The Library Pros

In this installment of the TLP, Chris has a chat with Trina Leigh Walker and Zindzi Cresswell covering library consultancy. Thanks to Matt Finch for connecting us all. It starts with the proper way to pronounce “Carnegie” (yes, Chris gets it wrong), working in the information world, and how important a strategic plan is. Continuing with the idea of that strategic plan, how does any project that the library undertakes fit with that plan. Trina and Zindzi also talk about how important it is for consultants to speak to include the staff, the board, administration and, yes, even the public with designing a new service or revamping how a library does business. It is also very important to understand what the definition of “return on investment” is for each particular institution. And we explore if consultants are also therapists!!

Chris had the opportunity to converse with Essraa Nawar, Assistant Dean for Library DEI Initiatives and Development, recognized in Forbes Arab American Heritage, Top 40 Women of Egypt, 125 Most Influential People in OC, and Women of Influence in O.C. Top 30 Egyptian Women Abroad. Essraa delves into unconventional perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), underscores the significance of fundraising for libraries, shares insights from her beginnings in Egypt, and discusses the technological advancements that inspire her.

On this installment of the podcast, Chris speaks with the founder and President of Hoopla Digital, Jeff Jankowski. Jeff talks about Hoopla’s birth with Midwest Tapes, his origin story along with how Hoopla curates and optimizes their products along with digital equity and so much more!

What an amazing time with Melissa Taylor, Manager of the Center for Innovation at the Fayetteville Public Library in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Melissa shares about her corporate sponsorships with Walmart, JB Hunt and Tyson foods. Chris and Bob learned about all of the offerings in this beautiful facility and how Melissa keeps it all running, how it was started, the various spaces they have (2 sound recording studios and a podcast booth – and that is just the beginning) and their Maker to Market Cohort! So much to unpack in this episode including falling in love with librarianship!

In this installment, the fellas were lucky enough to have Aaron Whitfield on the podcast. Aaron spoke about all Aaron has accomplished in his time in Libraryland along with being a BIPOC and what that is like in todays world. He also talks about the importance of “MU FA LI” in his life, his writing and music. Aaron talks about the power of positive work culture, his love of Mark Lomax II he even shares something about his famous babysitter!

Joining Chris and Bob is David Ecker from Stony Brook University. Dave is a repeat guest and its always great to speak to him. Dave spoke about being library “technologists”, time management for managers, how AI can help makerspaces and that dirty world in Libraryland “CHANGE”. Dave has a new book out entitled Leadership Takes Courage: How to Master Leadership and how to foster entrepreneurship in students!

Joining Chris and Bob on the pod is Temara Hajjat Gastroenterologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and co host of the Bowel Sounds Podcast. Temara spoke with the fellas about what its like to go to medical school, the spark that started the podcast, the targeted listenership, the formula for the pod along with talking about Harvard Medical School’s certificate program in Media and Medicine. So sit back and relax and listen to lots of laughs with Temara!!!

This is really cool LOCAL episode for our friends on Long Island but also a great inspirational episode for everyone. Joining the podcast is Lilly Kiel from the Cutchogue/New Suffolk Free Library, Steven Alcalde from the Rogers Memorial Library and Anthony Giansante from the John Jermain Memorial Library to talk about the tech challenges working on the “East End” of Long Island (get your maps out for this one!). This episode is so inspiring because our guests talk about the combination of seasonal patrons while working in a rural community, Association Libraries and how the technologies offered are the same and varied from their colleagues “Up Island”. So sit back and get inspired by these technology professionals tell their stories!!

In part 2 of this special episode, Chris and Bob were joined by Alice Knapp, Director of the Ferguson Library in Stamford, Connecticut, Scott Jarzombek, Director of the Fairfield Library in Fairfield, Connecticut, Kate Byroade Director of the Cragin Colchester Library in Colchester, Connecticut and Scott Brill, Director of the Derby Public Library, in Derby Connecticut. The discussion continues with Alice and Scott from the large library perspective of imposter syndrome. how you should not be the smartest person in the room, learning from your staff without intimidation, being a Husker Du fan and talk about the “secret sauce”. Then Kate and Scott come in and talk about the view from the small library perspective. They talk about communicating with staff to lower anxiety, knowing policy so it empowers the librarians, new tech communications with those that are not tech inclined, how “fines free” lowers the temperature between staff and patrons and patron shame. Thanks to the Connecticut Library Association for inviting the podcast to their conference!!!

In this 2 part episode, Chris and Bob travel to Groton Connecticut at the invitation of the Connecticut Library Association to speak during their conference lunch period about mental health and wellbeing in the library profession. The fellas were joined by Doug Lord, Director of the C. H. Booth Public Library in Newtown, Connecticut and President of the Association. Topics range from work/life balance, how the profession cares too much, how libraries are part of the hospitality industry and how its ok to take a mental health day. Doug also explores how to send a positive email to staff, dealing with the stress of difficult patrons and how to have the right attitude in the field to be a good librarian.