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

Jill does not enjoy eating salads. When the library acquired Naomi Twigden's Lunchbox Salads, she decided to be adventurous and try one recipe a day for a week. Join Matt as he learns about Jill's experience. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: World Book Online

The American Library Association has a code of ethics to guide library workers. The Code of Ethics has eight statements. In this episode, Jill and Matt talk about the first statement, including applying the ethical principles to a fictional scenario. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: Ask-a-Librarian.

Matt heard that a potential politician said library funding should be cut because no one reads anymore. That comment angered him so much that a week later he still couldn't stop talking about it. In this episode, Matt explains why he thinks public libraries provide value to communities. His top reasons have nothing to do with reading. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured Resource: Chess Club.

Say "library" and most people think "books." A bit of thought might bring up story times or internet access, yet one of James L. Hamner Library's most used services is providing opportunities for human connection. In this episode, Matt and Jill talk about how they see people's lives being made better when they interact with other humans at the library. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: Friends of the James L. Hamner Public Library

Maintaining the confidentiality of how people use the library is a foundation of professional library work. Sometimes, a library's confidentiality policy can frustrate users. Jill and Matt discuss why libraries value confidentiality and try to answer common frustrations. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: Qello Concerts

Trigger Warning: Stalking, Sexual Harassment. Public library workers, like other customer service workers, are paid to be friendly. Sometimes, library users mistake friendliness for flirting. Jill and Matt discuss their experiences with unwanted "romantic" attention. All opinions, comments, and experiences are strictly their own. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured Resource: Friends of the James L. Hamner Public Library

Matt works as a circulation assistant, a job similar to that of a cashier at a store. In this episode, he talks about what he thought the job would be like before he started and how that compares to what he actually does. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured resource: Acorn TV

Trigger Warning: Suicide. Angela and Jill explore manga, including Angela's work studying manga as a reflection of culture and Jill's thoughts on how reading manga can help people improve their reading comprehension. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured Resource: Universal Class

What is an overdue fine? What's a lost fee? Why do I have to pay for not turning in something on time when my taxes bought the item in the first place? I returned something late; am I on the library's Naughty list? Please don't hate me, I've never been late before! Jill and Matt discuss common questions about overdue fines and try to explain how they think about people who return items late. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured Resource: ProCitizen

Jill and Matt peruse new interior decorating books, butcher every name they try to pronounce, and talk about their decorating styles. Meanwhile, Matt tries to understand why Jill keeps moving furniture in the library. Feedback: [email protected]. Featured Resource: Kid's Catalog