Unbound from Northeast Kansas Library System

Anna and Dan chat with Robin Hastings, NEKLS consultant and author of Creating Generative AI Policies: A Guide for Public and Academic Libraries an ALA Editions guide, about the current landscape of generative and agentic AI and how these technologies intersect with library services, programs, and policies.

Looking for AI training? Check out the resources from AI Safety Awareness Project, https://aisafetyawarenessproject.org/.

In this episode of Unbound, Brenda Hough and Cadie Maas join Anna and Dan again—this time to reflect on a recent event they hosted: Every Book Its Reader: A Readers’ Advisory Gathering. What makes a good readers’ advisor? And what did we learn from bringing library staff together to talk about connecting readers with books? We look back at the gathering, the conversations that stuck with us, and why readers’ advisory is as much about understanding people as it is about knowing books.

Lacie Griffin returns to Unbound to chat about intellectual freedom informed by her work at Johnson County Library and being the chair of Kansas Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee. This content came from the 2026 NEKLS Trustee Training videos: https://youtu.be/jrK1eLqvfcg, https://youtu.be/krzTz7Ojy3o.

In April 2026, several library directors from small Northeast Kansas public libraries were invited to attend the IMLS Library Convening 250: Telling America's Story in Pheonix. Anna and Dan met up with this group over Zoom to reflect on their experience at the convening.

Anna and Dan are back for Season 6 of the Northeast Kansas Library System podcast. In this episode, we meet world-renowned choral lyricist Charles Anthony “Tony” Silvestri and talk about the hero’s journey, fellowship, and what these ideas can teach us about our work in libraries.

Cadie Maas and Brenda Hough join Dan and Anna to talk about a one day conference they recently held at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.

A curated slice of Focus On:, our monthly interview series with Kansas librarians in school, public, and academic roles. From playful programs to serious research, these conversations show the surprising, essential ways libraries shape their communities.

School librarian, Fallon Farokhi, has worked in primary schools as librarian and teacher, and has now transitioned to running the highschool library. She joins Dan and Anna from California to chat about her path, her work with professional organizations, and a trove of resources for the school librarian.

Lisa Wells, Executive Director of the Pioneer Library System in Oklahoma, joins Anna and Dan to talk about her 35-year journey in librarianship and what it takes to lead a system recognized for innovation and community impact. Lisa shares how staff empowerment and a forward-looking mindset have shaped PLS’s approach—from 24-hour library kiosks to data-informed services and creative community partnerships.

Lissa Staley, a Library Journal Mover and Shaker joins the podcast to talk about her career path as a community connections librarian at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Tune to hear about her recent award and what it’s like to be a community embedded librarian.