American Libraries podcast Archives | Page 4 of 10

Call Number podcast: The Buzz on Scripps National Spelling Bee

December 16, 2021

On this bonus episode of Call Number with American Libraries, sponsored by the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Phil Morehart, communications manager for the American Library Association, talks with J. Michael Durnil, executive director of the Bee. They discuss how the Scripps National Spelling Bee has changed over time, the benefits of participating, how libraries can … Continue reading Call Number podcast: The Buzz on Scripps National Spelling Bee →

Call Number Podcast: Food, Glorious Food

November 23, 2021

On Episode 68, Call Number with American Libraries looks at the wonderful world of food. First, American Libraries Managing Editor Terra Dankowski speaks with model, author, and Top Chef host and producer Padma Lakshmi about the intersection of cooking and family and the value of creating space for everyone’s food story. Next, American Libraries Editor … Continue reading Call Number Podcast: Food, Glorious Food →

Call Number with American Libraries: Agents of Change

Call Number Podcast: Agents of Change

October 29, 2021

On this bonus episode of Call Number with American Libraries, sponsored by Gale, Maggie Reagan, senior editor of books for youth at Booklist, talks with Jessica Klinker, head librarian at Franklin Heights High School in Columbus, Ohio—one of the librarians whose feedback helped shape the Agents of Change 2.0 paper. They discuss Klinker’s experiences working … Continue reading Call Number Podcast: Agents of Change →

Call Number Podcast: Zombies!

October 19, 2021

In Episode 67, Call Number with American Libraries celebrates Halloween with a look at libraries and the living dead. First, American Libraries Senior Editor and Call Number host Phil Morehart speaks with Ben Rubin, horror studies collection coordinator at University of Pittsburgh Library System, about the George A. Romero Archival Collection, which was gifted to … Continue reading Call Number Podcast: Zombies! →

Call Number with American Libraries, Episode 66 - Library Architecture and Design: The Past Meets the Future

Call Number Podcast: Library Architecture and Design

September 21, 2021

First, American Libraries Senior Editor and Call Number host Phil Morehart speaks with Heather Hart, manager of Salt Lake City Public Library’s Sprague branch, about renovations that were made to the 93-year-old, English Tudor–style library after a flood destroyed much of the building in 2017. Next, Morehart talks with Sean Ngo from architecture firm DLR … Continue reading Call Number Podcast: Library Architecture and Design →

Call Number Podcast: Serving Our Veterans

August 20, 2021

On Episode 65 of Call Number with American Libraries, we look at library services to veterans. First, American Libraries Senior Editor and Call Number host Phil Morehart speaks with Angela Maranville, a US Air Force veteran and director of knowledge access and resource management at West Virginia University (WVU) Libraries in Morgantown. They talk about … Continue reading Call Number Podcast: Serving Our Veterans →

Call Number Podcast: Libraries and Hip-Hop

July 19, 2021

In Episode 64, Call Number with American Libraries looks at libraries and hip-hop. First, American Libraries senior editor and Call Number host Phil Morehart speaks with Ralph McDaniels, the hip-hop luminary who created the influential Video Music Box TV show in the early 1980s and who now serves as hip-hop coordinator at Queens (N.Y.) Public … Continue reading Call Number Podcast: Libraries and Hip-Hop →

Call Number Podcast episode 63: Getting Outdoors

Call Number Podcast: Getting Outdoors

June 22, 2021

First, ALA Editions Senior Acquisitions Editor Rachel Chance speaks with Web Administrator and Local History Specialist Erin Rothenbuehler and Programming Director and Local History Specialist Sean Duffy from Ohio County (W.Va.) Public Library about a series of programs they offer on bugs, most notably the Brood X cicadas. Next American Libraries Associate Editor Sallyann Price … Continue reading Call Number Podcast: Getting Outdoors →

Call Number Podcast: Law Libraries

May 18, 2021

First, American Libraries Senior Editor and Call Number host Phil Morehart speaks with Emily Florio, senior research services manager at international law firm Hogan Lovells and president of the American Association of Law Libraries, who provides a glimpse into the life and work of a law librarian. Next, Morehart talks with Anne Lucke, librarian at … Continue reading Call Number Podcast: Law Libraries →

Call Number Podcast: A Conversation with Nikole Hannah-Jones

April 28, 2021

American Libraries senior editor and Call Number host Phil Morehart speaks with New York Times journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of the 1619 Project and honorary chair of Preservation Week, about the project’s origins, her team’s research, and why community archives are vital to preserving history. If you have feedback for the podcast team, email us or … Continue reading Call Number Podcast: A Conversation with Nikole Hannah-Jones →

