Stump the Librarian

Kent District Library
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Education
  • Biweekly

Welcome to Kent District Library’s Stump the Librarian Podcast where your friendly neighborhood librarians put their research skills to the test answering questions from you, the listener! Jill and Liz every other Wednesday to learn new and exciting information. Think you have a question that can stump us? Visit www.kdl.org/stump to submit a question of your own!

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 98 Polar Bear, Polar Bear

    Polar Bear, Polar Bear  Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “What’s the longest bridge in the world, and how long would it take a dog to walk across the Mackinac Bridge?” and “What color is polar bear skin, how long are polar bears, and why are polar bears white?” We also have a trivia fact of the day and recommend a fun mystery book. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   Holland’s Fact of the Day: Why? 1,111 Answers to Everything by Crispin Boyer  https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C964764    Liz’s book recommendation: The Shrew Detective: The Case of the Pilfered Pearls by Margi Preus  https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1261438    Regarding bridges:  How Bridges Stand Strong by Joanne Mattern:    https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1209280   How It's Built: Bridge by Vicky Franchino:    https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C875013   Reaching Across the Sky by Christy Hale: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1275817   https://www.britannica.com/technology/bridge-engineering   https://www.britannica.com/topic/Danyang-Kunshan-Grand-Bridge   https://www.iflscience.com/what-is-the-longest-bridge-in-the-us-75398   https://www.mackinacbridge.org/   https://www.mastt.com/blogs/longest-bridges-in-the-world   https://www.nps.gov/arch/learn/nature/geologicformations.htm     Regarding polar bears:  "polar bear." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 20 Mar. 2025. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/polar-bear/60587. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.   Polar Bear | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants   Polar Bear | National Wildlife Federation   Polar Bear Animal Facts - Ursus maritimus - A-Z Animals

  2. Oct 19

    Episode 97 Hang Tight! Sloths Ahead

    Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Why is Halloween a Thing?” and “Why do sloths move slow?” We also have a water bug fact and a fantasy book recommendation. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!  Regarding Halloween...  "Halloween." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 13 Sep. 2026. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Halloween/38951. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.  "Why Do We Celebrate Halloween?." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2025. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Why-Do-We-Celebrate-Halloween/649691. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.  "Why Do We Carve Pumpkins at Halloween?." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 8 Aug. 2026. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Why-Do-We-Carve-Pumpkins-at-Halloween/649668. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.  The history of Halloween | Live Science  History of Halloween - World History Encyclopedia  Regarding Sloths...    The Adventures of Dr. Sloth by Suzi Eszterhas:   https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C871845  Sloths by Gail Terp: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C910566  "sloth." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 20 Mar. 2025. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/sloth/68223. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.  https://www.slothconservation.org/slothopedia  https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/fascinating-facts/sloth  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloth

  3. Oct 7

    Episode 96 Lego Love

    Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Can toads give you warts?” and “What was the first Lego set?” We also have a geode fact and recommend a nonfiction graphic novel about mycology. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   Jenny’s Fact of the Day: The Rock Encyclopedia by A.W. Buckey  https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1270185  Liz’s book recommendation: Search for a Mysterious Mushroom by Amy Seto Forrester  https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1281652    Regarding toads:  A Day in the Life of Frogs by Itzue W. Caviedes Solis: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C940346   https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/warts-causes   https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/frog-and-toad   https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/surinam-toad   https://news.ku.dk/all_news/2025/11/three-new-toad-species-skip-the-tadpole-phase-and-give-birth-to-live-toadlets/   https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/headlines/news/what-s-the-difference-frog-vs-toad   https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/heres-why-you-should-never-kiss-toad-180962048/   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cane_toad   https://srelherp.uga.edu/frogs-and-toads/oak-toad/   https://wildones.org/toad-habitat/   Regarding Lego:  History of Lego - Wikipedia   "LEGO." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 11 May. 2026. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/LEGO/606927. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.   “A Brief History of Lego.” Out (1062-7928), vol. 26, no. 4, Nov. 2017, p. 86. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/plink/8409b402-d28f-378d-a1b2-6014cd4d2cae.

  4. Sep 23

    Episode 95 Donuts: The Hole Story

    Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “When were weekends invented?” and “Why do donuts have holes?” We also have a gross body fact and a graphic novel about two sisters on the beach. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!    Regarding weekends...  The 5-Day Work Week: How We Got Here | HISTORY    history of the organization of work -- Britannica School  Workweek and weekend - Wikipedia  Weekend - Etymology, Origin & Meaning  The origin of the weekend    Regarding Donuts...  The Hole Story of the Doughnut by Pat Miller  https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C458242  https://www.2foodtrippers.com/best-donuts-in-the-world/    https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/definition-synonyms-history-albeit    https://www.snopes.com/articles/346073/sea-captain-invented-doughnuts/    https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/22891  https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-history-of-the-doughnut-150405177/  https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/4601-the-history-of-donut-day.html  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunkin%27_Donuts

