Podcasts about libraries

This interview first aired on Monday the 16th of February, 2026 on ONE FM 98.5 Shepparton. One FM breakfast announcer Plemo interviews Bronwyn Cole from the Goulburn Valley Libraries who gives an update of everything that is happening around GV Libraries. To find out more about all their events and to book head to https://www.gvlibraries.com.au/events For more information you can call Goulburn Valley Libraries on 1300 374 765 or go to www.gvlibraries.com.au. Listen to One FM Breakfast with Plemo Monday - Friday, 6am - 9am. Contact the station on admin@fm985.com.au or (+613) 58313131 The ONE FM 98.5 Community Radio podcast page operates under the license of Goulburn Valley Community Radio Inc. (ONE FM) Number 1385226/1. PRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association Limited and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) that covers Simulcasting and Online content including podcasts with musical content, that we pay every year. This licence number is 1385226/1

Notes document is available here, with timecodes: https://github.com/adafruit/adafruit-circuitpython-weekly-meeting/blob/main/2026/2026-02-17.md Join here for the chat all week: http://adafru.it/discord The CircuitPython Weekly normally is held at 2pm US ET/11am us PT on Mondays. Check the #circuitpython-dev channel on Discord for notices of change in time and links to past meetings. Meeting times are also available in iCal format using the following link: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/adafruit/adafruit-circuitpython-weekly-meeting/master/meeting.ical. CircuitPython development is sponsored by Adafruit. Please support them by purchasing hardware from https://adafruit.com. Reminders: Podcast available on most services. Let us know if we're missing some. 0:00 Housekeeping 2:16 Community News 6:24 State of CircuitPython, Libraries & Blinka 14:20 Hug Reports 17:55 Status Updates 26:20 In the Weeds 31:50 Wrap-up ----------------------------------------- Visit the Adafruit shop online - http://www.adafruit.com ----------------------------------------- LIVE CHAT IS HERE! http://adafru.it/discord Subscribe to Adafruit on YouTube: http://adafru.it/subscribe New tutorials on the Adafruit Learning System: http://learn.adafruit.com/ -----------------------------------------

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author KATE QUINN returns to BOOKSTORM Podcast to discuss THE ASTRAL LIBRARY!  Have you ever wanted to disappear into a book ... and maybe even live in that world? Kate Quinn certainly did! Here's her ode to literature of all genres. Is there such a thing as delving too deeply into a novel? Doesn't it allow us to be the hero of our own story, even just for a bit? Can reading as an escape be a dangerous thing? Can it help heal people, especially those for whom life has not been easy? There's no doubt. We also talk about why libraries are under attack from a variety of villains. You'll love this discussion, especially given that Kate is the daughter of a librarian and had a father who often read to her. It certainly shows in this innovative and clever novel! Join us for a fantastic and wide ranging discussion!You can find more of your favorite bestselling authors at BOOKSTORM Podcast! We're also on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube!

A storm is expected to land in Southern California tonight and bring the threat of strong winds, rain and thunderstorms. The Los Angeles Unified School Board will vote this Tuesday on a plan to cut around $200 million, including the potential layoffs, as the district deals with a multi-year budget deficit. The L.A. librarian who revamped the city’s library system and changed the profession. Plus, more. Support The L.A. Report by donating at LAist.com/join and by visiting https://laist.com Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency!Support the show: https://laist.com

Steve chats with Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, authors of You & Me and You & Me and You & Me, a time-traveling romantic comedy about long-term love, about their past experiences with libraries, their writing process, the fun (but also the dangers) of nostalgia, and why your perfect life may be the one you’re … Continue reading 305: YOU & ME AND YOU & ME AND YOU & ME by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees

Useful for plans and lessons, local educators say When Ryan McConville wanted a fun project for his ninth grade Global History class at Haldane High School, he turned to Gemini, Google's artificial intelligence tool. "I used it as a thought partner," said McConville, a 2003 Haldane graduate who has taught in the district since 2012. "I needed some fresh ideas." He said he asked Gemini for five ideas for how his students could explore Diocletian's decision in 286 C.E. to divide the Roman Empire. One idea was to have students write a newspaper-style investigation of the emperor. "I had them pretend to expose the crisis of the third century and choose whether Diocletian was a hero or a traitor for splitting up ancient Rome," he said. McConville is one of many teachers in the Highlands using artificial intelligence, or AI, for a wide range of tasks, including generating lesson ideas, reducing busywork, creating student worksheets and customizing teaching materials. That reflects a national trend: Last year, 60 percent of 2,232 public school teachers surveyed for a Gallup Poll reported using AI, with a third using it at least once a week. The most frequent AI users estimated that the technology saved them nearly six hours a week. At the Garrison School, math teacher Michael Roman uses the tools in an online service called Goblins, which markets itself as a "math teacher cloning device." His middle school students log into the software on their school-issued Chromebooks, and a virtual teacher provides problems like: "Zoe ran 28 miles this week. Next week, she plans to run 15 percent more miles. If she does, how many miles will she run in total over the two weeks?" When a reporter tried to answer, the virtual teacher said, "I see a 5 on the board. Where did that come from?" The virtual teacher then taught a brief lesson on percentages. Roman, whose said his class sizes range from nine to 17 students, said he likes Goblins because it provides "real-time adaptive feedback" to each student. He reserves the tool for the end of class, after he's explained the lesson, demonstrated practice problems and done small-group work. "It's like an exit ticket: They open up their laptops and try a few problems before they go," said Roman, who has been using the program for two years and will often use it to assign extra study. He said the students like the AI teacher that speaks in Gen Z lingo. "They either think it's fun or cringy," he said. "Either way, they're engaged." At Haldane, Ashley Linda uses AI with students who want additional academic support. She said that she can feed a reading assignment into an AI assistant such as Brisk, a tool designed for teachers, and ask it to modify the text to match a student's reading level. She said that when she is helping a student with a subject outside her expertise, she sometimes relies on AI to get up to speed. But Linda is wary about using AI for her 10th- and 12th-grade English students. "I'm not going to use it to generate a lesson plan or to grade student work," she said. "I don't think AI can make a better lesson than I can." She said she is also wary of relying on a tool she wants her students to avoid. "If I want my students to answer questions, think critically and learn how to write an essay without using AI, I'm also not going to use it," said Linda, who worries about allowing young people to become even more hooked on technology. "A generation of young people has been negatively impacted by screens," she said. Those concerns prompted at least one state lawmaker to propose regulations. Assembly Member Robert Carroll, a Democrat from Brooklyn who chairs the Committee on Libraries and Education Technology, introduced legislation in November to ban the use of AI in elementary and middle schools except for diagnostic purposes, instructional interventions for students with disabilities and administrative and planning purposes. In Rockland County, the Suffern school district requires teachers ...

