FYI: The Public Libraries Podcast

This episode is about misinformation. Whether it is lies about the election, or COVID-19, or conspiracy theories, we have seen just how insidious the spread of misinformation can be. Our guest is Suzanne LaPierre, the Virginiana Librarian at Fairfax County Public Library in Virginia. Suzanne has researched and written on misinformation and disinformation. You can find her work over at Public Libraries Online (www.publiclibrariesonline.org) and be sure to check out her article (along with co-author Vanessa Kitzie) "Lots of Questions about Fake News: How Public Libraries Have Addressed Media Literacy 2016-2018" which appeared in the Oct/Dec 2019 issue of Public Library Quarterly

How often do you catch yourself feeling like you are in ‘over your head’ at work? Imposter syndrome – the sense that you are inadequate for the task in front of you despite past proof of your ability – can wreak havoc on your career and keep you from taking on new challenges. It can also prevent you from sharing your unique talents and skills in ways that benefit you and your organization. But imposter syndrome need not derail your career. Those feelings of being a "fraud" can be turned into a springboard to propel you forward in your career and in your life. Join Public Libraries magazine editor, Kathleen Hughes and Youth Services Librarian Erin Collier Plummer, Seminole County (FL) Public Library, in a discussion of this phenomenon.

In this episode our guest is Jessica Bratt, Youth Services Manager at the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Public Library. Jessica began the DigiBridge partnership with Grand Rapids Public Schools, and received national recognition as a Library Journal Mover & Shaker. She writes reviews for library trade publications, serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Library Association, and on the ALA 2019 Coretta Scott King Book Award Jury Committee. She presents nationwide on “Let’s Talk About Race in Storytimes.” She was interviewed for MTV’s article “In Trump’s America, Activist Librarians Who Won’t Be Shushed.” Jessica is also currently a presenter with PLA's traveling workshop, "Social Justice and Public Libraries: Equity Starts with Us." Her newest adventure revolves around trying to balance her gaming life with motherhood.

In this episode, Larra Clark, PLA and ALA Washington Office Public Policy and Advocacy Deputy Director, and Michelle Perera, Director of the Pasadena (California) Public Library discuss the 2020 census. With billions in federal funding at stake over the next ten years, it is crucial for libraries that an accurate count is taken. Clark and Perera detail how to help your community participate, how to partner with local organizations to reach sections of the community at risk of being undercounted, and more.

PLA/ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Deputy Director Larra Clark and Emily Wagner, Public Policy and Advocacy Deputy Director discuss the publisher changes to library ebooks and the publisher embargo which led to ALA's 'eBooks for All Campaign.' Clark and Wagner further discuss how libraries are taking action, the online petition, and also detail how you can get involved.

Our guest is Cordelia Anderson, a marketing and communications consultant who works primarily with libraries and nonprofits. She is the former director of marketing and communications at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Library in North Carolina.

We talk with Oralia Garza de Cortés, Coordinator for REFORMA's Children in Crisis and Patrick Sullivan, Emeritus Librarian at San Diego State University, about the organization's efforts to provide books and storytime materials to children detained at the southern border.

We talk with Kate Coleman, Outreach Coordinator at the Hennepin County (MN) Library about the library's social services offerings, outreach, and more.

We talk with Rachelle Brandel, Adult Services Librarian at the Ferguson (MO) Public Library about PLA's 'Libraries Connecting You to Coverage' initiative and the Ferguson Library's efforts to help their community members enroll in health insurance during the Affordable Care Act's open enrollment period.

Our guest is Sarah Garbis, Service Manager Community Embedded Library Service (CELS) at Hennepin County Library. This program pairs librarians with Community Liaisons to shape library practices and extend programs and services for communities that experience the greatest barriers to library access. The collaborative staffing approach—librarians and local liaisons working together with community—draws on the expertise of each. Librarians bring program and service development skills as well as expertise navigating systems. Community Liaisons have deep knowledge of a community, its people, culture, and language as well as expertise in community engagement and development.