Did you hear? This is Johnson County Library's podcast where we give you the inside story and share what we recommend!
Spring into collection suggestions and recommendations! Guest Librarians Piepie and Charles join host Dave to talk about the best titles, genres, and sub-genres to put a little spring in your Spring!
Check out the recommendations mentioned in this episode »
Warm up to recommendations that we know you'll love so much! Charles continues as host while Dave continues working with his team to build a new website. Charles is joined by Patron Support Specialist Kelsey and Program Support Clerk Cara to share Winter Wonders picks from our collection. But we don't stop there as Brian reads Charles' "'Twas the Night Before the Podcast"—a re-conception of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" and Charles treats us to his mad skills on the euphonium as he shares "Concerto No. 4 in F minor, Op. 8, RV 297, 'Winter'" by Antonio Vivaldi. Listen and please let these wonders brighten those dark days of winter!
Check out the recommendations mentioned in this episode »
We have recommendations to help make your fall more cozy! Charles takes the host seat and is joined by Librarians Piepie Baltz and Allie Gibler to recommend books and more from our collection that will make you feel cozy as we begin to spend more time indoors during the fall. Check out these recommendations mentioned in the episode »
Wanna get away? Join Charles, Gregg and Dave for beach-reads, summer audiobooks and the Library as a “third space.”
Subgenre Deep-Dive: MomoirsWhat’s a Momoir you ask? Well, a Memoir, as you know, is essentially a personal account of memories—it’s narrative nonfiction. A Momoir is a personal account of memories from a mother’s perspective. We invite you to enjoy another collection deep-dive with Gregg as he hosts a discussion with Kelsey and Caitlyn about a subgenre worth your time and attention: Momoirs!
There is a lot of good in Johnson County. Our schools, libraries, parks, cultural diversity and community. Those things don't happen without the vision and hard work of unsung heroes who fight the good fight and overcome odds. On this episode of the JoCoLibrary Uncovered podcast, Andrew Gustafson—Curator of Interpretation, Johnson County Museum, Arts and Heritage Center—presents the fascinating stories of three individuals who truly helped make this little corner of the world that we call home, better.
Learn about the contributions from:
Their stories are intriguing, and yet, they are Unsung Heroes!
Our Unsung Heroes Recommendations:
Charles’ Choices: Grace Hopper and the Invention of the Information Age by Kurt Beyer and DNA: Secret of Photo 51
Dave’s Double-feature: Everything Everywhere All at Once (a Kanopy offering) and Underdog
From our catalog: Unsung Heroes Reading and Website Link List
Let's Cozy Up to the Romance GenreDid you know that Romance is the most popular fiction genre out there? It's true! According to WordsRated—a research group that focuses on the book industry—romance novels sold 39 million volumes from 2022 to 2023, bringing in $1.44 billion.
This is probably not news to those readers out there trying to request some best-selling romance novels and finding long holds lists for authors like Colleen Hoover. Her books became a popular on TikTok last year, and though we now are doing a better job keeping up with demand, when it released in October of 2022 her book “It Starts with Us” already had nearly 900 people with it on hold through the Johnson County Library.
What draws people so passionately to this genre? For those who may have never picked up a romance novel, where should they start? Gregg is back with some friends who just might have the answer to those questions!
What draws people so passionately to this genre? For those who may have never picked up a romance novel, where should they start? Gregg is back with some friends who just might have the answer to those questions!
Our Romance Recommendations:
Charles’ Choices: The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen & Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston
Dave’s Double-feature: Pretty in Pink and High Fidelity
From our catalog: Romance Favorites!
“Libreria” vs “Biblioteca”Have you ever been confused by a word that looked like another word? You know, like bear and bare or idol and idle?
Today's episode of JocCoLibrary Uncovered isn't about homophones or false cognates. But it is about how words can seem like one thing but mean something else, particularly in Spanish, and especially the words "Biblioteca" and "Libreria."
We're a bit past the mid-way mark of Hispanic Heritage Month, so it's fitting that our Latino Services Librarians, Christine and German, are our guests today. They do the hard work of explaining cognates and how words that look like other words can lead to confusion.
We also discuss the confusion that comes when a person experiences a Library in one country and then moves or visits another place, and how that can sometimes influence perceptions of what Libraries are like away from home. To some, differing understandings of what libraries are and are not in other countries may affect their perception of what Johnson County Library offers patrons—and Christina and German help us clear that up.
Our Recommendations:
Charles’ Choices: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Gótico) & Our America: a Hispanic History of the United States by Felipe Fernández-Armesto
Dave’s Double-feature: visit the streaming video section of our eLibrary. On Kanopy you'll find "Guie’dani‘s Navel." And look for "Visiones: Latino Art & Culture." This is a series that explores visual art, performing arts, music and dance as a way to discover Latin American culture.
Learning Links:
Creative NonfictionIn his writing blog, Find Your Creative Muse, Dave Hood provides a great summary definition of Creative Nonfiction:
“A historical text presents the facts and causes and effects, and significance. Creative nonfiction does the same, but also adds narrative, including storytelling, dialogue, setting, character development. Writing Nonfiction History relies on an authoritative tone and is written in the third person."
In this episode, we interview Jim Cosgrove, author of the creative nonfiction title Ripple: A Long, Strange Search for A Killer. You may be familiar with Cosgrove as a nationally recognized, award-winning children’s entertainer known by young fans as Mr. Stinky Feet. He is also the author of three children’s books and Everybody Gets Stinky Feet, a collection of inspirational essays from his time as a parenting columnist for The Kansas City Star. Cosgrove spent his time during the COVID pandemic and subsequent lockdown to finish his incomplete investigative work focused on finding the killer of a family friend, Frank McGonigle. His resulting book, Ripple, is Cosgrove's story about Frank's cold case. He uncovers connections to a ruthless local crime boss and the blunders by the threadbare sheriff's department.
