Send us Fan Mail It’s summer reading time again and on this episode, Marcy, Eliza, Kacie and Danielle explain how it all works. After we hear from them, Hannah has an announcement about a special project she’s been working on with the Connecticut State Library. And since this is a great time of year to get out and enjoy your local parks, Hannah talks with Mike Miller of the Sleeping Giant Park Association about the trail clean up crew. More info is available here: https://sgpa.org/trail...

Send us Fan Mail Matt talks to Recycling Coordinator Joe DeRisi and Chair of the Solid Waste & Recycling Commission Alice Kosowsky. They talk about everything from composting and other ways of recycling food waste to the importance of recycling textiles and lots more. If you’re a Hamden resident, you’re sure to pick up some useful tips, and even if you don’t live in Hamden, you will likely learn something interesting from this interview. Now let’s listen to Matt, Joe and Alice.

Send us Fan Mail On this episode we are celebrating National Library Week. This year’s theme is “Find Your Joy,” and Kacie and Eliza are here to tell us all about the many different ways the library can help you do just that. In addition, Kacie talks to Pat Sirulnick about the Friends of the Hamden Library and all that they do for us. If you don’t already know, the Friends are absolutely crucial to what we do. If you’re looking for a way to support the library, joining the Friends is a...

Send us Fan Mail When it comes to a subject as broad as poetry, it’s hard to pick one thing to focus on. So we picked a whole bunch. From statistics of who is writing poetry and why, to a staff-wide poetry collaboration, to an infamous poet with a relentless drive to write and recite his creations regardless of how well, or how poorly, they were regarded by the audiences who heard them - this is a conversation that covers a lot of ground. We had lots of fun making this episode and we hope you...

Send us Fan Mail Love is in the air and on the shelves! In this Valentine’s Day episode, Kacie chats with booksellers from two of Connecticut’s romance-only bookstores to rave about all things romance novels. From breaking down stereotypes to sharing can’t-miss love stories, we’re making the case that romance is for everyone. Big thanks to Sarah and Elizabeth from Montgomery & Taggert and Jenna from Blush Book Lounge for chatting with us this month! For more romance novel suggestio...

Send us Fan Mail This is a special, Matt-centric episode in which podcast team member Matt sits down to talk with host Michael Pierry to talk about New Year’s traditions. And because the only force in the known universe more powerful than one Matt is .. two Matts, Matt interviews Matthew Kerzner, aka Dr. K, to help us all in formulating and following through on our New Year’s resolutions and goals. There are also some book recommendations, of course.

Send us Fan Mail Enjoy our special end-of-year roundtable discussing our favorite (and least favorite) books and media of 2025 and what we're looking forward to in 2026. List of books/media discussed: Atmosphere, Taylor Jenkins ReidThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Taylor Jenkins ReidThe Summer Hikaru Died, MokumokurenAlchemised, SenLinYuThe Black Wolf (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #20) & The Gray Wolf (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #19), Louise PennyThe Office of Historical Correctio...

Send us Fan Mail Board games and picture books - what do these two things have in common? For one thing, you can find them both at the library. For another, they’re both entertaining for all ages. Engaging with a picture book or playing a game with friends and family members can surprise and delight us with the kind of screen-free joy that many of us don’t get enough of but definitely need. In this episode, Hannah and Matt take you on a journey of exploration into the worlds of picture books ...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is dedicated to YOU and your library card. In a special in-depth interview, our Head of Borrower Services discusses the amazing things you can do with your Hamden library card. TJ also mentions some services we offer at the library, even if you don’t have a card. Also includes a quiz show segment all about banned books, in celebration of Banned Books Week, currently in progress (Oct. 5-11). Libraries believe in the freedom to read, and that includes the freedom t...

Send us Fan Mail Hamden Library Podcast team members Hannah, Eliza, Matt, Rebecca and Michael discuss their summer reading.