Call Number Podcast: School Librarians Adapt to the Pandemic

April 20, 2021

First, American Libraries Managing Editor Terra Dankowski speaks with three school library media specialists for Goochland County (Va.) Public Schools—Sarah Smith from Goochland Elementary School, Sue Vaughan from Randolph Elementary School, and Zoe Parrish from Byrd Elementary School—about how they bootstrapped a bookmobile to provide free titles to kids learning remotely. Next, American Libraries Senior … Continue reading Call Number Podcast: School Librarians Adapt to the Pandemic →

Call Number Episode 60: Supporting Seniors during the Pandemic

Call Number Podcast: Supporting Seniors during the Pandemic

March 23, 2021

On Episode 60, Call Number with American Libraries looks at library outreach to seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. First American Libraries Associate Editor Sallyann Price speaks with David Kelsey, outreach coordinator at St. Charles (Ill.) Public Library in St. Charles, Illinois, and president of the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services, about the importance of … Continue reading Call Number Podcast: Supporting Seniors during the Pandemic →

Latest Library Links

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Lisa Varga writes: “Spring may be over, but library lovers have sprung forward to support federal funding for libraries—and members of Congress are responding positively. Amid headline-grabbing chaos in the federal government, including President Trump’s efforts to wipe out federal funding for libraries, behind-the-scenes work is progressing in Congress to secure funding for libraries in fiscal year 2026. Here’s how the budget process works, how library supporters pitched in during April and May to help ALA achieve its goals, and what to do next to help the Association support libraries across the country.”

AL: The Scoop, June 3
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On June 3, ALA announced $10,000 Building Library Capacity Grants to 16 libraries across the country to serve new Americans. The grants are supported through a three-year grant from the Mellon Foundation. Each year has focused on helping add capacity to different segments of the library community. The grants are intended to bolster library operations and services including literacy and other skill development, developing collections, staffing, expanding outreach, and maintaining and amplifying existing service strategies or adding new ones to make an impact.

ALA Chapter Relations Office, June 3
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Tommaso Bardelli, Sindy Lopez, Tammy Ortiz, and Laura Brown write: “America’s prisons and jails are information deserts. Restrictions on internet access, combined with limited library services and widespread censorship of both print and digital materials, severely restrict incarcerated individuals’ connection to the outside world. Legal information is no exception. Although access to legal information is a constitutionally mandated right, incarcerated people face significant—and often insurmountable—barriers to exercising that right. In this project that was funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, we examine the national landscape of legal access in prison.”

Ithaka S+R, May 29
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Catherine Hollerbach writes: “In addition to being the state’s capital, Annapolis is a college town bustling with activities. Community members are very involved and committed to supporting the US Naval Academy (USNA) and its students, faculty, and staff. When something happens on ‘the Yard,’ it impacts the community as well. The members of the community surrounding USNA took the removal of nearly 400 books [from USNA’s Nimitz Library] personally, reacting with surprise and concern.” The Associated Press reported May 21 that all but 20 books have been returned to the library.

Public Libraries Online, June 2; Associated Press, April 4, May 21
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After significant flooding in western Maryland on May 13, Allegany County (Md.) Library (ACL) had to close two locations. George’s Creek Library reopened May 19 after minor damage to the building and no damage to collections or historical items. However, the Westernport Library remains closed after severe damage, with an early estimate of damage to the building’s collections at more than $270,000. ACL is accepting cash donations to its recovery project fund to replace furniture and damaged collections and restore computer access.

Allegany County (Md.) Library, May 19, May 29; WBAL-TV (Baltimore), May 14
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Cindy Hohl writes: “Wopida Tanka! (Many thanks!) As I reflect on my story wheel coming full circle, I am blessed to be surrounded by humble leaders who are the true helpers of society. In my final column as ALA president, I am taking this opportunity to recognize them, as it is always right to celebrate the human spirit by honoring good people. Over the past year, I hope that I have brought encouragement to colleagues across this field as we work together for a bright future. I am not sure what’s next, but I am grateful for this experience.”

American Libraries column, June/July
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Alison Marcotte writes: “The City of Brotherly Love is also a city of firsts: The Library Company of Philadelphia, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731, is considered the country’s first public library. Philadelphia was the original capital of the United States. And ALA held its inaugural Convention of Librarians there during the Centennial Exposition in 1876. ALA returns to this historic and vibrant city for its 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition, to be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center June 26–30. This preview offers a small sample of what to expect. For registration information and a complete list of events, visit alaannual.org.”

American Libraries feature, June/July

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