Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 

Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 

Click this link for more information and resources provided by Jessie Storrs: http://tinyurl.com/YDFlib 

Episode Description:

Teacher librarian Jessie Storrs runs the El Centro Junior Senior High School library inside the Sacramento Youth Detention Facility, serving residents and staff with books, DVDs, and 50+ board games. She uses strategy games like CuBirds to teach SEL skills—accountability, emotional resilience, and responsible decision‑making—and runs virtual field trips tied to popular series like I Survived.

Her central goal is to inspire residents and reduce recidivism by providing consistent caring, literacy access, and community through gaming and programming.

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 

Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 

To follow Rebeca Fox:

TikTok: @thefoxreads

Click this link for more information and resources: beacons.ai/thefoxreads 

Episode Description:

Rebecca Fox, a veteran school librarian who recently moved to a high school position in Texas, shares practical strategies for building relationships with teachers and students, using input forms, creating popular book subscription boxes, hosting homecoming mum-making, and partnering on cultural programming like Día de los Muertos to make the library a welcoming, student-centered space.

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 

Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 

You can find more information about Elissa Malespina and her AI information at ElissaMalespina.com. Elissa also has an AI School Librarians newsletter available on Substack.

Episode Description:

Teacher-librarian Elissa Malespina breaks down practical, ethical ways to use AI in K-12 schools. She shares real examples using ChatGPT for content creation, NotebookLM for research organization, Canva Bulk Create for presentations, Storm for topic overviews, and Screencastify for captions. She also explains how librarians can lead AI literacy, support differentiation, and reclaim time for student-facing work.

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 

Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 

Connect with Amy @amybrownlee93 on Instagram and BlueSky or visit bibliobrownlee.weebly.com for more.

Episode Description:

In this episode of Library Exchange, hosts Jan and Julie interview Amy Brownlee, the pre-K-12 librarian in a small public school system in Kansas, about her successful grant work and teacher-study travel. Amy explains how she has secured nearly $97,000 through local and regional grants for books, STEM, technology, and professional learning.  She shares practical strategies for securing these grants through application strategies, tracking the funding, and demonstrating student impact.

She also describes several funded professional-learning trips including a Fulbright project in Ethiopia, an NEH institute on graphic novels with Comic‑Con, a transatlantic study trip to Germany, and the White House History Teacher Institute and how she brings artifacts, lessons, and cultural experiences back to enrich student learning in a small, rural district.

Listeners will leave with clear grant-writing tips, examples of funded projects, and resources to explore; connect with Amy at @amybrownlee93 on Instagram and BlueSky or visit bibliobrownlee.weebly.com for more.

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 

Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 

To follow Hajnalka Molloy, search on LinkedIn and Facebook.

For more information and resources for advocating for school libraries, visit Students Need School Libraries website at https://studentsneedschoollibraries.org.au/ 

Episode Description:

Hajnalka Malloy, president of the School Library Association of South Australia and teacher librarian at Concordia College, discusses results from statewide school library censuses showing a decline in dual-qualified teacher-librarians. She shares practical advocacy strategies aligning library work to school goals, producing annual reports, showcasing student work, using parent brochures, and building relationships with leaders and staff.

She also speaks on the importance of sharing professional research, and joining advocacy groups to strengthen school libraries and emphasize their role in teaching information literacy and supporting student learning.

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 

Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 

To follow Sharon Amolo:

Instagram and TikTok: @bybookchick

Episode Description:

In this episode, elementary school librarian Sharon Amolo (aka BookChick) shares how she designs pop‑up museums in the media center to bring curriculum to life for K - 5 students. She describes practical, low‑cost strategies - borrowing trunks from parks and museums, soliciting donations, scavenger hunts, make‑and‑take projects, and rotation stations - using examples like a toy timeline for kindergarten and a Westward Expansion museum for fourth grade.

Sharon explains scheduling, classroom partnerships, and the instructional value of hands‑on artifacts that boost engagement and advocacy, plus tips for stretching resources and tying experiences to standards so teachers buy in.

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 

Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 

Learn more about the Very Airy Library with Stan Tucker: https://www.theveryairylibrary.com/ 

Episode Description:

Hosts Jan and Julie have a fascinating discussion with Stan Tucker, a former teacher turned children's author, who shares his inspirational journey of promoting literacy and character education across the U.S.

Dive into Stan's innovative programs like the Very Airy Library and Share Your Story, designed to spark creativity and respect in young readers and writers. Join us for an episode brimming with nostalgia, passion, and the power of storytelling.

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 

Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 

Follow Mae Craddock on social media @IMCraddock or contact her at [email protected] 

Episode Description:

In this episode, we delve into the transformative role of school librarians as key players in collaborative education. Our guest, Mae Craddock, shares insights from her 26 years as an educator at the innovative Community Lab School in Charlottesville, Virginia. Learn about the interdisciplinary approach that integrates librarians into the educational fabric, ensuring every student develops essential information and media literacy skills.

Mae discusses the unique setup of her school, where freedom in learning and collaboration are encouraged, resulting in fewer discipline issues and heightened student engagement. Discover how the lateral reading technique replaces outdated evaluation methods, making source reliability a cornerstone of the curriculum.

We also explore Mae's innovative approach to library management, where books are easily accessible throughout the school, emphasizing the librarian's role beyond just resource provision. Tune in for inspiring strategies to enhance your educational environment, whether you're an educator, librarian, or student advocate.

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 

Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 

To follow Melissa Corey:

Blue Sky, Threads, and Instagram: @melissacorey

Tiktok: @melissacoreylibrary

Beacons: beacons.ai/melissacorey 

Episode Description:

Welcome to the latest episode of Library Exchange, sponsored by Capstone. In this engaging discussion, we speak with Melissa Corey, an esteemed middle school librarian from St. Joseph, Missouri. Recognized as a 2023 School Librarian of the Year finalist, Melissa shares her passion for integrating creativity and literacy in schools.

Dive into Melissa's innovative initiatives, from her renowned visual book lists that celebrate diverse literature to passive programming that captivates students' imaginations. Discover how her talents provide valuable tools for educators and inspire a love of learning in students. Melissa also shares strategies for connecting with teachers and enhancing staff wellness with engaging activities like bingo.

This episode is filled with insights for librarians and educators seeking to enrich their library programs and foster meaningful connections within their school communities.

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 

Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 

For more information about the GCPS Book Mobile Program or how you can support this book mobile initiative, visit http://www.gcpsbookmobile.org/ 

Episode Description:

In this episode of Library Exchange, we delve into the exciting world of bookmobiles and their significant impact in one of Georgia's largest school districts. With Jan Wilson, co-host turned special guest, we explore how this unique program combats the traditional summer slide and fosters a love for reading among students.

The discussion highlights how the program, which started in 2017, has expanded to include two buses and a van, reaching thousands of students each year with a variety of books. Unique in its approach, the initiative emphasizes student choice and provides brand-new books to young readers, creating valuable personal libraries.

We also learn about the collaborative efforts behind the project, with community and district partnerships driving its success. Whether through a yearly 5K or partnerships with local charities, the program continually evolves to meet the needs of the community. Join us as we explore the powerful link between accessibility and literacy and inspire new ways to engage young minds through reading.