Dave Hendon hears about a new venue in Germany, more reflections on John Virgo, a new Fan of the Month initiative and the easiest and hardest paths to becoming world champion. Email us at snookerscenepodcast@mail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I recently attended a screening of this 2025 documentary about book banning efforts and the librarians on the front lines. I love books.....obviously. I love librarians. I have a bestie who is a librarian. Libraries are nurturing communities. Go watch this documentary. Host a party. Invite friends. Hug a librarian. They are fighting for your right to learn. Book banning seems so archaic and certainly fear based......but here we are again. Let me know what you think. Also, we are of course wanting to do episodes on as many of the 850 books on the list as we can. What are your favorites?

Master Gardener Emily Clem welcomes MG Anita Reeves to talk about houseplants. With over 100 plants in her collection, Anita shares her tips on soil, lighting, potting, fertilizing and more. She talks about the benefits of using LED lights and cautions against overwatering. She advises researching plants before you buy and then give them time to adapt to their new surroundings. Indoor houseplant gardening is rewarding and less physically demanding than outdoor gardening, boosting both mood and air quality.Links:https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://mastergardeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/https://www.alcpl.org/Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay     

Today, we venture beyond Earth and into the future of food as we explore space agriculture—growing crops in space to support long-term human missions. Joining us to unpack this topic are Professor Nigel Mason and Dr. Veronika Medvecká. In the second half of the program, we shift focus back to Earth. We sit down with Lucia Kocáková from Knižnica pre mládež mesta Košice to talk about the evolving role of libraries in today's digital age. From fostering literacy and creativity in youth to serving as inclusive community spaces, Lucia Kocáková shares why libraries remain more important than ever.

This month on Beyond the Shelves, Sarah and Jes unpack the idea of "third spaces"  why we crave them, why they're disappearing, and how libraries have stepped in to fill the gap. Stick around for the Book Bulletin, where they unpack everything from LGBTQ+ publishing setbacks to Shakespearean fan fiction, Bridgerton‑era romance trends, and the wild saga of a possibly‑AI‑written novel. SHOW NOTES What We're Reading Back after this by Linda Holmes Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë To Be Read In the veins of the drowning by Kalie Cassidy Big in Sweden by Sally Franson Dominion by Addie E. Citchens The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss  Books on Third Spaces The great good place by Ray Oldenburg Palaces of the People by Eric Klinenberg The Overlooked Americans by Elizabeth Currid-Halkett Meet me at the library by Shamichael Hallman Arbitrary Lines by Nolan M. Gray (zoning laws) The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein (redlining) Walkable City by Jeff Speck Why public space matters by Setha Low Finding your third space by Richard Kyte The death and life of the great American cities by Jane Jacobs Book Bulletin Publishers are stepping back from LGBTQ books amid bans Hamnet = Shakespeare fanfiction? Julia Quinn launching romance book subscription service

Send a textOn this month's episode, our former host visits to tell us about the best romance books coming out this season and joins us in a deep dive into the trends and tropes of the genre. We also discuss the phenomenon that has taken hold of the romance world (or maybe the world in general!) -- sports romances.We want to hear from our listeners! Email us at checked.in@davenportlibrary.comTo find out what books were mentioned in this episode, visit our Checked In LibGuide!Upcoming programs:Adults: Trader Broes - Thursday, February 12th @ 6pm | FairmountTeens/Tweens: Teen Advisory Board - Tuesday, February 10th @ 6:30pm | Fairmount Kids: Preschool Fair - Saturday, February 28th @ 10am | EasternHelpful links from our discussion:1000 Books Before Kindergarten"Crash and Burn: Has Romantasy Peaked?" (Book Riot article)Threadless (The Library's Merch) Library Links:Calendar of Events - Learn more about the events discussed in this episode and about what is coming up at the Library!Library Catalog - Place holds on all of the books discussed today!Info Cafe: The Library's Reference BlogBeanstack - Sign up to participate in our reading challenges!2026 Online Reading Challenge: Know Your History

Today's episode continues our 12-part series: 12 Shifts in 2026 for Social Impact. Over twelve episodes, we're unpacking the mindset + strategy shifts shaping the future of fundraising, leadership, and doing good in 2026. Explore the series at weareforgood.com/12shiftsShift 11 / Story as InfrastructureIn today's episode, Jon and Becky welcome Carolina Garcia Jayaram, CEO of the Elevate Prize Foundation, for a reflective and forward-looking conversation on why story is no longer a communications tool — it's essential infrastructure for mission and culture.As attention fragments, trust erodes, and technology reshapes how people connect, Carolina invites nonprofit leaders to rethink storytelling as a relational practice rooted in humanity, proximity, and long-term investment. Together, they explore how centering people over issues, building trust-based relationships, and intentionally distributing stories can expand influence without sacrificing integrity.Carolina shares insights from Elevate's work at the intersection of philanthropy, media, and culture — from scaling visibility for proximate leaders to embracing AI in ways that deepen creativity rather than replace it. This episode is both a mindset shift and a practical invitation for leaders ready to treat story as something to protect, resource, and evolve from the inside out.Episode Highlights: People Over Issues: What Actually Moves Audiences to Action (03:45)Trust → Relationship-Based Philanthropy (05:10)Distribution as Strategy: Reaching Beyond the Choir (07:20)Owning Platforms & Visibility (YouTube, Creators, Times Square) (08:45)Case Study: Scaling Impact Through Story — Hannah Freed & Democracy Defenders (11:00)Scaffolding Stories: Why Nothing Should Be One-and-Done (14:50)Building Story Systems: Briefs, Libraries, and Iteration (16:30)Low-Fi Tools That Make High-Impact Stories Possible (18:40)Visibility = Fundraising: What the Data Shows (20:30)AI, Creativity & Neurodiversity: Scaling Without Losing Humanity (23:35)Carolina's One Good Thing (25:50)Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/681Save your free seat at the We Are For Good Summit

0:00 Housekeeping 03:56 Community News 09:08 State of CircuitPython, Libraries & Blinka 17:03 Hug Reports 20:31 Status Updates 32:24 In the Weeds 49:01 Wrap-up Notes document is available here, with timecodes: https://github.com/adafruit/adafruit-circuitpython-weekly-meeting/blob/main/2026/2026-02-09.md Join here for the chat all week: http://adafru.it/discord The CircuitPython Weekly normally is held at 2pm US ET/11am us PT on Mondays. Check the #circuitpython-dev channel on Discord for notices of change in time and links to past meetings. Meeting times are also available in iCal format using the following link: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/adafruit/adafruit-circuitpython-weekly-meeting/master/meeting.ical. CircuitPython development is sponsored by Adafruit. Please support them by purchasing hardware from https://adafruit.com. Reminders: Podcast available on most services. Let us know if we're missing some. Visit the Adafruit shop online - http://www.adafruit.com ----------------------------------------- LIVE CHAT IS HERE! http://adafru.it/discord Subscribe to Adafruit on YouTube: http://adafru.it/subscribe New tutorials on the Adafruit Learning System: http://learn.adafruit.com/ -----------------------------------------

Auckland library data shows physical book reign supreme with 11 million loaned last year, compared to six million digital books. Book Hero owner Dylan Bland spoke to Corin Dann.

