Call Number with American Libraries Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 18: Dewey Goes Global Oct 03, 2017

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In Episode 18, Dewey Decibel steps out onto the international stage. First, American Libraries Associate Editor and Dewey Decibel host Phil Morehart talks with Sandra Uwiringiyimana, author of How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of War Child (HarperCollins, 2017), which chronicles her life as a survivor of the 2004 Gatumba massacre in Burundi and as a refugee in the United States. They discuss the book, the plight of refugees in the US, and the importance of books and learning in her life. Next, American Libraries Associate Editor and Dewey Decibel Foreign Correspondent Terra Dankowski reports from the 2017 International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions World Congress in Wroclaw, Poland, where she talks to librarians from around the world about cataloguing, LGBTQ issues, and more. Finally, Morehart talks to acclaimed author and poet Kwame Alexander about LEAP for Ghana, a program that he cofounded in 2012 that’s working to build a library for a small village in eastern Ghana.

Episode 17: Responding to Charlottesville Sep 01, 2017

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In Episode 17 of the Dewey Decibel podcast, American Libraries looks at the protests that took place on August 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Virginia, through the eyes of the library world. First, American Libraries Associate Editor and Dewey Decibel host Phil Morehart talks to John Halliday, director of Jefferson-Madison Regional Library in Charlottesville, and Krista Farrell, assistant director and branch manager of Jefferson-Madison Regional Library’s Central Library. The Central Library sits on what was the frontlines of the protests. John and Krista shared with Phil the events of that day and how their library handled it. Next, Phil sits down with Jody Gray, director of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services, and Kristin Pekoll, assistant director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, to discuss ALA’s tracking of hate crimes at and in libraries and what you can do if your library falls victim to hate. Finally, Phil talks to Peter Berg, associate director for special collections and preservation at Michigan State University Libraries. Michigan State University Libraries holds a massive collection of extremist literature, paraphernalia, and other materials. Phil and Peter examine the collection and why it’s important for libraries and archives to save these materials, despite the repugnant nature of some of them.

Episode 16: "Fighting Fake News" Aug 01, 2017

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In Episode 16 of the Dewey Decibel podcast, American Libraries magazine looks at the "fake news" phenomenon—its history, how we become susceptible to it, and how we can fight it. Host and AL Associate Editor Phil Morehart talks with Joanna Burkhardt, fake news expert, professor and director of the University of Rhode Island branch libraries, and author of Teaching Information Literacy Reframed: 50+ Framework-Based Exercises for Creating Information-Literate Learners, about the history of fake news and how and its pernicious presence in today's media landscape. Next, Dewey Decibel Senior Game Show Correspondent and AL Associate Editor Terra Dankowski quizzes librarians on fake news headlines and talks with them about news literacy at their libraries. Finally, Morehart talks with Marnie Shure, managing editor of The Onion, about the satirical newspaper's very specific brand of fake news, the role of comedy in truth telling, and how current US politics affects its work.

Episode 15: "Podcasting About the Library" Jun 30, 2017

Show notes

In the new episode of the Dewey Decibel podcast, American Libraries shares tips and tricks for starting a library podcast. AL Associate Editor and Dewey Decibel host Phil Morehart talks with Steve Thomas, manager of Buford-Sugar Hill branch of Gwinnett County (Georgia) Public Library and host of the Circulating Ideas podcast, on his experiences interviewing librarians to find out more about their work. Next, Morehart talks with Frank Collerius, manager of Jefferson Market branch of New York Public Library, about his work as cohost of The Librarian Is In.

