We have recommendations to help make your fall more cozy! Charles takes the host seat and is joined by Librarians Piepie Baltz and Allie Gibler to recommend books and more from our collection that will make you feel cozy as we begin to spend more time indoors during the fall. Check out these recommendations mentioned in the episode »…

Wanna get away? We've got your passport to podcast pleasure. Join Charles, Gregg and Dave for beach-reads, summer audiobooks and the Library as a “third space.” Segments: 03:47—Beach-reads 16:56—Summer-worthy audiobooks 26:25—The Library as a third spaceBy jocolibrary

Subgenre Deep-Dive: Momoirs What’s a Momoir you ask? Well, a Memoir, as you know, is essentially a personal account of memories—it’s narrative nonfiction. A Momoir is a personal account of memories from a mother’s perspective. We invite you to enjoy another collection deep-dive with Gregg as he hosts a discussion with Kelsey and Caitlyn about a sub…

There is a lot of good in Johnson County. Our schools, libraries, parks, cultural diversity and community. Those things don't happen without the vision and hard work of unsung heroes who fight the good fight and overcome odds. On this episode of the JoCoLibrary Uncovered podcast, Andrew Gustafson—Curator of Interpretation, Johnson County Museum, Ar…

Let's Cozy Up to the Romance Genre Did you know that Romance is the most popular fiction genre out there? It's true! According to WordsRated—a research group that focuses on the book industry—romance novels sold 39 million volumes from 2022 to 2023, bringing in $1.44 billion. This is probably not news to those readers out there trying to request so…

“Libreria” vs “Biblioteca” Have you ever been confused by a word that looked like another word? You know, like bear and bare or idol and idle? Today's episode of JocCoLibrary Uncovered isn't about homophones or false cognates. But it is about how words can seem like one thing but mean something else, particularly in Spanish, and especially the word…

Creative Nonfiction In his writing blog, Find Your Creative Muse, Dave Hood provides a great summary definition of Creative Nonfiction: “A historical text presents the facts and causes and effects, and significance. Creative nonfiction does the same, but also adds narrative, including storytelling, dialogue, setting, character development. Writing …

It’s National Preparedness Month which is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. So, get prepared: Get informed (we suggest registering at NotifyJoCo for emergency alerts.) Make a plan Assemble a Kit Maintain your kit And, make sure there's a goo…

In honor of Labor Day, we invited five staff members with very different behind-the-scenes jobs to answer three simple questions. You’ve heard the saying, “That’s like comparing Apples and Oranges” right? Well, Dave and Charles take it one step further with Apples, Oranges and Bananas. We picked staff with jobs that touch every part of the Library …

"Like most cities during Prohibition, Kansas City had illegal alcohol, bootleggers, speakeasies, cops on the take, corrupt politicians and moralizing reformers. But by the time the Eighteenth Amendment was repealed, Kansas City had been singled out by one observer as one of the wettest cities, as well as the wickedest.“ ~ Prohibition in Kansas City…

What is the difference between thrillers and mysteries? What are good recommendations in each of these genres? Readers Advisory Librarian Gregg is back with colleagues Piepie and Bet to do a deep dive into thrillers and mysteries and titles that are a good mixup of the two genres. Our Thriller and Mystery Recommendations: Charles’ Choice: Hell is E…

Bonus Episode! In June of 2020, we produced a podcast episode about J. Robert Oppenheimer. It was part of a series we called "Author Research in Action" where we invited two guests—one an award-winning author, and the other a subject matter expert. We stepped back let them interview each other and we recorded their conversation. Considering the mov…

What is a hobby? Some say it's any activity you might engage in during your leisure time for pleasure. We disagree. Vehemently! We say it has to have some personal enrichment component. Why? Well mostly because we have so many great leisure time resources that we couldn't fit them into one episode! Last month we talked about fun activities that bri…

July is National Anti-boredom Month. We combat boredom with fun! If you listen to public or community radio, or you watch PBS, you are very familiar with “The Fund Drive"—that's "fund" with a "D." We’re not going to do that! Instead, we’d like to introduce a NEW concept—an annual FUN drive—that's ‘fun’ without a ‘D’. That's right: “Fun Drive” See, …

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.” – Emily Dickinson If you look up the term "hopepunk" online, the first definition offered up describes it as "A branch of speculative fiction featuring characters fighting for positive change, radical kindness, and communal respon…

Individuals faced with temporary detention at the Adult Residential Center (ARC) in New Century, KS, rely on access to Johnson County Library materials on their road to recovery. Incarcerated Services Librarian Melody Kinammon introduces us to members of the ARC therapeutic community, Phil and Dia. They share how exploring books and using the on-si…