On Hands-On Tech, Mikah offers Scott some suggestions for managing a large photo library for his wife that are simple enough for her to handle and can be automated as well. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: shopify.com/hot

On Hands-On Tech, Mikah offers Scott some suggestions for managing a large photo library for his wife that are simple enough for her to handle and can be automated as well. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: shopify.com/hot

On Hands-On Tech, Mikah offers Scott some suggestions for managing a large photo library for his wife that are simple enough for her to handle and can be automated as well. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: shopify.com/hot

On Hands-On Tech, Mikah offers Scott some suggestions for managing a large photo library for his wife that are simple enough for her to handle and can be automated as well. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: shopify.com/hot

On Hands-On Tech, Mikah offers Scott some suggestions for managing a large photo library for his wife that are simple enough for her to handle and can be automated as well. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: shopify.com/hot

Libraries in French colonial Vietnam functioned as symbols of Western modernity and infrastructures of colonial knowledge. Yet Vietnamese readers pursued alternative uses of the library that exceeded imperial intentions. In Bibliotactics: Libraries and the Colonial Public in Vietnam (U California Press, 2026), Cindy Any Nguyen examines the Hanoi and Saigon state libraries in colonial and postcolonial Vietnam, uncovering the emergence of a colonial public who reimagined the political meaning and social space of the library through public critique and day-to-day practice. Comprising government bureaucrats, library personnel, journalists, and everyday library readers, this colonial public debated the role of libraries as educational resource, civilizing instrument, and literary heritage.  Moving beyond procolonial or anticolonial nationalism framings, Bibliotactics advances a relational theory of power that centers public reading culture contextualized within the library infrastructure of the colonial information order. As the first comprehensive history of the colonial and national library in Asia, this book contributes new insights into publicity, colonial and postcolonial studies, and the histories of Vietnam, libraries, and information. Bibliotactics is available open access from Luminosa. Visit here to download a copy for free. Cindy Anh Nguyen is Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Studies and the Digital Humanities program at the University of California, Los Angeles. Jen Hoyer is Technical Services and Electronic Resources Librarian at CUNY New York City College of Technology. She is co-author of What Primary Sources Teach: Lessons for Every Classroom (2022) and The Social Movement Archive (2021), and co-editor of Armed By Design: Posters and Publications of Cuba's Organization of Solidarity of the Peoples of Africa, Asia, and Latin America (2025). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Libraries in French colonial Vietnam functioned as symbols of Western modernity and infrastructures of colonial knowledge. Yet Vietnamese readers pursued alternative uses of the library that exceeded imperial intentions. In Bibliotactics: Libraries and the Colonial Public in Vietnam (U California Press, 2026), Cindy Any Nguyen examines the Hanoi and Saigon state libraries in colonial and postcolonial Vietnam, uncovering the emergence of a colonial public who reimagined the political meaning and social space of the library through public critique and day-to-day practice. Comprising government bureaucrats, library personnel, journalists, and everyday library readers, this colonial public debated the role of libraries as educational resource, civilizing instrument, and literary heritage.  Moving beyond procolonial or anticolonial nationalism framings, Bibliotactics advances a relational theory of power that centers public reading culture contextualized within the library infrastructure of the colonial information order. As the first comprehensive history of the colonial and national library in Asia, this book contributes new insights into publicity, colonial and postcolonial studies, and the histories of Vietnam, libraries, and information. Bibliotactics is available open access from Luminosa. Visit here to download a copy for free. Cindy Anh Nguyen is Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Studies and the Digital Humanities program at the University of California, Los Angeles. Jen Hoyer is Technical Services and Electronic Resources Librarian at CUNY New York City College of Technology. She is co-author of What Primary Sources Teach: Lessons for Every Classroom (2022) and The Social Movement Archive (2021), and co-editor of Armed By Design: Posters and Publications of Cuba's Organization of Solidarity of the Peoples of Africa, Asia, and Latin America (2025). Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/southeast-asian-studies

This month, we discuss books set on trains or ships, a prompt on the Winter Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge. Travel the high seas with our recommendations: a graphic novel horror story about a mermaid-like creature; a lyrical, suspenseful novel about a woman following what might be the Arctic Tern's final migration; and a YA novel about a young artist who is slowly disconnecting from reality and living a second life aboard a ship in the Mariana Trench.Prefer to stay on dry land? We also offer some brief suggestions for books set on trains.Michael's PickSea of Sorrows by Rich Douek and Alex CormackPairing: Creamy Seafood ChowderCarrie's PickMigrations by Charlotte McConaghyPairing: Mashed Winter Vegetable StewJacqueline's PickChallenger Deep by Neal ShustermanPairing: Rum Runner

Libraries in French colonial Vietnam functioned as symbols of Western modernity and infrastructures of colonial knowledge. Yet Vietnamese readers pursued alternative uses of the library that exceeded imperial intentions. In Bibliotactics: Libraries and the Colonial Public in Vietnam (U California Press, 2026), Cindy Any Nguyen examines the Hanoi and Saigon state libraries in colonial and postcolonial Vietnam, uncovering the emergence of a colonial public who reimagined the political meaning and social space of the library through public critique and day-to-day practice. Comprising government bureaucrats, library personnel, journalists, and everyday library readers, this colonial public debated the role of libraries as educational resource, civilizing instrument, and literary heritage.  Moving beyond procolonial or anticolonial nationalism framings, Bibliotactics advances a relational theory of power that centers public reading culture contextualized within the library infrastructure of the colonial information order. As the first comprehensive history of the colonial and national library in Asia, this book contributes new insights into publicity, colonial and postcolonial studies, and the histories of Vietnam, libraries, and information. Bibliotactics is available open access from Luminosa. Visit here to download a copy for free. Cindy Anh Nguyen is Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Studies and the Digital Humanities program at the University of California, Los Angeles. Jen Hoyer is Technical Services and Electronic Resources Librarian at CUNY New York City College of Technology. She is co-author of What Primary Sources Teach: Lessons for Every Classroom (2022) and The Social Movement Archive (2021), and co-editor of Armed By Design: Posters and Publications of Cuba's Organization of Solidarity of the Peoples of Africa, Asia, and Latin America (2025). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/french-studies

Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. can still picture his high school's two-story library. He knows how influential these spaces can be, as well as the librarians who staff them. The School District of Philadelphia, however, continues to contend with a decades-long dearth of library facilities. Watlington and KYW Newsradio education reporter Mike DeNardo discuss how the district is dealing with this issue, and where literacy falls on Watlington's list of priorities.  00:00 Listener question: how is the district addressing the need for school libraries? 03:24 The importance of teaching students where and how to find trustworthy sources of information Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HOUR 2: Why are so many women requesting 'spicy cookbooks' at their local libraries? full 2108 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:00:00 +0000 1hItEK2CfKK0y8atUh5yqvGTXHhIgGGs news The Dana & Parks Podcast news HOUR 2: Why are so many women requesting 'spicy cookbooks' at their local libraries? You wanted it... Now here it is! Listen to each hour of the Dana & Parks Show whenever and wherever you want! © 2025 Audacy, Inc. News False https://

Lalita du Perron talks to Afghan historian Mejgan Massoumi (PhD, Stanford, now at Carnegie Mellon University) and South Asia bibliographer Ryan Perkins about the incredible Ustad Mahwash archive, recently acquired by Stanford Libraries. They discuss the ongoing relevance of Ustad Mahwash's legacy, some gems that are in the collection and worth checking out, and the importance of archives in keeping traditions alive. Episode notes and resources:Ustad Mahwash's main online exhibit page. Ustad Sarahang's letterBrief biographical sketch of Ustad MahwashNotes about the music files in the episode1) Beshnaw az Nai (Listen to the Reed) The poetry is from Mawlana's (Rumi's) opening lines to his Mastnavi. This is one of Ustad Mahwash's masterpieces from the Kharabati/Classical Afghan Music tradition. (Featured in the podcast Intro- 00:00-01:30 min).2) Houri, Houri, Houri (Houri/Noori is the name of a girl, and Noori comes from the Arabic Noor meaning Light, as in light of God, light of beauty, etc.) This is a signature Ustad Mahwash "pop" song and many attach it to her repertoire. (Part of this song is featured at 20:52-21:47 min in the podcast). 3) Guleh Seybem (My Apple Blossom, i.e. another way of saying my Beloved or My Sweetheart, etc) This is also a signature Ustad Mahwash "pop" song and it is wildly popular because the more contemporary female Afghan superstar, Aryana Sayeed, made one of her debut concerts in Afghanistan in the early 2000s with this song. Ironically most people associate this song with Aryana Sayeed, because they do not know or realize it's original performance was from Ustad Mahwash. (Part of this song is featured at the outro of the podcast starting at 26:23 mins- end).

Join me for a transformative live in person event in Maui on May 14-17 https://www.brianscottlive.com/hawaii-2026 Join The Reality Revolution Tribe

This year marks the centennial of the Schomburg Center, and to celebrate, they've released a new book list titled '100 Black Voices: The Schomburg Centennial Reading List,' with contributions from WNYC's own Alison Stewart. Maira Liriano, associate chief librarian of Schomburg Center's Jean Blackwell Hutson's Research & Reference Division (and the curator of the list), and Brian Jones, NYPL's senior director of reading and engagement, discuss the authors and books featured on the list, and listeners  share their favorite books from Black authors.  

Notes document is available here: https://github.com/adafruit/adafruit-circuitpython-weekly-meeting/blob/main/2026/2026-02-02.md Join here for the chat all week: http://adafru.it/discord The CircuitPython Weekly normally is held at 2pm US ET/11am us PT on Mondays. Check the #circuitpython-dev channel on Discord for notices of change in time and links to past meetings. Meeting times are also available in iCal format using the following link: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/adafruit/adafruit-circuitpython-weekly-meeting/master/meeting.ical. CircuitPython development is sponsored by Adafruit. Please support them by purchasing hardware from https://adafruit.com. Reminders: Podcast available on most services. Let us know if we're missing some. 0:00 Housekeeping 2:38 Community News 5:06 State of CircuitPython, Libraries & Blinka 11:51 Hug Reports 14:30 Status Updates 20:53 In the Weeds 21:21 Wrap-up Visit the Adafruit shop online - http://www.adafruit.com ----------------------------------------- LIVE CHAT IS HERE! http://adafru.it/discord Subscribe to Adafruit on YouTube: http://adafru.it/subscribe New tutorials on the Adafruit Learning System: http://learn.adafruit.com/ -----------------------------------------

Recorded for release W/C 2nd Feb 2026 This week Rosie Singha lets us know about Here and Now - The Steps Musical which is at the Wolverhampton Grand in March, Big 3 Productions let us know about Dear Evan Hansen at the Rugeley Rose, we fins out about SparkSpace - a resource for Libraries, Sean Morris warns of Drover Zoe out and tells how the Ooono Co-piolot can keep make the roads safer and Kate Silverton tempts us with a Micro-retirement.

The following interview is part of the 2025 Charleston Conference Leadership Interview Series. In this series, we sit down with leaders and innovators who are making a real difference in scholarly publishing, libraries, and the broader information world. Each conversation is a chance to hear firsthand how these decision makers tackle new challenges, rethink traditional models, and collaborate across sectors. Today's episode features the next conversation from the 2025 Charleston Conference Leadership Interview Series.  Erin Gallagher, Chair, Acquisitions & Discovery Services at the University of Florida, and a Conference Director, talks with Leo Lo, Dean of Libraries and Advisor for AI Literacy at the University of Virginia. Leo shares that he has a film degree and originally wanted to be a film scholar and film preservationist and didn't realize that librarianship could be a career until he discovered it by accident when searching for a graduate program in film preservation. One of his professors suggested that he look into the library science programs for preservation specialization. Leo says he became interested immediately, as it was an exciting time when the internet was exploding and changing everything, including librarianship.  He earned his MLIS at Florida State University. He says librarianship is the intersection between honoring the past and shaping the future. In this conversation, Leo gives an employer's perspective as to some steps future librarians could take to better prepare for a landscape where AI is really going to play a large and evolving role. He talks with Erin about his unique role as Dean of Libraries but also being appointed as advisor to the provost for AI literacy, the value for librarians in joining organizations like ALA and ACRL and his experience the first time he used ChatGPT. The video of this interview can be found here:  https://youtu.be/zbv2c4xT9hk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-gallagher-39a2b211/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/leoslo/ Keywords: #LeoLo #CharlestonConference #AgainstTheGrain #AnnualReviews #LeadershipInLibraries #InnovationInLibraries #TeamWork #Team #ConferenceEvolution #LibraryCommunity #Librarianship #ProfessionalDevelopment #LibrarianJourney #LibraryEducation #InformationAccess #LibraryCommunity #libraries #librarians #libraryCareer #librarySchool #LibraryLove #academic #AcademicPublishing #scholcomm #ScholarlyCommunication  #learning #learnon #information #leaders #leadership #2024ChsConf ##career #scholcomm #ScholarlyCommunication #libraries #librarianship #LibraryNeeds #LibraryLove #ScholarlyPublishing #AcademicPublishing #publishing #LibrariesAndPublishers #podcasts

It's the first episode of 2026, and we have a brand new segment to share! After our lively discussion about libraries - and all the things we love about them - we're going to "spill the nonprofit tea." Yes, it's as fun as it sounds. 

