Library Exchange Podcast

Library Leaders - Julie & Jan

Welcome to Library Exchange, the ultimate podcast for school librarians! Whether you’re a seasoned library media specialist or just starting your journey, this podcast is your go-to resource for all things related to the world of school librarianship. Each episode dives into the role of a school librarian offering practical tips, expert insights, and inspiration.

  1. 4D AGO

    Outreach Beyond Books - E202

    Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com  Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit: http://libraryexchange.etsy.com  Listeners are invited to learn more or connect via LAPL.org. Episode Description: In this episode of Library Exchange, Amanda Miller, an adult librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library Central Branch, discusses her dual role as a reference librarian and outreach coordinator serving people experiencing homelessness, re-entry clients, and community partners around Skid Row. Amanda explains weekly pop-up programs and partnerships (including Midnight Mission, Blue Hollywood Street Sanctuary, Skid Row Arts Alliance, and Urban Voices Project), services like courtesy library cards, free printing and Wi‑Fi, Career Online High School, music wellness sessions, and re-entry support, and how the library functions as a place of stabilization and dignity. Listeners are invited to learn more or connect via LAPL.org.

    27 min

  2. JAN 26

    Library of Things - E201

    Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com  Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit: http://libraryexchange.etsy.com  For more information about the Library of Things: https://sites.google.com/view/lotmutualaid/home  Episode Description: Julie and Jan talk with Hazel Onsrud of Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Maine, about the Library of Things: a community-focused, sustainability-driven collection of items, from dehydrators and worm-casting kits to power washers, supported by repair cafés, swap carts, and local partnerships. Hazel shares practical tips on packaging, safety, maintenance, and using experience passes and the LOT Mutual Aid network so other libraries can tailor a sharing program to their community.

    30 min

  3. 12/22/2025

    Librarian Resolutions - E125

    Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com  Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit: http://libraryexchange.etsy.com  Episode Description: Hosts Julie Saunders and Jan Wilson reflect on Season 1 of Library Exchange, highlighting real-world strategies school librarians used to demonstrate value, expand resources, and increase equity in collections and access. This episode shares concrete ideas, from advocacy and branding to student helpers, partnerships, shelving innovations, and reading challenges while encouraging listeners to set professional library resolutions for the new year.

    23 min

  4. 12/08/2025

    Library STEAM - E124

    Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com  Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit: http://libraryexchange.etsy.com  To follow Kannan Cangro on Instagram: @cangrolib  Or contact her through email at Kcangro@gmail.com  Episode Description: In this episode, Kannan Cangro shares how she built a sustainable STEAM program in a busy elementary library—from leveraging a Boeing grant and simple materials like Kiva planks and math manipulatives to using micro:bits and robots. Hear practical, low‑cost instructional strategies, the engineering design process applied with no‑stakes formative assessment techniques, and tips for managing makerspace time and collaboration. Cannon also explains her inclusive true book fair model that gives every K–6 student two new books.

    29 min

  5. 11/24/2025

    Postcards from the Library - E123

    Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com  Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit: http://libraryexchange.etsy.com  Check out the Postcrossing program here: https://www.postcrossing.com/  Episode Description: Hosts Julie Saunders and Jan Wilson talk with Laura Silver, a New York City high school librarian, about bringing Postcrossing to students. Learn how the program uses postcards to teach geography, writing skills, language use, and empathy by connecting students with people around the world. The episode covers how Postcrossing works, classroom and privacy tips, memorable exchanges, and simple steps to start a similar passive program in your library.   More resources for student-centered letter writing projects: American Philatelic Society: Educator Resources https://stamps.org/learn/educator-resources * request a free box of cancelled stamps. We have used them for inquiry lessons and art projects. Students love to add the stamps to their phone cases. Compassion Prison Project https://compassionprisonproject.org/services/letter-writing-campaign/ FIUTS (Foundation for International Understanding Through Students) https://www.fiuts.org/be-a-pen-pal GlamourGals https://glamourgals.org/my-dear-friend-main Invites students to create greeting cards for seniors Inclusive Schools Pen Pal Exchange https://inclusiveschools.org/isw-activity/pen-pal-exchange/ Letters Against Isolation https://loveforourelders.org/learning Love for Our Elders https://loveforourelders.org/learning The National Postal Museum https://postalmuseum.si.edu/ Library of the National Postal Museum https://library.si.edu/libraries/postal-museum/collections Postcards: The Write Stuff https://postalmuseum.si.edu/sites/default/files/education/pdfs/postcards-the_write_stuff.pdf Operation Gratitude https://www.operationgratitude.com/volunteer/anywhere/letters/ Student Letter Exchange https://www.pen-pal.com/ Trucker Buddy (for younger students) https://truckerbuddy.org

    27 min

  6. 11/10/2025

    The Power of Play - E122

    Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com  Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit http://libraryexchange.etsy.com  Click this link for more information and resources provided by Jessie Storrs: http://tinyurl.com/YDFlib  Episode Description: Teacher librarian Jessie Storrs runs the El Centro Junior Senior High School library inside the Sacramento Youth Detention Facility, serving residents and staff with books, DVDs, and 50+ board games. She uses strategy games like CuBirds to teach SEL skills—accountability, emotional resilience, and responsible decision‑making—and runs virtual field trips tied to popular series like I Survived. Her central goal is to inspire residents and reduce recidivism by providing consistent caring, literacy access, and community through gaming and programming.

    27 min

  7. 10/27/2025

    Level Up: New Connections - E121

    Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com  Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit http://libraryexchange.etsy.com  To follow Rebeca Fox: TikTok: @thefoxreads Click this link for more information and resources: beacons.ai/thefoxreads  Episode Description: Rebecca Fox, a veteran school librarian who recently moved to a high school position in Texas, shares practical strategies for building relationships with teachers and students, using input forms, creating popular book subscription boxes, hosting homecoming mum-making, and partnering on cultural programming like Día de los Muertos to make the library a welcoming, student-centered space.

    30 min

  8. 10/13/2025

    AI in the Library - E120

    Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com  Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit http://libraryexchange.etsy.com  You can find more information about Elissa Malespina and her AI information at ElissaMalespina.com. Elissa also has an AI School Librarians newsletter available on Substack. Episode Description: Teacher-librarian Elissa Malespina breaks down practical, ethical ways to use AI in K-12 schools. She shares real examples using ChatGPT for content creation, NotebookLM for research organization, Canva Bulk Create for presentations, Storm for topic overviews, and Screencastify for captions. She also explains how librarians can lead AI literacy, support differentiation, and reclaim time for student-facing work.

    30 min
See All (27)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Welcome to Library Exchange, the ultimate podcast for school librarians! Whether you’re a seasoned library media specialist or just starting your journey, this podcast is your go-to resource for all things related to the world of school librarianship. Each episode dives into the role of a school librarian offering practical tips, expert insights, and inspiration.

Information

  • Creator
    Library Leaders - Julie & Jan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Library Exchange Podcast