FYI: The Public Libraries Podcast

In this episode we'll hear about a successful project to revitalize the Spanish Beginning Readers Collection at the Multnomah County (Portland) Library System. The project, “Bienvenidos a la lectura” which included developing a culturally responsive collection and themed "bolsitas" (bags) of books for patrons, was designed to better serve the needs of the Latine community. In this interview, we discuss the project's development, implementation, and impact on the community, as well as strategies for creating culturally specific programs and services in libraries

"Let’s Talk Race" emerged from the Richland (SC) Public Library as a response to the tragic events of 2015, including the murders of Walter Scott and the Charleston Emmanuel AME Church shooting. In the aftermath of these incidents, many South Carolinians were left grappling with a mix of emotions—anger, confusion, and fear. As the community sought ways to process and heal, the library took a proactive approach. The library's response was to initiate small dialogue circles, providing a safe haven for conversations about race. These circles aimed to foster understanding and empathy in the face of challenging circumstances. Over time, this grassroots effort grew into a movement.

Since then, the Richland Library has organized over 250 events and community discussions, engaging more than 4,000 participants. The impact of these conversations extended beyond the library's walls, prompting the library team to create a free curriculum, designed to be utilized by libraries and groups across the country.

In this episode, we talk with Tamara King, Chief Equity and Engagement Officer, and Heather McCue, Children's and Teens Services Manager at RPL. Join us as we delve into the roots and evolution of "Let’s Talk Race," exploring how it has transformed into a platform for change—nurturing empathy and unity through candid conversations about race.

This podcast is sponsored by Craft & Hobby.

Visit https://go .CraftandHobby.com/ALA to access over 4,000 hours of content across 20 different creative disciplines. Unlock the Creative Potential at Your Library with Craft and Hobby.

On this episode we are talking about STORIES BEYOND BORDERS, a booklist created by the Chinese American Librarians Association to commemorate their 50th anniversary. Stories Beyond Borders features children's, middle grade, and young adult books centering Chinese American and diasporic voices. This celebratory reading list was formed through a collaboration between the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA) and the Young Adult Services Association (YALSA) in consultation with the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). Our guests Crystal Chen and Melody Leung were both members of the task force to create the list.

The latest edition of “The Black Librarian in America” the

seminal Black Caucus of the American Library Association

(BCALA) publication, published by Rowman & Littlefield, is the

first to be wholly edited by Black women, including Shauntee

Burns-Simpson, Nichelle M. Hayes, Dr. Ana Ndumu, and Dr.Shaundra Walker—and it also features a foreword by the Librarianof Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden. This reflective and celebratory edition marks the 50th anniversary of both the first edition, edited by Dr. E. J. Josey, and the founding of the BCALA. The editors have gathered a wealth of wisdom and lived experience from the stories represented in

this volume, which are invaluable to understanding the challenges,

opportunities, and ongoing work of Black librarians in America. Inthis episode of FYI: The Public Libraries Podcast, we have the privilege of speaking with one of the editors of this important and timely book—Shauntee Burns- Simpson, Associate Director, Center for Educators and Schools, The New York Public Library.

On this episode, we discuss the history of library segregation in the Jim Crow south and the fight for desegregation. Our guests, Suzanne LaPierre and Chris Babuschak are librarians at the Fairfax County Library in Virginia and the authors of "Desegregation in Northern Virginia Libraries," Their book sheds light on the libraries in Northern Virginia during the era of segregation and the civil rights activists who fought for change. Join us as we gain valuable insights into this important part of library history.

In this episode, we chat with Jenn McKague, an Outreach Services Librarian at the Salt Lake County Library, who is dedicated to serving persons who are incarcerated and those who have been incarcerated. Jenn shares her background, the services she provides, the challenges she faces, and more in a candid and informative conversation. Tune in to learn about Jenn's work and the impact she's making in the lives of these often overlooked communities.

In this episode are joined by Dr. Maria Taesil Hudson McCauley, the current president of the Public Library Association for the 2022-2023 term. Dr. McCauley is also the director of the Cambridge Public Library in Massachusetts. In this episode, we ask Dr. McCauley about her background and involvement with the Public Library Association, her experience as President-Elect and President of the PLA, and her thoughts on the increasing role of libraries in their communities. We also discuss the challenges and opportunities for public libraries in this moment, as well as Dr. McCauley's priorities during her presidential year. Finally, we dive into the recent update of the PLA strategic plan and what Dr. McCauley is most excited about as both the PLA President and a public library director.

In this episode we discuss Public Libraries and Digital Literacy, including PLA’s DigitalLearn and how a recent grant from AT & T of over one million dollars, has enabled PLA to empower more libraries to reach more people around the country with Digital Literacy training.

Our guests are:

Samantha Lopez, Manager, Marketing & Membership, PLA

Joy Osuna Benfante, Senior Program Manager, AT &T

Mary Clare Bietila, Program Manager, Programming Initiatives, PLA

In this episode our guests, Larra Clark, Deputy Director Public Library Association & ALA Public Policy & Advocacy and Natalie Ruppert, Manager, Career & Job Services Division at Kenton County (KY) Public Library, discuss PLA initiatives around workforce development including the concept of career navigators and new research examining the role U.S. public libraries play in supporting workforce and small business development. The research, conducted by Measures that Matter, an initiative of COSLA in cooperation with IMLS, provides an increased understanding of current library practices and how they intersect with existing workforce systems and identifies challenges to data collection and outcome measurement.

In this episode we are talking about the Cultural Proficiencies for Racial Equity Framework, which was approved by the boards of directors of the four partner organizations, the American Library Association (ALA), Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL), Association of Research Libraries (ARL), and Public Library Association (PLA), during summer of 2022. Our guests for this episode are Christina Fuller Gregory, Assistant Director of Libraries South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts & Humanities and Kristin Lahurd, Deputy Director, Conference Content and Engagement. American Library Association.