  5. Sep 9

    Episode 94 Our Bookmobile is Bananas

    In today’s episode we answer many Bookmobile questions, such as “How many bananas long is the Bookmobile?” We also answer, “How long does a tardigrade live?” We hear some Bookmobile trivia from Librarian Hannah, and Liz recommends a chapter book about a reluctant quester. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!    Liz’s book recommendation: Nell O’Dell Hates Quests by Emily B. Martin  https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1272675    Concerning the Bookmobile:  https://www.fox17online.com/2017/05/09/kdl-is-bringing-back-the-bookmobile#google_vignette  America's News – Historical and Current | Browse Multiple: All content filtered by: Grand Rapids Pr…  KDL.org/bookmobile  Concerning tardigrades:  Nematodes and Tardigrades by Kelley Barth: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1261870  Microscopic Creatures by Anna Claybourne: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1209569    https://www.earthdate.org/episodes/indestructible-water-bears  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13127-025-00677-y  https://www.livescience.com/61974-why-tardigrades-are-awesome.html  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tardigrade  https://wi.mit.edu/unusual-labmates-meet-tardigrades-crafters-natures-ultimate-survival-kit

  6. May 27

    Episode 93 California Adventure

    In today’s episode we explore the Muir Woods National Monument and the San Diego Zoo. We hear some trivia from Programming Specialist Hennie and Liz recommends a magical chapter book about our favorite time traveling siblings. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!     Hennie’s Fact of the Day: The Colors of Nature by Catherine Barr  https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1255994  Liz’s book recommendation: Camp Time in California by Mary Pope Osborne  https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C764960  Concerning Muir Woods:  The Camping Trip That Changed America by Barb Rosenstock: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C160135   Wildheart: The Daring Adventures of John Muir by Julie Bertagna: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C663331   "John Muir." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 29 Mar. 2024. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/John-Muir/54182. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.    "Theodore Roosevelt." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 17 Dec. 2024. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Theodore-Roosevelt/276787. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.    https://www.savetheredwoods.org/redwoods/coast-redwoods/   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muir_Woods_National_Monument   https://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm   https://www.nps.gov/articles/john-muir.htm   https://vault.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/default.aspx   John Muir quotes: https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=3BD48100-3981-45DD-B1DE-5BA909995897     Concerning the San Diego Zoo’s animals:  https://sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/story-hub/zoonooz/enrichment-is-serious-fun   https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/animal-enrichment   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_enrichment   https://www.nal.usda.gov/animal-health-and-welfare/behavioral-management-animals   "zoo." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 20 Jan. 2026. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/zoo/276045. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMR12z5F9BE   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf2B1dT6Enc   https://nationalzoo.si.edu/center-species-survival/news/cheetah-cubdate-9-treats-and-toys

  7. May 13

    Episode 92 Big Walks and Tiny Treasures

    Join Liz and Jill as we answer the questions “What is geocaching?” and “How long does it take to walk all the way around the world?” We have a fact about underwater creatures and a nonfiction book about wolves. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!     Regarding geocaching...  Go Geocaching! By Meghan Gottschall: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C875087  Go Geocaching! by Heather Schwartz: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C910003  https://cosmoquest.org/x/2021/04/random-space-fact-geocaching-on-the-iss/  https://www.geocaching.com/play  https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GCB02X4  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letterboxing_(hobby)  https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/places/state-parks/geocaching  https://www.mi-geocaching.org/  Regarding Circumnavigation... "Nellie Bly." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 11 Feb. 2025. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Nellie-Bly/15794#main-ada. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.  https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/world-nellie-milestones/  https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/learn/women-forging-the-way/nellie-bly-around-the-world/  "Earth." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 18 Mar. 2025. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Earth/110147. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.  https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2e30mxnmxdo  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pedestrian_circumnavigators  https://youtu.be/FL4nMQsp828?si=FDze-hOY3vdM2v3m  https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/space-science/how-long-take-travel-around-world  https://worldrunnersassociation.org/records/  https://circumnavigators.org/

  8. May 6

    Episode 91 Mummy Lake

    In today’s episode we answer the questions, “What is white chocolate made of?” and “Which lake mummifies creatures that fall into it?” We hear some trivia from Programming Specialist Lauren and Liz recommends a chapter book about a Wonderland adventure. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!     Liz’s book recommendation: Alice With a Why by Anna James  Alice With a Why | Kent District Library | BiblioCommons     Concerning white chocolate:  "chocolate." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 21 Mar. 2025. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/chocolate/82278. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.   https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zngsqp3   https://www.livescience.com/61754-chocolate-facts.html   "chocolate." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 6 Dec. 2025. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/chocolate/273650. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.   https://candyusa.com/story-of-chocolate/   https://chocolate.mit.edu/science/   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_chocolate   https://www.thefoodhistorian.com/blog/before-nestle-a-history-of-white-chocolate     Concerning Lake Natron:  Amazing Earth by Anita Ganeri: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C825993   Spooky Lakes by Geo Rutherford: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1154736   https://www.brilliant-africa.com/tanzania/lake-natron   https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/lake-that-turns-animals-to-stone-not-so-deadly-as-photos-suggest   https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/lake-turns-animals-to-stone   https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/lake-natron-tanzania-90191/   https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/this-alkaline-african-lake-turns-animals-into-stone-445359/   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natron   Lake Natron explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2ia_McqhoA

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to Kent District Library’s Stump the Librarian Podcast where your friendly neighborhood librarians put their research skills to the test answering questions from you, the listener! Jill and Liz every other Wednesday to learn new and exciting information. Think you have a question that can stump us? Visit www.kdl.org/stump to submit a question of your own!

Information

  • Creator
    Kent District Library
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Stump the Librarian

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