Volunteers and staff members from multiple local agencies and nonprofits will count families and individuals currently experiencing homelessness. The annual count is used to qualify for HUD funds.Readers with niche tastes will again be able to request books that the Library doesn't own, though the book must be available through Amazon.

Steve chats with collection development librarian Lila Denning about passive readers’ advisory, practical tips for creating effective book displays, making displayed accessible and inclusive, partnering with local businesses to promote library services and collections, and how the horror genre helps readers understand different perspectives and emotions. Read the transcript! Lila Denning is a librarian in Florida … Continue reading 306: Passive Readers’ Advisory, with Lila Denning

Notes document is available here, with timecodes: https://github.com/adafruit/adafruit-circuitpython-weekly-meeting/blob/main/2026/2026-01-26.md Join here for the chat all week: http://adafru.it/discord The CircuitPython Weekly normally is held at 2pm US ET/11am us PT on Mondays. Check the #circuitpython-dev channel on Discord for notices of change in time and links to past meetings. Meeting times are also available in iCal format using the following link: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/adafruit/adafruit-circuitpython-weekly-meeting/master/meeting.ical. CircuitPython development is sponsored by Adafruit. Please support them by purchasing hardware from https://adafruit.com. Reminders: Podcast available on most services. Let us know if we're missing some. 0:00 Housekeeping 01:59 Community News 03:24 State of CircuitPython, Libraries & Blinka 10:46 Hug Reports 12:41 Status Updates 19:05 Wrap-up Visit the Adafruit shop online - http://www.adafruit.com ----------------------------------------- LIVE CHAT IS HERE! http://adafru.it/discord Subscribe to Adafruit on YouTube: http://adafru.it/subscribe New tutorials on the Adafruit Learning System: http://learn.adafruit.com/ -----------------------------------------

Then, we transition to a panel led by Susan Stuart Clark featuring library directors Jayanti Addleman (Hayward) and Derek Wolfgram (Redwood City). They share on-the-ground stories of how their institutions transformed overnight—from providing hotspots and homework centers to becoming de facto daytime shelters for unhoused neighbors. This episode highlights the resilience of library staff, the mental health crisis, and the lasting impact of the digital divide.Key Topics & Takeaways[00:03:40] Origins of “Free for All”: How the filmmakers realized librarians are "first responders" during Hurricane Katrina, aiding evacuees when other systems failed.[00:10:45] The RV Tour Idea: Innovative distribution plans to project the documentary in library parking lots to maintain community during social distancing.[00:15:00] Hayward's Pivot: How Hayward Public Library immediately extended loan periods to one year and distributed hotspots to support students and immigrant families.[00:18:20] Redwood City Online: The surprise benefit of online programming, which increased accessibility for people with disabilities and transportation barriers.[00:21:00] Basic Needs & Hygiene: Libraries stepping up to provide portable toilets and handwashing stations for unhoused populations when public spaces closed.[00:30:00] The Heartbreak of Success: A story about a patron who found housing but was devastated to lose his daily connection to the Redwood City Library community.[00:50:00] The Future of Funding: The unprecedented opportunity of ARPA stimulus funds going directly to cities to help rebuild local services.Guests & HostGeorge Koster – Host and Executive Producer of Voices of the Community.Eric Estrada – Associate Producer and Host.Dawn Logsdon & Lucie Faulknor – Co-Founders of Serendipity Films and creators of the documentary Free for All.Susan Stuart Clark – Founder of Common Knowledge and community engagement expert.Jayanti Addleman – Director of Library Services for the City of Hayward.Derek Wolfgram – Library Director of Redwood City Public Library.Resources & Links MentionedFree for All Documentary: Learn more about the film at FreeForAllFilms.org.Voices of the Community Episode 10: Listen to the full interview with the filmmakers here: https://georgekoster.com/voc-free-for-allVoices of the Community Library Panel: Listen to the full panel discussion with Susan, Jayanti, and Derek here: https://georgekoster.com/voc-stories-common-knowledge-library-panelLearn More about our Guests & Series Listen to the full conversations: Dive deeper into these stories by listening to the complete interviews in Episode 10 and the Library Panel Episode.Explore the Series: Check out the full COVID-19 Special SeriesSupport the Show: Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us continue producing these stories. Click the donate button at voicesofthecommunity.comSignup for our Newsletter to stay in the loop on future shows and live eventsMake a Donation: Support Voices of the Community, fiscally sponsored by Intersection for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and enjoy tax deductions for your contributions. Credits & AcknowledgmentsProduced by: George Koster and Alien Boy ProductionsAssociate Producer, Audio & Video: Eric EstradaVisual Design: Casey Nance of Citron StudioBroadcast Partners: KSFP-LP 102.5 FM (San Francisco) and KPCA-LP 103.3 FM (Petaluma)Special Thanks: BAVC Media for the initial collaboration on the SF Non-Profit Spotlight.TranscriptFull transcripts and video episodes are available on our website and YouTube channel.Website:https://georgekoster.com/voc-c19-highlight-show-part-4-libraries-transcriptYouTube: George Koster Delve deeper into the Voices of the Community Series on Arts & Culture, Making the Invisible Visible, Covid-19's impact on nonprofits, small enterprises and local government, the City of Stockton's rise from the ashes of bankruptcy, and our archives:You can explore episodes, speakers, organizations, and resources through each series web page. Watch and learn from all five series now!,

