Connections: A Podcast of the James L. Hamner Public Library

There are as many different kinds of books as there are readers, but American culture tends to think of some types of books as "real" books and some types of content as "real" reading. In this episode, Josh describes how he changed from someone who didn't enjoy reading to someone who voluntarily reads mythology.

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Featured Resource: Episode 6, "Manga: Simple, Yet Complex"

Other Resources:

• Beowulf
• The Epic of Gilgamesh
• Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales
  • Snow White and Rose Red
• H. P. Lovecraft
• I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream
• The Iliad
• The Odyssey
• Superman Comics
• VA Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired

Josh came to the library as a teenager. Now that he works here, his thoughts on the library experience have changed - maybe. In this episode, Josh tells Jill why he came to the library as a teen and how he views similar behavior as an employee. Despite Jill's frequent interruptions to pontificate on her library philosophy, Josh manages to tell his story.

The library's newest circulation assistant, Josh Baker, is working towards a career in character design. In this episode, Josh gives Jill an overview of animation styles and how a drawing becomes a moving image.

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Featured Resource: Free notary services at the library
Call for an appointment (In-person service only): 804-561-4559

Other Resources: 

• Joshua Baker Art
• The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams
• Universal Class

Religion, spirituality, faith... whatever it is called, people have questions about belief systems that are different from their own. In an effort to answer some of those questions, Jill asks Patricia Kalimah Carter what she believes as a Muslim and how that plays out in real life.

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Featured Resource: Pronunciator

Other Resources:

• Does My Head Look Big In This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah (YA F Abd)
• Why Islam

Religion, spirituality, faith... whatever it is called, people have questions about belief systems that are different from their own. In an effort to answer some of those questions, Jill asks Reverend Terry Maples, Field Coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, what his branch of Baptists believe and how that plays out in real life.

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Featured Resource: 233 Section of the Dewey Decimal System

Other Resources:

• The Angela Project
• Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Website (cbf.net)
• New Baptist Covenant
• Reclaiming and Re-Forming Baptist Identity by Terry Maples and Gene Wilder

Special Event:
Victor Haskins's Skein
Sunday, February 17, 2019
3:00 p.m.

Victor X. Haskins is a composer and educator whose music relies heavily on improvisation. In this episode, Victor explains how his music tells stories and can be enjoyed by everyone, even people with no technical or theoretical understanding of music.

Photo Credit: Josh Marcus Photography

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Featured Resource: But I Made It! Connections Episode

Other Resources:

• Victor Haskins Band Camp Website
• Victor Haskins Website

Do you want to teach music from your home? Have you ever wanted to take music lessons? In this episode, piano and voice teacher Joan Maples talks about teaching music to private students, gives advice to parents looking for a music teacher for their child, and discusses how music brings value to other parts of life.

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Featured Resource: Qello Concerts

Resources Mentioned: Virginia Small Business Development Centers

Do you know the difference between an emergency medical technician (EMT) and an ambulance driver? How old do you need to be to volunteer with emergency medical services (EMS)? Who certifies EMTs? Karen Giles, with decades of EMS experience, answers these questions and more in today's episode.

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Featured Resource: Pronunciator

Have you ever wanted to drive a truck with wheels taller than you are? Do you want to move structures that are too heavy for the highway? Do you want to do something different everyday? Do you thrive on adrenaline and danger? Do you want to use math and physics to astound the average person? No, this isn't an ad for military recruitment, it's a conversation with Tommy Gleason who had a career in heavy rigging and hauling. In this episode, Tommy talks about moving houses, towers, almost going to prison in England, and more.

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Featured Resource: James L. Hamner Public Library

Job searching is marked by uncertainty. Sometimes, it can feel like the applicant has no control over the outcome. In this episode, Jill talks about qualities she looks for in job applications and interviews, showing that the applicant has several ways to influence the process in their favor.

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Featured Resource: 650 Section of the Dewey Decimal System