Can't Shelve This

Reaching Across Illinois Library System
  • 5.0 (8)
  • EDUCATION
  • MONTHLY SERIES

The podcast where we hammer home the importance of school libraries. Hosted by RAILS Data Analyst Janette Derucki and IHLS School Library Membership Coordinator Leah Gregory. Can't Shelve This is a product of the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) in collaboration with the Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS).

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  1. EPISODE 1

    Back to the Stacks

    Season 2 is officially in session! Settle into back-to-school season with Janette and Leah as they unpack all the library propaganda we're not falling for. No homework—just laughs, mythbusting, and a few hot takes.  Relevant Links: AISLE Conference 10/5-10/7 Extra Credit! 8/20 Illinois School Library Workers Symposium 9/17 Public Act 103-0100 American Library Association Book Ban Data ILA Annual Conference 10/14-10/16 Have a topic idea? Want to be a guest? Let us know! Email Ola at ola.gronski@railslibraries.org or leave us a voicemail on our hotline at 630.734.5015.

    1h 7m

  2. EPISODE 2

    The One Where They Get Connected

    You're not alone. School librarians have a powerful network of support behind them. In "The One Where They Get Connected," Janette and Leah are joined by Cyndi Robinson (Executive Director of the Illinois Library Association) and K.C. Boyd (District of Columbia Public Schools Librarian—AKA The Boss Librarian). Together, they unpack how to find your people, advocate for your job, and tap into perks like student discounts to help the next generation of librarians thrive.   Relevant Links:  AISLE Conference 10/5-10/7 ILA Annual Conference 10/14-10/16 AASL Conference 10/16-10/18 American Library Association (ALA) American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Illinois Library Association (ILA) Chicago State University MSLIS Program The Catholic University of America MSLIS Program ALA Joint Student Membership Program ALA Divisions ALA Roundtables EveryLibrary Follow K.C. on TikTok and Bluesky If you're an Illinois librarian attending AASL in St. Louis, email Leah Gregory or Jessica Silva for details on our meetup! 💭 Have a topic idea? Want to be a guest? Email Ola at ola.gronski@railslibraries.org or leave us a voicemail on our hotline at 630.734.5015.

    1h 6m

  3. EPISODE 3

    Diary of a First-Year School Librarian

    What's it really like to be a brand-new school librarian? In "Diary of a First-Year School Librarian," Janette and Leah chat with Mary Alice Maloney (Charles J. Sahs School Librarian) as she reflects on her first year as a full-time certified school librarian. Hear about the challenges, wins, and plans for year two. Relevant Links: Dominican University MLIS Program UIUC MLIS Program "The Measure" by Nikki Erlick AISLE Listserv Follow Mary Alice's Bookstagram 💭 Have a topic idea? Want to be a guest? Email Ola at ola.gronski@railslibraries.org or leave us a voicemail on our hotline at 630.734.5015.

    1h 16m

  4. EPISODE 4

    The Tea on Teaching, Budgets, & Burnout

    It's time for some real talk. ☕️ Janette and Leah dive into the realities of school librarianship today—unpacking the numbers, staffing shortages, and loopholes schools use to sidestep library standards. This one is a must-listen for administrators. Relevant Links: SLATE School Library Census SLATE Data Dashboard Evidence-Based Funding Formula IASB Conference (11/21-11/23) Statewide Comprehensive Literary Plan Libraries + Education Town Hall (1/20) Illinois State Library State School District Library Grant  School Library Journal Illinois State Library E-Resource Program SLIDE Project ILA Legislative Priorities Public Act 103-0100 RAILS Online Store  💭 Have a topic idea? Want to be a guest? Email Ola at ola.gronski@railslibraries.org or leave us a voicemail on our hotline at 630.734.5015.

    1h 2m

  5. EPISODE 5

    Live from AISLE, it's Can't Shelve This!

    The Can't Shelve This crew hosted their first-ever live show at the Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE) Conference in Champaign, IL on October 6, 2025. We asked our audience members "what is one thing your school library has that you wish every school library could have?" Together, we built a school library utopia. Relevant Links: Feed Your Need Grant Illinois State Library Per Capita Grant Calm App 💭 Have a topic idea? Want to be a guest? Email Ola at ola.gronski@railslibraries.org or leave us a voicemail on our hotline at 630.734.5015.

    48 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    Sitting Down with That Librarian

    School librarian, author, and activist Amanda Jones joins Can't Shelve This to share her story in a candid conversation about censorship, courage, and hope for the future of libraries. Note: This episode includes discussions of harassment and threats against educators. Relevant Links: This is For Everyone by Tim Berners-Lee That Librarian by Amanda Jones ALA One Voice Ecosystem Journeying with Jones: Amanda Jones, 2021 School Librarian of the Year Apology Video MLK Jr What Is Your Life's Blueprint Speech Human Rights Coalition 2023 Youth Report for Librarians/Media Specialists SLJ Article: Amanda Jones Creates Lesson about Navigating Social Media The Librarians Documentary Death By Numbers Documentary Defending the Freedom to Read 101 from PEN America K.C. Boyd on Can't Shelve This Andrea Trudeau EveryLibrary Mychal Threets Louisiana Citizens Against Censorship Librarians Building Libraries 💭 Have a topic idea? Want to be a guest? Email Ola at ola.gronski@railslibraries.org or leave us a voicemail on our hotline at 630.734.5015.

    1h 19m

  7. EPISODE 7

    If We Build It, They Will Read

    Plot twist: reading culture isn't built with rewards, levels, or quizzes. Janette and Leah are joined by Pernille Ripp and Dr. Sarah Sansbury to explore reading identity, student choice, and how we can create the conditions that invite kids into reading. Relevant Links: Game Changers series by Rachel Reid First-Time Caller by B.K. Borrison The Global Read Aloud Dr. Margaret Merga Expectancy-Value Theory Illinois School Library Workers Symposium Front Desk by Kelly Yang One Week to Win the Chocolate Maker by Timothy Janovsky Follow Pernille on Instagram  Pernille's blog Follow Sarah on Instagram Follow Sarah on Bluesky 💭 Have a topic idea? Want to be a guest? Email Ola at ola.gronski@railslibraries.org or leave us a voicemail on our hotline at 630.734.5015.

    1h 22m
See All Season 2 (7)

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

The podcast where we hammer home the importance of school libraries. Hosted by RAILS Data Analyst Janette Derucki and IHLS School Library Membership Coordinator Leah Gregory. Can't Shelve This is a product of the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) in collaboration with the Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS).

Information

  • Creator
    Reaching Across Illinois Library System
  • Episodes
    16
  • Seasons
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Can't Shelve This