In this episode, I reconnect with Sharone Halevy nearly a year after our collector talk at Superfine (now The Superfair) in San Francisco. Sharone is an abstract expressionist painter who's built her entire practice around commission work and selling directly to collectors without gallery representation. We discuss her transition from theater directing to painting, why she works on sliding scales to make art accessible, and how she uses sound and storytelling to create "tangible memories," paintings that capture how moments felt rather than every detail. Sharone shares her approach to building confidence, why friends and family are your first important collectors, and how she leveraged social media to create direct audience connection. As lead curator and operations manager at The Superfair, Sharone coaches every exhibiting artist on booth curation, pricing strategy, and selling techniques. We discuss the fair's rebrand and refocus on attracting the right buyers rather than massive crowds, and why in-person events matter for artists, especially those in rural areas. We wrap up with Sharone's challenge for the year: find a hobby. Not another income stream or content for social media, something tactile and creative you do purely for joy.   CALL FOR ART: CREATE! MAGAZINE 2026 WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL EDITION  Deadline: January 31st, 2026 Submit: https://www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art   CONNECT WITH SHARONE:  Instagram: www.instagram.com/art_by_sharone/ Website: https://www.artbysharone.com   CONNECT WITH CREATE! MAGAZINE:  Instagram: @createmagazine Collective: https://www.createmagazine.co/collective Website: https://www.createmagazine.co   MENTIONED: The Superfair: thesuperfair.com  1000 Libraries coloring books

Notes document is available here, with timecodes: https://github.com/adafruit/adafruit-circuitpython-weekly-meeting/blob/main/2026/2026-01-20.md The CircuitPython Weekly normally is held at 2pm US ET/11am us PT on Mondays. Check the #circuitpython-dev channel on Discord for notices of change in time and links to past meetings. Meeting times are also available in iCal format using the following link: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/adafruit/adafruit-circuitpython-weekly-meeting/master/meeting.ical. CircuitPython development is sponsored by Adafruit. Please support them by purchasing hardware from https://adafruit.com. Reminders: Podcast available on most services. Let us know if we're missing some. ----------------------------------------- Visit the Adafruit shop online - http://www.adafruit.com ----------------------------------------- LIVE CHAT IS HERE! http://adafru.it/discord Subscribe to Adafruit on YouTube: http://adafru.it/subscribe New tutorials on the Adafruit Learning System: http://learn.adafruit.com/ ----------------------------------------- 0:00 Housekeeping 2:12 Community News 2:32 State of CircuitPython, Libraries & Blinka 15:18 Hug Reports 18:00 Status Updates 22:38 In the Weeds 22:54 Wrap-up

On this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, George asks whether he can sync his iCloud and Google Photos photo libraries together. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show, or if there are any products you'd like him to review. hot@twit.tv Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

On this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, George asks whether he can sync his iCloud and Google Photos photo libraries together. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show, or if there are any products you'd like him to review. hot@twit.tv Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Giannina the Cat Giannina the cat lived in a house with a garden. The garden wall bordered a park where children gathered to play. The town was small but charming — from the windowsills of the houses, pots of geraniums and petunias tumbled down like colorful cascades. Her owner, Signora Mafalda, often took her around the town center. All the children knew her, and whenever they spotted her, they would run over and shower her with affection. Giannina was quite the little rascal. During the day she loved chasing lizards, hunting insects, butterflies, and anything that moved. To rest, she would stretch out in the sun on the warm stones, then cool off among the blades of grass. In the garden, among the pomegranate tree, the lemon tree, and the olive with its silvery leaves, she and Mafalda spent their afternoons playing together. But one day, Mafalda began to notice something strange. Giannina would leap to catch her prey, but she kept missing and ending up in the rose bushes. "Ow, ow, ow! I've pricked myself and my tail is tangled in the branches!" she meowed. She barely managed to dodge trees she used to climb with ease. She reached her food and water bowls with an uncertain gait. Worried, Mafalda took her to the Veterinarian. After listening to the little cat's strange adventures, the Doctor smiled and delivered his verdict with a wise air: "This little kitty can't see well. She needs glasses." No sooner said than done — in the blink of an eye, the veterinarian searched through a display case full of frames for pets and, finding the perfect one, exclaimed: "Here we are — a pair of glasses fit for an elegant lady!" As soon as they were placed on Giannina's sweet little snout, the cat looked around in wonder. She could see everything so clearly! She rubbed against the Veterinarian's legs and leaped into Mafalda's arms as if to thank her. The Doctor, touched by her sweetness, gave her a special gift: a golden chain with a small pearl at its center that glowed with its own light. Whispering, he told her: "If you close your eyes and touch this pearl with your little nose, you will gain magical powers that only you will have. They will help you help others." Giannina thought that perhaps this Veterinarian was also a Wizard, but she said nothing to Mafalda. It was a secret between her and the strange Doctor. On the way home, people turned to look at her, thinking: that cat seems mysterious — there's something glimmering around her. At home, Giannina's first wish was to climb onto a chair and gaze out the window. The flowers shone in their colors, and even the grass was a brilliant green, as if covered in dew. She smiled, happier than ever. Mafalda, sharing in her joy, decided to take her to the park. They arrived in no time. Squirrels scampered through the trees, birds sang as they flew from branch to branch. Small creatures popped out everywhere, and the children followed them with curiosity — they ran alongside the lizards, leaped with the butterflies dancing in the air, while red ladybugs landed on their skin like good luck charms. After chases, slides, and ring-around-the-rosy, the children sat down on the grass for their snack. From their colorful backpacks came tasty treats. That's when they arrived. "Vriiip! Vriiip! Vriiip!" At full speed, a platoon of ants zoomed in on rumbling mini-motorcycles. They wore shiny little helmets on their heads, round goggles over their eyes, and tiny boots on their feet. They braked sharply in front of the children, raising little clouds of dust. "Make way! We're here too!" shouted the lead ant, lifting her visor. "Can we collect the crumbs?" The children burst out laughing. "Yes, yes! Munch all the crumbs you want!" The ants parked their mini-motorcycles in a neat row, removed their helmets with theatrical gestures, and got to work carrying crumbs twice their size, singing a little marching song. In this joyful atmosphere, Giannina and Mafalda strolled along the pathways. And suddenly, as they passed, the trees bent their branches in a bow and their leaves rustled in greeting. The roses in the flower beds opened their petals and began to sing. The lizards beat their tails on the ground like drums: "Rattatatà! Rattatatà!" And the millipedes started tap dancing to the lively rhythm. "Oh my, what a wonderful commotion!" exclaimed Giannina, who was beginning to feel a mysterious aura around her. She couldn't help but think of the Wizard Veterinarian. What could these magical powers be? And what would happen if she touched the pearl with her little nose? She told Mafalda, who was carrying a book of fairy tales under her arm. They looked at each other and, understanding instantly, seized the moment. Giannina gathered the children in a circle. Some came quickly, others more shy joined in slowly. The ants too, their bellies full, put on their mini helmets again, did one last rumbling lap on their motorcycles, then climbed off and approached the group. It was the right moment. Giannina closed her eyes and touched the magic pearl with her little nose. A golden spark flashed in the air. She took the book from Mafalda's hands, opened it, and chose the tale that seemed to be waiting for her, glowing among the pages. In a gentle voice, she began to read. "Once upon a time, there was a little rabbit who lived in the woods. He kept tripping over tree roots and pebbles. At school, he made mistakes reading letters and numbers, so he didn't want to go anymore. When the teacher saw his drawings, she said: 'Well done!' His mom and dad said the same: 'Well done!' But to him, the colors seemed faded. The truth was, he couldn't see well, but instead of saying so, he would run away and hide in a burrow beneath a talking tree. And the tree, with the rustle of its leaves, whispered a secret: talk to your parents. So he did, and they helped him get glasses. And the world became beautiful again." Giannina closed the book. She understood: with the magic pearl, she could read the hearts of children, discovering emotions and secrets waiting to be brought to light. "You know," she said to her little listeners, "not long ago, I couldn't see well either. But I put on these glasses and poof! The world became clearer and more beautiful." A boy approached her, almost embarrassed, and whispered in her ear: "Maybe I need them too, like you." Giannina gently stroked him. "I helped you open your heart. Now talk to your parents, and everything will be fine." Just then, a little rabbit appeared suddenly from the bushes. He came up to Giannina, hugged her, and said: "You are magically magical!" And — you won't believe it — that little rabbit was wearing a lovely pair of colorful glasses. From that day on, Giannina took the children of the town by the paw, teaching them to believe in themselves and to have confidence. She became the mascot with the magic glasses, and everyone wanted to wear them just like her. But the true wonder was how she now saw the world from her window: brighter, more colorful, more alive. And every evening, before falling asleep, she would touch the pearl with her little nose and smile, knowing that the next day she would help someone else see the world with new eyes. It almost seemed like it had been a dream. But as we know, reality and fantasy often walk hand in hand. _— Written by Lucia & Marco Ciappelli_ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, George asks whether he can sync his iCloud and Google Photos photo libraries together. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show, or if there are any products you'd like him to review. hot@twit.tv Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