“Our story is no different from what a lot of families have dealt with. A child, a brother, whoever. They got murdered in a violent way that didn’t make any sense.
~Ripple, A Long Strange Search for a Killer - Jim Cosgrove
We use Jim's book as an exemplar of creative nonfiction because he walks us through his experience researching and writing. We truly get the story behind the story! We also bring in Local History Librarian Amanda Wahlmeier who walks us through regional reference resources available so you too can research the next great creative nonfiction true crime novel!
Our Recommendations:
Charles’ Choices: Dodge City: Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and The Wickedest Town in the American West by Tom Clavin & The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson.
Dave’s Double-feature: visit the streaming video section of our eLibrary: On Kanopy you'll find Capote—a biographical drama about the author Truman Capote and his writing of the non-fiction novel In Cold Blood. It details the 1959 murders of four members of the Clutter family in the small farming community of Holcomb, Kansas. And, All the President’s Men—both the movie on DVD and the book by Carl Bernstein. Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford star in this true story of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein uncovering the White House involvement in the Watergate break-in.
From our guests: search for Jim Cosgrove in our catalog and you’ll find the title we discussed today: Ripple in print, eBook and downloadable audiobook formats. You’ll also see 12 other titles by Jim—music and books for kids—which just goes to show what a diversely talented individual Mr. Cosgrove is!
From our catalog: Creative Nonfiction
A Helpful Writing Resource: Find Your Creative Muse. Learn How to Write Poetry, Fiction, Personal Essays, and More, a blog by Dave Hood.
It’s National Preparedness Month which is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. So, get prepared:
And, make sure there's a good book in that kit! Can we suggest a Post-apocalyptic fiction title?
We welcome back Gregg Winsor and friends to take a deep-dive into Post-apocalyptic fiction—a subgenre of science fiction where some disaster has occurred, and we discover IF the characters were … prepared.
Our Recommendations:
Charles’ Choices: The Passage by Justin Cronin & Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton
Dave’s Double-feature: visit the streaming video section of our eLibrary—: On IndieFlix you’ll find a 14 minute Drama/Science Fiction film from 2022 called Riley. On Kanopy under one of our favorite categories—The Great Courses—learn about Great Utopian and Dystopian Works of Literature.
From our catalog: Post-Apocalyptic Stories
Important Preparedness links:
In honor of Labor Day, we invited five staff members with very different behind-the-scenes jobs to answer three simple questions. You’ve heard the saying, “That’s like comparing Apples and Oranges” right? Well, Dave and Charles take it one step further with Apples, Oranges and Bananas. We picked staff with jobs that touch every part of the Library system—Josh: the Warehouse Manager, Patti: the Executive Assistant, Bryan: a Courier, Julie: a Training Specialist and Brian: a MakerSpace Facilitator.
"Like most cities during Prohibition, Kansas City had illegal alcohol, bootleggers, speakeasies, cops on the take, corrupt politicians and moralizing reformers. But by the time the Eighteenth Amendment was repealed, Kansas City had been singled out by one observer as one of the wettest cities, as well as the wickedest.“ - Prohibition in Kansas City, Missouri: Highballs, Spooners & Crooked Dice by John Simonson
We take a deep dive into crime in Kansas City's history. A lawless culture created before the Civil War evolved into political and criminal empires that drew the FBI's focus in what would be come decades of crime and violence.
Show notes and booklist to come.
What is the difference between thrillers and mysteries? What are good recommendations in each of these genres? Readers Advisory Librarian Gregg is back with colleagues Piepie and Bet to do a deep dive into thrillers and mysteries and titles that are a good mixup of the two genres.
Our Thriller and Mystery Recommendations: Charles’ Choice: Hell is Empty, Craig Johnson Dave’s Double-feature: No Country for Old Men and Memento in Kanopy in our eLibrary From our catalog: Thrillers and Mysteries
Bonus Episode!
In June of 2020, we produced a podcast episode about J. Robert Oppenheimer. It was part of a series we called "Author Research in Action" where we invited two guests—one an award-winning author, and the other a subject matter expert. We stepped back let them interview each other and we recorded their conversation. Considering the movie Oppenheimer—The story of the American scientist and his role in the development of the atomic bomb—is currently in theaters, we thought it appropriate to revisit this episode.
Reference Librarian Helen Hokanson hosts a discussion on the Manhattan Project and so much more. Los Alamos National Laboratory Program Manager and Senior Historian, Alan Carr is paired with author Robert J. Sawyer, who’s written a new SciFi/historical fiction/thriller called THE Oppenheimer Alternative.
Our recommendations: There are more than 240 Booklists on Oppenheimer in our catalog One of our Librarians produced a list titled: Thanks Oppenheimer! Another of our Librarians created a list that acknowledges the cultural impact of both the Oppenheimer and Barbie movies: Barbenheimer 2023
What is a hobby? Some say it's any activity you might engage in during your leisure time for pleasure. We disagree. Vehemently! We say it has to have some personal enrichment component. Why? Well mostly because we have so many great leisure time resources that we couldn't fit them into one episode!
Last month we talked about fun activities that bring you pleasure. This month, we're exploring how the library can help with your enriching leisure activities. The Librarians are back to provide a deep-dive into hobbies. Readers Advisory Librarian Helen Hokanson leads a discussion with librarian Jess Gilson, MakerSpace facilitator Lydia Perez and clerk Joyce Mitchell. They share their hobbies and introduce you to all kinds of Library resources.
Our Hobby recommendations: Charles’ Choice: Model Railroading in our eMagazine section Dave’s video recommendation: go to jocolibrary.org/elearning, scroll down to the “Great Courses” section and click: “Go to Great Courses.” You will land on the Kanopy page with all of the Great Courses categories. Loh and behold, the second row is the category “Hobbies!” Learn how to draw, cooking techniques, dog training and more! From our catalog—Hobbies
July is National Anti-boredom Month. We combat boredom with fun!
