Jessica Bomarito, Senior Product Manager at Gale part of the Cengage Group. This episode explores a brief overview of what Gale offers the profession including the Gale Literature Resource Center. Chris talks about the evolution of digital literacy information from CD-ROMS to the current mode of access to Gale’s products and Jessica explores how publishing has become more diverse including black, brown and LGBTQ+IA authors being added to the works Gale publishes.

In this installment of the podcast, Chris speaks with Jessica Bomarito, Senior Product Manager at Gale part of the Cengage Group. This episode explores a brief overview of what Gale offers the profession including the Gale Literature Resource Center. Chris talks about the evolution of digital literacy information from CD ROMS to the current mode of access to Gale’s products and Jessica explores how publishing has become more diverse including black, brown and LGBTQ+IA authors being added to the works Gale publishes.

In this final installment from the conference, Bob speaks with two former guests and friends of the podcast Carol Ann Tack from The Merrick Library and Nick Tanzi, Chair of the committee that puts the conference together and Assistant Director at the South Huntington Public Library.

Carol Ann is an amazing readers advisory librarian. She spoke about how she engaged patrons virtually during the pandemic with the Half Hour Happy Hour on Friday nights talking about. books, her virtual author talks and book groups (which attract 50+ people) and how it was an effective marketing strategy for services the library offers, including Libby, Hoopla, Goodreads, Novelist etc. She also talked about when we all went back in person, how she attracted 50+ people for in person events including author talks. Merrick also has a new program called “Real Talk” discussing non-fiction works. She envisioned it like MTV’s TRL (Total Request Live). Carol Ann also touches on if AI can do as good a job with readers advisory as a librarian! You can hear her podcast Top Shelf At The Merrick Library wherever you listen to podcasts!!

Nick joined the discussion talking about how LILRC put the conference together and how people were engaging in reading currently. Having speakers talking about the neuroscience behind the activity and practical applications was a good combination. Nick also spoke briefly about artificial intelligence and the role is may play in the library world in the near and distant future. Currently library has access without a real understanding of the power of AI.

As always, ,we thank LILRC for inviting the podcast to the conference and we hope to return next year.

In part II, Bob sits down with Dr. Kathi Inman Berens and Dr.Rachel Noorda from Portland State University. Kathi and Rachel speak about their presentation regarding Millennials and Generation Z, how they cope with the flood of information they have at their disposal, the challenges that presents and how it effects their reading habits. They explore the rise of graphic novel popularity within those generations, libraries as facilitators and safe spaces for these generations and how the libraries are adapting to attract this demographic. Whether it be makerspaces, podcastinsg, writing, or creating generation specific activities, libraries must pivot (as they have done in the past) to attract the new thinking in popular culture. There is also a lively discussion about people of color (BIPOC) visiting libraries at higher rates than the general population.

The Podcast was happy to be invited back to the Long Island Library Resources Council’s Conference on Libraries and the Future. This is the first part of our conversation with amazing library related professionals talking about their presentations and how they work with libraries. In Part 1 Bob is joined by Joanna Christodoulou, Director of the BEAM Lab and is a professor at Harvard Medical School and a research associate at MIT. Joanna discusses positive neuroscience, reading the brain, reading disabilities, developing readers from a young age and neuroplasticity. She also agrees with Bob about libraries being safe spaces for learning. Bob also discusses the AC/DC concept brought up by Joanna which is 1. Analyzing; 2. Context; 3. Differentiate; and 4. Collaborate.

To find out more about Joanna, visit her Website, or you can email her at jchristodoulou@mghihc.edu.

In this installment of the podcast, Chris sits down with Kelly Harris, Director of the John Jermain Memorial Library in Sag Harbor, New York. Kelly talks about so many important topics including what Association Libraries are and their funding, unintended barriers to library service, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the library world, attracting people of color to the library profession, her start in the profession and so much more. Kelly doesn’t hold back and that makes for an engaging episode!

