Library Ideas Podcast Christina Turner & Jen Stencel

Christina and Jen talk about browsing and falling in love with what our patrons still see as the library: the stacks.

Jen and Christina discuss what they've learned from running curbside/pick up service at their public library location the past few weeks, and experiment with recording outside so they can see each other (with mixed results!)

Jen and Christina discuss authentic allyship as individuals and as representatives of our organization: how can we be better listeners to and advocates for Black colleagues and patrons? How can we hold ourselves and our institutions in discomfort long enough to effect meaningful change?

Jen and Christina discuss all the facets of Curbside Service in a pandemic & why libraries are worried about their circulation stats (is our mission really still books? Our funding is still set up that way!) Is it possible *not* to offer physical items in some way right now? And if you have to do it, can you make it fun?

What should our institutions look like as we reopen? Jen and Christina talk about looking to nature to inspire resilient behaviors after trauma, listening to our communities and being sensitive to where they are at emotionally and how their lives have changed and needs have shifted, and giving ourselves permission to refocus on our core mission.

What is truly of value about your institution or organization? Jen and Christina discuss how people both inside and outside our cultural institutions view our purpose, and how that shapes expectations in peace times, and leads to opportunities to innovate in a crisis.