If you listen to public or community radio, or you watch PBS, you are very familiar with “The Fund Drive"—that's "fund" with a "D." We’re not going to do that! Instead, we’d like to introduce a NEW concept—an annual FUN drive—that's ‘fun’ without a ‘D’. That's right: “Fun Drive”
See, while a “Fund Drive” garners funds, a “Fun Drive” gathers what our Librarians and Patrons consider “fun"—we’re talking guilty pleasures, passions, interests, whatever you engage in just for the fun of it. We then take a deep-dive into Library programs, services and even the collection to show how the Library can help you have fun and win your battle against boredom!
It's a fun episode. Literally.
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.” – Emily Dickinson If you look up the term "hopepunk" online, the first definition offered up describes it as "A branch of speculative fiction featuring characters fighting for positive change, radical kindness, and communal responses to challenges." But, we can't just leave it at that. We need examples! Readers Advisory Librarian Gregg Winsor drops by with Josh Neff and Jo Field who share Hopepunk titles that they hope you will enjoy.
Individuals faced with temporary detention at the Adult Residential Center (ARC) in New Century, KS, rely on access to Johnson County Library materials on their road to recovery. Incarcerated Services Librarian Melody Kinammon introduces us to members of the ARC therapeutic community, Phil and Dia. They share how exploring books and using the on-site library has helped them.
Also, Youth Services Librarian Jayma Zook shares her experience with Read to Me—incarcerated parents are recorded reading aloud and the Library provides a copy of the recording and the book to their child.
It’s all part of what we call: “Outreach Services.” We uncover programs, stories and services you might not have known about.
Acclaimed author Jacqueline Woodson—who will join Johnson County Library to launch the All Together Now 2023 Summer Reading program—talks about her writing and reading with Readers Advisory Librarian Gregg Winsor. Woodson discusses how she navigates jumping between genres and audiences, her writing process, collaborating with illustrators, and connecting with communities through outreach. She even gives us a glimpse into her upcoming book!
Jacqueline Woodson's books at Johnson County Library.
Our librarians are back and this time Gregg Winsor brought a couple friends along—librarians Caitlin Perkins and Wendy Gish—to talk in-depth about their favorite weird and wild science books! "Microhistories" are a genre of nonfiction books dedicated to a deep-dive on one particular topic, like snails, psychedelics, or communication amongst trees.
Our recommendations:
Charles’ Choice:American Serengetiby Dan Flores
Dave’s Double feature: streaming video fromKanopy. Super Size Me: The Fast-Food Industry in America.
and NOVA Universe Revealed: Milky Way.
Weird and Wild Science Recommendations
It’s almost time for Summer Reading and who better to recommend kids titles than kids?! We attached googly eyes to our mighty handheld recorder and took to the stacks to ask over 20 children which books they love and what they like about them. We also asked adults what their favorite books were when they were kids. This episode is 20 minutes of pure joy that will leave you with a list of gems, and just might remind you of what sparked your interest in reading to begin with! Recommendations from our collection: Charles’ Choice: Last Stop on Market Street – Matt de la Peña Dave’s Double feature: Kanopy Kids: Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend and Kitten’s First Full Moon Library Kids on Library Books listAdults Recall Their Favorite Books From Childhood list
Welcome to our first collection deep dive episode! We begin with a genre selected by our readers advisory librarian Gregg Winsor, “Books about book lovers.” Gregg will be serving as more of a moderator for most of our future deep dives, but for today he has brought a couple friends along—Piepie Baltz and Kelly Downs—to chat about their favorites in the genre. JOCOLIBRARY UNCOVERED Podcast Collection Deep Dives: Books About Book Lovers recommended reading list.
In this episode of JOCOLIBRARY UNCOVERED, it's a deep dive into the Library's relationship with the arts.
Johnson County Library supports the Local Arts in so many ways! Start with our collection. You’ll find many types of arts books at the library – graphic design, architecture, photography, how to books, journals turned into books, knitting books. We provide exhibition spaces for artwork to be displayed at several branches and it changes out three times a year. We cohost a major film festival with the city of Lenexa. We produce a nationally renowned Teen Arts and Literature publication: Elementia featuring original work by teens in our community. And, the MakerSpace provides a space for you to be hands-on with your craft. Charles and Dave talk with Librarians Bryan and Jen about these and more.
A Kaleidoscope brings to life an endless variety of shapes and patterns. What would a kaleidoscope of sound be like? We dedicate this episode to the harmonious melody of voices, tones, music and other noises that bring the Library to life every day. Explore the world of Library sounds with us in three segments: past, present and future.
We are thankful for you our listening audience and for the many good people, ideas and things that fill our lives with coziness and "comfortable conviviality" with feelings of wellness and contentment. We dedicate the episode to warmth and thankfulness. We explore the concept of Hygge, interview two chefs to help you stretch yourself as a home cook and create delicious dishes that will make your Thanksgiving feast more flavorful, and we even interview a turkey.
A big shout out to Chef Brett Dehart who is co-owner/operator of two kitchens at a very popular food hall in downtown Overland Park. Much appreciation to Chef Kolika Simmons who is a chef and food blogger. Many thanks to them for adding their expertise to this episode! And finally, our gobs of gratitude to our gobbling thespian, Brian Berrens who played Larry the Turkey!
Our eighth annual Writers Conference will be Thursday, Nov. 17 - Sunday, Nov. 20.
In this episode, Readers' Advisory Librarian Helen Hokanson and Adult Services Specialist Lisa Allen talk about our 2022 Writers Conference. How do we choose our faculty? Do we take potential presenter suggestions? How does the in-person experience differ from the virtual version of the past couple of years? We have fun taking a deep dive into these questions and feature readings by authors Anne-Marie Oomen and Polly Alice McCann.
