Call Number with American Libraries Podcast
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
Episode 99: 2024 Author Chats by Call Number with American Libraries
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As 2024 comes to a close and we look ahead, Call Number with American Libraries reflects on the important work of librarians and our beloved instituti...
Episode 98: Small Libraries, Big Ideas
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Small and rural libraries don’t always have the same resources and opportunities that urban libraries do. But they still have big ideas about how to...
Rebroadcast of Episode 31: The Haunting of Peoria Public Library
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Books flying off the shelves. Shadowy figures roaming the hallways. Unexplained sounds. What’s going on at Peoria (Ill.) Public Library? Is the bui...
Bonus Episode: Check Out Your Library
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Libraries are so much more than their physical collections. They offer digital resources, innovative programs, essential services, new technologies, a...
Rebroadcast of Episode 87: Protecting the Right to Read
15 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The recent wave of book bans and other censorship attempts have threatened democracy, restricting access and the rights of many readers. In Episode 87...
Rebroadcast of Episode 75: Rethinking Your Space
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As any library staffer who has gone through a building renovation knows, significant behind-the-scenes work goes into updating or overhauling a facili...
Episode 97: For the Love of Music
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Summer is in full swing. This means getting outside, soaking up some sunshine, and listening to our favorite tunes—from oldies-but-goodies to today’...
Episode 96: Sunny San Diego
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Next week, we’re on route to San Diego for the American Library Association’s 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition. In Episode 96, Call Number ex...
Episode 95: Sustainability Strategies
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 95, Call Number highlights ways libraries are practicing and promoting sustainability. First, American Libraries Managing Editor Terra Da...
Episode 94: Preserving History
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 94, Call Number celebrates Preservation Week, this year held April 28–May 4. With the theme of “Preserving Identities,” the week’s ...
Episode 93: Decoding AI
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From chatbots to image generators to robot companions, artificial intelligence (AI) is a hot topic across many industries right now. In Episode 93, Ca...
Episode 92: The Wide World of Librarians in Sports
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Still reeling from Super Bowl excitement? In Episode 92, Call Number features conversations with librarian athletes who represent three sports: wheelc...
Episode 91: Good Morning, Baltimore!
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 91, Call Number explores Baltimore, where ALA will hold its 2024 LibLearnX conference, January 19–22. First, American Libraries Associa...
Episode 90: 2023 Author Chats
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As we say farewell to 2023, we look back at another year of unprecedented book challenges, efforts to defund libraries, and other threats to the profe...
Episode 89: Services for the Incarcerated
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Libraries can be a lifeline for incarcerated or detained individuals and their families. In Episode 89, Call Number discusses creative programs in pri...
Episode 88: Every Witch Way
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Grab your spell books, get those cauldrons bubbling, and ready your broomsticks. In Episode 88, Call Number delves into the world of witchcraft. Firs...
Episode 87: Protecting the Right to Read
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The recent wave of book bans and other censorship attempts have threatened democracy, restricting access and the rights of many readers. In Episode ...
Episode 86: What's New in Library School
14 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s that time of the year again: School is back in session, including for students working toward their master’s degrees in library and informati...
Episode 85: The Colorful World of Comics
17 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 85 of Call Number dives into the colorful world of comics, graphic novels, and manga. First, American Libraries Associate Editor Megan Bennet...
Episode 84: Welcome to Chicago
12 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The American Library Association’s 2023 Annual Conference and Exhibition will take place in its hometown: Chicago! In Episode 84 of Call Number, fi...
Episode 83: Supporting Small Business
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Small businesses are a big part of every community, and libraries offer a wealth of resources to support them. From research assistance to specialized...
Bonus Episode: Bringing Films and Series to the Library
21 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Providing programs and services that are both enriching and entertaining is a major goal of most librarians. In this bonus episode, sponsored by Kanop...
Episode 82: Sexual and Reproductive Health Information
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When we discuss access to information, that includes information about our bodies and our health. Libraries have long been a lifeline to patrons looki...
Episode 81: Pandemic Pivots
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been three years since COVID-19 brought the country to a standstill. In March 2020, the pandemic shuttered library buildings and prompted staff...
Episode 80: Reading Romance
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Love is always in season at the library. Whether helping readers find their next fictional crush or offering couples space on their wedding day, the l...