In this installment of the podcast, Chris sits down with Dr. Betsy Cauble, retired Social Worker and professor at Kansas State University. Chris and Betsy discuss the social work profession, training for social workers specifically working in libraries, assisting homeless that frequent our facilities, a “day in the life” of a social worker and the efficacy of having social work students interning at libraries.

In this installment of the TLP, Chris has a chat with Trina Leigh Walker and Zindzi Cresswell covering library consultancy. Thanks to Matt Finch for connecting us all. It starts with the proper way to pronounce “Carnegie” (yes, Chris gets it wrong), working in the information world, and how important a strategic plan is. Continuing with the idea of that strategic plan, how does any project that the library undertakes fit with that plan. Trina and Zindzi also talk about how important it is for consultants to speak to include the staff, the board, administration and, yes, even the public with designing a new service or revamping how a library does business. It is also very important to understand what the definition of “return on investment” is for each particular institution. And we explore if consultants are also therapists!!

Chris had the opportunity to converse with Essraa Nawar, Assistant Dean for Library DEI Initiatives and Development, recognized in Forbes Arab American Heritage, Top 40 Women of Egypt, 125 Most Influential People in OC, and Women of Influence in O.C. Top 30 Egyptian Women Abroad. Essraa delves into unconventional perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), underscores the significance of fundraising for libraries, shares insights from her beginnings in Egypt, and discusses the technological advancements that inspire her.

On this installment of the podcast, Chris speaks with the founder and President of Hoopla Digital, Jeff Jankowski. Jeff talks about Hoopla’s birth with Midwest Tapes, his origin story along with how Hoopla curates and optimizes their products along with digital equity and so much more!

What an amazing time with Melissa Taylor, Manager of the Center for Innovation at the Fayetteville Public Library in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Melissa shares about her corporate sponsorships with Walmart, JB Hunt and Tyson foods. Chris and Bob learned about all of the offerings in this beautiful facility and how Melissa keeps it all running, how it was started, the various spaces they have (2 sound recording studios and a podcast booth – and that is just the beginning) and their Maker to Market Cohort! So much to unpack in this episode including falling in love with librarianship!

In this installment, the fellas were lucky enough to have Aaron Whitfield on the podcast. Aaron spoke about all Aaron has accomplished in his time in Libraryland along with being a BIPOC and what that is like in todays world. He also talks about the importance of “MU FA LI” in his life, his writing and music. Aaron talks about the power of positive work culture, his love of Mark Lomax II he even shares something about his famous babysitter!

Joining Chris and Bob is David Ecker from Stony Brook University. Dave is a repeat guest and its always great to speak to him. Dave spoke about being library “technologists”, time management for managers, how AI can help makerspaces and that dirty world in Libraryland “CHANGE”. Dave has a new book out entitled Leadership Takes Courage: How to Master Leadership and how to foster entrepreneurship in students!

Joining Chris and Bob on the pod is Temara Hajjat Gastroenterologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and co host of the Bowel Sounds Podcast. Temara spoke with the fellas about what its like to go to medical school, the spark that started the podcast, the targeted listenership, the formula for the pod along with talking about Harvard Medical School’s certificate program in Media and Medicine. So sit back and relax and listen to lots of laughs with Temara!!!

This is really cool LOCAL episode for our friends on Long Island but also a great inspirational episode for everyone. Joining the podcast is Lilly Kiel from the Cutchogue/New Suffolk Free Library, Steven Alcalde from the Rogers Memorial Library and Anthony Giansante from the John Jermain Memorial Library to talk about the tech challenges working on the “East End” of Long Island (get your maps out for this one!). This episode is so inspiring because our guests talk about the combination of seasonal patrons while working in a rural community, Association Libraries and how the technologies offered are the same and varied from their colleagues “Up Island”. So sit back and get inspired by these technology professionals tell their stories!!

