The Library Pros

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The Library Pros Podcast is a show by a technology librarian and an Information Technology professional who are both employed in the public library sector. Chris and Bob will discuss new and developing technology and how it will apply to the public library world, and do it with some laughs. The guys will also have guests from the library world who are doing innovative things in their libraries. So come and join Chris and Bob, the Library Pros!

Chris DeCristofaro

Suffolk County, New York


    • May 7, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 5m AVG DURATION
    • 143 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Library Pros

    Episode 117 Tim Ribaric Computational Notebook and More!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025


    In this installment, Chris speaks with Tim Ribaric from Brock Univeristy in Ontario. Tim talks about digital librarianship, whether he sleeps, what a “Computational Notebook” is along with working with Google Colab. We also talked about “spark”, bringing the abstract of ideas to life, the “Software Carpentry Organization“, python for libraries and a wonderful organization […]

    Episode 116 – Katie Ester & Dennis Janer MAGIC BOOK

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2025 90:37


    In this episode, Chris speaks with Katie Ester, Director of the Shelby Township Library in the suburban Detroit Michigan area along with Dennis Janer from Bluewater Technologies Group. Katie and Dennis talk to us about Shelby's amazing transformation, what Bluewater is all about (and it is a very unique and creative company), and Magic Book, […]

    Episode 115 Megan Lotts – Playful Learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2025 86:36


    Want to laugh and learn at the same time? Then this is the episode for you. Megan Lotts, an Art Librarian at Rutgers talks and laughs about so many great things she is doing. She is a Maker, Author, Artist, Librarian and INNOVATOR!! We talk about the “spark”, the concept of “play”, unleashing the concept […]

    Episode 114 Beth Bayley from Karger Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2025 57:36


    On this installment, Chris and Bob speak with Beth Bayley from Karger Publishing. Beth joins us from Switzerland to talk about public access to information, Creative Commons Licensing, how librarians can assist in supporting open access, misconceptions about open access and the role artificial intelligence has in open access. Beth was such a good sport […]

    Episode 113 Jessica Bomarito GALE Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 40:18


    In this installment of the podcast, Chris speaks with Jessica Bomarito, Senior Product Manager at Gale Publishing. This episode explores a brief overview of what GALE offers the profession including the Gale Literature Resource Center. Chris talks about the evolution of digital literacy information from CR ROMS to the current mode of access to GALE's […]

    LILRC 2024 Conference Libraries and the Future Part III Carol Ann Tack and Nick Tanzi

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2025 45:36


    In this final installment from the conference, Bob speaks with two former guests and friends of the podcast Carol Ann Tack from The Merrick Library and Nick Tanzi, Chair of the committee that puts the conference together and Assistant Director at the South Huntington Public Library. Carol Ann is an amazing readers advisory librarian. She […]

    LILRC 2024 Conference Libraries and the Future Part II Kathi Inman Berens and Rachel Noorda talking Reading Habits of Gen Z & Millennials

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2025 46:38


    In part II, Bob sits down with Dr. Kathi Inman Berens and Dr.Rachel Noorda from Portland State University. Kathi and Rachel speak about their presentation regarding Millennials and Generation Z, how they cope with the flood of information they have at their disposal, the challenges that presents and how it effects their reading habits. They […]

    LILRC 2024 Conference Libraries and the Future Part 1 – Joanna Christodoulou, EdD

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2025 45:17


    The Podcast was happy to be invited back to the Long Island Library Resources Council's Conference on Libraries and the Future. This is the first part of our conversation with amazing library related professionals talking about their presentations and how they work with libraries. In Part 1 Bob is joined by Joanna Christodoulou, Director of […]

    Episode 112 – Kelly Harris – Director talking DEI, Barriers to Library Service and Association Libraries

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2024 106:43


    In this installment of the podcast, Chris sits down with Kelly Harris, Director of the John Jermain Memorial Library in Sag Harbor, New York. Kelly talks about so many important topics including what Association Libraries are and their funding, unintended barriers to library service, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the library world, attracting people […]