Episode 14: "Protecting Our Privacy" May 31, 2017

Show notes

In Episode 14 of the Dewey Decibel podcast, American Libraries examines a multi-faceted issue: privacy, both inside and outside the library. AL Associate Editor and host Phil Morehart talks with Deborah Caldwell-Stone, deputy director of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom and the Freedom to Read Foundation, about privacy concerns that affect libraries. Next, Phil discusses the right to be forgotten—legislation that forces online search engines to remove information flagged as inaccurate or irrelevant by petitioners—with Jim Neal, university librarian emeritus at Columbia University and ALA president-elect. Finally, AL Editor-at-Large Anne Ford speaks with Alison Macrina, director and founder of the Library Freedom Project, about the organization’s mission to help libraries secure patrons’ privacy. If you have feedback for the Dewey Decibel team, email us at deweydecibel@ala.org. Tell us what you like, what you don’t like, or what you’d like to see us cover. Follow us on Twitter and leave us a review on iTunes.

Episode 13: "Into the Future" Apr 26, 2017

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In episode 13 of the Dewey Decibel podcast, American Libraries looks into the future of libraries. Host Phil Morehart talks to Miguel Figueroa, director of the American Library Association's Center for the Future of Libraries, about the center's work tracking future trends important to the library world. Next, Phil talks to Kimber Fender, director of the Public Library of Cincinnati (Ohio) and Hamilton County, about the library's move to a fully-mobile service model. Finally, Terra Dankowski sits down with author and urban planner Ryan Gravel to discuss his book, Where We Want to Live: Reclaiming Infrastructure for a New Generation of Cities (St. Martin's Press, 2016), and the future of urban environments and libraries.

Episode 12: "Celebrating Women's History" Apr 01, 2017

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In the new episode of the Dewey Decibel podcast, American Libraries welcomes two authors whose new books look at inspiring women, past and present. Host Phil Morehart talks to Julie Foudy, former professional soccer player for the US women's national team, ESPN analyst and reporter, and 2017 National Library Week Honorary Chair, about her book, Choose to Matter: Being Courageously and Fabulously You (Disney Publishing Worldwide, 2017) American Libraries associate editor Terra Dankowski sits down with Donna Seaman, editor of adult books at Booklist, to discuss her new book, Identity Unknown: Rediscovering Seven American Women Artists (Bloomsbury USA, 2017).

Episode 11: "Love Connections: Finding Love in the Library World" Mar 10, 2017

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In the new episode of the Dewey Decibel podcast, American Libraries goes looking for love ... and finds it in the most unexpected places Dewey Decibel senior love correspondent Terra Dankowski talks to three librarian couples—Elizabeth Westenburg and Evan Williamson; Amy Call and Ellen MacInnis; and Annie and Dan Bostrom—who found each other thanks to the American Library Association (ALA). Dewey Decibel host Phil Morehart looks at ALA's I Love My Librarian Award, with interviews with Sari Feldman, ALA immediate past president and chair of this year's award selection committee, and Andrea Bernard, one of the 2016 award winners.

Episode 10: "Librarians, Use the Force" Feb 14, 2017

Show notes

In the 10th episode of the Dewey Decibel podcast, American Libraries Associate Editor and DD host Phil Morehart talks to three individuals who occupy a unique place in the Star Wars universe, revealing how the franchise has become a force with worldwide influence. Guest include: Anne Neumann, general manager of Rancho Obi-Wan, a nonprofit organization in Sonoma County, California, that collects, conserves, and exhibits "Star Wars" toys, memorabilia, and artifacts. Allen Callaci, literacy librarian at Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) Library and organizer of the library’s "Star Wars" Day event—one of the largest in the US that draws thousands of attendees each year. Saul Drake, project director of "Rebel, Jedi, Princess, Queen: Star Wars and the Power of Costume," an exhibition presented by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service that is bringing more than 60 costumes from the "Star Wars" franchise to museums across the US.

Bonus Episode: The 2017 Youth Media Awards Jan 30, 2017

Show notes

In this bonus episode of the Dewey Decibel podcast, American Libraries reports from the Youth Media Awards (YMAs) at the 2017 American Library Association Midwinter Meeting and Exhibits. The YMAs have a devoted fan base, many of whom queue in the pre-dawn hours to get a prime seat for the ceremony. Dewey Decibel host Phil Morehart talked to some of them about their YMA fandom, their favorite kids books, and more.

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