Acclaimed author Jacqueline Woodson—who will join Johnson County Library to launch the All Together Now 2023 Summer Reading program—talks about her writing and reading with Readers Advisory Librarian Gregg Winsor. Woodson discusses how she navigates jumping between genres and audiences, her writing process, collaborating with illustrators, and conn…

Our librarians are back and this time Gregg Winsor brought a couple friends along—librarians Caitlin Perkins and Wendy Gish—to talk in-depth about their favorite weird and wild science books! "Microhistories" are a genre of nonfiction books dedicated to a deep-dive on one particular topic, like snails, psychedelics, or communication amongst trees. …

It’s almost time for Summer Reading and who better to recommend kids titles than kids?! We attached googly eyes to our mighty handheld recorder and took to the stacks to ask over 20 children which books they love and what they like about them. We also asked adults what their favorite books were when they were kids. This episode is 20 minutes of pur…

Welcome to our first collection deep dive episode! We begin with a genre selected by our readers advisory librarian Gregg Winsor, “Books about book lovers.” Gregg will be serving as more of a moderator for most of our future deep dives, but for today he has brought a couple friends along—Piepie Baltz and Kelly Downs—to chat about their favorites in…

In this episode of JOCOLIBRARY UNCOVERED, it's a deep dive into the Library's relationship with the arts. Johnson County Library supports the Local Arts in so many ways! Start with our collection. You’ll find many types of arts books at the library – graphic design, architecture, photography, how to books, journals turned into books, knitting books…

A Kaleidoscope brings to life an endless variety of shapes and patterns. What would a kaleidoscope of sound be like? We dedicate this episode to the harmonious melody of voices, tones, music and other noises that bring the Library to life every day. Explore the world of Library sounds with us in three segments: past, present and future. Past: Celeb…

We are thankful for you our listening audience and for the many good people, ideas and things that fill our lives with coziness and "comfortable conviviality" with feelings of wellness and contentment. We dedicate the episode to warmth and thankfulness. We explore the concept of Hygge, interview two chefs to help you stretch yourself as a home cook…

Our eighth annual Writers Conference will be Thursday, Nov. 17 - Sunday, Nov. 20. In this episode, Readers' Advisory Librarian Helen Hokanson and Adult Services Specialist Lisa Allen talk about our 2022 Writers Conference. How do we choose our faculty? Do we take potential presenter suggestions? How does the in-person experience differ from the vir…

Our tribute to game shows continues with Library Jeopardy and Wheel of Fiction! Whad'ya know about the Library? Join former Jeopardy auditionee, Austin, as he does such a great job hosting that even Alex Trebek would be proud. Charles and Dave battle in a head-to-head Library trivia tournament of titans! Then, we bring in in Collection Development …

We love quiz podcasts and radio programs like “Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!” We also live for getting to know everything there is to know about Johnson County Library! What do you know? What do we know? Get ready for a variety of Library games! In this fantastically fun episode, we play Bluff the Librarian with Local Arts Librarian Bryan and Library…

Extra! Extra! Hear all about it! Did you know the Johnson County Library has a podcast? If not, this special episode is the perfect place to begin listening. By spending a mere 15 minutes with us, you too will be able to answer with a resounding "Yes!" to the question: "Did you hear?" We discuss the annual one night only party at the Library we cal…

Are the kids headed back to school? We have resource for them, for the little ones who aren't quite old enough yet, for you and for anyone who just wants to learn something new! We bring in the experts with the super Librarian knowledge and skills to give you and yours an advantage. Our lineup? eResources: Hope Harms, Collections – eResources Libra…

Do you make? We at the Library encourage you embrace the creative process in some way by making something. What? Well, anything you want! Need ideas? You can always visit our MakerSpace. Online, we have In-depth tutorials and Circulating Maker Kits. In-person, you can make something as simple or complicated as you want with equipment available to y…

This kid-friendly family episode explores Summer Reading 2022 in the most fun way possible. We interviewed snow cone-loving Narwhals, a dolphin with an infectious laugh, a starfish who knows he’s a star, a euphoric crab who’s not crabby at all, a jellyfish who loves peanut butter, a very deep tuna and many more aquatic creatures to get book recomme…

Today on the Did you hear? podcast, we explore MESMERIZING MEMES AND MORE (supply your own echo effect) We give you some history, the behind-the-scenes philosophy, strategy and everything else when it comes to creating social media content for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.By jocolibrary

April - Silver and Gold We asked the same 10 questions of an employee who just began her career at Johnson County Library and of an employee counting down the days until retirement. Their answers may surprise you!By jocolibrary

Well, we've done it! We've reached the last episode in our seven-part series we've called "Discover Your Library." We saved the best for last! In this episode, we explore the collection. What better way to begin than with a reading from an author in our collection, Sierra Simone? We follow that with interviews with every member of the collection de…