    Episode 111 – Dr. Betsy Cauble Social Workers in Libraries

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2024 50:13


    In this installment of the podcast, Chris sits down with Dr. Betsy Cauble, retired Social Worker and professor at Kansas State University. Chris and Betsy discuss the social work profession, training for social workers specifically working in libraries, assisting homeless that frequent our facilities, a “day in the life” of a social worker and the […]

    Episode 110 – Trina Leigh Walker and Zindzi Cresswell – Library Strategic Planning

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2024 80:50


    In this installment of the TLP, Chris has a chat with Trina Leigh Walker and Zindzi Cresswell covering library consultancy. Thanks to Matt Finch for connecting us all. It starts with the proper way to pronounce “Carnegie” (yes, Chris gets it wrong), working in the information world, and how important a strategic plan is. Continuing […]

    Episode 109 Essraa Nawar – Talking DEI, Outreach and bibliotheque d’alexandrie!!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2024 90:04 Transcription Available


    Chris had the opportunity to converse with Essraa Nawar, Assistant Dean for Library DEI Initiatives and Development, recognized in Forbes Arab American Heritage, Top 40 Women of Egypt, 125 Most Influential People in OC, and Women of Influence in O.C. Top 30 Egyptian Women Abroad. Essraa delves into unconventional perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion […]

    Episode 108 Jeff Jankowski, President of Hoopla Digital

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2024 54:44


    On this installment of the podcast, Chris speaks with the founder and President of Hoopla Digital, Jeff Jankowski. Jeff talks about Hoopla's birth with Midwest Tapes, his origin story along with how Hoopla curates and optimizes their products along with digital equity and so much more!

    Episode 107 – Melissa Taylor Fayetteville Public Library Center for Innovation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2024 75:57


    What an amazing time with Melissa Taylor, Manager of the Center for Innovation at the Fayetteville Public Library in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Melissa shares about her corporate sponsorships with Walmart, JB Hunt and Tyson foods. Chris and Bob learned about all of the offerings in this beautiful facility and how Melissa keeps it all running, how […]

    Episode 106 Aaron Whitfield

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2024 69:39


    In this installment, the fellas were lucky enough to have Aaron Whitfield on the podcast. Aaron spoke about all Aaron has accomplished in his time in Libraryland along with being a BIPOC and what that is like in todays world. He also talks about the importance of “MU FA LI” in his life, his writing […]

    Episode 105 David Ecker Technology for Libraries

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2024


    Joining Chris and Bob is David Ecker from Stony Brook University. Dave is a repeat guest and its always great to speak to him. Dave spoke about being library “technologists”, time management for managers, how AI can help makerspaces and that dirty world in Libraryland “CHANGE”. Dave has a new book out entitled Leadership Takes […]

    Episode 104 Dr. Temara Hajjat from the Bowel Sounds Podcast!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2023 54:35


    Joining Chris and Bob on the pod is Temara Hajjat Gastroenterologist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and co host of the Bowel Sounds Podcast. Temara spoke with the fellas about what its like to go to medical school, the spark that started the podcast, the targeted listenership, the formula for the pod along with talking about […]

    Episode 103 East End Tech Committee

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023 74:29


    This is really cool LOCAL episode for our friends on Long Island but also a great inspirational episode for everyone. Joining the podcast is Lilly Kiel from the Cutchogue/New Suffolk Free Library, Steven Alcalde from the Rogers Memorial Library and Anthony Giansante from the John Jermain Memorial Library to talk about the tech challenges working […]

    Special Episode Connecticut Library Association Part 2 – Alice Knapp, Scott Jarzombek, Kate Byroade and Scott Brill – Mental Health and Well-being

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2023 56:39


    In part 2 of this special episode, Chris and Bob were joined by Alice Knapp, Director of the Ferguson Library in Stamford, Connecticut, Scott Jarzombek, Director of the Fairfield Library in Fairfield, Connecticut, Kate Byroade Director of the Cragin Colchester Library in Colchester, Connecticut and Scott Brill, Director of the Derby Public Library, in Derby […]

