Library Exchange Podcast

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 

Episode Description:

Hosts Julie Saunders and Jan Wilson reflect on Season 1 of Library Exchange, highlighting real-world strategies school librarians used to demonstrate value, expand resources, and increase equity in collections and access.

This episode shares concrete ideas, from advocacy and branding to student helpers, partnerships, shelving innovations, and reading challenges while encouraging listeners to set professional library resolutions for the new year.

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 Kannan Cangro on Instagram: @cangrolib 

Or contact her through email at [email protected] 

Episode Description:

In this episode, Kannan Cangro shares how she built a sustainable STEAM program in a busy elementary library—from leveraging a Boeing grant and simple materials like Kiva planks and math manipulatives to using micro:bits and robots. Hear practical, low‑cost instructional strategies, the engineering design process applied with no‑stakes formative assessment techniques, and tips for managing makerspace time and collaboration. Cannon also explains her inclusive true book fair model that gives every K–6 student two new books.

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 

Check out the Postcrossing program here: https://www.postcrossing.com/ 

Episode Description:

Hosts Julie Saunders and Jan Wilson talk with Laura Silver, a New York City high school librarian, about bringing Postcrossing to students. Learn how the program uses postcards to teach geography, writing skills, language use, and empathy by connecting students with people around the world.

The episode covers how Postcrossing works, classroom and privacy tips, memorable exchanges, and simple steps to start a similar passive program in your library.

More resources for student-centered letter writing projects:

American Philatelic Society: Educator Resources

https://stamps.org/learn/educator-resources

* request a free box of cancelled stamps. We have used them for inquiry lessons and art projects. Students love to add the stamps to their phone cases.

Compassion Prison Project

https://compassionprisonproject.org/services/letter-writing-campaign/

FIUTS (Foundation for International Understanding Through Students)

GlamourGals

Invites students to create greeting cards for seniors

Inclusive Schools Pen Pal Exchange

https://inclusiveschools.org/isw-activity/pen-pal-exchange/

Letters Against Isolation

https://loveforourelders.org/learning

Love for Our Elders

https://loveforourelders.org/learning

The National Postal Museum

Library of the National Postal Museum

https://library.si.edu/libraries/postal-museum/collections

Postcards: The Write Stuff

https://postalmuseum.si.edu/sites/default/files/education/pdfs/postcards-the_write_stuff.pdf

Operation Gratitude

https://www.operationgratitude.com/volunteer/anywhere/letters/

Student Letter Exchange

https://www.pen-pal.com/

Trucker Buddy (for younger students)

https://truckerbuddy.org

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.