Our tribute to game shows continues with Library Jeopardy and Wheel of Fiction! Whad'ya know about the Library? Join former Jeopardy auditionee, Austin, as he does such a great job hosting that even Alex Trebek would be proud. Charles and Dave battle in a head-to-head Library trivia tournament of titans! Then, we bring in in Collection Development Librarian Beth and Reader's Advisory Librarians Gregg and Helen. They spin the wheel, but will it be fortune or failure as they are given book descriptions from our catalog and they're asked to identify titles? Spoiler alert, we chose really hard ones!
It's the Library Lowdown Quiz Showdown Part II!
BTW, if you missed Part I where we play Bluff the Librarian and Library Password, whad'ya waiting for?!
We love quiz podcasts and radio programs like “Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!” We also live for getting to know everything there is to know about Johnson County Library! What do you know? What do we know? Get ready for a variety of Library games! In this fantastically fun episode, we play Bluff the Librarian with Local Arts Librarian Bryan and Library Password with Matt, Patti and Courtney.
Be sure to stay until the end when we announce the winners of our at-home crossword and word search!
We love quiz podcasts and radio programs like “Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!” We also live for getting to know everything there is to know about Johnson County Library! What do you know? What do we know? Get ready for a variety of Library games! In this fantastically fun episode, we play Bluff the Librarian with Local Arts Librarian Bryan and Library Password with Matt, Patti and Courtney.
Be sure to stay until the end when we announce the winners of our at-home crossword and word search!
Extra! Extra! Hear all about it!
Did you know the Johnson County Library has a podcast? If not, this special episode is the perfect place to begin listening. By spending a mere 15 minutes with us, you too will be able to answer with a resounding "Yes!" to the question: "Did you hear?"
We discuss the annual one night only party at the Library we call: Library Lets Loose. You are not going to want to miss this festive, lively after-hours celebration and fundraiser for Library Lovers at Central Resource Library. If you are 21 years or older, we invite you to join our Honorary hosts Senia and Will Shields to enjoy food, drink, music, our MakerSpace and truly good people!
Tickets and more information:
libraryletsloose.org
Extra! Extra! Hear all about it!
Did you know the Johnson County Library has a podcast? If not, this special episode is the perfect place to begin listening. By spending a mere 15 minutes with us, you too will be able to answer with a resounding "Yes!" to the question: "Did you hear?"
We discuss the annual one night only party at the Library we call: Library Lets Loose. You are not going to want to miss this festive, lively after-hours celebration and fundraiser for Library Lovers at Central Resource Library. If you are 21 years or older, we invite you to join our Honorary hosts Senia and Will Shields to enjoy food, drink, music, our MakerSpace and truly good people!
Tickets and more information:
libraryletsloose.org
Are the kids headed back to school? We have resource for them, for the little ones who aren't quite old enough yet, for you and for anyone who just wants to learn something new! We bring in the experts with the super Librarian knowledge and skills to give you and yours an advantage. Our lineup?
eResources:
Kids:
Teens:
It's the Back to school episode. It's everything you need to know in 20 minutes!
Are the kids headed back to school? We have resource for them, for the little ones who aren't quite old enough yet, for you and for anyone who just wants to learn something new! We bring in the experts with the super Librarian knowledge and skills to give you and yours an advantage. Our lineup?
eResources:
Hope Harms, Collections – eResources Librarian. Special power? She CAN judge a book by its cover!
Kids:
Emily Devore, Youth Services. Special power? She can read four books at a time turning pages with both hands AND both feet!
Carrie Worth, Youth Service. Special power? Book teleportation. She makes an art of hands-free shelving.
Teens:
Kate McNair, Teens. Special power? Makes a mean vegan chocolate cake!
It's the Back to school episode. It's everything you need to know in 20 minutes!
Do you make? We at the Library encourage you embrace the creative process in some way by making something. What? Well, anything you want! Need ideas? You can always visit our MakerSpace. Online, we have In-depth tutorials and Circulating Maker Kits. In-person, you can make something as simple or complicated as you want with equipment available to you to make your project come to life. Try 3D Printing, CNC Cutting, Computers & Software, Electronics, Laser Cutting, Sewing and Vinyl Cutting.
Do you want to start small? Then grab some supplies and join us as our friends from the MakerSpace guide you through an exciting hands-on Make-along activity! Adults or adults with children will have fun with this activity.
Supplies:
Listen and Make!
This kid-friendly family episode explores Summer Reading 2022 in the most fun way possible. We interviewed snow cone-loving Narwhals, a dolphin with an infectious laugh, a starfish who knows he’s a star, a euphoric crab who’s not crabby at all, a jellyfish who loves peanut butter, a very deep tuna and many more aquatic creatures to get book recommendations and hear about their favorite parts of summer reading. If you’re not careful, you might just learn something about these citizens of the sea! We hope you enjoy these aquatic antics!
Check out all of the book recommendations mentioned in this episode.
Music by: Moonlight Beach by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/6671-moonlight-beach License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Chee Zee Beach by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3490-chee-zee-beach License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Beach Party by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3429-beach-party License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Today on the Did you hear? podcast, we explore MESMERIZING MEMES AND MORE (supply your own echo effect) We give you some history, the behind-the-scenes philosophy, strategy and everything else when it comes to creating social media content for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
April - Silver and Gold We asked the same 10 questions of an employee who just began her career at Johnson County Library and of an employee counting down the days until retirement. Their answers may surprise you!
Well, we've done it! We've reached the last episode in our seven-part series we've called "Discover Your Library." We saved the best for last! In this episode, we explore the collection. What better way to begin than with a reading from an author in our collection, Sierra Simone? We follow that with interviews with every member of the collection development team to reveal some things you probably didn't realize about how and why the Library chooses what to include in our collection. If that weren't enough, we hear from musical guest Alisa Jefferson!