    Special Episode – Connecticut Library Conference Part 1 Doug Lord

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2023 37:15


    In this 2 part episode, Chris and Bob travel to Groton Connecticut at the invitation of the Connecticut Library Association to speak during their conference lunch period about mental health and wellbeing in the library profession. The fellas were joined by Doug Lord, Director of the C. H. Booth Public Library in Newtown, Connecticut and […]

    Episode 101 – Meghan Volchko – Inside Overdrive

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2023 50:55


    Joining Chris for this episode is Meghan Volcheko, Manager, Public Library Collection Development at OverDrive, Meghan talks about how she and her team assist libraries and library systems with collection development with Overdrive. Yes, this is also the Libby App and also Kanopy and Sora for schools. Meghan talks about the relationships she has built […]

    Episode 100 – Carol Ann Tack, Podcasting & Readers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2023 51:03


    In our 100th Episode, we have asked Alumni Carol Ann Tack from the podcast Top Shelf at the Merrick Library to return to talk about her podcast, readers advisory, her book discussions (which are the thing of legend on Long Island) and how tech can sometimes help and sometimes get in the way of getting […]

    NYLA Conference 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2023 54:14


    Chris journeyed to Saratoga Springs New York for the annual New York Library Association Conference and Trade Show! This year Chris spoke to old friends Jill Hurst Wahl, Cameron Tidd and Melissa Tidd from Goshen Libraryhttps://www.floridapubliclibrary.org and Barron Angell from the Florida Public Library. Jill spoke about the conference, what it is like to be […]

    Long Island Library Resource Council’s Conference 2022 – Leadership

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2023 49:04


    The fellas were asked to podcast a the Long Island Library Resource Council's 31st annual Conference on Libraries and the Future. There were many great speakers and the podcast had an opportunity to speak with Dr. James Neal who spoke to Chris about the nature of leadership and how it is defined along with the […]

    Episode 99 – Emily Ostrander Developing Teen Services

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2023 67:09


    In this installment, Chris and Bob are back together live, this time at the Emma S. Clark Memorial Library in East Setauket, New York. Emily Ostrander talks about growing up at Emma as a patron (including riding her bike there as a kid), knowing at 16 that she wanted to be a librarian, and her […]

    Episode 98 – Thomas Ommen: The Princh Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2022 55:40


    Chris and Bob virtually travel “across the pond” to Denmark and speak with Thomas Ommen Chief Executive Officer of Princh, a collection of products to improve printing, copying and scanning services. Thomas shares his story and how his travels across the globe inspired him and his partners to develop this business model. Thomas talks about […]

    Episode 97 – Philip Shackelford – Modern Scholar Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2022 43:29


    This episode pairs Chris and Bob up with Philip Shakelford, Director of the South Arkansas Community College Library Philip is also the host of the Modern Scholar Podcast speaking to library and history professionals all over “Libraryland” about cool and interesting topics. Philip has a speciality in military history and has a particular interest in […]

    Episode 96 Anna Raunik & ANZAC Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2022 37:49


    Joining the fellas this time 'round is Anna Raunik, Executive Director, Content and Client Services at State Library Queensland, Australia. Anna joined the pod to talk about ANZAC Stories. For those of you that are not familiar, ANZAC Day commemorates the landing of Australian, New Zealand and other commonwealth troops on the Gallipoli Peninsula on […]

    Episode 95 – Mike Rossetti from MYLIBRO Reaching New Adults

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2022 46:51


    In this installment, the fellas have a chat with Mike Rossetti from MYLIBRO. Mike discussed how libraries can attract those 20 somethings to the library, what libraries have to offer this group and using the “Tech Triangle” to retain not only that elusive age group, but anyone who can benefit from the library. Mike also […]

    Episode 94 Thomas Shaw and his Manifesto for Librarians

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2022 66:02


    Joining the fellas for this go round is Thomas Shaw, Associate Director of the library at Lancaster University. Thomas published an article entitled “How to Strive for Success, Happiness, Fulfilment and Impact: a Personal Manifesto” which should resinate with anyone who works in Libraryland. Thomas speaks about his article and some of the common anxieties […]

