In this episode, Dan and Anna reflect on the NEKLS 2024 Spring Directors Institute with expert presenter Dr. Beth Wahler. Beth explores the 3 Es of Trauma, the rise of burnout in public services, and the importance of community-based program development. A special thanks to Beth for guiding us in addressing mental wellness in public libraries.

In this episode, Anna and Dan get to catch up with Derrick Larcom. Derrick is the Technology Specialist for Ottawa Library, the public library in Ottawa, Kansas. In 2023, on behalf of the library, Derrick submitted a proposal for the NEKLS Innovation Awards, a competitive grant program designed to help fund innovative approaches to library services and programming. Tune into to hear about the robotics program Derrick conducted utilizing the NEKLS grant.

Anna and Dan are back for a season 4 of the Northeast Kansas Library System podcast. In this episode we take a look at passive programming and interactive displays. Our guest, Liz Karstadt uses these "self-directed" programs to entice patrons to come to the library, and stay a while, even when there aren't big in-person programs going on.

In the season finale, Anna and Dan do their first clip show! Dan captured audio from the 2023 KLA Conference in Wichita, Kansas in early November, and today the Unbound hosts talk about some of the highlights. Thanks to Dawn Krause, Terri Wojtalewicz, Shanna Smith-Ritterhouse, April Hernandez, Jason Robb, Ollie the Robot, Erin Downey Howerton, Valarie Lamoreaux, Erin Verbick, and all of the KLA Conference committees that made this year's conference possible. Happy New Year – we'll be back in late 2024 with season 4 of Unbound!

Tonganoxie public library director, Max Wirestone, tells Anna and Dan about his foray into podcasting this past summer. In this episode, we also talk about mysteries, reading, and interviewing authors. Check out Max's podcast here: https://www.onebookmanyneighbors.org/blog

Anna and Dan chat with Dawn La Valle, Dawn is is the Director of the Division of Library Development for the Connecticut State Library and a Certified Strategic Foresight Practitioner. In October 2023, Dawn facilitated a workshop for NEKLS and our members on using Natural Foresight in libraries and in this episode we revisit this practice. Check out the LibGuide Dawn shares with us here: https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld/home.

Anna and Dan pick up some storytelling tips from the best, Priscilla Howe! Priscilla is a former academic and youth services librarian who answered the calling to be a professional storyteller. Today we talk about Zoom, being an international storyteller, and, of course, libraries. Be sure to check out Priscilla's website to learn more: https://www.priscillahowe.com/.

Anna and Dan are joined by the former Emporia Public Library Director, Robin Newell. Today, Robin talks about library director and board relations, leadership training, and different avenues of learning and collaboration that professional organizations can provide.

Dan welcomes Lacie Griffin, Johnson County Library Collection Development Manager, and we get to learn about how collection development works in a large multi-branch library system. Also, Lacie lends her informed perspective on digital content, and how streaming services are problematic; you cannot borrow the Mandalorian from your library (though considering how season 3 is playing out, you may not want to). All this and more in our latest Unbound episode!

This time on Unbound, Anna and Dan chat with Autum Friedli, Public Services Supervisor at Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. Listen in to hear about the difference between reader engagement and readers' advisory, witches imprisoning librarians, knowing the collection "front, back, and sideways", community partnerships, NoveList, and TSCPL's The Bookmark podcast. Also, be sure to check out the new season of The Bookmark podcast for great reading suggestions: https://tscpl.org/books-movies-music/bookmark-podcast.