Episode 79: Back in the Big Easy
17 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
New Orleans is famous for many things—its sights, bites, sounds, and culture. And this January, it’s where the American Library Association’s Li...
Episode 78: 2022 Author Chats
12 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
And just like that, 2022 is coming to an end. It’s been a tumultuous time for the profession: We’re on course for another record-breaking year of ...
Episode 77: Medical Librarianship
30 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 77 of Call Number, we explore the work of medical librarians by highlighting two initiatives presented at the 2022 Medical Library Associat...
Episode 76: Oh, the Horror!
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Halloween is nearly here. And leading up to the holiday, many of us do all sorts of things to put ourselves in a spooky mood—take haunted hayrides, ...
Bonus Episode: Gale Presents Upskilling at the Public Library
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
These days, with our busy schedules, it can be difficult to find ways to develop professional skills. That’s why Gale has partnered with Udemy Busin...
Episode 75: Rethinking Your Space
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As any library staffer who has gone through a building renovation knows, significant behind-the-scenes work goes into updating or overhauling a facili...
Episode 74: Support for Ukraine
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has dominated headlines this year. The ongoing war has affected people globally, including American librarians and thei...
Episode 73: Newbery Medal Winners
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This year, the Newbery Medal celebrates 100 years of recognizing distinguished children’s literature. In Episode 73, American Libraries associate ed...
Episode 72: ALA Goes (Back) to Washington
13 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In less than two weeks, the American Library Association's 2022 Annual Conference and Exhibition will take place in Washington, D.C.—the first in-pe...
Bonus Episode: Gale Presents Diplomas at the Public Library
23 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Among the public libraries implementing Gale Presents: Excel Adult High School, a 21.5-credit online high school completion program, is Rolling Hills ...
Episode 71: Setting Up for Self-Care
16 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 71 of Call Number with American Libraries, “Setting Up for Self-Care,” we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, observed each May. T...
Episode 70: Making Financial Sense
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode, we celebrate Financial Literacy Month and Money Smart Week, which runs April 9–16. Our show looks at three big questions around money:...
Rebroadcast of Episode 52: Libraries and Sustainability
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 52, “Libraries and Sustainability”—which originally aired in July 2020—looks at how librarians were living green at the library and in...
Rebroadcast of Episode 35: Fostering New Businesses
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
While American Libraries is busy searching for its new podcast host, we thought we’d dip into the vault and re-air some of our most popular episodes...
Rebroadcast of Episode Six: Banned Books
20 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
While we’re busy searching for our new Call Number host, we thought we’d dip into the vault and re-air some of our most popular episodes. Today we...
Episode 69: Year-End Author Chats
27 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 69, Call Number with American Libraries looks back on interviews—with authors and ALA conference speakers—conducted by American Librari...
Bonus Episode: The Buzz on Scripps National Spelling Bee
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is an American institution, instilling the importance of literacy and learning—and a love of words—in generation...
Episode 68: Food, Glorious Food
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As November draws to a close, thoughts naturally turn toward food. It brings people together, bridges cultures and divides, and can be used as a teach...
Bonus Episode: Agents of Change
29 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For more than a year, educators, school librarians, and administrators have been responding and adapting to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. L...
Episode 67: Zombies!
19 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In his 1968 film Night of the Living Dead, George A. Romero unleashed the modern zombie upon the world. These reanimated corpses with a hunger for hum...
Episode 66: Library Architecture and Design: The Past Meets the Future
21 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 66, Call Number with American Libraries looks at two libraries featured in American Libraries magazine’s 2021 Library Design Showcase. ...
Episode 65: Serving Our Veterans
20 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Librarians in the US serve different populations, each with a distinct set of needs. Among those are veterans, who often face unique challenges when r...
Episode 64: Libraries and Hip-Hop
19 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Since its emergence in New York City in the late 1970s, hip-hop has grown to become a musical, cultural, and economic force around the world. And it’...
Episode 63: Getting Outdoors
21 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 63, Call Number with American Libraries looks at outdoor-related activities with conversations about bugs, beach reads, and outdoor learnin...
Episode 62: Law Libraries
18 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 62, Call Number with American Libraries looks at law librarianship through conversations with law librarians representing two different are...
Bonus Episode: A Conversation with Nikole Hannah-Jones
28 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this special bonus episode, Call Number with American Libraries celebrates Preservation Week (April 25–May 1) by looking at the 1619 Project, a c...