    Episode 93 – The Palace Project/LYRASIS: A transformational, library-centered platform for digital content and services

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2022 56:09


    Chris and Bob were joined by a talented and inspired group of individuals who are part of developing The Palace Project, a source for e-content for libraries. The not for profit project supports the mission of libraries by providing equitable access to digital knowledge, bolstering the relationship between libraries and patrons, protecting patron privacy, and […]

    Episode 92b Candidate for ALA President Kelvin Watson

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2022 49:54


    In the second part of this episode, Chris and Bob are joined by  Kelvin Watson, Executive Director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and candidate for President of the American Library Association. The discussion focused on what Kelvin can bring to the office. In the interest of fairness, both Kelvin and her opponent Emily […]

    Episode 92a Candidate for ALA President Emily Drabinski

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2022 34:10


    In the first part of this episode, Chris and Bob are joined by Emily Drabinski, Interim Chief Librarian at The Graduate Center, City University of New York and candidate for President of the American Library Association. The discussion focused on what Emily can bring to the office. In the interest of fairness, both Emily and […]

    LILRC CONFERENCE ON LIBRARIES & THE FUTURE PART 4: Tim Spindler & Sally Stieglitz Conference Wrap-up

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2022 30:38


    Tim Spindler, the Executive Director of the Long Island Library Resources Council and Sally Stieglitz, Communications and Outreach Coordinator for LILRC give the wrap up of the conference, recapping the issues and discussions of the speakers. As always, this conference has amazing guests and we thank the Resources Council for continuing to invite the podcast […]

    LILRC CONFERENCE ON LIBRARIES & THE FUTURE PART 3: Stacey Aldrich, State Librarian of Hawaii & Futurist

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2022 25:18


    Chris and Bob were fortunate enough to speak to Stacey Aldrich, the State Librarian of Hawaii at the LILRC Conference on Libraries and the Future. In her varied experiences in both the public and academic library fields, she has seen how, especially now the world struggles with the physical vs. the digital life. Whether it […]

    LILRC CONFERENCE ON LIBRARIES & THE FUTURE PART 2: Dr. Brandy McNeil – NYPL

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2022 24:12


    In this second part of the podcast from the LILRC Conference on Libraries and the Future, the guys speak with Dr. Brandy McNeil, Director of Digital Literacy at the New York Public Library and a Library Journal “Mover and Shaker” class of 2017. Brandy talked about some of the innovative things she has brought to […]

    LILRC CONFERENCE ON LIBRARIES & THE FUTURE PART 1: Miguel Figueroa: Amigos Library Services

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2022 24:40


    Chris and Bob were fortunate to be asked back to the Long Island Library Resources Council Conference on Libraries and the Future. This is our 7th year podcasting from the event, speaking to great people in the library world. In Part 1 of this 4 part episode we speak to Miguel Figueroa, the President and […]

    Episode 91 Perttu Polonen – Futurism and Innovation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2022 45:48


    Coming to us from Finland, Perttu Polonen, author of the book Future Skills joins the fellas to talk about the concept of futurism, the human condition vs technology, whether our diplomas from university and graduate school should have an expiration date. Perttu talks about the mindset associated with technology along with our personal relationship (or […]

    Episode 90 – Crossover Episode with Syosset Library’s Turn the Page Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2021 86:28


    This episode is dedicated to Chris Crosby, the artist, musician and performer of “Just Cool”, the intro and outro of the Turn the Page Podcast. Chris lost his life in early September of 2021, and he will be fondly remembered by the library community. Joining Chris and Bob are Jessikah Chautin, Stacey Hershkowitz and Evelyn […]

    Episode 89 – Mark Herschberg – The Career Toolkit

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2021 64:54


    Episode 88 – Elisa Lee and Unstacked

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2021 39:02


    Joining Chris and Bob is Elisa Lee, Creative Director and Business Owner of Unstacked, based in Australia is an amazing project that allows libraries to see their materials as they are being researched and curated in real time! Unstacked is an innovative Australian collection visualization project which showcases a library's collection locally and globally in real-time […]

