#OnTheRoadULC: Leading Forward & Why Libraries Are Important
Ep. 01
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring Brooklyn Public Library
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.
Ep. 02
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring Los Angeles Public Library
Live from the ULC’s Annual Forum, we’re interviewing Susan Broman from LA Public about innovative additions to the area of Civic & Community Engagement through the New Americans Initiative. Focusing on community members who are navigating paths to citizenship and resident integration, this program connects people to the necessary 1-on-1 assistance they may normally have difficulty obtaining.
Ep. 03
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring San Francisco Public Library
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.
Ep. 04
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring Hartford Public Library
Hartford Public Library, building upon a strong framework of immigrant community programming, designed a program to address educational and training gaps within their community. By developing programming centered around procuring sustainable employment, soft skills, and knowledge of workplace rights, they are leading their community on the path of upward economic growth.
Ep. 05
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring Lexington Public Library
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.
Ep. 06
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring DC Public Library
In an effort to help their community preserve personal memories in our increasingly hi-tech world, DC Public Library developed the Memory Lab Network to help patrons digitize their records. Listen in to gather details on their implementation process and reception not only in their community, but across the country.
Ep. 07
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring Austin Public Library
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
Ep. 08
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring Pima County Public Library
This Library Restorative Practices for Youth program grew out of the realization that the Library was treating high-needs youth as adults, resulting in suspensions that were in direct contrast with Library values.
Ep. 09
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library
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!
Ep. 10
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring San Jose Public Library
San José Public Library’s Partners in Reading program gives adults reading below ninth grade a chance to become better readers and published authors with their Empowerment Through Writing program.
Ep. 11
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring Spokane Public Library
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.
Ep. 12
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring Ottawa Public Library
Ottawa Public Library launched an eBook platform dedicated to bestselling titles for one week loans and no holds to improve the availability of high demand eBook titles for a higher return on investment with a fixed budget.
Ep. 13
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring San Mateo Public Library
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.
Ep. 14
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring Edmonton Public Library
Edmonton Public Library created a powerful connection with indigenous communities through its Voices of Amiskwaciy digital public space.
Ep. 15
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring Kansas City Public Library
Responding to several accidental shooting incidents involving children, Kansas City Public Library partnered with local organizations to provide firearms safety education for the community.
Ep. 16
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring Providence Public Library
Providence Public Library helps adults and teens discover new technology skills through its Rhode Coders and Data Navigators programs.
Ep. 17
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring Broward County Libary
Broward County Library launched BCLFit Wellness Center to nurture a healthy lifestyle for families living near library branches located in food deserts.
Ep. 18
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring Howard County Library System
By combining a wide array of tools with lessons and demonstrations, Howard County Library System is offering new learning experiences for the community through their DIY Education Center.
Ep. 19
#OnTheRoadULC: Featuring Montgomery County Public Libraries
Working towards a common goal, Montgomery County Public Libraries capitalized on collaboration and brought the REAL program to life.
Ep. 20
#OnTheRoadULC: (ULC) President & CEO, Susan Benton
Tune in as we interview the President and CEO of Urban Libraries Council, Susan Benson, on the powerful library innovations that are impacting lives and raising up communities.
ABOUT #OnTheRoadULC
This season, inspired by the Urban Library Council's Annual Forum theme,
Season 5: Leading Forward & Why Libraries Are Important
Ep. 01
#LibrariesMatter: The Importance of Libraries Today
Join us for the launch of Season 5 as we tackle the viral discussion of libraries vs amazon and why "leading forward" matters.
Ep. 02
#LibrariesRespond: Stepping Up In Times of Crisis
Libraries today are so much more than a place to find a new book. These public safe spaces are stepping up in their communities in a big way. From fighting homelessness to saving lives, libraries stand on the frontlines of public good.
Ep. 03
#LibrariesTransform: When Libraries & Democracy Collide
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.
