Winter stories to keep you warm and chill your bones, following the tradition of telling ghost stories on Christmas eve...the Harris County Public Library's podcast team present to you 3 stories as we take a nod to the history of storytelling to connect with those around you. So gather 'round the car radio, share an airpod or turn up the volume for our final episode of the year. And remember, there are thousands more stories waiting for you at your local public library. Enjoy! Visit www.hcpl.net...
Dec 11, 2023•53 min•Season 3Ep. 12
This month, we shine light on National Adoption Month by sharing stories from three family on the adoption process and how they grew their families. We also talk with our Early Literacy program manager, Anjela Martinez, about Family Place Libraries and how the library provides different resources for families. This episode features the voices of host Beth Kripple, and guests Fred Schumacher, Jim Johnson, and Anjela Martinez. Edited by Dylan Smith and Nancy Hu For more information about our Famil...
Nov 06, 2023•59 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Join Harris County Public Library Staff and members of Students Engaged in Advancing Texas to discuss censorship and libraries in honor of the American Library Association's Banned Books Week. Banned Books Week Website: https://bannedbooksweek.org/ Office of Intellectual Freedom: https://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/oif Top 13 Most Challenged Books: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10 Texans for the Right to Read: https://texansfortherighttoread.com/ Students Enga...
Oct 09, 2023•28 min
It's officially spooky season! We're kicking off our favorite time of the year with a way to get your own little shadow with an interview with Citizen for Animal Protection's Freddy about black cat adoptions, and then come with us to chat with Elyssa about Tarot cards and how they work. Katelyn and Sadina then talk about body horror books in honor of Darcy C. Interview with Freddy from Citizens for Animal Protection about Black Cat adoptions. https://www.cap4pets.org/ Link to body horror book li...
Oct 02, 2023•1 hr 7 min
It’s September and you know what that means! Cooler weather? Not likely. Fall leaves? Sadly, not in Harris County. Library Card Sign Up Month? You bet! And who are libraries for? Voting season is looming and along with that questions such as who can vote, how do you register to vote, and how do you report voting issues. Sadina Shawver interviews elections officials, Kyle Cummins and Lynn Mumford, about all your voting questions. Out in the community, Katelyn Helberg highlights a new HCPL collect...
Sep 11, 2023•48 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Have you ever wondered how a book gets to you from another branch? It may seem like library magic, but a book passes through many hands and beeps before it gets to you. This month, we follow the journey of a book getting from one borrower to another. We’ll also take a look at the different borrowers that we have that inhabit the library eco-system. Listen now to find out where you fit into the reader’s food web. Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Team M...
Aug 07, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 8
It's a Compicpalooza extravaganza episode as this month's host, Jennifer Finch, brings us voices from vendors and cosplayers alike, highlights from the live Gabbing with the Librarians podcast session, and an interview with fantasy author Kij Johnson. This episode was produced by Sadina Shawver edited by Katelyn Helberg and features the voices of Kij Johnson, Mary Mink, Lana Sell, Sadina Shawver, attendees and vendors at Comicpalooza, and our Host, Jennifer Finch Check out some of the titles men...
Jul 24, 2023•49 min
It maybe a dated phrase these days, but the "Summer Blockbuster" was a Summer time staple for kids who grew up in the 70s, 80s and 90s. This month's episode we celebrate and recall what the biggest Summer Blockbusters were to give listeners today a peek into what made these movies iconic for generations! If you're like to watch any of these blockbusters from the comfort of your own home, check out our online streaming service, Kanopy. Available with your Harris County Public Library card. Visit ...
Jun 14, 2023•31 min•Season 3Ep. 6
On this Gabbing with the Librarians episode, we explain and talk about the Writing Guild of America's writing strike and how it will affect your T.V., Movies and Entertainment in the future. This episode was edited by Beth Krippel and features the voices of to Jennifer Finch and Mary Mink from the Spring Branch Memorial Branch Library. Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, S...
May 24, 2023•26 min
This month we celebrate Jewish American Heritage month with interviews from two great organizations in the Harris County area! First we'll chat with Houston Hillel about their outreach serving the Jewish LGBTQIA community and we talk to Joel Bangilan of the Laurie and Milton Boniuk Library at the Holocaust Museum Houston about the different resources they have available . For more information about the museum, please visit www.hmh.org and if you're searching for more resources to explore the Jew...
