Engaging and Empowering School Libraries
Episodes
You're Not Alone: Networking Secrets for School Librarians
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Kay Odonne, Education and Research Leader, and teacher librarian Hajanlka Molloy, as we discuss why networking matte...
When Libraries Break: Leadership, Redundancy & Resilience
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I’m joined by Lara Price and Rachel Huskisson to explore what happens when school library management goes wrong. We discuss the con...
Kindness as Strategy: Helen Rimmer on Well‑Being for School Librarians
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Helen Rimmer joins us in this episode to discuss the pressures facing school librarians, including isolation, expanding workloads, and compassion fati...
Exploring the Role of School Libraries in Inquiry-Based Learning: A FOSIL Approach
13 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we consider the transformative role of inquiry-based learning education. Tune in as we discuss the exciting updates in the FOSIL Grou...
Exploring the Impact of the Carnegie Medal on Children's Literature
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are joined by Lucy Pearson, a researcher passionate about the Carnegie Medal's impact on children's literature. Lucy guides us thr...
The Invisible Element of School Success: Libraries and Librarians: Conversation with Mary-Rose
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I'm joined again by Mary Rose from Hartland International School in Dubai to discuss the often-overlooked importance of school librar...
Systemic Misconceptions of School Librarians: Conversation with Mary-Rose
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In my latest podcast series, I continue my conversation with Mary-Rose from Hartland School in Dubai In this episode, we discuss the striking omissi...
Do We Need to Use AI to Teach the Skills It Demands?
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ruth Maloney and I are joined by school librarians Jenny Toerien, Matthew Rose to explore the evolving role of AI in education. The d...
Teen Fiction Trends: Sparking a Love for Reading
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, school librarians Donna Baird, Jennifer Horan, and my regular co-host Ruth Maloney join me to discuss the current trends in teenage f...
Advocacy and Influence for School Librarians: A conversation with Mary-Rose
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We continue our conversation with Mary-Rose from Hartland International School, exploring the evolving role of school librarians. In this episode, we ...
Breaking Down Barriers in School Libraries: A Conversation with Mary-Rose Grieve
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this new short podcast series, I'm joined by Mary-Rose Grieve, the experienced librarian from Hartland International School in Dubai. Mary-Rose sha...
Navigating Media and Technology with Common Sense
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we welcome Merve Lapus from Common Sense Media, who shares insights into empowering children and families to navigate media and techno...
Unveiling Solo Librarianship: Challenges and Innovations
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We are delighted to introduce our guest Lucy Roper, author of "The Solo Librarian." Lucy shares her journey, from navigating the professional landscap...
Unlocking the Potential of School Libraries
10 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please ignore the poor internet connection at the beginning. It does get better so please push through that bit! In this episode, I have an insightf...
Are you Teaching Research Skills or Inquiry?
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Engaging and Empowering School Libraries, a general school library podcast, and FOSIL, Education and School Libraries, a podcast that focuses on teach...
Bridging the Gap: Empowering Sixth Formers for University Success
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to "Engaging and Empowering School Libraries," where we elevate the role of school libraries by addressing pressing educational topics. In thi...
Navigating AI in Education: A Balanced Perspective
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we discuss how artificial intelligence is impacting school libraries and education. We were delighted to be joined by Jason Gulya, an...
Unveiling Effective Library Inductions: Insights from School Librarians
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we unpack some amazing ideas about how to create a good library induction with our special guests, school librarians Hayden Gigner, S...
From Science Labs to School Libraries: Inside the membership from Rachel Huskisson
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
My guest today is Rachel Huskisson, a founding member of Engaging and Empowering School Libraries, who shares her journey from working in science labs...
Engaging and Empowering School Libraries Podcast - New season
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we announce the separation of our podcast into two distinct platforms, allowing for a more focused discussion on school libraries and...
AI with and through the school library
23 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another episode of our podcast, "Engaging and Empowering School Libraries". In this episode, we explore the emerging trend of integrating A...
Fact(ual) or Fiction(al): and other school library questions.
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight we revisited our discussion around non-fiction collections in school libraries which we started back in July 2022. It seemed the right time to...
School Librarianship: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we decided to start the year by introducing you to the hosts of this podcast, telling you a little bit about ourselves and our journey...
Bookish Banter: From Book Clubs to Blue Peter
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We decided we would like to talk about book clubs on this podcast due to the fact that we had heard that Blue Peter Book was launching a book club on ...
School librarians and the DfE Reading Framework
30 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Updated DfE Reading Framework has been talked about a lot over the summer, Elizabeth and Cathi even wrote a blog about it so this week we are turn...
