Library Exchange Podcast

Library Leaders - Julie & Jan
  • 4.7 (14)
  • Education
  • Updated Biweekly

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. 1d ago

    Student Management, Library Edition - E218

    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 US listeners, get 20% off professional development books for school librarians using code LIBRARYEXCHANGE20 at bloomsbury.com/BLU School Library Journal Course: Shh Happens: Behavior Management for the Real Elementary Library: https://course.libraryjournal.com/products/shh-happens  For 20% off the price of the course, use code: LE-Shh20 *Discount code is good for any session of the course through the end of 2027.  Follow Melanie Wood on Instagram and TikTok @melanie_in_the_library Episode Description: Elementary librarian Melanie Wood shares practical, classroom-tested strategies for managing student behavior in the library. Drawing on her ISTE certification and experience leading professional learning, Melanie focuses on a three-part approach: intentional space design, tight routines and transitions, and purposeful relationship-building. Key takeaways include using color-coding and clear sightlines to promote independence, routines for smooth transitions and checkout, and building rapport through lunch duty, morning and afternoon duties, library ambassadors, and teacher collaboration. Follow Melanie at @Melanie_in_the_library and explore her School Library Journal course for deeper strategies.

  2. Sep 7

    Data Decisions and Impact - E217

    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  Follow Crissi Brandhuber @itty_bitty_librarian Follow Heather Kindschy @dickersonmsllc Example Impact Reports: Dickerson Middle: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SB1I6AS5jbQgjli_S6TBdqQkxkgV9un8/view?usp=drive_link  Eastside Elementary: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1148KuU-ifMrmMNnfP-hl8qA9loX5gY9H/view?usp=drive_link  Neosho Middle: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gdf33O1Jjj2aSeg_PbIUMvAqi4MIc4vr/view?usp=drive_link  Episode Description: In this episode of Library Exchange, three school librarians, Crissi, Rachelle, and Heather, share practical ways they use data to set goals, increase circulation, build partnerships, and advocate for their programs. Hear concrete examples: a schedule change that doubled checkouts and raised ELA scores, a Breakfast Club and digital check-in that boosted learning activities, and aligning library services with curriculum changes. Learn simple tips for creating a Library Impact Report to make your library’s value visible.

  3. Aug 24

    Schoolwide Reading Culture - E216

    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  Follow Rachael Welsh on Instagram @RachaelReads and TikTok @RachaelReads_ Episode Description: Hosts Julie and Jan interview middle school librarian Rachael Welsh about practical strategies for building a visible, schoolwide reading culture. Rachael describes easy, low-cost ideas like using digital photo frames for student book graphics, a Post‑it recommendation wall, an Adopt‑a‑Shelf display program, and teacher book‑cover signs that encourage peer recommendations and student ownership. The conversation also covers motivation and competition through Beanstack and themed incentives, a campus and district Battle of the Books, and two inclusive book clubs (one bilingual) that deepen community connections across students and staff.

  4. Aug 10

    No Budget, No Problem - E215

    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  Follow Alyssa on Instagram @international.school.librarian  Episode Description: Hosts Julie Saunders and Jan Wilson interview Alyssa Trommler, an international school librarian in Germany, about revitalizing a K–12 library with no budget. Alyssa shares practical strategies: Instagram wishlists, used-book sales, GoFundMe, community partnerships, repurposing furniture, and makerspace planning. Strategies that add high-interest books and create a welcoming space for students from 30+ countries. This episode highlights creative fundraising, a summer reading incentive with local restaurants, eco-friendly solutions for refurbishing furniture, and advice to persistently pursue funding and community support to improve student library services.

  5. Jul 27

    The Leadership Mindset - E214

    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 explore how school librarians can claim leadership in their buildings and beyond. They share concrete strategies, running an active library media committee, sharing instructional partnerships, using proactive advocacy, and increasing visibility through presentations and community partnerships. Guest Tiki Love discusses her own path from classroom teacher to district and state leadership, offering examples of saying “yes,” presenting at conferences, mentoring peers, and building coalitions that help librarians be recognized as instructional leaders.

  6. Jul 13

    Policy, Practice, and Selection - E213

    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: Julie and Jan interview Craig Coleman about selecting and maintaining school library collections. They discuss district selection and reconsideration policies, the collection life cycle, collaborating with teachers and library media committees, and practical steps front office staff should follow when concerns arise. The episode walks through realistic scenarios and offers clear communication strategies and escalation paths so librarians can confidently manage purchases, respond to concerns, and maintain high quality book collections.

  7. Jun 29

    Reading Changes the Game - E212

    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 US listeners, get 20% off professional development books for school librarians using code LIBRARYEXCHANGE20 at bloomsbury.com/BLU Learn more about Malcolm Mitchell’s Share the Magic Foundation, dedicated to promoting reading, at readwithmalcolm.com.   Episode Description: In this episode Julie and Jan talk with former Super Bowl champion Malcolm about his personal journey from a sports-focused childhood to becoming a passionate literacy advocate. Malcolm shares how he learned to read as a young adult, founded the Share the Magic Foundation, and created Read with Malcolm programs, including the global Read Bowl challenge that reaches classrooms in multiple countries. The conversation highlights why school librarians must be welcoming, culturally relevant, and actively pursuing reluctant readers while making books accessible for every child.

  8. Jun 15

    Librarian Impact - E211

    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 learn more about the studies discussed in this episode visit LibSlide.org or KeithCurryLance.com.  Episode Description: Hosts Julie Saunders and Jan Wilson speak with researcher Dr. Keith Curry Lance about how school librarians influence student achievement, the importance of leadership and technology integration, and the critical role of information literacy. The episode highlights decades of research, the SLIDE data tools, and practical strategies for advocacy. Listeners are directed to resources like LibSlide.org and KeithCurryLance.com to explore staffing trends and research findings and learn how to use data to demonstrate library impact.

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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
14 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
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Library Exchange Podcast