May 08, 2023•36 min•Season 3Ep. 5
People, let me tell you 'bout my best friend. They're warm-hearted people that'll love the library to the end and on this month's episode we meet a few of our library friends of all ages and chat with them about the different ways they support the Harris County Public Library. If you'd like to be a friend to the library, please donate to or join https://www. hcfol.org This episode features the voices of Logan Tuttle, Mary Mink, Sadina Shawver, John Harbaugh, and Kelly Hayden with guests Jennifer...
Apr 13, 2023•30 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Ever wonder what the kids are thinking? This month Darla talks to Young Adults from our Atascocita Branch Library in Northeast Harris County, to hear what they're loving to read and why they love about the library! We also chat with TeenBook Con organizer, Elizabeth Boggs and we learn from Anjela Martinez about Tournament of Books, a book club battle for teens ! With the launch of our new library TikTok Account, @HarrisCountYPL , we chat with Jasmine Washington, the awesome lady who's been runni...
Mar 06, 2023•53 min•Season 3Ep. 3
As part of our African American History Month celebration, we're getting to know the performers and organizations that will be presenting their talents at our libraries this month. We have Tommy Terrific, a traveling magician who adds a historical twist to his show that delights kids of all ages. Meet the Jalen Trio, a young up and coming jazz trio who perform their music as part of DACAMERA. And then we chat with Christelyn Nash of Young Audiences, who tells us about their many performing and v...
Feb 06, 2023•38 min•Season 3Ep. 2
As part of our SciFi celebration— Our host, Jennifer Finch and other HCPL librarians to take part in the eternal debate: Star Wars, Star Trek, or... even more controversial... other Interested in checking out some of the books and fandoms mentioned in this podcast? Check out our Science Fiction list on www.hcpl.net Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Gisela...
Feb 02, 2023•33 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Join this month's host, Sadina Shawver as we celebrate National Science Fiction Day or month... with an interview of Neoromancer Cover illustrator, Rick Berry! Also get a list of our top SciFic book recommendations to explore more of this exciting genre. Episode was produced by Darla Pruitt and. edited by Christian Ornelas and features the voices of John Harbaugh, Gisela Parker and Katelyn Helberg and our Host, Sadina Shawver Learn more about Rick's art at www.rickberrystudio.com Created by the ...
Jan 09, 2023•48 min•Season 3Ep. 1
This month we interview with award winning children's Singer/Songwriter Laurie Berkner, and Jennifer chats with Melissa Martinez about the Project Grad and the Grad Cafe's wonderful work to help people explore career pathways. We also learn about the Career Online High School program at the library from Gaspar Guevara, our Adult Literacy Specialist, who tells all about ways you can earn your high school diploma. For more information about the library and our literacy programs please visit www.hc...
Dec 13, 2022•42 min•Season 2Ep. 12
This Month, host Sadina Shawver chats with Leonard Washington at our Evelyn Meador Branch Library in Seabrook, Texas about his passion for True Crime and how that translated to a series of captivating programs at our library. For more True Crime and Mystery, visit your local library, or visit us online at www.hcpl.net Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Gis...
Nov 14, 2022•35 min•Season 2Ep. 11
This month, we share spooky stories and experiences from patrons and librarians! Hosted by Jennifer Finch, featuring voices from John Schaffer, Ellen Kaluza, Nancy Hu, and Sana Thalo . We also give out of this world romance book recommendations from Darcy Casavant! Stop by one of our library locations for yourself! Find your nearest location at www.hcpl.net or if you're looking for one of the book recommendations, find them at hcpl.overdrive.com Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County P...
Oct 10, 2022•25 min•Season 2Ep. 11
On this episode of our podcast we take you into the world of passport services, chat with the League of Women Voters and learn about Octavia Fields Library in Humble.. As we move through the pandemic into a new way of living, countries are welcoming visitors once more. But visiting another country means updating or getting your first passport! The Harris County Public Library system can help with that. Then Megan, Division Director of Research and Development, spoke with League of Women Voters –...
Sep 05, 2022•55 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Join librarians from across Harris County as they discuss fan fiction's influence on pop-culture recorded live at Comicpalooza! The participants were Anjela Martinez, Darcy Casavant, Logan Tuttle, and myself. Beth Krippel edited and Nancy Hu produced Borrow all your favorite comics, graphic novels, anthologies and stories from your local library or online at www.hcpl.net Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John...
