Hamden Library Podcast

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To celebrate the end of the year, we asked our staff to talk about something they loved in 2023: a book, an album, an event - anything that stood out as superlative. Here are their picks. 

What did you like best in 2023? Email us at [email protected] and we'll read the best submissions in a future episode!

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This month we are recognizing Native American Heritage month with two interviews. Ryan spoke to David Eichelberg, a member of the Mohegan tribe who specializes in outreach and is also doing a special program with the library later this month (check our website for more details). Ariana talked with Matthew Makomenaw, enrolled member of the Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Assistant Dean of Yale College and Director of Yale’s Native American Cultural Center.

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Have you ever wondered about the history of Hamden? I interviewed town historian Dave Johnson about town origins, trolleys, the Leatherman's cave, and more. Also in this episode, hear from a 102-year-old woman who grew up in Hamden, rode the trolleys, and went into the Nurse Corps during World War II. Plus, Ryan and I talk books and a new kind of library program!

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In this special bonus episode, Ariana talks to Kayla Del Biondo about mindful journaling. Look for Kayla's 3-part program series this summer at the Library!

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It's a very busy month in Hamden and at the library. In this episode, we talk to Jacky Forcucci, a co-founder of Hamden Pride Fest (which takes place on June 10th) and Emida Roller, the artist who created the MLK39 mural that will be unveiled before the  Hamden Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom on the 17th. Our head of technical services Jessica returns to tell us all about our new Library of Things. And Michael Wheatley spirits us away in an overview of the animated film creations of director Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.

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This month on the podcast, we talk with Connecticut-based artist Adam Wallenta and his son Makana about creating their graphic novel "Punk Taco." We've also got a roundtable discussion with three musicians on the library staff about how they think about their own creative practices and an interview with the heads of Hamden's Arts Commission and the Department of Arts, Culture, Recreation and Wellness. And lest we forget, in May we celebrate another kind of creativity - motherhood! Mike Wheatley talks about his favorite cinema moms.

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On our special Earth Day mini-episode, Ryan talks with Lynn Stoddard, the founder and executive director of Sustainable CT about helping the towns of Connecticut become cleaner, greener and more equitable for everyone.

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Earth Day is on April 22nd so this month we're talking about sustainability, reducing waste and recycling. Guest interviews include Joe DiRisi, Hamden's recycling coordinator; Rebekah Smith-Aldrich, Executive Director of the Mid-Hudson Library System; and Lorrice Grant of Haven's Harvest. We also have updates from the Seed Library and more!

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Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a public library? 

On this episode, the first of an occasional series, we'll take a peek at some things that the technical services department does, including everything that needs to happen to get books and other items on our shelves.

We also talk to reference librarian David Scanlon about digital preservation, an important topic in our field that has assumed enormous relevance now that so much of our lives are online.

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For this episode, we wanted to explore how Black history is being taught in Connecticut and in the Hamden and New Haven area. A new state law made Connecticut the first in the nation to compel all its secondary schools to offer elective courses in African-American, Black, Puerto Rican, and Latino studies.

Ryan Keeler talked to Paquita Jarman-Smith of SERC, the State Education Resource Center, who helped create the curriculum being used in these courses.

Ariana Davis spoke with Jennifer Vienneau, Director of Social Studies for Hamden public schools, along with history teacher Greg Trifone and his student Ashlynn, who gave us their perspectives on how this curriculum is being used in Hamden schools.

Finally, Mike Wheatley talked with Joy Burns, a researcher for the Witness Stones Project, an educational initiative that helps “restore the history and honor the humanity of the enslaved who helped build our communities.”