We have arrived at part seven of our eight-part Discover your Library series. In this Did you hear? episode, we give you a behind the scenes look at our Events. Programs and Events Coordinator Joseph Keehn talks about what led him to Johnson County Library and how his job has changed over the years—including adapting to the challenge of programming…

Some call it Civic Engagement. We call it Community Matters! The Library has a plethora of programs, events, services and resources for you, yes you, to be a more informed citizen. Ashley Fick drops by to share her journey to becoming our Civic Engagement Librarian. We get the inside scoop on the "how," "what" and "why" behind Legislative Coffees, …

We're back again for your monthly Library Insider. it's the Did you hear? podcast and we are on part 4 of our Discover Your Library special. This month? The Arts! Music, art exhibitions, writing ... we have so much to offer artists and you! In this episode: Musical guest The Wires Local Writer Martha Gershun reads her short story: "The Hatch" Local…

We wanted to hear our Librarians' journeys. We were especially interested in stories from Librarians who’ve: had multiple positions at Johnson County Library held the same position for many years had interesting career paths leading them to us Now, we used the label "Librarian" loosely. We wanted to include the stories public-facing staff as well. …

"Our Patrons" is the second in a series of seven episodes we're devoting to the theme: Discover You Library! here on the Did you hear? podcast. Our Librarians chime in to share their favorite stories about our patrons. It's sometimes funny, often heart-warming and always interesting. Join Charles and Dave as we attempt to answer the question, "just…

Exciting news! We were able to record in-person for the first time since the onset of the pandemic. Not-so-exciting news...the audio isn't perfect—we're rusty. But, listenable? Yes! In this episode we have even more exciting news. We're introducing a 7-part storytelling series we're calling "Discover Your Library." From now until the end of the yea…

It's another Did you hear? podcast episode with Shannon, Jack, Charles and Dave! In this episode, we offer closure to poetry month and suggest poetry should not be confined to a single month. We crammed this episode full—like an over-stuffed el grande burrito—with flavorful content from all kinds of tasty angles. (OK, we're not poets, but we love p…

What do we mean by "Parents as Teachers"? Well, parents as teachers can mean being involved in your child's K-12 education--COVID distance learning or not. But, COVID has maybe forced many of us to be a bit more involved. Whether it's homeschooling or home learning that complements traditional school, Library resources available to help. Parents as…

The Did you hear? podcast makes its triumphant 2021 return. It's been a while since you last heard from your Library insider, but we're back! This year, we have some changes. We are now a monthly podcast. New episodes are released on the first day of each month. Also, we now have a small group of hosts who bring behind-the-scenes stories to life fo…

Did you hear? host Dave presented on podcasting--specifically for Libraries and nonprofits--at the Kansas Library Association's annual conference. We share his presentation as a podcast episode. Enjoy. Here's the description we provided for the program: We believe subscribable communication is an effective and fun way to reach library audiences—eve…

Cash Bail. What is it and why are we talking about it on the Did you hear? podcast? The Library has always been engaged in the community and we're committed to serving all of our patrons. If you weren't aware of the numerous community outreach services we offer, have a look! Representing our incarcerated services, Librarians Kate and Flannery inter…

It's another 5 for 5 episode. We talk to another 5 groups of people about 5 topics for 5 minutes at a time. This time around: Instagram MakerSpace Steamroller Printing Press Online Storytimes Newsletters galore Super Special Mystery Guest We thought about adding even more goodness into this episode, but there is such thing as too much of a good thi…

We go around the Library to hear from 5 different voices for 5 topics 5 minutes at a time! We call it Five for Five. In this episode: Census wrap up Career and Finance online series Book party Debate watch parties Collector’s corner If this episode had any more goodness stuffed into it, there'd be an explosion of confetti.…

In this episode of Did you hear? we present the winners of our Youth Fantasy Writing contest this summer. We talk about this amazing contest and hear from some of the winners. Kids from 3rd through 8th grade participated and we think you'll be impressed by these young authors.By jocolibrary

We’ve got another “Author Research in Action” episode for you! Just a reminder--we take an award-winning author, and let them dive-into conversation with a subject matter expert! In this case, both authors did their research from inside. Inside what or where? For that answer, you just have to listen ...…

We have a number of online events including gaming! What kind of gaming? Well, after watching the epic 80’s-set Sci-Fi series Stranger Things, have you become intrigued about the role-playing game: Dungeons and Dragons? In this episode, we talk a bit about online programs and invite three staffers to show Dave the ropes as they play a round of D&D!…

We have an exciting Summer Reading-themed show! Our Librarians called in with several suggestions for your little ones. Also, we asked you to submit your favorite childhood titles on facebook. We mention a number of your suggestions! All the submitted recommendations, mentioned or not, are available in a catalog booklist. Before we launch into all …