The Library is Open

In this episode of The Library is Open Podcast, we talk with Nick Tepe, Director at Athens County Public Libraries in Ohio! Nick shares his somewhat unconventional journey into the world of libraries, what is was like working at the first library system in the United States to implement Koha, and what makes Athens County Public Libraries unique!

In this episode of The Library is Open Podcast, Greg Leding—Chief Development Officer of the Fayetteville Public Library Foundation and and an Arkansas state senator—joins us to discuss Arkansas Act 372 and its potential implications for Arkansas libraries and bookstores. Greg breaks down how this act came to be, its current status, the legal actions being taken surrounding it, and what the Library Foundation is doing to support Arkansas librarians during this time. He also shares ways we can all help protect Arkansas librarians and libraries.

Support the legal fund here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/fayetteville-public-library-foundation/defend-the-freedom-to-read

Learn more about the Fayetteville Public Library foundation here: https://supportfpl.org/

Marshall Breeding of Library Technology Guides is back for another ALA Recap! In this episode, we discuss the highlights of this year's American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois. Marshall shares insights into the three different panels he participated in, exhibit highlights, and his favorite Chicago activities.

Visit https://librarytechnology.org/ to learn more about Marshall's work!

In our latest episode of the Library is Open Podcast, we are joined by TWO special guests: Azi Jamalian, CEO of The Giant Room; and Claudette Stockwell, Library Director at the Killingly Public Library ! They are here to talk about the Giant Room's "Remix the Future by & for Youth" FREE program and how you can bring it to your library!

Check out The Killingly Public Library's KPL Lit Talks podcast here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1171451

Viva Las Vegas!

In this episode of the Library is Open Podcast, our special guest is Kelvin Watson, Executive Director of the Las Vegas–Clark County Library District and Library Journal's 2026 Librarian of the Year! Kelvin shares his experience in the library world, the unique experiences of leading a large library system in an internationally-known city, leadership advice, and so much more!

In this episode of the Library is Open Podcast, we have special guest Justin Denton, Chief Information Officer at Illinois Valley Community College! Justin recently hosted a session in our Digital Defense: Cybersecurity for Libraries webinar series called "Small Budget, Big Defense: Free and Low-Cost Tools That Protect Your Library." There were so many useful tips and insights from this webinar that we thought Justin needed to come on the podcast and share more. In this episode, we learn more about Justin's journey to becoming a Senior IT Executive, what he's learned along the way, and his favorite tools to keep systems safe and secure!

Check out Justin's next session in our Digtal Defense series here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KZJ-BsIXRTCdrONWBKZINQ#/registration

The Memeing Librarian (Molly Quinn) is back on the pod!! In this episode, we talk about the Libraries and AI study that Molly conducted and generic policy template that she created. We examine some of the results of these findings, what inspired the study and policy, and how libraries can begin to assess their AI policies if they haven't started yet.

Access the study here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thememeinglib/libraries-ai-ai-policies-guidelines-sent

Access the Generic Employee AI Usage Policy here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thememeinglib/e/520821

Listen to Molly's previous Library is Open podcast episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHF1DX6pJ5Q&t=

February is Library Lovers' Month, and to celebrate, we have a very special guest on the podcast! Shedriek Battle is a library professional and enthusiast who has worked in public libraries for over a decade. In this episode, we talk about the countless reasons why people should love their local library, and how we can be better advocates for libraries and library workers.

In our latest episode of The Library is Open podcast, we're joined by David Daghita, Library Accounts Supervisor at the Lewisville Public Library! David shares about his extensive experience as a Systems Librarian, his upcoming Digital Defense Cybersecurity webinar, and tech trends and hot topics for 2026.

Resources mentioned in episode:

• Digital Defense Library Cybersecurity Webinar series
• Koha Global Bug Squashing Week
• koha-US Community Calendar

In this episode of The Library is Open Podcast, Sam Passey returns! Sam Passey serves as the Associate Dean of Library Services at Colorado Mountain College, where he leads a multi-campus team reimagining how libraries support today’s students and communities.

In this episode, Sam talks about a new webinar series he is launching with PCI Webinars called Stoplights, Roundabouts, and Leadership: Navigating the Highways and Backroads of Organizational Life & Leadership. This course will explore the “transportation map” of leadership using metaphors like freeways, speedbumps, dirt roads, and roundabouts to examine how organizational structures shapemomentum, creativity, and collaboration.

We also talk about some of Sam's greatest insights he's gained as a library leader on vulnerability, stalled progress, and building trust among teams.

With more than twenty years of leadership experience, Sam brings a blend of humor, storytelling, and practical insight to his sessions. His work focuses on building trust-based teams, aligning systems with human needs, and helping leaders replace stoplights with roundabouts, so everyone can move forward together.

Connect with Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelpassey/