Listeners’ Advisory is the San Diego Public Library (SDPL) podcast and audio access point that connects users with SDPL services, facilities, and staff. Enjoy a mixture of narrative-driven segments, in-depth interviews, and roundtable discussions about everything from professional recommendations to community-centric matters. Now in its second season, the Listeners’ Advisory podcast is expanding to include the Books for Good Trouble podcast series which features provocative literature and connected stories of individuals, authors, and activists alike. All of our podcast programming strives to engage listeners with unique content that expands perspective and knowledge. This podcast is supported by the Library Foundation of San Diego.
In this season finale, Bob catches up with Sciences Manager, Michelle Ruiz, and Mission Valley Branch Manager, Karen Reilly about library services for individuals experiencing homelessness. Bob also speaks with Aaron Basila and Gedalyahu Ben-Shimeon from the National Alliance on Mental Illness about NAMI's partnership with the Central Library.
Mental Health Services at the Central Library
National Alliance for Mental Illness
This podcast is supported by the Library Foundation SD.
In this episode, Bob hangs with Listeners' Advisory cohost and Library Shop Manager, Scott Ehrig-Burgess for a second installment of the pop-culture recommendation segment, Queue Time. Recommendations range from non-fiction reads, to crime shows, to marathon interview podcasts on the limits of LLMs.
Scott's recs
Bob's Recs
Library Shop
Library Foundation SD Events
Prestige TV
Large Language Models
Dewey Decimal
This podcast is supported by the Library Foundation SD.
In this episode, Bob hangs out with staff from READ/San Diego, the city's premier literacy service. He chats with Program Administrator Nicole Settle about the program's mission and history, as well as with Coordinators Stephanie Contreras and Tim Donolon about READ's two prongs of service: Adult & Family Literacy. They also discuss the recent 35th Annual Recognition Dinner, which honors program participants, volunteer tutors, READ staff, and other advocates for literacy.
READ/San Diego
California Library Literacy Services
This podcast is supported by the Library Foundation SD.
In this third and final installment of our romance series, Jessica catches up with three librarians and romance enthusiasts to hear about how they got started with the genre, recommended authors and titles, and where newbies can get started.
Authors Mentioned:
Books Mentioned:
This podcast is supported by the Library Foundation SD.
In this episode, Scott presents his third and final report on the now City Council approved Library Master Plan. Scott gives us a sneak peek into the library’s efforts to collect feedback from the community in the form of listening sessions as well as presentation highlights from the consulting firm, Group 4, that was hired to put the plan together. This is the library geekiness we’re here for!
The Library Master Plan
The Mind Orchestra “Awen” © 2020.
This podcast is supported by the Library Foundation SD.
In this episode, Bob hangs with Deputy Director of Customer Experience and Listeners' Advisory Executive Producer, Jennifer Jenkins, for a new segment titled Queue Time. Queue Time participants discuss what they're currently reading, listening to, and watching so listeners can enjoy popular culture recommendations beyond the collections of the San Diego Public Library.
Taylor Swift
DJ Screw: A Life in Slow Revolution - Lance Scott Walker
Little Brother
True Detective: Night Country
This podcast uses a sound from freesound: “record scratch” by Luffy.
This podcast is supported by the Library Foundation SD.
In this episode, Romance Librarian, Jessica Buck hangs with podcast host and romance author, Kelly Reynolds and podcaster, Bookstagram Bree. They discuss common tropes of the genre, spice levels, content warnings, terms, and more. Warning, this episode contains language that is sexually explicit in nature.
Kelly Reynolds - Boobies and Newbies
Bookstagram Bree - Categorically Romance
Authors Mentioned:
Books Mentioned:
Mentions and terms:
This podcast is supported by the Library Foundation SD.
In this episode, cohost Scott presents his extended interview with Red Team Blues author and journalist, Cory Doctorow. They discuss a wide range of topics that include Artificial Intelligence, differentiating fables and predictions, issues of intellectual property, and absurdist potentials for technology-driven dystopias.
Cory Doctorow’s Craphound.com
Fortunately, the Milk - Neil Gaiman
Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech - Brian Merchant
Stefano Quintarelli - SALAMI
Chat GPT - OpenAI
Electronic Frontier Foundation
De La Soul - “De La Soul is Back. It’s a Bittersweet Victory”
Sid Vicious - “My Way”
Taylor Swift - “Why is Taylor Swift Rerecording Her Old Albums”
This podcast is supported by the Library Foundation SD.
In this episode, Youth Services Librarian Jessica Buck chats with historian Steve Ammidown and Becca Title, owner of Meet Cute Book Shop, about the history of the romance genre. They share their personal connections to the genre, discuss its roots, and aspects of its continuing evolution.
Jessica Buck - College-Rolando Branch Library
Steve Ammidown - RomanceHistory.com
Becca Title - Meet Cute Book Shop
Authors Mentioned:
Books Mentioned
People and terms:
This podcast is supported by the Library Foundation SD.
In this episode, Bob speaks with Mission Valley Branch Library Manager, Karen Reilly and Youth Services Librarian, Marika Jeffrey about the branch's new Homeschool Resource Center. They discuss identifying the community need for the center, the homeschool community that relies on the space, and all else the Center has to offer.
Mission Valley Branch Library
Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox Branch Library
This podcast is supported by the Library Foundation SD.
In this episode, Bob speaks with Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism Professor and former host/producer of the NPR podcast, Codeswitch, Shereen Marisol Meraji. They discuss race and culture reporting, growing up in the Bay Area, and a subject near and dear to both Shereen and Bob, hip hop music.
"Can't Truss It" - Public Enemy
"Humpty Dance" - Digital Underground
"Fat Cats, Bigga Fish" - The Coup
NPR - Code Switch
Morning Edition - The Many Sounds of 1993 Bay Area Rap
Nieman Fellowship - Harvard University
Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism - Audio Journalism
Shereen's Audiobook Recommendations:
This podcast is supported by the Library Foundation SD.
In this Season 3 premier, Bob speaks with Supervising Librarian, Monnee Tong about the 10 year celebration of the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common. They discuss Monnee's history with SDPL, some of the enduring features of the new building, and what we can expect from Central's future. Bob also catches up with Listener's Advisory cohost, Scott about the celebration and what you can do if you're thinking of a belated birthday gift.
Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common
Floor-by-Floor Directory
Plan a Visit
This podcast is supported by the Library Foundation SD.
In this bonus episode, Bob conducts several lightning round interviews with his colleagues about their favorite banned books and why they matter. Bob also makes a couple announcements regarding a new service and the upcoming third season of Listeners' Advisory!
San Diego Public Library - Books Unbanned
Seattle Public Library - Books Unbanned
Brooklyn Public Library - Books Unbanned
This podcast is supported by the Library Foundation SD.
In this Season 3 bonus episode, Bob hangs with Listeners' Advisory Executive Producer, Jennifer Jenkins and podcast cohost, Scott to discuss their favorite podcasts. Scott also speaks with science fiction writer, Cory Doctorow, about his new novel, Red Team Blues.
Cory Doctorow - Red Team Blues
SDPL restores Sunday hours
This podcast is supported by the Library Foundation SD.
In this episode, Skyline Hills Branch Manager Azalea Ebbay and Chula Vista Public Librarian Lydia Bringerud interview Library Assistant II, children's author, and paranormal investigator Tim Mountain. They learn about how paranormal investigations are conducted and discuss the connections between haunting and trauma in library work.
Pacific Paranormal Investigators
Book Recommendations by Tim Mountain
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Mental Health Services @SDPL
This podcast is supported by the Library Foundation SD.
In this episode, Scott introduces listeners to the Library Foundation SD, the non profit advocacy organization that supports the San Diego Public Library through various programs and fundraising efforts. Scott interviews Library Foundation SD staff, current and former board members, as well as SDPL staff to discuss the Foundation’s impacts, history, and challenges.
The Library Foundation SD
Library Shop
Friends of the San Diego Public Library
In this episode, Bob meets San Diego City Clerk Liz Maland, Archives Program Manager Sam Ely, and Archives Supervisor Anne Miggins. They discuss the history of the City Archives, the Digital Archives, and the 4th Annual Archives Month series of events. Bob also visits the Archives in person and learns about preservation measures and sees some really cool (like, really really cool) artifacts and historical documents.
Office of the City Clerk
4th Annual Archives Month (use this link to sign up for tours and lectures)
SEASON ONE REBROADCAST: In this episode, Bob speaks with Director of the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom, Deborah Caldwell-Stone and SDPL Supervising Librarian of Technical Services, Robyn Gage-Norquist about intellectual freedom, censorship, and the ethics of librarianship.
Banned Books Week
SDPL’s Collection Development Policy
In this episode, Bob sits down with young adult fantasy author, Lizz Huerta. They discuss her new book, The Lost Dreamer, her working-class roots and beginnings as a writer, as well as San Diego's literary scene.
The Books for Good Trouble podcast will be sharing the feed of the Listeners' Advisory podcast for approximately 5 episodes. This podcast series features provocative literature and connected stories of individuals, authors, and activists alike. Find related Books for Good Trouble events here.Lizz Huerta - The Lost Dreamer
Music
DJ Pnutz - Hotter than Hades
In this episode, co-host Scott Ehrig Burgess speaks with SDPL’s Collection Development team, Angie Stava, Heidi Wigler, and Zeina Guoin. They discuss expanding material offerings, keeping up with industry trends, and the mechanics of collection development and management.
Scott’s Pretentious Book List:
Library Lending
Library Collection Development Policy
Library Catalog
In this episode, Bob sits down with acclaimed poet, Azure Antoinette. They discuss Azure’s early poetry inspirations, her recent experiences during the pandemic-induced lockdown of 2020, living with Multiple Sclerosis, and NOIR: An Experience in 20/20.
The Books for Good Trouble podcast will be sharing the feed of the Listeners' Advisory podcast for approximately 5 episodes. This podcast series features provocative literature and connected stories of individuals, authors, and activists alike. Find related Books for Good Trouble events here.
WHYLD: A Write of Passage - Azure Antoinette
NOIR: An Experience in 20/20
Music
DJ Pnutz - I'm a Woman
In this episode, Bob sits down with Soulkiss Theater's Miki Vale and Librarian, Jeremy Davies to discuss their 10-week Workshop Series and Community Voices Final Performance happening on July 12th at 6:00p.m. in Central's 9th floor Shiley Special Events Suite. Bob also talks shop with Raquel Hanna and Rudi Fate, two participants in the Workshop Series who'll be presenting their work in the Community Voices Final Performance. Raquel and Rudi touch on their process and how the structured environment of the Workshop Series encourages accountability.
Soulkiss Theater
Miki Vale
In this episode, Bob speaks with Library Assistant III, Craig Wimberly (they/them) about their journey as a gender non-conforming individual and how it relates to ALOK’s (they/them) Beyond the Gender Binary. Craig speaks about their beginnings, coming to San Diego and joining SDPL, as well as finding their voice as an LGBTQIA+ advocate.
The Books for Good Trouble podcast will be sharing the feed of the Listeners' Advisory podcast for approximately 5 episodes. This podcast series features provocative literature and connected stories of individuals, authors, and activists alike. Find related Books for Good Trouble events here.
ALOK - Beyond the Gender Binary
Resources
Music
Planet B - Bad Girls
Emily Drabinski and Trevor continue their conversation on American libraries and their larger cross-currents in history and politics. In this segment, Emily expands the possibility of class analysis and materialism when it comes to library work and how consensus and solidarity can strengthen communities. The conversation then pivots to other challenges such as climate change and censorship, brainstorming ways people can get involved themselves in their neighborhoods.
American Library Association
Emily Drabinski
In this episode, Trevor sits down with American Library Association President Elect, Emily Drabinski. Emily is is the Interim Chief Librarian at the Mina Rees Library at the Graduate Center, City University of New York. She ran on a platform described as being for “collective power, public good”, advocating for where library workers and library patrons’ interests meet. Drabinski’s project is to advocate for libraries, but in doing so wants to change how we talk about libraries and how they’re run—drawing on the vocabulary of social justice and intersectionality, but highlighting real Marxist, materialist concerns over empty virtue signaling.
American Library Association
Emily Drabinski
In this episode, Bob sits down with Central Library's Emerging Technologies Librarian, Gigi Terzian and Legler-Benbough Teen IDEA Lab Manager, Francesca de Vera to discuss their respective IDEA Labs, reopening efforts, and the ins and outs of hands-on spaces during the pandemic.
SDPL's IDEA Labs
In part two of our Valeria Luiselli feature, Bob interviews SDPL Supervising Librarian of Youth and Family Services, Adi Huertas about her work bringing literacy tools and library-related services to unaccompanied migrant children since 2014.
The Books for Good Trouble podcast will be sharing the feed of the Listeners' Advisory podcast for approximately 5 episodes. This podcast series features provocative literature and connected stories of individuals, authors, and activists alike. Find related Books for Good Trouble events here.
Valeria Luiselli
Resources:
Music
Sonida de la Frontera - Prisionero Yo No Soy
In this episode, College-Roland Branch Library Manager, Trevor Jones sits down with Úna Smyth, Award Administrator of the prestigious Dublin Award. They discuss the award's history, how it serves the literary community, and the role international public librarians play in selecting winners.