In part 2 of this special episode, Chris and Bob were joined by Alice Knapp, Director of the Ferguson Library in Stamford, Connecticut, Scott Jarzombek, Director of the Fairfield Library in Fairfield, Connecticut, Kate Byroade Director of the Cragin Colchester Library in Colchester, Connecticut and Scott Brill, Director of the Derby Public Library, in Derby Connecticut. The discussion continues with Alice and Scott from the large library perspective of imposter syndrome. how you should not be the smartest person in the room, learning from your staff without intimidation, being a Husker Du fan and talk about the “secret sauce”. Then Kate and Scott come in and talk about the view from the small library perspective. They talk about communicating with staff to lower anxiety, knowing policy so it empowers the librarians, new tech communications with those that are not tech inclined, how “fines free” lowers the temperature between staff and patrons and patron shame. Thanks to the Connecticut Library Association for inviting the podcast to their conference!!!

In this 2 part episode, Chris and Bob travel to Groton Connecticut at the invitation of the Connecticut Library Association to speak during their conference lunch period about mental health and wellbeing in the library profession. The fellas were joined by Doug Lord, Director of the C. H. Booth Public Library in Newtown, Connecticut and President of the Association. Topics range from work/life balance, how the profession cares too much, how libraries are part of the hospitality industry and how its ok to take a mental health day. Doug also explores how to send a positive email to staff, dealing with the stress of difficult patrons and how to have the right attitude in the field to be a good librarian.

Joining Chris for this episode is Meghan Volcheko, Manager, Public Library Collection Development at OverDrive, Meghan talks about how she and her team assist libraries and library systems with collection development with Overdrive. Yes, this is also the Libby App and also Kanopy and Sora for schools. Meghan talks about the relationships she has built with member libraries and systems, Overdrive’s 15 year history and humble beginnings and draws comparisons between managing a physical collection and a digital collection. There is also a chat about living in Northeast Ohio and even how local authors can submit their work to the platform! Special “Shout Out” to Kent District Library as well!!

In our 100th Episode, we have asked Alumni Carol Ann Tack from the podcast Top Shelf at the Merrick Library to return to talk about her podcast, readers advisory, her book discussions (which are the thing of legend on Long Island) and how tech can sometimes help and sometimes get in the way of getting to where you need to be in Libraryland.

Chris journeyed to Saratoga Springs New York for the annual New York Library Association Conference and Trade Show! This year Chris spoke to old friends Jill Hurst Wahl, Cameron Tidd and Melissa Tidd from Goshen Libraryhttps://www.floridapubliclibrary.org and Barron Angell from the Florida Public Library. Jill spoke about the conference, what it is like to be the Board President of the Onondaga County Library, sharing info about her hometown of Syracuse New York and re-inventing ethnic library services.

Melissa, Cameron and Barron joined the podcast catching up on the happenings at their libraries, Cameron’s new endeavor with Brainspace and they even give a shout out to their friend who runs the podcast Flip the Table!

The fellas were asked to podcast a the Long Island Library Resource Council’s 31st annual Conference on Libraries and the Future. There were many great speakers and the podcast had an opportunity to speak with Dr. James Neal who spoke to Chris about the nature of leadership and how it is defined along with the concept “you can’t count the apple from its seeds”, whether leadership is a science or art, how important the informal leadership is to the formal organizational chart and even delves into good chaos within an organization because it will develop innovation.

After a short break Chris speaks with Syntychia Kendrick-Samuel, the Assistant Director of the Uniondale Public Library. This is Syntchia’s 4th appearance on the podcast and she talks about collaboration at various levels between libraries, how at the end of the day the “buck stops” at the directors desk both from the community and the board, and we have a great discussion about Dr. James Neal’s leadership types. Syntychia also advocates for teen services to continue to evolve into departments separate from a youth services climate and thinks EVERY LIBRARY should have a gardening program!!

In this installment, Chris and Bob are back together live, this time at the Emma S. Clark Memorial Library in East Setauket, New York. Emily Ostrander talks about growing up at Emma as a patron (including riding her bike there as a kid), knowing at 16 that she wanted to be a librarian, and her feelings on customer service which includes the attitude you portray will be what you receive from the patron.