We have arrived at part seven of our eight-part Discover your Library series. In this Did you hear? episode, we give you a behind the scenes look at our Events. Programs and Events Coordinator Joseph Keehn talks about what led him to Johnson County Library and how his job has changed over the years—including adapting to the challenge of programming during COVID. Several Librarians call in to share memories of their favorite Johnson County Library event. Author and panel presenter from our largest event, the annual Writers Conference, Nick Lopez, shares an original written work that won our 2020 Imagine Your Story Writing Contest. Dave’s a serpent and Charles is Mongoose. We get a new lead in the In Search of Paul Rudd segment. So, what are you waiting for?
Some call it Civic Engagement. We call it Community Matters! The Library has a plethora of programs, events, services and resources for you, yes you, to be a more informed citizen. Ashley Fick drops by to share her journey to becoming our Civic Engagement Librarian. We get the inside scoop on the "how," "what" and "why" behind Legislative Coffees, Civics 101, Gather at the table, the News and Views group, Librarian Research Guides and Elections.
Members of the Civic Engagement committee phone in to share why they participate on this important team and explain why community matters.
Charles talks to Community Matters book club coordinator Melanie Fuemmeler. Our music guest is Jill Westra & Them KC Boys sharing the track "Speedin' Again" and an essay from author Virginia Brackett.
Come spend an entertaining hour with us. Who knows, this might just be the episode where we finally find Paul Rudd! (Spoiler alert ... it's not.)
We're back again for your monthly Library Insider. it's the Did you hear? podcast and we are on part 4 of our Discover Your Library special. This month? The Arts!
Music, art exhibitions, writing ... we have so much to offer artists and you!
In this episode:
Art is transformative and transcendent. Let us take you away for the next hour or so.
We wanted to hear our Librarians' journeys.
We were especially interested in stories from Librarians who’ve:
Now, we used the label "Librarian" loosely. We wanted to include the stories public-facing staff as well.
This is the third episode in our Discover Your Library series of the Did you hear? podcast.
Join us for these often funny, sometimes touching and always compelling stories!
"Our Patrons" is the second in a series of seven episodes we're devoting to the theme: Discover You Library! here on the Did you hear? podcast.
Our Librarians chime in to share their favorite stories about our patrons. It's sometimes funny, often heart-warming and always interesting. Join Charles and Dave as we attempt to answer the question, "just who are our patrons?"
Exciting news! We were able to record in-person for the first time since the onset of the pandemic. Not-so-exciting news...the audio isn't perfect—we're rusty. But, listenable? Yes!
In this episode we have even more exciting news. We're introducing a 7-part storytelling series we're calling "Discover Your Library." From now until the end of the year we will be sharing stories from patrons and Librarians. We'll look behind-the-scenes of our events and our collection. We'll explore the connection between the Library and civics. We'll reveal how the Library plays an important role in supporting local arts.
We introduce you to our new series AND we play some fun getting-to-know-you games so you can learn a little bit more about your podcast hosts. Did you hear?
It's another Did you hear? podcast episode with Shannon, Jack, Charles and Dave!
In this episode, we offer closure to poetry month and suggest poetry should not be confined to a single month. We crammed this episode full—like an over-stuffed el grande burrito—with flavorful content from all kinds of tasty angles. (OK, we're not poets, but we love poetry!)
All this and more! It's the Poetry episode and it's not to be missed. When is this delightful episode available? Right now!
What do we mean by "Parents as Teachers"?
Well, parents as teachers can mean being involved in your child's K-12 education--COVID distance learning or not. But, COVID has maybe forced many of us to be a bit more involved. Whether it's homeschooling or home learning that complements traditional school, Library resources available to help. Parents as Teachers describes the role, relationship and resource of you as a critical educator.
We pursue stories loosely-related to this broad theme and have some fun as well. Be sure to stick around until the end for another edition of In Search of Paul Rudd.
The Did you hear? podcast makes its triumphant 2021 return. It's been a while since you last heard from your Library insider, but we're back! This year, we have some changes. We are now a monthly podcast. New episodes are released on the first day of each month. Also, we now have a small group of hosts who bring behind-the-scenes stories to life for our thematic episodes. This month's theme? "Things You Can Still Do at the Library." We bring you stories about Udemy, the MakerSpace, a retiree helping you make sense of mint.com and budget, and bringing famous authors to storytimes. All this and Dave has a brain glitch causing him to forget the name for the prestigious annual award for children's book illustrators (Before you scream at your phone or computer, it's the Caldecott Award.) Enjoy!
Did you hear? host Dave presented on podcasting--specifically for Libraries and nonprofits--at the Kansas Library Association's annual conference. We share his presentation as a podcast episode. Enjoy.
Here's the description we provided for the program: We believe subscribable communication is an effective and fun way to reach library audiences—even those you’d never think are podcast addicts. We want to share the lessons we’ve learned over the course of two years and counting while producing the Johnson County Library’s “Did you hear?” podcast. It’s been a twisting and turning journey. We’re ready to help you develop your own pod-voice! Find about strategies taken to engage listeners (and listeners-to-be), how to include library staff in unexpected ways, and why we don’t devote every episode to an upcoming library event. Don’t let the maze of equipment and platforms or time that might be involved intimidate you—we cover all that technical stuff too!
This is our last episode of 2020. Look for our return in 2021 with some fun changes!
Cash Bail. What is it and why are we talking about it on the Did you hear? podcast? The Library has always been engaged in the community and we're committed to serving all of our patrons. If you weren't aware of the numerous community outreach services we offer, have a look! Representing our incarcerated services, Librarians Kate and Flannery interview Lauren Worley of KC Bail Fund.