The Dublin Award - Úna Smyth, Award Administrator
In this first episode of the offshoot series Books for Good Trouble, we'll hear from Rosiangela Escamilla and América Martínez, two San Diego Community College professors whose stories connect with the award-winning literature of Valeria Luiselli. This episode is part one of two.
The Books for Good Trouble podcast will be sharing the feed of the Listeners' Advisory podcast for approximately 5 episodes. This podcast series features provocative literature and connected stories of individuals, authors, and activists alike. Find related Books for Good Trouble events here.
Valeria Luiselli
Rosiangela Escamilla
América Martínez
Works and Authors Mentioned:
Music
Sonida de la Frontera - Cumbia de la Frontera
Welcome to Season Two! In this episode Bob talks with Jeffrey Davis, Branch Manager of the Linda Vista Branch Library about the many benefits of SDPL’s new ticketed pass program, Discover & Go. Also, Bob hangs with Deputy Director, Jennifer Jenkins and Library Assistant III, Cora Womble-Miesner to discuss their favorite podcasts of 2022 so far.
Discover & Go
Jeffrey Davis - The Collection All Around: Sharing Our Cities, Towns, and Natural Places
Our Favorite Podcasts
In this bonus episode, Bob hangs with new Listeners’ Advisory collaborators Trevor Jones and Cora Womble-Miesner. They discuss Trevor and Cora’s upcoming in-person event, Great Books You May Have Missed! as well as provide some excellent book recommendations.
Great Books You May Have Missed!
Saturday, March 19th 11:00 a.m.
College Rolando Branch Library
6600 Montezuma Road.
San Diego, CA 92115
Books Mentioned and Recommended
In our season finale, Bob chats with author Joanne Oppenheim, historian
Susan Hasegawa, and Library Director Misty Jones about former City Librarian Clara Breed and her legacy of rebellion. Also, Scott provides an update on the 2nd phase of the Library Master Plan and its emerging framework.
The Rebellious Miss Breed
The Library Master Plan
Please Take Our Survey
With the completion of our first season, we're eager to hear from you! We want to know what worked, what didn't work, and how we can make the next season of Listeners' Advisory even better. The survey should only take a few minutes and we greatly appreciate your time.
Thanks,
Bob
Music notes - The Mind Orchestra “Owen” © 2020.
In this episode, Bob chats with musicians Pete Miesner and Luke Henshaw about their original music contributions to Listeners’ Advisory. Bob and Pete discuss the creation of the podcast’s theme song, Rollin’ On as well as Pete’s early interests in playing guitar. Bob talks with Luke about his involvement in the breakbeat/turntablist scene along with his unorthodox listening habits and sources of inspiration.
Pete Miesner
Luke Henshaw
In this episode, Bob chats with SDPL's zine collection curator, Ernesto Vasquez about the 5 Ws (who, what, where, when, and why) of this eclectic, ephemeral collection. Also, Bob hangs with Gina, the long-time organizer of the San Diego Zinefest. They discuss the fest's origins, how it pivoted during shutdown, and what we can expect from this year's 10 day event.
SDPL Zine Collection
ATTN: Ernesto Vasquez
San Diego Central Library
330 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101
San Diego Zinefest
In this episode, Bob speaks with Director of the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom, Deborah Caldwell-Stone and SDPL Supervising Librarian of Technical Services, Robyn Gage-Norquist about intellectual freedom, censorship, and the ethics of librarianship. Also, Bob and Scott hang with Listeners’ Advisory Executive Producer and Supervising Librarian, Jennifer Jenkins. They discuss their favorite banned books and trolling book censors.
Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week at SDPL
In this episode, Bob sits down with Michael Klam and Dr. Anthony Blacksher, co-creators of Conversations with Poets, a new 8 part poetry series made in partnership with the City of San Diego’s Commissions for Arts & Culture. They discuss their beginnings in poetry, San Diego’s new poet laureate, and what to expect from Conversations with Poets. Also, Scott catches up with poets Jim Hurley and Robert Hass to discuss the arrival of the new Robert Frost Society collection at SDPL.
Conversations with Poets
Robert Frost Society
In this episode, Scott chats with SDPL librarians Vanessa Gempis, Marika Jeffery, Christina Wainwright, and Trevor Jones about their panel moderation duties at this year's Festival of Books. They discuss the nuts and bolts of moderating a good panel and the question of when criticism of guest authors is appropriate.
