Sunshine & Stories from the Colorado State Library

Colorado State Library
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Education
  • Biweekly

Sunshine & Stories is a Colorado State Library (CSL) podcast dedicated to all things public and school libraries. Our podcast aims to offer fresh insights, as well as spark creative and practical ideas for diverse public & school library settings. Whether you’re a veteran in the library world, a newbie looking for a little professional support, or someone who's considering shaking things up in your library (a little or a lot), we hope this podcast will be a valuable resource for you.    During our 2025-26 season, keep an eye out for new episodes from September to May. This season, we're expanding our scope and exploring not just summer programming, but all sorts of exciting library topics featuring interviews with our fellow library professionals around the state and lively discussions between Colorado State Library consultants.    If you want to dive into various topics further and hear even more about what other Colorado folks are up to in their libraries, check out LibrariesLearn.org for all our past and future learning opportunities.    This podcast is offered at no cost to listeners thanks to the time, effort, and dedication of  CSL Library Development consultants, as well as our State Library colleagues and all our volunteer guests from across the field.      CSL projects like this one are funded in part by the Grants to States program which is administered by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the Colorado Department of Education, the Institute of Museum and Library Services or the U.S. Government. 

  1. Oct 20

    Ep. 305 The Powers of Larissa

    You can now use the survey link below AND text us your feedback via Buzzsprout with this link right here!! You can now use this survey link and text us your feedback via Buzzsprout. Sunshine & Stories Episode 305: The Powers of Larissa Episode Summary: Introducing the newest member of the CSL Library Development team, Larissa Powers. Kieran Hixon spends time asking Larissa questions about her career and experience in the field. Outline: 00:00 - Introduction 00:40 - Meet the new Continuing Education Senior Consultant, Larissa Powers 2:20 - Larissa's career path 4:47 - Favorite library partnership 6:50 - Best advice from a mentor 10:06 - Rapid fire round! 14:05 - Outro Resources:  Office of Library Development - Colorado Department of Education CSL projects like this one are funded in part by the Grants to States program administered by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the Colorado State Library, Institute of Museum and Library Services, or the U.S. Government

  2. Oct 13

    Ep. 304 CLEL Connecting for Impact

    You can now use the survey link below AND text us your feedback via Buzzsprout with this link right here!! Sunshine & Stories Episode 304: CLEL Connecting For Impact  Episode Summary  In this episode of Sunshine & Stories, Kate Compton talks with past and present Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy CLEL committee chairs. CLEL is a not for profit, grass roots movement of library professionals supporting early childhood initiative in Colorado and beyond. The panelist discuss their personal histories with CLEL, the benefits to joining and how to get involved.  Outline  00:06 Introduction 07:00 Member vs Steering  09:25 Benefits  19:31 How to get involved  21:25 Closing thoughts Resources  https://www.clel.org/ CSL projects like this one are funded in part by the Grants to States program administered by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the Colorado State Library, Institute of Museum and Library Services, or the U.S. Government.

  3. Sep 29

    Ep. 303 Demystifying Manga

    You can now use the survey link below AND text us your feedback via Buzzsprout with this link right here!! Sunshine & Stories Episode 303: Demystifying Manga Episode Summary: In this episode of Sunshine & Stories, Suzi Tonini talks manga with Tyler Meyer, media tech and resident manga expert in St. Vrain Valley School District. Tyler explains what sets manga apart from Western graphic novels and why it belongs in school collections. Along the way, Tyler demystifies manga categories, offers tips for navigating publisher ratings and previewing series, and recommends some of her favorite titles to share with students.  Outline: 00:00 - Introduction 01:00 - From anime fan to reading 200+ manga volumes 02:39 - What sets manga apart from Western graphic novels 03:57 - Manga is for everyone: shonen, shojo, josei, seinen, and kodomomuke 05:30 - Why manga belongs in school libraries 09:33 - Making sense of publisher ratings 18:00 - Closing Resources: Manga Librarian Resource Spreadsheet Manga Goes to School: Cultivating Engagement and Inclusion in K-12 Settings by Ashley Hawkins and Emily Ratica Manga in Libraries by Jillian Rudes CSL projects like this one are funded in part by the Grants to States program administered by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the Colorado State Library, Institute of Museum and Library Services, or the U.S. Government.

