Library Exchange Podcast

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 
Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit: http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 
Follow Kathy Schmidt on Instagram @Kathyfs24
Episode Description:
Hosts Julie Saunders and Jan Wilson talk with Kathy Schmidt, a veteran elementary school librarian, about building community partnerships that support student literacy and family engagement.
They spotlight Brock Elementary’s programs: United Way Reading Buddies, the Lit on the Lawn family reading event, and the Loop It Up Savannah garden program and share practical ideas for creating volunteer-driven reading support, outreach events, and hands-on learning opportunities.
 

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 
Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit: http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 
To contact Lori McGovern by email:  mcgovern.lori@newton.k12.ga.us
Follow Lori McGovern on Instagram @Lori.McGovern.LMS
Episode Description:
In this episode, hosts Julie and Jan talk with Lori McGovern about why school libraries need intentional branding to communicate their instructional value. Lori shares practical steps: start with a logo, use consistent visuals in email signatures, newsletters and social media, and tweak captions and wording to highlight standards-aligned learning instead of just events.
Listeners will hear concrete ideas like templates, the “smother and cover” (Waffle House) approach to brand placement, and fun recognition strategies to promote collaboration and visibility. Contact details for Lori are provided for follow-up.
 

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 
Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit: http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 
To connect with Robin Thompson through email: rthompson@bryan.k12.ga.us
Follow Robin Thompson @CrazyMrsT on Instagram and TikTok.
Episode Description:
Librarian Robin Thompson (Crazy Mrs. T) breaks down Melissa Stewart’s Five Kinds of Nonfiction: active, browsable, traditional, expository, and narrative. She explains how she reorganized her elementary nonfiction collection for better student findability, including chronological history and grouping military transportation with military books.
She also shares hands-on strategies that increased circulation: nonfiction book tastings, a March Madness-style bracket to engage readers, and outreach tips. 

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 
Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit: http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 
To connect with Nick Moore through Instagram: @learnteachmoore
Episode Description:
Hosts Julie Saunders and Jan Wilson speak with elementary librarian Nick Moore about arts-integrated lessons, student-created projects, and growing a schoolwide reading culture.
Nick shares examples like using Tinkercad to build 3D cell models with Toy Story metaphors, body biographies enhanced with VR, and research using PebbleGo, Britannica, and Gale. The episode also covers community partnerships, strategies that boosted boys' engagement with reading, and practical tips to make students producers of content.

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 
Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit: http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 
Listeners are invited to learn more or connect via LAPL.org.
Episode Description:
In this episode of Library Exchange, Amanda Miller, an adult librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library Central Branch, discusses her dual role as a reference librarian and outreach coordinator serving people experiencing homelessness, re-entry clients, and community partners around Skid Row.
Amanda explains weekly pop-up programs and partnerships (including Midnight Mission, Blue Hollywood Street Sanctuary, Skid Row Arts Alliance, and Urban Voices Project), services like courtesy library cards, free printing and Wi‑Fi, Career Online High School, music wellness sessions, and re-entry support, and how the library functions as a place of stabilization and dignity.
Listeners are invited to learn more or connect via LAPL.org.
 
 

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 
Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit: http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 
For more information about the Library of Things: https://sites.google.com/view/lotmutualaid/home 
Episode Description:
Julie and Jan talk with Hazel Onsrud of Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Maine, about the Library of Things: a community-focused, sustainability-driven collection of items, from dehydrators and worm-casting kits to power washers, supported by repair cafés, swap carts, and local partnerships.
Hazel shares practical tips on packaging, safety, maintenance, and using experience passes and the LOT Mutual Aid network so other libraries can tailor a sharing program to their community.

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 
Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit: http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 
Episode Description:
Hosts Julie Saunders and Jan Wilson reflect on Season 1 of Library Exchange, highlighting real-world strategies school librarians used to demonstrate value, expand resources, and increase equity in collections and access.
This episode shares concrete ideas, from advocacy and branding to student helpers, partnerships, shelving innovations, and reading challenges while encouraging listeners to set professional library resolutions for the new year.
 

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 
Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit: http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 
To follow Kannan Cangro on Instagram: @cangrolib 
Or contact her through email at Kcangro@gmail.com 
Episode Description:
In this episode, Kannan Cangro shares how she built a sustainable STEAM program in a busy elementary library—from leveraging a Boeing grant and simple materials like Kiva planks and math manipulatives to using micro:bits and robots. Hear practical, low‑cost instructional strategies, the engineering design process applied with no‑stakes formative assessment techniques, and tips for managing makerspace time and collaboration. Cannon also explains her inclusive true book fair model that gives every K–6 student two new books.
 

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 
Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit: http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 
Check out the Postcrossing program here: https://www.postcrossing.com/ 
Episode Description:
Hosts Julie Saunders and Jan Wilson talk with Laura Silver, a New York City high school librarian, about bringing Postcrossing to students. Learn how the program uses postcards to teach geography, writing skills, language use, and empathy by connecting students with people around the world.
The episode covers how Postcrossing works, classroom and privacy tips, memorable exchanges, and simple steps to start a similar passive program in your library.
 
More resources for student-centered letter writing projects:
American Philatelic Society: Educator Resources
https://stamps.org/learn/educator-resources
* request a free box of cancelled stamps. We have used them for inquiry lessons and art projects. Students love to add the stamps to their phone cases.
Compassion Prison Project
https://compassionprisonproject.org/services/letter-writing-campaign/
FIUTS (Foundation for International Understanding Through Students) https://www.fiuts.org/be-a-pen-pal
GlamourGalshttps://glamourgals.org/my-dear-friend-main
Invites students to create greeting cards for seniors
Inclusive Schools Pen Pal Exchange
https://inclusiveschools.org/isw-activity/pen-pal-exchange/
Letters Against Isolation
https://loveforourelders.org/learning
Love for Our Elders
https://loveforourelders.org/learning
The National Postal Museumhttps://postalmuseum.si.edu/
Library of the National Postal Museum
https://library.si.edu/libraries/postal-museum/collections
Postcards: The Write Stuff
https://postalmuseum.si.edu/sites/default/files/education/pdfs/postcards-the_write_stuff.pdf
Operation Gratitude
https://www.operationgratitude.com/volunteer/anywhere/letters/
Student Letter Exchange
https://www.pen-pal.com/
Trucker Buddy (for younger students)
https://truckerbuddy.org

Visit the Library Exchange official website to submit a story, ask a question or request to be a guest at https://www.libraryexchangepodcast.com 
Looking for some new swag for your library, yourself or a favorite book loving friend? Visit http://libraryexchange.etsy.com 
Click this link for more information and resources provided by Jessie Storrs: http://tinyurl.com/YDFlib 
Episode Description:
Teacher librarian Jessie Storrs runs the El Centro Junior Senior High School library inside the Sacramento Youth Detention Facility, serving residents and staff with books, DVDs, and 50+ board games. She uses strategy games like CuBirds to teach SEL skills—accountability, emotional resilience, and responsible decision‑making—and runs virtual field trips tied to popular series like I Survived.
Her central goal is to inspire residents and reduce recidivism by providing consistent caring, literacy access, and community through gaming and programming.