On this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, George asks whether he can sync his iCloud and Google Photos photo libraries together. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show, or if there are any products you'd like him to review. hot@twit.tv Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

The podcast returned again to the Long Island Library Resources Council’s Conference on Libraries and the Future. Everyone is talking about AI and change in our field and these next two guests are both on the cutting edge. Dr. Sanda Hirsh, Special Assistant to the Provost for AI Initiatives at San José State University and author of the book iLbrary 2035: Imagining the Next Generation of Libraries chats with Chris about artificial intelligence, how libraries can adapt and use it as an effective tool and about embracing change as a concept. After the break, Chris was joined by Dr. Rajesh Singh, professor at St. John’s University. Dr. Singh spoke about change, how AI is reshaping the profession and his optimistic outlook for the future!

Jan. 13, 2026- Consultant Jenn O'Connor and Marion Waldman, executive director of Teach My Kid to Read, make the case for state grants to libraries so they can fill the gaps in efforts to promote early literacy.

Welcome to Episode #195 of the Way of the Bible podcast. This is our third of eight episodes in our Twenty-Fifth mini-series entitled The Return of Jesus Christ [4]. On today's episode, we will begin to tie together all we've covered up to this point over the last 26 episodes. And yet it is a topic you hear very little about, except when forces within the body stir up strife, bringing division. I hope you can see why by now. I also hope that, while it may seem like a lot of time has been spent on this podcast about a relatively obscure topic, you have come to recognize that the return of Jesus is the central theme of both the Old and New Testaments. Now imagine this four-part mini-series as a 50+-part mini-series, and you would likely have enough episodes to do justice to a complete overview of the book of Revelation. If you have been given the idea that the Bible is too complex and disjointed to make any sense, you have been deceived. The Bible is the most tightly packed and integrated message system filled end to end with Spiritual words that are spiritually discerned, whose author is God. Words are not enough to describe that by which all other things seen and unseen are defined, described, manifested, and have their being, [the Word of God]. Keys to the Bible's validation are the prophetic texts in both the Old and New Testaments. From the first word to the last word of the Scriptures, they are inerrant in their original communication. Libraries are filled with books by scholars and laymen alike who have tried but never plumbed the depths of the riches of wisdom and knowledge hidden between the covers of the Bible. It is beyond any one person's comprehension and only reveals what God, through Jesus, superintends by the Spirit for a person to understand.I am convinced, as have innumerable others who have studied the text, that our personal interactions with the Bible and Holy Spirit are fully reliable. And in that vein of overwhelming belief and trust in the words and Spirit of God, I present the I AM Coming Soon crescendo of the Bible found in Revelation 22:12-21.

Today's episode exposes an issue far deeper than most parents realize: what's actually inside our public and school libraries. The journey began when I opened a copy of Gender Queer in a small-town bookstore and saw a graphic sexual illustration—sitting in plain view for any child to pick up. That moment sent me down a trail that led from local libraries all the way up to the American Library Association.To help us understand the full picture, I interview Bonnie Wallace from Llano County, Texas. Bonnie discovered explicit books containing graphic scenes, sexual content, and online grooming pathways—in the children's section of her library. When she raised concerns, she and her county were sued for simply moving the books to the adult side.Her legal battle went from the local level, to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court—resulting in a landmark decision affirming the right of libraries to protect kids from inappropriate material.In this conversation, we break down:-How radical ideology has infiltrated the American Library Association and state library associations-Why explicit materials are being pushed toward minors-Why some books are too explicit for prisoners, yet accessible to children-How pornography and graphic content shape a child's mind-What Christian librarians and Christian parents must do-Practical steps for protecting your kids at home, school, and in your county-Why Christians must run for school boards, library boards, and local office-And why “book banning” is a false narrative—this is about book boundaries, not censorshipParents: your vigilance matters. Shepherd your kids' hearts. Guard what they see. Engage in your local community.If one woman can take on the library industry and win, imagine what thousands of Christians standing up for righteousness could do.Join us weekly as we strive help people embrace God's standard for sexuality! Other ways to listen:https://linktr.ee/calibrateconversations#Sexuality #Libraries #Scandal

