Steve chats with Jarrett Dapier, writer of the graphic novel Wake Now in the Fire, about his path to librarianship, the story of Chicago public school students fighting back against censorship, the irony of Persepolis being the target of that censorship, and what librarians can do to fight quiet censorship. Read the transcript! It starts … Continue reading 311: Wake Now in the Fire by Jarrett Dapier

Guest host Troy Swanson chats with journalism instructor Jeremy Shermak about the state of media today, how AI is reshaping journalism education, and why local news may be the best hope for rebuilding trust in an increasingly polarized information landscape. Read the transcript! Dr. Jeremy Shermak is a journalism professor at Cuesta College and a … Continue reading 310: Journalism Education, AI, and Local News, with Jeremy Shermak

Steve chats with Lynne M. Thomas and Katy Rawdon, authors of The Infinite Loop: Archives and Time Travel in the Popular Imagination, about how they each got into the profession, why archives can never truly be neutral and objective, how archives and special collections are portrayed within time travel narratives in pop culture, and what … Continue reading 309: The Infinite Loop: Archives and Time Travel in the Popular Imagination, with Lynne M. Thomas and Katy Rawdon

Steve chats with Alex Segura, author of the new book Daredevil: Enemy of My Enemy: a Daredevil Marvel Crime Novel, about the book, how Daredevil’s dual life as a defense attorney and vigilante makes him uniquely suited for legal thrillers, Alex’s journey from comics fan to writer of Spider-Man, Star Wars, and Dick Tracy, and … Continue reading 308: Enemy of My Enemy: A Daredevil Marvel Crime Novel by Alex Segura

Steve chats with Tamika Barnes and Becky Calzada, this year’s candidates for President of the American Library Association. Tamika Barnes is Associate Dean for Perimeter Library Services at Georgia State University, and the current President of the Georgia Library Association, and Becky is the District Library Coordinator for the Leander Independent School District, TX. They … Continue reading 307: ALA Presidential Candidates (2026)

Guest host Troy Swanson chats with Terra Jacobson and Spencer Brayton, editors of  Valuing the Community College Library: Impactful Practices for Institutional Success, about the value that libraries bring to community colleges, the gap in research on community college libraries, the power of partnerships across campus, future opportunities for AI literacy and misinformation education, and … Continue reading 306 –  Valuing the Community College Library, with Terra Jacobson and Spencer Brayton

Steve chats with Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, authors of You & Me and You & Me and You & Me, a time-traveling romantic comedy about long-term love, about their past experiences with libraries, their writing process, the fun (but also the dangers) of nostalgia, and why your perfect life may be the one you’re … Continue reading 305: YOU & ME AND YOU & ME AND YOU & ME by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees

Steve chats with collection development librarian Lila Denning about passive readers’ advisory, practical tips for creating effective book displays, making displayed accessible and inclusive, partnering with local businesses to promote library services and collections, and how the horror genre helps readers understand different perspectives and emotions. Read the transcript! Lila Denning is a librarian in Florida … Continue reading 304: Passive Readers’ Advisory, with Lila Denning

Steve chats with Lucas Maxwell, author of Roll for Adventure: Tabletop Roleplaying Adventures for Your School or Public Library, about his journey from D&D enthusiast to librarian, the educational and social benefits of gaming for young people, and practical advice for librarians looking to start their own tabletop gaming programs! Read the transcript! Become the … Continue reading 303: Roll for Adventure: Tabletop Roleplaying Adventures for Your School or Public Library, by Lucas Maxwell

Steve chats with Karla Bame Collins, author of School Libraries Supporting Students with Hidden Needs and Talents: From ADHD to Vision Impairment, about her focus on supporting students with diverse and often invisible needs, practical strategies for making school libraries more inclusive, universal design for learning, and the importance of building supportive networks within schools … Continue reading 302: School Libraries Supporting Students with Hidden Needs and Talents by Karla Collins