    Episode 87 Carlos Galeana Digital Well-Being in Patron Trainings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2021 51:26


    While Bob was handling an IT emergency, Chris had a great conversation with Carlos Galeana. If you are a frequent listener to the podcast, then you may remember Carlos from his appearance in Episode 45 discussing his Mover and Shaker election and all things he is doing in his previous position at the Multnomah Library […]

    Special Episode: “Diversify is Fly” NYLA Developing Leaders Program on the Diversification of the Library

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2021 117:05


    In this very special episode, Chris and Bob are joined by a group of librarians from all around New York State. Emily Dowie, Teen Librarian at the Greenburgh Public Library in Elmsford NY; Jo Ann Mulligan, Library Assistant at the Altamont Free Library in Altamont, New York; Danielle Newman, Pre-k to 12th Grade Public School […]

    Episode 86 Matt Pascoe – Ipswich City Council

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2021 73:46


    Matt Pascoe, Content and Customer Experience Manager at the Ipswich City Council Libraries joins the podcast. Ipswich City Libraries have multiple buildings and Matt talks about marketing libraries, Ipswich “Marketplace Library”, Library Pods, pop up makerspaces and how to hang a monstrous dinosaur from the ceiling. Matt is an amazing speaker and has a lot […]

    Episode 85 – Dr. Eric Cole & Simple Cyber Security

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2021 37:02


    Dr. Eric Cole, founder of Secure Anchor joins the podcast to talk about simple things libraries, library employees and patrons can do to better secure their online presence. Dr. Cole talks about 2 factor authentication, password strategies and most importantly, poking fun at Chris (Dr. Cole and Chris are old friends). Dr. Eric Cole is […]

    Episode 84 – Kate Chambers Distributing Books in Zimbabwe with WhatsApp

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2021 61:15


    Chris and Bob were fortunate enough to speak with Kate Chambers, a journalist and book lover who helps to receive and distribute books throughout the nation of Zimbabwe in November of 2020. Kate talks about growing up in the UK, how her career as a journalist took her to Africa, where she now lives. As […]

    Episode 83 – Jane Cowell – Reaching People During Covid a Model that Continues

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2021 69:53


    This episode finds us speaking with Jane Cowell, Chief Executive Officer of the Yarra Plenty Library in Melbourne, Victoria State, Australia. We speak to Jane about her long career in the library world and during the time when Victoria was the hardest affected state in the nation, how the staff at Yarra Plenty reached out […]

    Episode 82 Ian Anstice – Public Library News UK

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2021 69:50


    Joining the podcast from across “The Pond” in Wales, UK is Ian Anstice, who publishes Public Libraries News, an online publication sharing what libraries are doing in the UK. Ian was so much fun to speak with. We talked about the origins of PLN as a blog and how it developed over time. We also […]

    Episode 81 Susan Banks Director, Pennsylvania Bureau of Library Development

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2020 67:39


    Susan Banks, Director of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Library Development joined the podcast to talk about the evolution of library service, transition to a digital collection, especially during the times of a pandemic, a librarians' “Library Core”. Her enthusiasm is infectious and she covers a range to areas that are invaluable for any library professional […]

    Special Episode: Long Island Library Resources Council Conference 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2020 87:24


    Chris and Bob were asked back to the Long Island Library Resources Council's conference on Libraries and the Future (this year held virtually). This is the 4th year the podcast was asked to podcast from the event, and the guest speakers this year were amazing. First we spoke to Nancy Kranich, Special Projects Research Librarian […]

    Episode 80 – Martin Brathen & Elise Conradi Biblioteksentralen Norway

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2020 79:46


    This is a first for the podcast, our first interview with library professionals from a non-english speaking nation. Today we virtually journey to Norway and speak to Martin Kristoffer Brathen and Elise Conradi from Biblioteksentralin (Bibsent) a unique collaborative organization that provides library services to the libraries of Norway. Chris speaks to the pair about […]

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