Episode 61: School Librarians Adapt to the Pandemic
20 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 61, Call Number with American Libraries talks with school librarians about how they changed their work and services during the COVID-19 pan...
Episode 60: Supporting Seniors during the Pandemic
23 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With libraries closed or operating at reduced hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic, outreach is essential to let the community know that the library is ...
Bonus Episode: Washington Talk: A Conversation with Congressman Andy Levin (D-Mich.)
12 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
All eyes are on Washington D.C., this week with the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act on March 10. The relief checks for Americans, money for st...
Episode 59: Talking About Race
16 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 59, Call Number with American Libraries looks at efforts to move forward conversations about race and racism in the United States. First, ...
Episode 58: COVID-19 Mitigation Measures
19 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 58, Call Number with American Libraries looks at library efforts to prevent COVID-19 contamination. First, American Libraries Editorial an...
Episode 57: Year-End Author Talk
17 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 57, Call Number looks back on author interviews conducted by American Libraries staffers throughout 2020. Author, poet, and essayist Julia...
Episode 56: Let Them Lead: Teens Working for Change
13 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This year has seen an increase in activism and community engagement from people across the country—especially teens. Whether working in-person or vi...
Episode 55: Monster Mash
26 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Halloween is one of our favorite times of the year here at the podcast, because we get to indulge our love of all things spooky and scary, particularl...
Episode 54: Small and Rural Libraries
14 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This past summer, American Library Association (ALA) President Julius C. Jefferson Jr. toured the US—virtually—to spotlight issues affecting libr...
Episode 53: Library Architecture and Design
17 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 53, Dewey Decibel explores new ideas and issues in library architecture and design. First, Dewey Decibel host and American Libraries Senio...
Episode 52: Libraries and Sustainability
17 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In 2019, the American Library Association (ALA) added sustainability as one of the core values of librarianship, and libraries across the US are work...
Episode 51: Telling Stories with Pictures
19 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 51, Dewey Decibel welcomes two winners of 2020 Coretta Scott King Book Awards for illustration to discuss their work in the lead up to the ...
Episode 50: Privacy Concerns
15 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 50, Dewey Decibel looks at privacy issues in libraries, including how COVID-19 is affecting privacy for both patrons and librarians alike. ...
Bonus Episode: Freddie Gray and Baltimore: A Conversation with Wes Moore
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Five years ago this week, the city of Baltimore was upended by protests and riots following the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old unarmed black man...
Episode 49: Libraries Respond to COVID-19
21 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 49, Dewey Decibel looks at the library world’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. First, American Libraries Senior Editor and Dewey Deci...
Bonus Episode: Exploring Gale's Women's Studies Archive
23 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It’s Women’s History Month, and librarians looking to supplement lesson plans and readings for students can find a wealth of resources in Gale’s...
Episode 48: Telling Women's Stories
17 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 48, Dewey Decibel celebrates women's history with conversations about feminism, the importance of oral histories in social justice movement...
Bonus Episode: One-on-One with New ALA Executive Director Tracie D. Hall
24 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On February 24, Tracie D. Hall took the reins at the American Library Association as the new executive director. In this special bonus episode of the ...
Episode 47: Presidential Libraries, Then and Now
14 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Presidential libraries have changed significantly since President Franklin D. Roosevelt conceived the system as a means to preserve evidence of the pr...
Episode 46: Insider's Guide to Philadelphia
17 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On Thursday, January 23, thousands of librarians and library workers will being to descend on Philadelphia for the American Library Association’s 20...
Episode 45: Year-End Conversations
20 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 45, Dewey Decibel looks back at interviews conducted with speakers at the American Library Association’s 2019 Midwinter Meeting and Annua...
Episode 44: Advocacy: Anyone Can Do It
22 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 44, Dewey Decibel looks at the importance of library advocacy and offers tips on how to get involved. First, American Libraries Senior Edi...
Episode 43: It's a Mystery
25 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone loves a good mystery, especially during the Halloween season. In Episode 43, Dewey Decibel talks with library workers who were involved in th...
Episode 42: Libraries of All Shapes and Sizes
30 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 42, Dewey Decibel looks at new and renovated libraries featured in American Libraries’ September/October 2019 library design and architec...
Episode 41: Beyond Our Borders
30 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 41, Dewey Decibel features conversations that stretch beyond US borders. First, American Libraries Senior Editor George Eberhart speaks w...
Episode 40: 50 Years of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards (Taped Live in Washington, D.C.)
29 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Coretta Scott King (CSK) Book Awards, which honors African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults, celebrates it...
Episode 39: Insider’s Guide to Washington, D.C.
14 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On Thursday, June 20, Washington, D.C. will become the capitol of the library world as thousands of librarians, library workers, students, scholars, a...
Episode 38: The Buzz on Library Gardens
31 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Spring has sprung, and people are outside tending to their gardens and outdoor spaces—and the library is no different. Libraries across the country ...
Episode 37: AI in Academic Libraries
30 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Artificial intelligence (AI) no longer exists solely in the realm of science fiction—it's everywhere. From virtual assistants in smart phones and se...
Episode 36: Spring Cleaning: Weeding Your Collections
29 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Weeding is an essential but controversial task. Removing outdated, unused, or deteriorating books ensures that a library's collections remain fresh an...
Episode 35: Fostering New Businesses
15 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
February 16–23 is National Entrepreneurship Week. As community hubs and incubators, libraries are perfectly positioned to help new businesses get of...
Episode 34: Insider's Guide to Seattle
17 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On Thursday, January 25, it begins: the American Library Association’s 2019 Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits in Seattle. Thousands of librarians, libra...
Episode 33: Writers on Writing
20 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
As 2018 wraps up, Dewey Decibel revisits favorite interviews conducted at American Library Association conferences during the past year. In Episode 3...
Episode 32: Get a Job!
27 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Looking for a job can be arduous and anxiety-inducing. It's not surprising: The end results can be life changing. And organizations looking to hire ne...
Episode 31: The Haunting of Peoria Public Library
26 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Books flying off the shelves. Shadowy figures roaming the hallways. Unexplained sounds. What’s going on at Peoria (Ill.) Public Library? Is the bui...
Episode 30: The Secret Lives of Librarians
28 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder what your colleagues do outside of the library? Many of us have hobbies, intellectual and athletic pursuits, a travel bug, the desire to w...
Episode 29: New Library Design
31 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 29, American Libraries Associate Editor and Dewey Decibel host Phil Morehart talks with two architects whose work with libraries was featur...
Episode 28: Cybersecurity
31 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Cybersecurity has been dominating news cycles this year. Whether its allegations of Russians hacking computers to influence US elections to reports of...
Episode 27: Insider's Guide to New Orleans
19 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
On Thursday, June 21 it begins: the American Library Association’s 2018 Annual Conference in New Orleans. Thousands of librarians, library workers, ...
Episode 26: Becoming a Library Advocate
08 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The American Library Association’s (ALA) Policy Corps is an initiative that aims to develop advocates for conveying the importance of libraries and ...
Episode 25: Disaster Response
08 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 25, Dewey Decibel features interviews with two librarians whose expertise has them on the front lines of environmental disaster relief and ...
Episode 24: Money Talk
09 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Tax season is here, and money, investing, and financial matters are on everyone's mind. For some, making sense of it all can be intimidating and scary...
Episode 23: Saving Lost Cinema
04 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 23, Dewey Decibel looks at two organizations working to preserve films and other moving-image media in an effort to better understand the h...
Bonus Episode: Inside the 2018 Youth Media Awards
16 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this special bonus episode, Dewey Decibel goes behind the scenes at the 2018 Youth Media Awards, held February 12 at the American Library Associati...
Episode 22: Diversifying Comics
05 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 22, Dewey Decibel features two people who are helping to bring more diverse voices and representation to the comic book world and libraries...
Episode 21: Looking Back at Books
29 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
2017. It’s done. We did it. It was a doozy of a year in many ways, but we at Dewey Decibel are focusing on year-end cheer. Specifically, we’re ret...
Episode 20: Escape Rooms and the AASL Standards
09 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The recent American Association of School Librarians (AASL) national conference in Phoenix served as the launch site for the updated National School L...
Episode 19: The A1 Mystery of Avon Lake
25 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In early 2017, A1 Steak Sauce bottles began mysteriously appearing in the stacks at Avon Lake (Ohio) Public Library. How did they get there? Who would...
Teaser: The A1 Mystery of Avon Lake
19 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Whodunit? In early 2017, dozens of A1 Steak Sauce bottles began mysteriously appearing in the stacks at Avon Lake Public Library in Avon Lake, Ohio. D...