  4. Sep 15

    Ep. 302 Mentorship Meets Librarianship

    You can now use the survey link below AND text us your feedback via Buzzsprout with this link right here!! Sunshine & Stories Episode 302: Mentorship Meets Librarianship Episode Summary: Kate Brunner and Christine Kreger, from the Colorado Library Consortium (CLiC), discuss mentorship as a concept, what makes for a good mentor and mentee, how to navigate the mentorship relationship, and what to do when that relationship draws to a close. Learn about how SMART goals and SMART communication can support everyone's learning and ways you can seek out mentors or mentees in Colorado Library Land. Outline: 00:00 - Introduction 00:56 - What is mentorship? 03:32 - The value of mentorship for library professionals 07:08 - How to be a great mentor/mentee 09:14 - Best practices for showing up on a mentoring relationship 15:06 - Bringing a mentorship to a close 18:24 - Closing Resources: The Mentee's Guide: Making Mentoring Work for You by Lois J. Zachary The Mentor's Guide: Facilitating Effective Learning Relationships by Lois J. Zachary CO Association of Libraries Leadership Institute (CALLI) CSL projects like this one are funded in part by the Grants to States program administered by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the Colorado State Library, Institute of Museum and Library Services, or the U.S. Government.

  5. Sep 1

    Ep. 301 Adding Facts to the Feels with Dana Peterson

    You can now use the survey link below AND text us your feedback via Buzzsprout with this link right here!! Sunshine & Stories Episode 301: Adding Facts to the Feels with Dana Peterson Episode Summary: What do bubble charts, clawfoot bathtubs, and kids' shoe sizes have in common? Dana Peterson of the Colorado State Library's Library Research Service joins Kieran to talk about turning public library data into stories that stick. From dashboards and board report tools to why correlation isn't causation, Dana shares how "adding facts to the feels" helps libraries show their communities — and their boards — the impact they're making every day. Plus: practical encouragement for small and rural librarians who fear the spreadsheet. Outline: [01:13] What Dana does at the State Library — Turning public library annual report data into dashboards and downloadable datasets, plus board report tools built with the LRS team.[07:03] The public library annual report — Survey improvements, printable tools, and being a good steward of taxpayer dollars.[07:57] Correlation vs. causation — Why kids with bigger shoe sizes aren't actually better readers, and what that means for library data.[12:31] Facts + stories = impact — How hard numbers give anecdotes universality, and the revived library value calculator ($1 invested can return ~$15 in value).[14:53] Advice for small & rural libraries — Start simple, use the free Google-based board report templates ("you can't break it — just download a new one"), and remember: there are no dumb questions.[17:12] Closing thoughts — Gratitude for frontline library staff and a reminder to cherish the good days.Guest Bio: Dana Peterson is a self-described "nerdy taxpayer who believes libraries are awesome." A former middle and high school math and computer teacher who spent eight years working in public libraries in Mancos and Lyons, Dana joined the State Library in 2022, where she builds dashboards and data tools that help Colorado libraries tell their story. Resources:  Library Research Service dashboards & standards visualizations: LRS.orgTell us what you think! If you give us a listen, please let us know what you think by completing a short feedback survey for this episode.   CSL projects like this one are funded in part by the Grants to States program administered by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the Colorado State Library, Institute of Museum and Library Services, or the U.S. Government.