Emily will also share what it is like working in adults vs working with teens, the pandemic pivot (which includes failing forward) and making that transition from a “brick and mortar” model to a model to reach outside the building. We will also learn what it takes to keep toddlers out of the fish tank!!

Contact Emily

Chris and Bob virtually travel “across the pond” to Denmark and speak with Thomas Ommen Chief Executive Officer of Princh, a collection of products to improve printing, copying and scanning services. Thomas shares his story and how his travels across the globe inspired him and his partners to develop this business model. Thomas talks about how he developed the “Princhables” upon which the company is based and how the book Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl inspired this philosophy, Thomas also talks about how his business model was a natural fit for libraries and how the company developed because, in part, to his passion.

This episode pairs Chris and Bob up with Philip Shakelford, Director of the South Arkansas Community College Library Philip is also the host of the Modern Scholar Podcast speaking to library and history professionals all over “Libraryland” about cool and interesting topics. Philip has a speciality in military history and has a particular interest in the United States Air Force Security Services. Chris and Bob asked Philip about the “SPARK” that lit the idea to create a podcast and his process along with folding in library related topics with a historical spin. There is a geek out session talking audio hardware, challenges for podcasters and how to curate guests. We also ask about Philip’s new book Rise of the Mavericks: The U.S. Air Force Security Service and the Cold War and why he has developed an interest in the Air Force Security Service.

Joining the fellas this time ’round is Anna Raunik, Executive Director, Content and Client Services at State Library Queensland, Australia. Anna joined the pod to talk about ANZAC Stories. For those of you that are not familiar, ANZAC Day commemorates the landing of Australian, New Zealand and other commonwealth troops on the Gallipoli Peninsula on April 25, 1915. For our U.S. friends, it is similar to Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. Anna talks about taking these oral histories and integrating them with Alexa, Google Home and other voice operated devices with the help of Alkira. Chris and Bob, both history nerds, loved hearing the stories and compared this project to a documentary They Shall Not Grow Old.

In this installment, the fellas have a chat with Mike Rossetti from MYLIBRO. Mike discussed how libraries can attract those 20 somethings to the library, what libraries have to offer this group and using the “Tech Triangle” to retain not only that elusive age group, but anyone who can benefit from the library. Mike also talks about why the word PIVOT is a favorite and why the profession needs to evolve from being “building centric”and extent the brand “Library”. They collectively explore the idea of keeping staff’s mundane tasks to a minimum and the slow and impending death of DVD’s.

Joining the fellas for this go round is Thomas Shaw, Associate Director of the library at Lancaster University. Thomas published an article entitled “How to Strive for Success, Happiness, Fulfilment and Impact: a Personal Manifesto” which should resinate with anyone who works in Libraryland. Thomas speaks about his article and some of the common anxieties and fears we all have working in libraries. He speaks of an opportunity for an “identity change” when we change roles or start fresh in another library, how to break from negative work culture, bringing the “good” from our previous organizations and experiences, and probably the biggest issue librarians have, imposter syndrome. This commonly happens when we attend conferences, see presentations and think “there is no way I can do that” or “I feel like I am fooling everyone at work, I can’t do this”. If you want to feel like you are not alone in this profession, this article is a must read!

Chris and Bob were joined by a talented and inspired group of individuals who are part of developing The Palace Project, a source for e-content for libraries. The not for profit project supports the mission of libraries by providing equitable access to digital knowledge, bolstering the relationship between libraries and patrons, protecting patron privacy, and enabling libraries to serve all their e-content in a single app. The team who spoke on this episode included Michele Kimpton, LYRASIS, Global Senior Director; James English, Director, Business Development, The Palace Project; Micah May, DPLA, Director of Ebook Services; Heather Teysko, LYRASIS – Palace Implementation Strategist. The team spoke about LYRASIS, DPLA (Digital Public Library of America) the securing of a Knight Foundation grant, branding, acquiring digital rights management, the tech infrastructure, creating a social media platform as part of a marketing strategy and so much more!