LEOPOLDO'S SECRET LIBRARYSome people are strange — they like to spend their evenings reading books.Others are even stranger — they believe in the magic found between pages, in fantastical adventures, in stories of impossible love, in ghosts that walk among the living, and they think that everything that doesn't exist — maybe does after all.In short, this story is for those who are a little strange, like you and me — you know, for those who.So… listen.If you take the road up the hill from the center of town, you'll find an old and noble villa, one that has been there for a very long time. It must be about 350 years now that it has stood there in silence, watching and breathing softly beneath the Tuscan sky.Enormous rooms filled with history, endless corridors, and windows as large as dreams — but now, instead of porcelain plates and figurines, it gives us stories on paper for those who wish to read them.Yes, now it's the town library — a bit out of the way, but so beautiful. Well, you can't have everything.Now, on a summer night, wrapped in a blanket of stars and the soft glow of delicate lanterns, the villa had filled with voices, music, smiles, and so many stories told and heard, spoken aloud or whispered, intertwining in the embrace of the celebration.A special evening already, no doubt, but pay attention, because something even more unusual was about to happen.Yes, because Elisa was there too. Eyes as wide as the sky, hair as dark as the night, and a book in her hand — as always.Despite everything happening around her, Elisa preferred to read.She was there, in the main corridor: between the garden and the inner courtyard, halfway between the certain and the perhaps, sitting in an armchair a little too big for her, lost in a mysterious and captivating story — in a world all her own.She turns a page, then another, adjusts her yellow glasses, and turns another page…When slowly, the echo of piano music reached her ears.She didn't pay much attention. Thinking it came from the courtyard, she turned another page — and then another.But before long she realized that the notes she heard were not coming from the villa's courtyard but from one of its corridors — carried by a gentle breeze, from faraway places outside of time.Without thinking too much, Elisa rose silently, tucked her book under her arm, and followed the music.She crossed ancient corridors and rooms with shelves full of volumes of every size and color imaginable — rainbows of thoughts and words lined up one by one that seemed to never end.As the music grew stronger, the light faded, the rooms she passed through began to appear forgotten, the stone stairs she climbed and descended worn by time, the side corridors were now dark passages lit only by torches on the walls, appearing and disappearing in the darkness like breaths.A staircase, a wooden door left ajar, another passage, another staircase, and still more rooms and shelves and books without end.Then, suddenly, a mist covered the floor like a gentle tide, and there, before her, a heavy curtain — half open.A little light showed through, and a few small wooden steps.She climbed them, those little stairs, and the music wrapped around her like an embrace.On the stage, candles floated in the air like fireflies on a timeless night. And there, at the center, seated before a tiny piano, was a mouse.But not just any mouse.Leopoldo wore a dark green tweed jacket, brown trousers pressed with care, and on his little snout, golden spectacles that gleamed with ancient and gentle wisdom.His fingers danced on the keys as if they were telling a secret."Welcome, Elisa," he said, without stopping his playing. "I've been waiting for you."Elisa blinked, enchanted. "How do you know my name?""Ah," Leopoldo smiled, letting the last note fade softly into the air, "those who love stories always recognize those who seek them."He stood, adjusted his jacket with an elegant gesture, and looked at her with eyes full of stars."Do you know where you are?""In the town library," Elisa answered, but her voice trembled a little, as if she knew the answer was something else."That one everyone knows," said Leopoldo, stepping down slowly from the stage. "Every town has one that everyone knows. But every town also has another — one that almost no one finds."He paused, his eyes gleaming."You have found the second."Leopoldo led her toward a large wooden door that Elisa could have sworn wasn't there a moment before. It opened slowly, without a sound, like a sigh held too long.And what she saw took her breath away.Endless shelves climbed upward, descended downward, stretched in every direction like spirals of galaxies made of paper and dreams. Candles floated everywhere, illuminating books that seemed to breathe, to pulse softly, like sleeping hearts."What is this place?" Elisa whispered."This," said Leopoldo, walking among the shelves, "is the library of books never written."Elisa followed, confused. "Books never written? But how can they exist?"Leopoldo stopped, turned, and looked at her with infinite gentleness."Every story ever dreamed exists, Elisa. Every adventure imagined before sleep. Every tale thought but never put to paper. They all live here, at the border between the world and the dream, waiting."They stopped before a shelf.Leopoldo pointed to a small book, bound in blue like a summer sky."Touch it," he said softly.Elisa reached out, hesitant, and brushed the cover.A gentle warmth passed through her fingers. And for an instant — just an instant — she heard a child's laughter, saw a dragon made of clouds, and a castle built of pillows and blankets."This," said Leopoldo, "was the dream of a six-year-old boy. A story he told his teddy bear every night. He never wrote it down. But it exists. You see? It exists."Elisa smiled, her heart light.They walked on, through corridors of silent stories, until Leopoldo stopped before another book.This one was different. Larger, bound in dark leather, with golden letters that seemed to tremble."And this one?" asked Elisa, quietly."This one," said Leopoldo, and his voice grew soft as a caress, "belonged to a grandmother."Elisa touched it.And she felt something different.Not laughter, this time. But a warm, distant voice, telling of a brave little girl who crossed an enchanted forest to bring light to a forgotten village."It was the story she wanted to leave her grandchildren," Leopoldo explained. "But time… time sometimes runs faster than dreams. She didn't have time to write it."Elisa felt her eyes sting."But it's here," she whispered."It's here," Leopoldo confirmed. "Forever."They continued walking, in silence, until they reached a shelf unlike the others.It was nearly empty. Only a few books, spaced apart, and so many open spaces, waiting.At the center, a book without a title.The cover was white, clean, like freshly fallen snow, like a page waiting for its first mark."May I?" asked Elisa.Leopoldo nodded.She touched it.Nothing. No warmth. No voice. Only silence. But a full silence, like a breath held."This book is empty," said Elisa, surprised."Not yet written," Leopoldo corrected. "Not even dreamed. Not yet. It waits for someone to find the courage to imagine it."He turned toward her, and his eyes shone like the candles floating around them."Perhaps it waits for you. Perhaps it waits for someone else. But it waits."Elisa stood still, looking at that white book.And she understood.She understood that every story she had ever imagined, every adventure invented before sleep, every dream she thought lost upon waking, existed somewhere.And she understood something else.That you don't have to be afraid to write.Because stories already exist — in the heart, in the mind, in dreams. Putting them on paper is not creating them from nothing. It is only opening a door and letting them out."I have to go, don't I?" said Elisa, softly.Leopoldo smiled. "Your world awaits you. But now you know this place exists. And you know that every story you dream will always have a place here, whether you write it or not."He paused."But if you do write it," he added with a sly smile, "it can live out there too. And that, my dear, is another kind of magic."Elisa found herself back in the villa's corridor, sitting in the armchair a little too big for her, the book still under her arm.The celebration went on, voices and music and laughter, as if no time had passed at all.But something had changed.She had changed.She opened the book she had been reading, looked at the pages, and smiled.Then she closed it.Because now she knew that the most beautiful stories are not only the ones we read.They are the ones we carry inside, the ones we dream with our eyes open, and the ones that one day, with a little courage, we dare to tell.— This story was written by Marco Ciappelli for "Storie Sotto Le Stelle"  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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