It's another 5 for 5 episode. We talk to another 5 groups of people about 5 topics for 5 minutes at a time. This time around:
We thought about adding even more goodness into this episode, but there is such thing as too much of a good thing.
We go around the Library to hear from 5 different voices for 5 topics 5 minutes at a time! We call it Five for Five. In this episode:
If this episode had any more goodness stuffed into it, there'd be an explosion of confetti.
In this episode of Did you hear? we present the winners of our Youth Fantasy Writing contest this summer. We talk about this amazing contest and hear from some of the winners. Kids from 3rd through 8th grade participated and we think you'll be impressed by these young authors.
We’ve got another “Author Research in Action” episode for you! Just a reminder--we take an award-winning author, and let them dive-into conversation with a subject matter expert! In this case, both authors did their research from inside. Inside what or where? For that answer, you just have to listen ...
We have a number of online events including gaming! What kind of gaming? Well, after watching the epic 80’s-set Sci-Fi series Stranger Things, have you become intrigued about the role-playing game: Dungeons and Dragons? In this episode, we talk a bit about online programs and invite three staffers to show Dave the ropes as they play a round of D&D!
The following music clips were used as the soundtrack to our epic adventure:
The Descent by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4490-the-descent License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Strength Of The Titans by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5744-strength-of-the-titans License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3872-hidden-agenda License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
We have an exciting Summer Reading-themed show! Our Librarians called in with several suggestions for your little ones. Also, we asked you to submit your favorite childhood titles on facebook. We mention a number of your suggestions! All the submitted recommendations, mentioned or not, are available in a catalog booklist. Before we launch into all that, Melissa Horak-Hern and Dave Carson remember our top-five childhood books!
How do authors know so much about the setting, the professions of their characters, and other real-life details? Well, they do research!
We’re pretty excited about what will be periodically recurring episodes of the podcast we’re calling “Author Research in Action.” We take an award-winning author, and let them dive-into conversation with a subject matter expert!
This time, Reference Librarian Helen Hokanson hosts a discussion on the Manhattan Project and so much more. Los Alamos National Laboratory Program Manager and Senior Historian, Alan Carr is paired with author Robert J. Sawyer, who’s written a new SciFi/historical fiction/thriller called THE OPPENHEIMER ALTERNATIVE.
We love sharing a weekly word you. This week's word, experiment, is apt for this live episode. Why? We've never done a live episode ... until Thursday, 4/30. We (the Royal we) talked to Amy about social media in the COVID-19 era, MakerSpace facilitator Thomas updates the progress they've made in helping first responders and healthcare workers, and we talk to Youth Services Librarian Becky to hear what being a Librarian is like when there is no Library building to go to. It's Did you hear? LIVE!
This is the last episode we recorded at the Central Resource Library before the stay at home order. Local Arts Librarian Bryan Voell joined Dave Carson to host local music sensation Miki P! We’re not sure which you’ll enjoy more: our interview with her, or her jaw-dropping, mind-blowing, ear-pleasing live musical performance! Plus, more of your favorite Librarians have phoned in with their best eLibrary picks and favorite author quotes.
This year elementia has gone digital due to the COVID-19 situation. But that won't stop these teen literary voices from being heard. We give elementia writers the platform to perfrom live, albeit remotely. Kate McNair interviews a few of the publication's editors and producers as well. We also hear from our Librarians as they offer eLibrary suggestions and some of their favorite young adult author quotes. This is can't miss stuff. Did you hear? We've got some amazingly smart and talented teens right here in Johnson County!
This episode has answers to your frequently asked questions that have popped up during the stay at home order. We also hear from our MakersSpace facilitators as they help take on COVID-19 by doing what they do best--making. We give you tips and suggestions about the gems you'll find in our eLibrary. A number of our Librarians called in with their eResource suggestions and offer up their favorite author quotes. We're back in a big way! Did you hear? The podcast is back!
What do you do for date night? Dinner and a movie? Couple's foot massage? A nice walk at one of our great local parks? Maybe a picnic? What if we told you there is a fun date idea that allows you to literally make memories. This episode we feature Erika and Warren who made a MakerSpace date night a regular part of their social lives. We follow their story as they go from dating, to a wedding, to creating an online shop and how the MakerSpace played an important role. Did you hear about how great the MakerSpace is for relationships?
Listen! And, have a look at all of the great items they made over the course of their relationship--including a stunning bouquet of 3D printed flowers used in their wedding!
Did you hear about the United States Census 2020? It's kind of a big deal! In fact, it's a requirement of our Constitution that every individual in the country be counted. Even if you are not a citizen, you are legally obligated to answer all Census questions.
We dive into the what, why, and how. We discuss the importance of the Census and the Library's role as a trusted partner in helping you to participate. History, geology, geography, it's all here. We even help you spot fraud:
So, did you hear about the Census?
One of our best shows ever! No lie. After listening, your life may change forever. eResources are just that big of a deal.
Embrace our eLibrary! E is for electronic. We explore our digital Library collection with special guests Hope Harms and Amy Field. If you look at our physical collection at any of our locations, think about this: we just might have that book, audiobook, magazine, newspaper, DVD in a digital format to access on your computer, tablet, phone, and maybe even your smart TV. In fact, you'll find titles in our amazing digital collection you simply won't find anywhere else! So, Did you hear about our eLibrary?
In this episode of Did you hear?, it’s a Branch Manager panel. We brought in three branch managers to talk. They compare and contrast their experiences. We take a look at the differences in service populations, facilities, resources, and more. It’s an excellent and insightful discussion.
Baby, it's cold outside. But SPRING is coming!!! And, the Library has programs that will not only warm your soul, but defrost your brain as well.