  6. Jul 16

    Ep. 213 Responding to Wildfire with Jeremy Krones

    You can now use the survey link below AND text us your feedback via Buzzsprout with this link right here!! Polly Gallagher chats with Jeremy Krones, Grand County resident, East Troublesome Wildfire victim, and trustee on the Grand County Library District public library board. Together, they go through the immediate experience of a devastating wildfire in Grand County from October 2020 through the lens of resident and library leadership. Starting with the fateful day of the pre-evacuation order through to the final rebuilding of a home and celebration of community. Get prepared and stay safe. Content Notes: This episode discusses loosing a home to wildfire. Outline: 00:20 – October 21, 2020, pre-evac to evac order in minutes 6:48 – The days that followed, from the eyes of an evacuee  8:55 – The days that followed, from the eyes of the library response  11:05 – Be aware of vocational awe  12:35 – Ducks in a row  16:02 - Moving forward  20:55 – Collectors of Memories  22:10 – Final thoughts  24:19 – Closing   Resources: Local Emergency Alert Systems InciWeb Watch Duty – Wildfire Maps and Alerts Colorado Cultural & Historic Resources Task Force Vocational Awe

  7. Apr 6

    Ep. 212 Exactly What or Who is "State Pubs"? -- Introducing the CO State Publications Library!

    You can now use the survey link below AND text us your feedback via Buzzsprout with this link right here!! Episode Summary:  Join Kate Compton as she talks with Samantha Hager and Miranda Doran-Myers from the Colorado State Publications Library, who share the library’s mission of providing free, permanent access to Colorado state government documents. They highlight surprising and valuable resources—from historical collections to issue briefs, research guides, and kid-friendly materials—and offer tips for navigating government information. Get inspired to share the hidden gems the “State Pubs” have with your community.    Outline: 01:06 - Meet the Team  05:38 - What is the State Publications Library?  08:45 - Not to miss tools and collections    12:43 – Mindset for searching  15:11 – Trends in document searches  18:29 – New initiatives and ways to collaborate     Resources:  State Publications Website   State Publications Catalog  State Publications Blog  State Publications Topic Guides   Phone: 720-955-5230  Address: 180 Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80226-8101  Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 4:00 pm  Email: spl@cde.state.co.us

  8. Feb 2

    Ep. 211 The Beginner's Mindset: Finding Clarity in Library Values

    You can now use the survey link below AND text us your feedback via Buzzsprout with this link right here!! Sunshine and Stories Episode 211: The Beginner's Mindset: Finding Clarity in Library Values  Episode Summary:  Kieran Hixon, CSL's Small and Rural Library Senior Consultant, has a conversation with Sharon Morris focusing on the concept of the "beginner's mindset" and how core library values are learned and sometimes conflict.  Outline: 00:19 Who is Sharon Morris?   01:21 The Beginner’s Mindset & "Aha" Moments  03:32 Learning Core Values: Privacy vs. Service  06:37 Structure and Responsibility  07:37 Defining Moments & Conflicting Values  10:20 Values Conflict: Consistency vs. Service  14:39 Practicing the Beginner's Mindset  17:25 Déjà Vu and Library Excellence  19:15 Growth from Frustration ("Fertilizer")  21:48 Closing  Tell us what you think! If you give us a listen, please let us know what you think by completing a short feedback survey for this episode.   CSL projects like this one are funded in part by the Grants to States program administered by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the Colorado State Library, Institute of Museum and Library Services, or the U.S. Government.

See All (33)

Trailer

About

Sunshine & Stories is a Colorado State Library (CSL) podcast dedicated to all things public and school libraries. Our podcast aims to offer fresh insights, as well as spark creative and practical ideas for diverse public & school library settings. Whether you’re a veteran in the library world, a newbie looking for a little professional support, or someone who's considering shaking things up in your library (a little or a lot), we hope this podcast will be a valuable resource for you.    During our 2025-26 season, keep an eye out for new episodes from September to May. This season, we're expanding our scope and exploring not just summer programming, but all sorts of exciting library topics featuring interviews with our fellow library professionals around the state and lively discussions between Colorado State Library consultants.    If you want to dive into various topics further and hear even more about what other Colorado folks are up to in their libraries, check out LibrariesLearn.org for all our past and future learning opportunities.    This podcast is offered at no cost to listeners thanks to the time, effort, and dedication of  CSL Library Development consultants, as well as our State Library colleagues and all our volunteer guests from across the field.      CSL projects like this one are funded in part by the Grants to States program which is administered by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the Colorado Department of Education, the Institute of Museum and Library Services or the U.S. Government. 

Information