This podcast offers very straightforward interviews and information related to various library types, programs and for the various groups that libraries serve.  I prefer this to the gimmicky, cute named podcasts that are often offered on subjects.  This one reminds me of a NPR podcast but about librarians.  This makes sense because it is a podcast run by a professional library organization, American Library Association. 

I choose an episode called “School Librarians Adapt to the Pandemic”. The podcast featured Virginia school librarians, which made it even more interesting to listen too.   The podcast interviewed the two librarians about how they developed a book mobile to distribute books during the pandemic.  The interview was very helpful if someone was interested in doing this type of activity at their library as it covered topics like transportation, how they received books, distribution and safety.    The episode also included an interview with Melissa Jacobs from the New York City School Library system.  The focus was how the school library system used e-books to reach students and teachers. 

The only negative feedback I had is that the podcast did not air until April 2021 so it aired too late for someone to have started these programs at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. However, I think the ideas mentioned in this podcast would be something to consider when discussing reaching students to encourage reading and inclusiveness of the library system.  

I think this podcast would be very useful to librarians and the variety of topics they offer.  I do not know however, if you were a school librarian that every podcast episode would be useful, as would be the same for public librarians and academic librarians.    You could easily choose which episodes you would want to listen to based on the titles and descriptions of the podcasts.  I liked that the podcasts are not longer than an hour.  This makes it easier to have the time to listen to it and is very direct in information provided.  This podcast series would also be helpful to someone going into the library field that may not know what type of library that they want to work in.  

There were many other episodes of this podcast that I will be listening to specifically the episodes related to rural and small libraries, privacy, sustainability and getting a job.  


Dankowski, Terra. (Host). (2021, April 20).  School Librarians Adapt to the Pandemic (Episode 61) [Audio podcast episode].Call Number with American Libraries Podcast, Chicago.  https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/call-number-podcast-school-librarians-adapt-to-the-pandemic/