In this episode of Did you hear?, our hosts Dave Carson and Melissa Horak-Hern chat with Christopher Leitch, Ben Oglesby, and Amy Field, about what’s to come in the next few months at the Library! Spoiler alert: it's hot stuff!
At first glance we thought someone had something against furniture "No table books"??? What do you have against tables?! But then, we realized we needed to pay a little more attention to what we're reading. "Notable" not "No Table." (We apologize for that HORRIBLE joke!!!)
Our readers advisory librarian Gregg Winsor makes another Did You Hear? appearance to discuss Notable Books! Gregg, Dave and Melissa reveal this list of great books from 2019. Gregg whittled this list of 50 titles down from numerous Library staff nominated titles. Get ready to add to your “to read” list!
Go to the 2019 Notable Books list!
In this episode of Did you hear, we discuss the weird and wacky, and sometimes wonderful, things we find in the book drop. Melissa and Dave host our librarians Chris Carleton, Austin Johnson and Laura Hunt. who share their most fabulous and freaky finds, including many things used as a bookmark.
This edition of Did you hear? explores Library Hacks! Get tips, tricks, and secrets that only Library insiders know about. What's up our sleeve? Why, a Library card of course. ;)
This week on Did you hear, our hosts Melissa and Dave chat with Nick Ward-Bopp, one of our MakerSpace Facilitators, about the great resources we have in the Black and Veatch MakerSpace at Central Resource Library. But the MakerSpace isn’t just at Central - we host Maker programming at various other locations, too!
What's your house history? Realtor/Librarian/Kansas City Historian Meredith Roberson, Local History Librarian Amanda Wahlmeier, and Curator of Interpretation at the Johnson County Museum, Andrew Gustafson, join Dave Carson to discuss how you can learn the history of the home you live in or the house you're thinking about buying. Spoiler alert! The Johnson County Library can help!
Did you know that not every staff member in the Library is a Librarian? Ever wondered what the difference is between a page, a clerk, an information specialist and a Librarian? Well, when we asked folks on facebook what they wanted to know about the Library, several patrons wondered just that. Well wonder no more! We've gathered staff members who have worked a number of positions and are ready to explain what these jobs entail. Spoiler alert: No matter the position, we're all happy to help!
In our latest episode of the Did you hear? podcast we explore K-Drama. What the heck is that? Tune in to find out. Librarian Rachel Novotny talks about its history and answers some questions about the artists and explains the how and why this genre has become so popular. Get ready, we’re going inside K-Drama!
In this episode of Did you hear, our librarians Scott and Bryan talk with Melissa and Dave about the questions we receive most often from patrons. When Google stumps you, we’re here to help you search for those tricky answers. Also, cookies!
Need something to read? Do you want to try something different? We encourage you to try anthologies! What are they? Why are they so amazingly good? You must listen to discover. Guest Librarians Helen and Lisa join Dave Carson as we investigate anthologies. Lisa created an Anthologies reading list!
TRANSCRIPT
In this episode, Stephanie Neu from the Johnson County Library Foundation visits to discuss The Library Lets Loose -- our annual signature fundraising event for the Johnson County Library programs and collection. Adult Library lovers (21+ years and older) enjoy unique, interactive and creative experiences, tasty local libations and scrumptious food and drink pairings– plus entertainment from local musicians, makers and artists.
Buy Tickets Now! Plus, educators and librarians tickets are just $50 through the day of event. We’ll see you there!
TRANSCRIPT
In this episode of Did you hear, Dave Carson talks with Bryan Voell and local musician Lily B Moonflower. You’ll learn about her creativity and career, and even hear a couple of her songs. Listen to Lily's "I'm Takin' the Wheel" (:40) and "Midnight Song" (22:38).
Your WEEKLY WORD is: bifurcate, the author quote is amazing, and don't miss our minutes of Library Zen!
TRANSCRIPT
In this episode of Did you hear, Dave Carson talks with Ben Oglesby, Christopher Leitch, and Amy Field, about our upcoming Fall programming, including our Unlocking the Mind programs.
TRANSCRIPT
Information Specialist Michael Keller is a man of many lists! Colleague Ed Raab took notice and nominated Michael's Summer Camp Movie List as a topic for a podcast episode sub-genre deep dive! It's the end of summer! We understand that you'll probably need to go through some kind of grieving process. You're going to want to hold onto those fantastic summer moments! So, this fall and winter, while you’re trapped in your home, warm up to Summer Camp Movies.
TRANSCRIPT
In this episode host Dave Carson introduces Melissa Horak-Hern as the new co-host of the Did you hear? podcast! They dive into our Fall 2019 trimesterly theme for our programs: "Unlocking the Mind." They also reveal all of the amazing podcast episode topics for the next four months!
TRANSCRIPT
We're talking sci-fi!
Beth from our collections development team drops by to talk about novellas! But not just any novellas, sci-fi novellas!The conversation quickly bubbles in a brew of all things sci-fi!
TRANSCRIPT
In this episode of Did you hear?, host Dave Carson sits down with Monticello Librarians Kari and Ian to discuss all things Monticello Library. It turned 1 Sunday, Aug. 4. These loquacious Librarians reflect on Monticello's 1st year and give you a glimpse at this branch's bright future!
CREDITS:
TRANSCRIPT
Bike to the Library!
In this episode of Did you hear?, host Dave Carson welcomes MakerSpace Facilitator Nick Ward-Bopp as he brings Megan Foreman from Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, and Laura Steele from Bike Walk KC to discuss some exciting developments regarding biking to the Johnson County Library. We go in-depth into biking and our new FixIt! station!
CREDITS:
TRANSCRIPT
Are you ready to launch into Did you hear? There’s an ASTRONAUT in this episode! Host Dave Carson and Youth Services Librarian Diana Spencer interview astronaut Mike Massimino in support of our “Meet the Astronaut” event as we continue to celebrate our summer reading theme: A Universe of Stories!
