The podcast where we hammer home the importance of school libraries.
Hosted by Janette Derucki (RAILS Data Analyst) and Leah Gregory (IHLS Director of Membership and Outreach).
Available on:
Can't Shelve This is a Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) production in collaboration with Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS). Music produced by Samuel Mohart.
Plot twist: reading culture isn’t built with rewards, levels, or quizzes.
Janette and Leah are joined by Pernille Ripp and Dr. Sarah Sansbury to explore reading identity, student choice, and how we can create the conditions that invite kids into reading.
School librarian, author, and activist Amanda Jones joins Can't Shelve This to share her story in a candid conversation about censorship, courage, and hope for the future of libraries.
Note: This episode includes discussions of harassment and threats against educators.
Music produced by Samuel Mohart.
Can't Shelve This is a Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) production in collaboration with Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS).
The Can't Shelve This crew hosted their first-ever live show at the Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE) Conference in Champaign, IL on October 6, 2025.
We asked our audience members "what is one thing your school library has that you wish every school library could have?" Together, we built a school library utopia.
Music produced by Samuel Mohart.
Can't Shelve This is a Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) production in collaboration with Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS).
It's time for some real talk. ☕️
Janette and Leah dive into the realities of school librarianship today—unpacking the numbers, staffing shortages, and loopholes schools use to sidestep library standards. This one is a must-listen for administrators.
Music produced by Samuel Mohart.
Can't Shelve This is a Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) production in collaboration with Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS).
What’s it really like to be a brand-new school librarian?
In “Diary of a First-Year School Librarian,” Janette and Leah chat with Mary Alice Maloney (Charles J. Sahs School Librarian) as she reflects on her first year as a full-time certified school librarian. Hear about the challenges, wins, and plans for year two.
Music produced by Samuel Mohart.
Can't Shelve This is a Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) production in collaboration with Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS).
You're not alone. School librarians have a powerful network of support behind them.
In "The One Where They Get Connected," Janette and Leah are joined by Cyndi Robinson (Executive Director of the Illinois Library Association) and K.C. Boyd (District of Columbia Public Schools Librarian—AKA The Boss Librarian). Together, they unpack how to find your people, advocate for your job, and tap into perks like student discounts to help the next generation of librarians thrive.
If you’re an Illinois librarian attending AASL in St. Louis, email Leah Gregory or Jessica Silva for details on our meetup!
💭 Have a topic idea? Want to be a guest? Email Ola or leave us a voicemail on our hotline at 630.734.5015.
Season 2 is officially in session!
Settle into back-to-school season with Janette and Leah as they unpack all the library propaganda we're not falling for. No homework—just laughs, mythbusting, and a few hot takes.
Have a topic idea? Want to be a guest? Let us know! Email Ola Gronski or leave us a voicemail on our hotline at 630.734.5015.
Music produced by Samuel Mohart.
Can't Shelve This is a Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) production in collaboration with Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS).
It’s a summer send-off at Can’t Shelve This!
In this season finale, Leah and Janette go straight to the source for school library wisdom: Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School librarian Heather McCarthy and two of her eighth graders, Emily and Nathan! Together, they talk about what it feels like to have a school with a thriving library, and what you can do to help build one.
Music produced by Samuel Mohart.
Can't Shelve This is a Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) production in collaboration with Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS).
Instead of feeling sad, let's get mad.
In the spirit of a mid-year Festivus, co-hosts Janette and Leah address the current library landscape and read lisener-submitted rants.
Music produced by Samuel Mohart.
Can't Shelve This is a Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) production in collaboration with Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS).
Every student deserves to be seen in their school library.
Janette and Leah are joined by "A" (local school librarian) and Jessica Silva (RAILS Member Engagement Specialist) to discuss how to create welcoming and inclusive school libraries. Together, they share strategies for supporting EDIA in the changing educational landscape.
Music produced by Samuel Mohart.
Can't Shelve This is a Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) production in collaboration with Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS).