Stump the Librarian

By Kent District Library

What's Stump the Librarian about?

Welcome to Kent District Library’s Stump the Librarian Podcast where your friendly neighborhood librarians put their research skills to the test answering questions from you, the listener! Jill and Liz every other Wednesday to learn new and exciting information. Think you have a question that can stump us? Visit www.kdl.org/stump to submit a question of your own!

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Stump the Librarian episodes:

06.26.2024
Episode 56 Busy Bees or Playing Possum
Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “How do bees make honey?” and “How does a possum play dead?” You can send us your question at KDL.org/stump or email us at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from...
06.12.2024
Episode 55 Feeling Queasy
Feeling Queasy Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions, “Why is there a metric system and an imperial system?” and “Why do people get seasick?” We also share a fact of the day about fast airplanes and recommend a...
05.29.2024
Episode 54 The Chonk King
Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Why doesn’t gravity work on balloons?” and “How do you make money when I don’t pay the library?” You can send us your question at KDL.org/stump or email us at [email protected]....
05.15.2024
Episode 53 Potty Training for Astronauts
Potty Training for Astronauts Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions, “How do astronauts go to the bathroom in space?” and “What causes thunder and lightning?” We also share a fact of the day about diamonds and an awesome...
05.01.2024
Episode 52 Animal BFFs and Bubbles!
Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Do animals make friends?” and “How do bubbles work? Why are they always round?” You can send us your question at KDL.org/stump or email us at [email protected]. We look forward to...
04.17.2024
Episode 51 Just My Luck!
Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions, “Why are ladybugs and four-leaf clovers lucky?” and “Why do some foods taste salty and some taste sweet?” We also share a fact of the day about mapmaking and several heartwarming...
04.03.2024
Episode 50 Color Conundrums
Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions, “Where do bruises come from and where do they go?” and “What causes the Northern Lights?” We also share a fun fact of the day about crodile tears and non-fiction graphic...
03.20.2024
Episode 49 A Very Hairy Episode
A Very Hairy Episode Join Jill & Liz as they answer the questions, “Why do we have eyebrows?” and “Why do cats purr?” We also share a fact of the day about knocking on wood and a powerful book recommendation. To...
03.06.2024
Episode 48 Koala Criminals
Koala Criminals Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions, “Why do we have fingerprints?” and “Why can't I remember being a baby?” We also share a fun fact of the day about tickles and a new book by Lisa...
02.21.2024
Episode 47 430 Million Hiccups
Join Liz & Jill as they answer the questions, “What makes the colors of a sunset?” and “Why do we hiccup?” We also share a fact of the day about clouds and a magical book recommendation. To submit your own...
02.07.2024
Episode 46 Slime Time
Join Liz and Jill as they answer the questions “Do cats and dogs see all the colors or just black and white?” and “Are snails born with shells? Do they use the same shells their whole lives?” We also share...
01.24.2024
Episode 45 Pizza Stomach
Pizza Stomach Join Liz & Jill as they answer the questions, “What do you tells actors before a show?” and “Are cows the only animal with more than one stomach?” We also share a fact of the day about giraffes and...
01.10.2024
Episode 44 Animal Toolbox
Join Liz and Jill as they answer the questions “Why do seasons change?” and “What animals besides Otters and Chimpanzees use tools?” We also share a fun fact about Animal Bffs and a sad book called Efren Divided. To submit...
12.27.2023
Episode 43 Slithering Snakes & Octopus Escapes
Slithering Snakes & Octopus Escapes Join Liz and Jill as they answer the questions, “How do worms/snakes move without bones?” and “What is the smartest animal?” We also share a fact of the day about dinosaurs and a suspenseful book recommendation....
12.13.2023
Episode 42 The Cookie Episode
Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions, “What is the origin of Christmas Cookies?” and “What was the first cookie cream brand?” We also share a fun fact of the day about a Troll Museum and a graphic...
11.29.2023
Episode 41 The Need for Speed
Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions "What is the fastest mammal?" and "What percentage of bodily loss does a starfish need to die?" To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you! Concerning...
11.15.2023
Episode 40 We’re Feeling Sleepy
Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions, “How are cotton candy grapes made?” and “Why do we need sleep?” We also share a fun fact of the day about bones and a dragon book recommendation. To submit your...
11.01.2023
Episode 39 The Platypus’ Spur of Doom
Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions, “Is there water in a water tower?” and “What is up with the duck-billed platypus?” We also share a fun fact of the day about guinea pigs and a super quirky...
10.18.2023
Episode 38 A Flamboyance of Flamingos
A Flamboyance of Flamingos Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions, “Why is cheese different colors?” and “Why do flamingos only eat upside down?” We also share a fun fact of the day about the Atlantic Ocean and...
10.04.2023
Episode 37 Exploding Ants
Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions, “How are ants so strong?” and “To which family of animals is the red panda most closely related?” We also share a fun fact of the day about toe-wrestling and a...
09.27.2023
Stump the Librarian Season 4
Welcome to Stump the Librarian a podcast where two librarians answer questions from YOU the listener! Submit your question at KDL.org/stump and follow this podcast to get all the season 4 episodes straight to your listening device.
06.21.2023
Episode 36 Old Stuff and Expensive Stuff
Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “How old was the oldest person to live?” and “What is the most expensive book ever sold?” We also give an ocean fact of the day and recommend the book Lupe...
06.07.2023
Episode 35 Don’t Eat Fireflies
Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions, “Do fish get thirsty?” and “How do lightning bugs light up?” We also share a fun fact of the day about the Philippines and a #1 nonfiction book recommendation. To submit...
05.24.2023
Episode 34 Poop Cubes
Join Liz and Jill as they answer the questions “What dogs are hypoallergenic?” and “Why do wombats poop cubes?” We also recommend the book “Willodeen” by Katherine Applegate and talk about memorable birthdays. To submit your own question go...
05.10.2023
Episode 33 Crashin’ Caps
Join Liz and Jill as they answer the questions “Why are the tops of some waves white?” and “What is the busiest airport in the world?” We also recommend the book “Willowdeen” and share a fact of the day about...
04.26.2023
Episode 32 This Episode is Creepy
Join Liz and Jill as they answer the questions “How does wind work?” and “what are cobwebs?” We also recommend the book “The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels” and share a fact of the day about spiders. To submit your...
04.12.2023
Episode 31 Worm Tongues?!
Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions, “Do worms have tongues?” and “Which animals have opposable thumbs?” We also share a bat fact of the day and a historical fiction book recommendation. To submit your own question, go...
03.29.2023
Episode 30 Cartoons Matter!
Join Liz and Jill as they answer questions from YOU the listener. This week we’re answering “Are cartoons matter?” and “What is the difference between coffee beans and cocoa beans?” To submit your own question go to KDL.org/Stump or email...
03.15.2023
Episode 29 Oh Sail Can You Sea
Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Can a sailboat sail forever with a fan?” and “How do cruise ships stay afloat?” We also share a boat fact of the day and a storytelling book recommendation. To submit...
03.01.2023
Episode 28 Jill Vs the Volcano
Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “How come people don’t have to pay for books at the library?” and “How do volcanoes happen?” To submit your own question go to KDL.org/Stump or email us at [email protected] We...
02.15.2023
Episode 27 Duck, Duck, Dragon!
Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Who invented Sign Language” and “How do different countries celebrate Lunar New Year?” We also share an animal fact of the day and a classic book recommendation. To submit your own...
02.01.2023
Episode 26 POPCORN!
Join Jill and Liz as they tackle the questions "Why do we eat popcorn at the movies?" and "How do tornadoes happen?" You can submit your own questions too! http://kdl.org/stump Or email us at [email protected] Regarding Movie Popcorn: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/why-do-we-eat-popcorn-at-the-movies-475063/ https://www.cretors.com Action!: how movies began McCarthy...
01.18.2023
Episode 25 My Nocturnal Gerbil
Join Jill and Liz as they tackle questions about nocturnal animals from a Girl Scout Troop. To submit a question of your own go to KDL.org/stump. We can't wait to hear from you! Regarding Nocturnal Animals https://www.activewild.com/nocturnal-animals/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nocturnality Guess the Animal Sound Game |...
01.04.2023
Episode 24 Ice Cream Dream
Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “How does a credit card work” and “How can I control my dreams?” We also share an ice cream fact of the day and a slightly spooky book recommendation. To submit...
12.21.2022
Episode 23 SNOW Much Fun
Join Jill and Liz as they answer questions from YOU, the listener. Today we are answering the questions “What is a down in football? and “How does different weather happen?” Check it out to see if you can stump us!...
12.07.2022
Crafting with Cat Hair
Join Courtnei and Jill as they answer questions from YOU, the listener. Today we are answering the questions “What is the weirdest book you’ve seen?”, “How do I stay entertained in math class?”, and “Who invented books?” Check it out...
11.23.2022
Episode 21- Falling?!
Welcome to season three of Stump the Librarian! Join Courtnei and Jill as we tackle your toughest questions. Today we are answering the questions “How far do you have to travel in a space rocket before you lose gravity?” and...
05.18.2022
Episode 20 - Puppets in the Blue Skies
It’s the season finale of Stump the Librarian! The podcast where YOU the listener, attempt to Stump Librarians Courtnei and Emily, with a little help from the Librarian-behind-the-computer, Jill. Tune in this week to hear why the sky is so...
05.04.2022
Episode 19 - The Potential Energy of a Teddy Bear
Well, hello! Just your favorite friendly neighborhood librarians back with another information-packed episode of Stump the Librarian! This episode is a wild one, let me tell you! First, we start off with the very-sciencey question, “Is there a limit to...
04.20.2022
Episode 18 - Fighting Crickets
Stump the Librarian is here with a special 4th grade takeover episode! This week join librarians Courtnei and Emily, with a little help from the librarian behind the computer, Jill as they tackle questions from Mrs. Blanchard’s 4th grade class...
04.06.2022
Episode 17 - Jaguars and Jolly Ranchers
Your favorite friendly neighborhood librarians are back with another information-filled episode of Stump the Librarian! In this episode, our librarians prove that they will try their best to answer any and every question they get! And will always go a...
03.23.2022
Episode 16 - Do You Bite Your Ice Cream?
Was the last episode a little too gross for you? Or not gross enough? Either way, we toned things down a bit this episode to talk about teeth, giraffe necks, and everyone's favorite frozen treats! Join your fearless podcasters Courtnei...
03.09.2022
Episode 15 -Ew, That’s Gross
Stump the Librarian Episode 15 – Ew, That’s Gross It’s the gross out episode of Stump the Librarian podcast where we explore all things icky! Join librarians Courtnei and Emily, with a little help from the librarian behind the screen Jill...
02.23.2022
Episode 14 – To Great Heights (not by flying)
Your friendly neighborhood librarians are back at it, answering questions from listeners, like you, in episode 14 – To Great Heights (not by flying). In this episode, our librarians, Courtnei & Emily, with a little help from the librarian behind the...
02.09.2022
Episode 13 - Flying Paper Airplanes to the Moon
Welcome to the third episode of season two of Stump the Librarian! Join Courtnei and Emily, with a little help from Jill, as they tackle three questions in this episode. Does the Earth’s moon have a name? How far can...
01.26.2022
Episode 12 - Spinning is NOT for the Faint of Heart
Welcome to the second episode of season two of Stump the Librarian! Join Courtnei and Emily, with a little help from Jill, as they tackle three questions in this episode. What causes earthquakes? Why do we get dizzy when we spin? Do...
01.12.2022
Episode 11 - Who Toots?
Welcome to the first episode of season two of Stump the Librarian! Join Courtnei and Emily, with a little help from Jill, as they tackle three questions in this episode. Why is New York called the Big Apple? How did...
12.20.2021
The Minisode - All About KDL
Hello Friends and Listeners!! Your friendly neighborhood librarians are back with a quick episode to answer some questions about our library system, Kent District Library. If you’ve ever wondered how many books KDL has or how we came to be...
11.17.2021
Episode 10 - Our Brains Are Full
Well friends you’ve made it to the last episode of the first season of Stump the Librarian! Join Courtnei and Emily, with a little help from Jill, in this episode as they tackle three questions that may or may not...
11.03.2021
Episode 9 - We Know Too Much (About Ticks)
Join your friendly neighborhood librarians Courtnei, Emily, and Jill as we answer these extra interesting questions. So grab a nice hot beverage and sit back to listen to our latest episode where we answer these hard-hitting questions: How do they move houses from place to...

What's Stump the Librarian about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Stump the Librarian episodes:

Episode 56 Busy Bees or Playing Possum

Episode 55 Feeling Queasy

Episode 54 The Chonk King

Episode 53 Potty Training for Astronauts

Episode 52 Animal BFFs and Bubbles!

Episode 51 Just My Luck!

Episode 50 Color Conundrums

Episode 49 A Very Hairy Episode

Episode 48 Koala Criminals

Episode 47 430 Million Hiccups

Episode 46 Slime Time

Episode 45 Pizza Stomach

Episode 44 Animal Toolbox

Episode 43 Slithering Snakes & Octopus Escapes

Episode 42 The Cookie Episode

Episode 41 The Need for Speed

Episode 40 We’re Feeling Sleepy

Episode 39 The Platypus’ Spur of Doom

Episode 38 A Flamboyance of Flamingos

Episode 37 Exploding Ants

Stump the Librarian Season 4

Episode 36 Old Stuff and Expensive Stuff

Episode 35 Don’t Eat Fireflies

Episode 34 Poop Cubes

Episode 33 Crashin’ Caps

Episode 32 This Episode is Creepy

Episode 31 Worm Tongues?!

Episode 30 Cartoons Matter!

Episode 29 Oh Sail Can You Sea

Episode 28 Jill Vs the Volcano

Episode 27 Duck, Duck, Dragon!

Episode 26 POPCORN!

Episode 25 My Nocturnal Gerbil

Episode 24 Ice Cream Dream

Episode 23 SNOW Much Fun

Crafting with Cat Hair

Episode 21- Falling?!

Episode 20 - Puppets in the Blue Skies

Episode 19 - The Potential Energy of a Teddy Bear

Episode 18 - Fighting Crickets

Episode 17 - Jaguars and Jolly Ranchers

Episode 16 - Do You Bite Your Ice Cream?

Episode 15 -Ew, That’s Gross

Episode 14 – To Great Heights (not by flying)

Episode 13 - Flying Paper Airplanes to the Moon

Episode 12 - Spinning is NOT for the Faint of Heart

Episode 11 - Who Toots?

The Minisode - All About KDL

Episode 10 - Our Brains Are Full

Episode 9 - We Know Too Much (About Ticks)