Ep. 04
#LibrariesRock: Serving the Needs of Your Local Community
Gone are the days when libraries could take a "cookie-cutter" approach to their community programming and outreach. Tune-in as we discuss the hyper-local drive towards engagement being embraced by libraries all over the country.
ABOUT SEASON 5
This season, inspired by the Urban Library Council's Annual Forum theme,
Season 4: What I Didn’t Learn in Library School
Ep. 01
The Unusual and Interesting
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.
Ep. 02
The Awe-Inspiring and Motivational
The antithesis of Episode 1, as a gathering place of knowledge and information, inside the hallowed walls of our libraries we often see humanity at its best.
Ep. 03
The Things That Make It Worthwhile
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.
Ep. 04
The 1 Thing I’d Tell Future Librarians
While there’s plenty to share with the next generation of librarians, we’ve heard some sage advice from a few of you, more than enough to power the final episode this insightful season.
ABOUT SEASON 4
Pretty sure 70s rockers, The Faces, had librarians in mind when they wrote, “Ooh La La”. In this season, we joined our experiences with those of our fellow librarians to discuss some of the things we never learned in library school. Time to share with the whole class.
Season 3: How Libraries Relate in a Politicized World
BONUS EPISODE
Seattle Public Library at PLA 2018
Hear the inside scoop on how Seattle Public Library created community-based partnerships to support families concerned about the loss of their culture and language.
Ep. 01
Library Neutrality: Tangible Goal or Unattainable Pipedream
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?
Ep. 02
Fake News, Infoliteracy, and the Librarian
When news comes with two sides it can be a slippery slope. Add in community-built “reference materials” like Wikipedia, and the need for trustworthy and critical resource evaluators is vital to ensuring infoliteracy.
Ep. 03
The Golden Rule of Librarianship
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?
Ep. 04
How Politics Shape Everything
So much of what we think we know is perceived through a political lens—education, women’s rights, even public library funding. How can libraries respond to this social shift without losing the integrity of their missions?
ABOUT SEASON 3
Life in the information age—preceded by the 24-hour news cycle and the internet—has made the job, gatekeeper of information, more difficult than ever. While improved access has its merits, it has also fragmented our communities. These episodes discuss the role of librarian in an often politicized world.
Season 2: Positively Impacting Your Adult Community
Ep. 01
The Gig Economy: Supporting Patrons Seeking Nontraditional Work
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?
Ep. 02
Escapism: Reading to Relax and Recharge
For many of the busy adults in your community, escapist fiction offers a healthy distraction from their daily stresses. A good book is a welcome break that puts a little distance between patrons and their problems.
Ep. 03
Innovative Library Programs & Collections
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.
Ep. 04
Libraries Supporting Communities
Inspiring communities. Aiding patrons after disasters. Providing overlooked resources. As true assets to the community, librarians are a guiding light and can do so much more than refer patrons to great literature.
ABOUT SEASON 2
While the world is changing faster than ever, many librarians may find themselves asking how they best serve their adult patrons in a seismic information landscape. By infusing collections with resources covering contemporary topics supported by relevant programming, we can give adult patrons the resources they need to positively affect their communities in turbulent times.
Learn More.
Season 1: Developing Sweet and Savvy Kids
Ep. 01
Media and Information Literacy for Young People
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.
Ep. 02
Empowered Kids: Young Activist Authors
Today’s kids are out to change the world and the power to do so is in the palms of their hands. With just a smartphone they become content creators, information managers and distributors. You can help them succeed.
Ep. 03
Windows & Mirrors
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.
Ep. 04
Social & Emotional Learning
Developing constructive social and emotional behaviors in kids is an essential part of the library mission. The guidance to do so most effectively can be found through specialists, working with organizations, and books.
ABOUT SEASON 1
From fake news to youth activism, we explore some of the important issues facing young people today and how youth librarians and media specialists can help them navigate their way through it all. This library podcast also touches on social and emotional learning as well as diversity in publishing. More than ever before, today’s kids have the power to change the world. As proud supporters of their endeavors, we hope this series will help add dialogue in their cause.