The San Diego Union Tribune's Festival of Books
FOB Author Bios
In this episode, Bob meets up with local creative Parker Edison, host of the KPBS podcast The Parker Edison Project. They talk Hip Hop and emceeing, Parker’s creative inspirations, and his various artistic endeavors. Also, Bob hangs with librarian II, Dustin Vogel to discuss his web series, Speed Date with a Record, as well as their favorite golden era Hip Hop and other music recommendations.
The Parker Edison Project
Speed Date with a Record
In this episode, Bob hangs out with Curtis Williams, SDPL’s Technology Resources Manager and Sam Cerrato, Circulation Supervisor at the Central Library. They discuss the new city-wide initiative, SD Access 4 All and the City of San Diego’s efforts to address digital equity by getting the community connected via computer labs, devices, and various Wi-Fi hotspots.
SD Access 4 All
Internet Services @SDPL
In this episode, Scott speaks with LGBTQIA+ Services Committee members Erin Wilson and Francesca de Vera about the dilemma of rainbow labels on library books and how "othering" can be an unintended consequence, despite good intentions. Also, Bob hangs with San Carlos Branch Manager, Dave Ege to talk comics and graphic novel recommendations as well as the GOAT, Alan Moore.
LGBTQIA+ Services @SDPL
Lord of the Rings Life Lessons with Dave Ege
In this episode, host Bob speaks with some of the folks involved in bringing the newly acquired Joseph Murphy Baseball Autograph Collection to the San Diego Public Library’s Sullivan Family Baseball Research Center. Interviews include Steve Murphy, son of Joseph; Tom Larwin, President of Society for American Baseball Research Ted Williams’ Chapter; and Pete Miesner, Manager of the Sullivan Family Baseball Research Center.
Joseph Murphy Baseball Autograph Collection Digital Archive
For our third episode, Scott catches up with Supervising Librarian of Youth and Family Services, Ady Huertas about SDPL’s long-running Summer Reading Program. Scott also does some digging into the origins of SRP with the help of some tenacious Central librarians. Finally, Bob speaks with North Clairemont Librarian, Maureen Meadows about her new web series, Let’s Talk Audiobooks and why audiobooks may be for you.
The Summer Reading Program
Let's Talk Audiobooks with Maureen
*Not all titles mentioned are available in audiobook format from SDPL.
In this second bonus episode, host Bob sits down with Adrianne Peterson, Rancho Peñasquitos Branch Manager and head organizer behind one of SDPL’s annual signature events, the How-To Festival. They discuss the festival’s origins, how it responded to the pandemic of 2020, and how those lessons are shaping this year’s How-To Festival and beyond.
Contact: Adrianne Peterson
Additional Music: Go to the Picnic by Loyalty Freak
For our second official episode, the theme is books! Host Bob speaks with Steven Torres-Roman, one of the librarians behind the new digital readers’ advisory service, Matchbook; co-host Scott catches up with writer Hunter Hackett, illustrator Anisi Baigude, and program coordinator, Emily Derry, the team behind SDPL’s first children’s book, Odi’s Library Day; and Bob talks books with College Rolando branch manager and host of the web series Read More! (with Trevor), Trevor Jones.
Matchbook
Correction, Steve states the National Endowment for the Arts’ study, To Read or Not to Read*was published in 2000. It was as actually published in 2007.
Odi’s Library Day/El Día de la Biblioteca de Odi
Read More! (with Trevor)
In this bonus episode, we meet members of the Book Coven, an off-the-books book club for librarians that love young adult literature. The Book Coven consists of various members of SDPL staff including Sciences Manager, Monnee Tong, Pauline Foster Teen Center Manager, Vanessa Gempis, and Collection Development Librarian, Angie Stava. They discuss their origin story, book recommendations, the value of rating systems, and what they love about being in a book club.
Books Mentioned and Recommended
For more information on upcoming young adult book clubs for teens and adults contact: Vanessa Gempis
In this premier episode, host Bob Surratt speaks with Library Assistant III, Destiny Rivera about the Ocean Beach and Scripps Ranch Miramar Seed Libraries; co-host Scott Ehrig-Burgess, SDPL Director Misty Jones and San Diego Public Library Foundation CEO, Patrick Stewart discuss the Library Master Plan; and Bob, Scott, and Supervising Librarian, Jennifer Jenkins recommend their favorite podcasts. Seed Libraries
Library Master Plan
San Diego Public Library Director Misty Jones
San Diego Library Foundation CEO Patrick Stewart
Library Master Plan information
Library Shop
Listener’s Advisory Recommendations
Contact
Bob Surratt
Scott Ehrig-Burgess
Music
Pete Miesner
Luke Henshaw
The Mind Orchestra “Owen” © 2020.