AI: Friend or Foe? The School Librarians Perspective
10 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we revisited our discussion around ChatGPT and AI. As this new technology unfolds it is important for us to continue talking about our new learn...
The benefits of a cohesive Senior Leadership/Librarian partnership
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about the role that senior leaders play in not only creating a good school library but helping ensure that it is used across ...
International collaborations via your school library
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight I was joined by my friend and colleague Stony Evans. We have been working collaboratively for nearly 7 years, starting when we were both ready...
The golden threads of your school library
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are discussing how school librarians can empower themselves and the profession by focusing on the organisations and schools they work in....
School libraries and online resources. Bedrock Learning, Massolit and more: Insights from school librarians
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are returning to the topic of online resources for school libraries. Back in November we chatted to school librarians about how school li...
Great School Libraries: Campaigning, misconceptions, AI and a way forward
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are talking about campaigning for school libraries and why it is important. The Great School Libraries Campaign was set up 4 years ago as...
Empowering Learning through ChatGPT and AI: Insights from School Librarians
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast is about ChatGPT and AI within education and the role that the school librarian can play in helping students and teachers engage with wit...
The school librarians role in organising an author visit
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast was recorded on Twitter Spaces in May 2022. Ruth Maloney and Elizabeth Hutchinson chatted to author, Ann Bryant about the role the school...
World Book Day: How do we balance silliness with seriousness
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast is about World Book Day, a day when many schools take the time to celebrate books and reading. Over the last few years, the interest in W...
ChatGPT, School libraries, inquiry and questioning skills
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast is about ChatGPT and how the skills needed to navigate it well are part of the skillset that school librarians already have. I want to...
Graphic novels and their role in supporting literacy
08 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are graphic novels just comics and do they have a place in our school libraries? In this episode, Ruth, Sabrina and I unpack the power of graphic nove...
School libraries - too essential to lose
01 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today I talked to guests Sean McNamara, CEO of CILIP Scotland, Dr Dorothy Willaims, Emeritus professor from Robert Gordon University and school librar...
Supporting school libraries from the top. Can senior leaders make a difference?
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do head teachers have a responsibility to ensure that their school library and librarian are understood and valued in their schools? We talked to two ...
ChatGPT for teachers and school librarians.
13 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What is ChatGPT and AI? Where do you start with it? Is it a passing fad or here to stay? Tonight, I am joined by Domonic Sunderland Headteacher of Cap...
School libraries and digital resources on a budget
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
(Start at 4.54 to miss set up chat). Elizabeth, Sabrina and Ruth chat with school librarians Emily, Hayden and Susan about the importance of digital r...
Educating and training our library educators
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
(Start at 5.47 mins to miss set up chat) Elizabeth, Ruth and Sabrina chat with Krystal Vittal, Deputy CEO of Suffolk libraries, Briony Birdi, Senior l...
Reading for recreation, reading for learning and reading for life. The school librarians role in supporting reading.
18 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
(Start at 4.55 mins to miss set up chat) Elizabeth, Ruth and Sabrina chat with school librarian, Clare Brumpton and teacher, Gaurav Dubay about readin...
ebooks and audiobooks in school libraries
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
(Start at 4 mins to miss set up chat) Elizabeth, Ruth and Sabrina chat with Raff Grasso, a teacher librarian from Melbourn and Haley Higgins and Aliso...
Thoughts and tips for stock selection for school libraries
13 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
(Start at 4m 55sec to miss set up chat) Elizabeth, Ruth and Sabrina chat with Alison King, Will Lack and Jim Mcleod about selecting stock for your sch...
Why is collection development important in our school libraries?
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
#LSLLTS is not running during the holidays, this is an older episode we recorded on 15th November 2021. Ruth Maloney and Elizabeth Hutchinson talk to ...
Banned Books: Challenges from an educational perspective
05 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
(Start at 2m 50sec) Elizabeth and Sabrina (Ruth was poorly) chat with Amy Hermon and Steve Tetreault 2 US school librarians about book banning in the ...
Collaborative Inquiry: Do teachers have time for this?
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
(Start at 2mins 45 sec to miss set up chatter) Elizabeth and Ruth chat to Emma Wallace (School Librarian) and Dr Julie Greenhough (English teacher) ab...
Book Awards: Why are teenage books so angsty?
09 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Elizabeth Hutchinson and Ruth Maloney chat to Jake Hope and Amy McKay who are both involved with the Carnegie and Greenaway Book Awards about how book...
Non Fiction Collections in School Libraries. Do we still need them?
07 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
(Start at 2m 43s to miss out on set up chat) Ruth Maloney and Elizabeth Hutchinson discuss the relevance of non-fiction collections in school librarie...