Sparks features interviews with RAILS members and other leaders in the library/related fields. We intend to spark conversation, comment, and debate about current trends and issues affecting all types of libraries.
RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan talks with Library Director Brian Shepard from Indian Trails Public Library District about being named Librarian of the Year, promoting the value of libraries, library remodels, getting into the library field, and more.
Intro/Outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com
RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan talks with Magan Szwarek, Director of Reference Services at Schaumburg Township District Library. They discuss the Panorama Project's data-driven insights on libraries and their impact on book discovery.
Intro/Outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com
RAILS Executive Director talks with Annie Bostrom, Associate Editor for Adult Books at Booklist, and chair of the 2019 Andrew Carnegie Medals. They talk about the Carnegie awards celebration at ALA Annual, the process of choosing the winners, the wonders of meeting authors, and reading the best books.
Intro/Outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com
RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan talks with Kim Caviness, Chief Content Officer of Chicago marketing firm Imagination about content marketing and how it is relevant to libraries, that print still has a place in our digital world, and our collaboration on the Dreams Take Flight video.
For links to Spanish and English versions of the video in several lengths, see https://www.railslibraries.info/news/157657
Intro/Outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com
RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan talks with Amanda Civitello and Katie McLain from Waukegan Public Library about sexual and other kinds of harassment in libraries, how library staff can handle harassment, and how administration can create a safe environment for employees. Slides and handouts for their American Library Association conference talk "It's Not 'Just Part of the Job'" are also available for those interested in learning more.
Intro/Outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com
RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan talks with Justin Williams, Adult Services Librarian at Westmont Public Library, about the library's Makery (Library of Things) and how other libraries can start a similar collection.
Intro/Outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com
https://westmontlibrary.org/makery
RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan talks with Veronda Pitchford, former director of Membership Development and Resource Sharing at RAILS. They discuss projects Veronda had been part of during her five years at RAILS, including her challenges, successes, and wishes, with special attention to the growth of e-resources.
Intro/Outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com
RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan talks with Lynn Stainbrook, Executive Director at Rockford Public Library, about the library's building project, including its unusual origins; envisioning sessions held with different community groups, including teenagers; and her advice for others going through a building project.
Intro/Outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com
RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan talks with 2018 Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project (STBF) winner, Heather Bentley, and STBF committee member and Marketing/PR Director at Mount Prospect Public Library, Carol Morency, about writing, self-publishing, what they are reading now, and exciting news for STBF. Bentley's book, Sweetest Heartbreak, is available to read on BiblioBoard.
Intro/Outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com
RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan talks with RAILS Director of Membership Development and Resource Sharing Veronda Pitchford and Mitchell Davis, Founder & CEO of BiblioBoard, about the e-book industry. Specifically, they discuss what RAILS and BiblioBoard have done in partnership to advance the cause of e-books in libraries.
Intro/Outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com