CREDITS:
TRANSCRIPT
It's another inside story in this episode of Did you hear?
One of the best things about Interlibrary loan, AKA ILL, is the amount of money we save patrons who might otherwise buy CDs, books, or DVDs. Every time we borrow an item for free, a patron may save $10 - $30 or more!
Interlibrary Loan Librarian Kari Sime and her staff join host Dave Carson to demystify ILL. How does it all work? Can you borrow from all over the world? What are some of the more surprising items people have borrowed? It’s all interesting stuff as we go inside ILL.
CREDITS:
TRANSCRIPT
In this episode of Did you hear?, Dave Carson hosts Scienceteller Brock Hatton and Youth Services Librarian Jayma Zook to share the details about the action-packed and educational adventure, Aliens: Escape from Earth. Then, you’ve probably heard Youth Services Librarian Dennis Ross on KCUR recommending kids books. It turns out he’s not too big of a star for our meager podcast and suggests some great space-themed kids books! Join us as we go deep inside our Summer Reading theme: A Universe of Stories.
CREDITS:
TRANSCRIPT
K-Pop
In this episode of Did you hear? host Dave Carson welcomes Information Specialist Rachel Novotny and Gregg Winsor for a deep dive into Korean Pop -- or K-Pop. Ever wondered about its history? Have questions about the artists? Curious about how and why this genre has become so popular? Get ready, we’re going inside K-Pop!
CREDITS:
TRANSCRIPT
In this episode of Did you hear?, host Dave Carson and Librarian Mike Keller give you the inside story on what it was like to visit and work at Johnson County movie theaters back in the day! They also chat about the 4-part jocohistory series about the local chain of Dickinson movie theaters!
Then, our weekly Library Community Calendar highlight: career and finance Librarian Marty Johannes brings Karen Silins of A-Plus Career and Resume by to preview resume and interviewing events!
Plus, Dave tells ya about our bookstores!
CREDITS:
TRANSCRIPT
Drums and Improv, ELL, and Books to Go
In this episode of Did you hear? Jennifer Reeves, Chris Koppenhaver talk Let's Improv! and the West African Talking Drum (:23),
Then, we give you a behind-the-scenes listen! Our English Language Learning (ELL) Conversation Group volunteers share why they spend every weekend helping non-native speakers become proficient at English. (16:25)
Dave also tells you about our 6by6 books to go! (15:52)
CREDITS:
TRANSCRIPT
In this episode of Did you hear Bryan Voell pops by to discuss music and movies in the park with Dave. Then, Mica Elgin-Vi of Modern Day Fitzgerald joins the conversation. Dave then shares a DYI about books in español.
CREDITS:
TRANSCRIPT
In this episode of Did you hear, the Nick and Thomas from the MakerSpace introduce the new Maker Passport Program! Then we wish Cedar Roe Library a happy 50th birthday. Plus, Dave explains bookmarkable.
CREDITS:
TRANSCRIPT
In this episode of Did you hear?, The Johnson County Library Foundation drops by to promote our Stay Home and Read a Book Ball. Then, Youth Services Librarian Christina Larkins pops by with children’s book illustrator Bob Kolar to talk about his latest book: Hey-Ho to Mars We'll Go! And if that wasn’t enough, Gregg Winsor and Allison Schwartz talk teen fiction for adults!
And, our host Dave Carson celebrates book groups!
CREDITS:
TRANSCRIPT
In this episode of Did you hear?, Gregg Winsor clears up the conundrum of how mysteries differ from thrillers. But first, Youth Services Librarians Dawna Ofstehage, Michelle Ranney, and Chris Koppenhaver discuss summer reading book clubs.
And, our host Dave Carson salutes bestsellers!
CREDITS:
TRANSCRIPT
In this episode of Did you hear? Gregg Winsor and Matt Crist talk books for busy people. But first, Helen Hokanson presents our writing contest winners. Martha Gershun, Kayla Wiltfong, Tim Tankard, Mary Silwance read their winning entries!
And, our host Dave Carson gives a shout out to our blog!
Martha's winning entry Kayla's winning entry Mary's winning entry Now Presenting events in our calendar.
Find out what Matt Crist and Gregg Winsor recommend in our catalog!
CREDITS:
TRANSCRIPT
We devote this entire podcast episode to preview our summer programs! Customer Experience Communication team members help you navigate the universe of events we're offering! Amy Field, Ben Oglesby, and Christopher Leitch join host Dave Carson explore all things fun!
From Summer Reading, to an astronaut visit, to movies under the stars, to book sales, to a not-to-be-missed party ... see all the details »
CREDITS:
TRANSCRIPT
We dedicated this episode of Did you hear? To Baby Storytime. Stories read by babies? No. Baby Storytime is for babies!
In today’s episode, Ashley Fick, Diane Haner, and Amanda Wahlmeier visit with Dave Carson about our Refugees in our Community event. Then, Meghan and Gregg recommend Dark Psychological Fiction!
CREDITS:
TRANSCRIPT
We dedicated this episode of Did you hear? to Award Winners (12:36). From Bram Stoker to William Allen White award winners, you’ll find it all at jocolibrary.org/explore.
Today we recommend cures to book burnout (13:04), discuss table top game nights (24:23) and offer board game suggestions as well.
But first, Kate McNair brings teen writers and artists to talk with Dave Carson about elementia! (:28)
CREDITS:
TRANSCRIPT
We dedicate this episode of Did you hear? to Art you can check out! That’s right, we have prints of famous works of art at the Central Resource Library. Use them to study or simply change up the aesthetics of any room! In this episode, the MakerSpace crew drops by to chat, But first, Dave Carson sits down with Ashley Fick, Diane Haner, and Amanda Wahlmeier to discuss our In memory of Six Million event.
CREDITS:
TRANSCRIPT