Aug 15, 2022•37 min
A short episode that features some of our awesome Summer Reading Program partners performing at our branches this Summer and one of the core departments at HCPL, CATS...or Collections and Technical Services. Voices on this episode: Leif Steenson, Jennifer Nandlal, Jennifer Finch, Darcy Cassavant, Amber Seely Partners in this episode: Jessica from Books Alive https://www.books-alive.org/ Matthew from Just Add Beats https://justaddbeats.com/index.php/about/ This episode was produced by Beth Krippe...
Jul 11, 2022•22 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In celebration of PRIDE month, our hosts Sadina Shawver and MC Brickell chat with Leigh of History is Gay Podcast about the history and implications of book banning has on the LGBTQ Community. Leigh shares their knowledge of queer history with Sadina and MC within the framework of rising trends in book challenges and bans. They will discuss the differences between and impacts of book challenges and bans in parallel with the historic erasure of the queer community. We'll be continuing the convers...
Jun 24, 2022•50 min
Interview with Amy Campbell and HCPL Writes about the Importance of writing, how it supports reading and comprehension and just in time for Summer Reading Program... How to Make Reading Fun! We also check in with Ellen K. from our Northwest Branch Library to hear about what's been happening on their side of the county. Find our NaNoWriMo programs online at www.hcpl.net and sign up for our infamous Summer Reading program at www.hcpl.beanstack.org Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County P...
Jun 20, 2022•45 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Book Covered: Camp Murderface by Saundra Mitchell & Josh Berk published in May 2020 by Harper Collins. Summary: Are You Afraid of the Stacks will go on a brief break for the summer, but before we go, we talk about summer camp with Camp Murderface by Saundra Mitchell and Josh Berk. Book Recommendations: Welcome to Camp Nightmare by RL Stine The Troop by Nick Cutter Camp So and So by Mary McCoy Find these Spook tales and more at www.hcpl.net Hosted, produced and edited by: Sadina Shawver and J...
Jun 06, 2022•25 min
Come listen to three librarians from around the county discuss how reading doesn't always mean words on a page and why those other types of reading are important and should be respected. Find our audiobook collection at hcpl.overdrive.com Host: Jennifer Finch Editor: Beth Krippel Guests: Rebecca Trent and Amy Campbell Listen to more podcasts from the Harris County Public library at www.hcpl.net/podcast Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Mem...
May 23, 2022•22 min
Did you know that libraries support small business owners ? On this episode, we talk to Jeremy Griswold, from Griswold Solutions. and Million Dollar Climb for Small Business Owners Podcast, who partners with our Maud Smith Marks Branch library to help regular people start their own businesses. Laura explains a couple of the most helpful databases library card holders have access to, and we find out what's new at our newly re-freshed Galena Park Branch Library This podcast is produced by Harris C...
May 13, 2022•41 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Jennifer and Sadina cover a very relatable fear this month: THE DARK! Horror has a way of helping you confront fears and this month, we will give you some book recommendations and reviews to help your little ones conquer the dark. Book Recommendations: The Dark by Lemony Snicket Tiny T.Rex and the Very Dark Dark by Jonathan Stutzman The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield Orion and the Dark by Emma Yarlett Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson Created by...
Apr 26, 2022•21 min
This month we are telling you about the unexpected places you'll find library services, inside and outside the library's walls. Harris County is vast and diverse, a land filled with hidden opportunities for discovery and creation. Our libraries harbor some of the best spaces for patrons to explore new technologies and machines, our Maker Spaces...and all you have to do to get started is, visit a library! We'll also meet the Curiosity Cruiser team, the library's very own outreach vehicle crew who...
Apr 06, 2022•48 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Come listen to three librarians from around the county discuss how inclusion in media or the lack thereof has affected them and why it is important for everyone to be represented in the media they consume. Host: Jennifer Finch Editor: Beth Krippel Guests: Erica Koop and Desmond London Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Gisela Parker, Kara Ludwig, John Scha...
Apr 01, 2022•37 min
You Choose the Scare ! Sadina and Jennifer cover the subject of choice and how it can be influential when it comes to consuming horror as a young reader. Give Yourself Goosebumps by R.L. Stine is a fun way to learn about choice and how our choices affect outcomes. Book Recommendations: Choose Your Own Adventure (various authors) Books mentioned in this episode: Welcome to the Wicked Wax Museum by R.L.Stine For more books available at our library www.hcpl.net/explore Created by the Podcast Team a...
Mar 22, 2022•24 min
