APL Volumes

Latest Episodes:

APL Volumes: Teen Voices Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

This is the first episode of the APL Teen Voices podcast, hosted by Frank Hobbs. In this episode, Frank sits down with Zell Miller III, the inagural Poet Laureate of Austin, Texas.

To learn more about the position of poet lauerate in Austin, click here.

You can see Zell, and other Austin poets, perform live at the AUSTIN IS A POEM event at the Central Library on Saturday, May 2nd. Click here for more information.

EPISODE 6: Perps on the Page Jul 02, 2024

Show notes

In this episode about true crime, Genn and their guest, Julie, trade terrifying tales, discuss why true crime books are so popular, and ask the question: when is a pen name not just a pen name?

Follow the Austin Public Library on instagram, and find a branch near you at library.austintexas.gov. Thank you for supporting your local public library!

Theme: True Crime

Guest: Julie Brown (AOQ, Library Branch Manager)

Authors/books: So Brilliantly Clever by Peter Graham (about author Ann Perry); The Babysitter by Liza Rodman

EPISODE 5: Louise & Louisa Jun 18, 2024

Show notes

Discover the real people behind the nostalgia! Genn and their guest, Cristina, explore the lives of Louise Fitzhugh (Harriet the Spy) and Louisa May Alcott (Little Women), considering historical identities of gender and sexuality, the role of books as mirrors, and how society views books about unconventional children.

Follow the Austin Public Library on instagram, and find a branch near you at library.austintexas.gov. Thank you for supporting your local public library!

Theme: Children's Authors

Guest: Cristina Casas (ACE, Adult Services Librarian)

Authors: Louisa May Alcott (Little Women); Louise Fitzhugh (Harriet the Spy)

EPISODE 4: Authors on the DL Jun 04, 2024

Show notes

In this episode about undercover journeys, Genn and their guest, ThuAnh, dig into the stories of Barbara Ehrenreich getting gouged and Jeff Babauta grabbing gators. What happens when an undercover experiment brings you clarity and compassion for ways of life you'd never overlapped with before?

Follow the Austin Public Library on instagram, and find a branch near you at library.austintexas.gov. Thank you for supporting your local public library!

Theme: Undercover

Guest: ThuAnh Nguyen (Gift Shop, Library Retail Manager)

Books: Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich; Gator Country by Rebecca Renner

EPISODE 3: Keep Austin History Weird May 21, 2024

Show notes

Everything's bigger in Texas, especially the stories! Genn and their guest, Jenna, break down the works of two Austinites – O. Henry and Ramon Moncivais – and look at how their lives paralleled, diverged from, and reflected Austin's history, society, and culture.

Follow the Austin Public Library on instagram, and find a branch near you at library.austintexas.gov. Thank you for supporting your local public library!

Theme: Austin History

Guest: Jenna Cooper (AHC, Library Manager)

Authors/books: O. Henry (general); Beneath the Shadow of the Capitol by Ramon Moncivais

EPISODE 2: Readers Resist May 07, 2024

Show notes

In this episode about banned books, get fired up with Genn and their guest, Dale, as they explore their personal connections to banned books, how books bans are affecting Texans today, and why the dictionary made it onto the banned books list.

Follow the Austin Public Library on instagram, and find a branch near you at library.austintexas.gov. Thank you for supporting your local public library!

Theme: Banned Books

Guest: Dale Bridges (ACE, Library Associate)

Books/authors: A wide variety of unusual banned books

Greater Austin Book Fest on Saturday, 5/11 Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

Join us for the inaugural Greater Austin Book Fest at the Central Library on Saturday, May 11th, from 10 AM - 5PM! Meet the 80+ participating authors, get your books signed, shop with local booksellers, and enjoy a full day of panels, workshops, and programs.

EPISODE 1: Long Island Tea Apr 23, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to Season 3 of APL Volumes! Hosted by Genn Mehalik, avid reader and admin senior in APL's Customer Access division, this is our Book Banter season. Genn and their guest, Jana, kick it off with an episode about celebrity memoirs, talking about why memoirs are a status symbol for stars, how memoirs can be used to tell larger stories, and which Jersey Shore memoir could bring Jana around.

Guest: Jana White (Pleasant Hill Branch, Library Assistant)

Books: Dear Girls by Ali Wong, Leslie F*cking Jones by Leslie Jones

EPISODE 6: MADE YOU COOK Dec 06, 2023

Show notes

In this scrumptious episode, Leticia and her guests, Rachele and Katie, discuss the joy of cooking for friends, failed (and very salty) experiments, and all the delightful food programs – from candy sushi to recipe swaps – at APL.

A transcript of this podcast episode is available on the APL Volumes website.

Follow the Austin Public Library on instagram, and find a branch near you at library.austintexas.gov. Thank you for supporting your local public library!

EPISODE 5: CRAFT LIFE Nov 22, 2023

Show notes

In this episode about crafts, Leticia and her guests, Jennifer and Claudia, get inspired as they talk about community crafters, niche crafting interests, and how you're NEVER too old for arts, crafts, and creation.

A transcript of this podcast episode is available on the APL Volumes website.

Follow the Austin Public Library on instagram, and find a branch near you at library.austintexas.gov. Thank you for supporting your local public library!

DON'T MISS THE HOLIDAY CRAFT CRAWL at the CENTRAL LIBRARY on 12/1.

Get more info here.

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