Two Librarians and a Microphone

We are hitting the road and taking our listeners to the 2018 Urban Library Council Annual Forum in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us as our hosts interview the Top Library Innovators, starting with Brooklyn Public Library's Teacher Lab. Learn how this program was developed over time and most importantly, how your library can create this type of teacher education in your own community.

When San Francisco Public Library recognized approximately 50% of 3rd and 4th graders in their community were not reading at grade level they decided to step up immediately. Tune in to hear how they have not only assisted students in increasing their grade-level reading competencies, but how the library has also engaged millennials in their volunteer programming to meet an urgent need in their community.

Lexington Public Library in Kentucky doesn’t let a snow day stop them from getting the job done. Listen in as they give details on how to banish snow day boredom with fun, indoor activities that can be replicated by parents and library peers with ultimate ease.

As a public awareness tool, social media can be used to assist libraries with awareness, visibility, and exposure. Tune in to hear how Austin Public Library’s citizens proactively raised awareness of the public library through their Social Media Ambassadors program. #APLambassador

Tampa-Hillsborough overhauled its existing, antiquated staffing model to reflect the realities of today’s services. Tune in to hear how they empowered staff, increased customer satisfaction, and saved $780,000!

Move over Jimmy Fallon! Spokane Public Library received the Top Innovator award in the Customer Experience category with their “late” night talk show, Lilac City Live.

San Mateo Public Library developed and led a County pilot program to replace annual performance reviews with a new, measurable method of continuous, open communication that empowers and motivates their many employees.

Responding to several accidental shooting incidents involving children, Kansas City Public Library partnered with local organizations to provide firearms safety education for the community.

Broward County Library launched BCLFit Wellness Center to nurture a healthy lifestyle for families living near library branches located in food deserts.

Working towards a common goal, Montgomery County Public Libraries capitalized on collaboration and brought the REAL program to life.

Join us for the launch of Season 5 as we tackle the viral discussion of libraries vs amazon and why "leading forward" matters.

Join us as we discuss how libraries successfully promote democracy. Our democratic process has always been served by the existence of public libraries. By offering free and open access to information, libraries offer assistance to everyone, everywhere.

Your library community represents a colorful patchwork of personality types, which can often result in some pretty remarkable occasions never covered in the class syllabus.

In-between the unusual and inspirational, every so often we come across those real gems, the patron interactions, community events, or lessons from #TheLibraryLife that remind us all why we love it so.

In today’s modern world the neutral librarian might just as easily find themselves in Sir Thomas Moore’s Utopia. Is neutrality something to be strived for? Is it possible? Or should libraries embrace their opinions?

The 2016 election turned up the heat on an already simmering political climate. What can libraries do to promote civil discourse—in the home, at schools, and in the workplace—when at high levels those lessons are lacking?

Bloggers, vloggers, ridesharing drivers—a host of nontraditional career opportunities now occupy the space of independent and temporary work. What resources can libraries provide those involved or interested in picking up a gig?

From catching on to crazes such as Pokémon Go to partnerships with AARP, creating innovative programming for your community is a great way to build relationships, offer much needed services, and find amazing success.

Information overload is an all too real problem. With so many avenues at their disposal, getting the right information to kids actively forming perspectives and opinions about the world is crucial to our future.

Why is diversity in kid’s publishing important? Several programs can help you build diversity and inclusion into your children’s collections, to shine a brighter spotlight on underrepresented ethnicities and cultures.