In the second part of this episode, Chris and Bob are joined by  Kelvin Watson, Executive Director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and candidate for President of the American Library Association. The discussion focused on what Kelvin can bring to the office. In the interest of fairness, both Kelvin and her opponent Emily Drabinski were asked the same questions so potential voters can hear their positions. You can learn more about Kelvin’s positions by visiting https://www.kelvinwatsonforlibraries.com/

If you are a member of ALA, Ballot mailing for the ALA election will begin on March 14, 2022 and will run through April 6, 2022. Individuals must be members in good standing to vote in the 2022 ALA elections. Renew your membership online https://ec.ala.org/membership/renew/login or by calling 1-800-545-2433, option 1. For more information, please visit the ALA Election page: https://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/alaelection

In the first part of this episode, Chris and Bob are joined by Emily Drabinski, Interim Chief Librarian at The Graduate Center, City University of New York and candidate for President of the American Library Association. The discussion focused on what Emily can bring to the office. In the interest of fairness, both Emily and her opponent Kelvin Watson were asked the same questions so potential voters can hear their positions. You can learn more about Emily’s positions by visiting https://www.emilydrabinski.com/

If you are a member of ALA, Ballot mailing for the ALA election will begin on March 14, 2022 and will run through April 6, 2022. Individuals must be members in good standing to vote in the 2022 ALA elections. Renew your membership online https://ec.ala.org/membership/renew/login or by calling 1-800-545-2433, option 1. For more information, please visit the ALA Election page: https://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/alaelection

Tim Spindler, the Executive Director of the Long Island Library Resources Council and Sally Stieglitz, Communications and Outreach Coordinator for LILRC give the wrap up of the conference, recapping the issues and discussions of the speakers. As always, this conference has amazing guests and we thank the Resources Council for continuing to invite the podcast to the annual event.

Chris and Bob were fortunate enough to speak to Stacey Aldrich, the State Librarian of Hawaii at the LILRC Conference on Libraries and the Future. In her varied experiences in both the public and academic library fields, she has seen how, especially now the world struggles with the physical vs. the digital life. Whether it be e-books, communication, or how we live our lives. We have to be mindful of not just the way forward but also those who may not have the means or comprehension to make that digital leap. She looks to the future with an optimist’s eye and shares her feelings on libraries and the future.

In this second part of the podcast from the LILRC Conference on Libraries and the Future, the guys speak with Dr. Brandy McNeil, Director of Digital Literacy at the New York Public Library and a Library Journal “Mover and Shaker” class of 2017. Brandy talked about some of the innovative things she has brought to the library by way of partnerships with Google and Apple, but she also talks about the purposeful way the programs that grew from those collaborations were implemented. There is also a great discussion regarding how we can all help under-represented people and cultures within our communities and reach their needs. Its a re-thinking of library service! As much as we took to the future, we can also get back to basics and look at the people who serve alongside us.

Chris and Bob were fortunate to be asked back to the Long Island Library Resources Council Conference on Libraries and the Future. This is our 7th year podcasting from the event, speaking to great people in the library world. In Part 1 of this 4 part episode we speak to Miguel Figueroa, the President and CEO of Amigos Library Services. The fellas chat with Miguel about how libraries can perceive and shape the future. There was a great discussion about Richard Lum’s 4 Steps to the Future and how if libraries can be effective futurists by collecting all relevant information, make connections, prioritize and then commit to action. There was also a great discussion about motivating people in their work. Miguel will hopefully come back to the podcast at a later date to chat more about futurism!!

Coming to us from Finland, Perttu Polonen, author of the book Future Skills joins the fellas to talk about the concept of futurism, the human condition vs technology, whether our diplomas from university and graduate school should have an expiration date. Perttu talks about the mindset associated with technology along with our personal relationship (or lack thereof with technology) how the mystery of tech goes away with greater use and something Chris and Bob both love, creativity. Perttu reminds us that technology is truly a reflection of ourselves. We also learn that if you spin around a lot, it won’t make you any wiser. We also talk about a funny skit from Saturday Night Live

This episode is dedicated to Chris Crosby, the artist, musician and performer of “Just Cool”, the intro and outro of the Turn the Page Podcast. Chris lost his life in early September of 2021, and he will be fondly remembered by the library community.

Joining Chris and Bob are Jessikah Chautin, Stacey Hershkowitz and Evelyn Mencher from the Turn the Page Podcast from the Syosset Public Library in Syosset, New York. This crossover episode is a great discussion on podcasting for libraries, from pitching it to your administration, to show development, hardware, software and great stories about landing guests and having a good time doing it all. We also bring up some great people who are doing it along the way in including Top Shelf at the Merrick Library, Average Brentwood Teens, pequa podcast, Kids Talk at the Rockville Centre Library, Historical Nerdery Podcast, Books and Banter with Deb and Nay at the Oceanside Library and Digging Deep with Robert Plant. Listen to the Syosset people also talk about landing the big guests!!

Joining Chris and Bob is Elisa Lee, Creative Director and Business Owner of Unstacked, based in Australia is an amazing project that allows libraries to see their materials as they are being researched and curated in real time!

Unstacked is an innovative Australian collection visualization project which showcases a library’s collection locally and globally in real-time through the eyes of the people who use it. Unstacked would showcase not only how people are using your collection, but also its contents, increasing awareness through the eyes of your patrons.

This project has launched in several libraries in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland and could be an amazing addition to any library, whether academic, special or public!

Here is a great article about Unstacked

While Bob was handling an IT emergency, Chris had a great conversation with Carlos Galeana. If you are a frequent listener to the podcast, then you may remember Carlos from his appearance in Episode 45 discussing his Mover and Shaker election and all things he is doing in his previous position at the Multnomah Library in Oregon. Carlos is now out on his own in Washington State and is an independent programmer for libraries regarding technology. Carlos spoke about the need in the times of COVID about not only training patrons/customers in tech, but also being mindful of their digital well-being. Whether that is managing notifications and alerts, to helping with the crush of emails to just learning to just put the device down, Carlos discusses these strategies along with the virtual environment, marketing a new business in tech training and he introduces the concept of when you say “yes” to something, you are saying “no” to something else.

Carlos’ Linkedin

Carlosgaleana.com

In this very special episode, Chris and Bob are joined by a group of librarians from all around New York State. Emily Dowie, Teen Librarian at the Greenburgh Public Library in Elmsford NY; Jo Ann Mulligan, Library Assistant at the Altamont Free Library in Altamont, New York; Danielle Newman, Pre-k to 12th Grade Public School Librarian at the Fillmore Central School District in Allegany County, New York; Juanita James, Library and Information Supervisor at the Brooklyn Public Library in Brooklyn, New York; and Kaysha Watson-Phillips, Assistant Director at the Baldwin Public Library in Baldwin, New York.

The group is going to discuss the New York Library Association’s Developing Leaders Program and their project which was to discuss how to diversify library collections, staff and programs to include under represented people. The discussion sheds light on the importance of having a diversified collection for education and inclusion. All people should have a seat at the table in “Libraryland” and our collections should reflect diversity with people of color, the LGBTQ+ community and other under-represented groups. The Diversify is Fly crew has also discussed how they developed a “diversity toolkit” which can be used by libraries as a primer on diversifying their physical and digital collections.

Matt Pascoe, Content and Customer Experience Manager at the Ipswich City Council Libraries joins the podcast. Ipswich City Libraries have multiple buildings and Matt talks about marketing libraries, Ipswich “Marketplace Library”, Library Pods, pop up makerspaces and how to hang a monstrous dinosaur from the ceiling. Matt is an amazing speaker and has a lot to share!!