In this episode of The Library is Open Podcast, Greg Leding—Chief Development Officer of the Fayetteville Public Library Foundation and and an Arkansas state senator—joins us to discuss Arkansas Act 372 and its potential implications for Arkansas libraries and bookstores. Greg breaks down how this act came to be, its current status, the legal actions being taken surrounding it, and what the Library Foundation is doing to support Arkansas librarians during this time. He also shares ways we can all help protect Arkansas librarians and libraries.

Support the legal fund here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/fayetteville-public-library-foundation/defend-the-freedom-to-read

Learn more about the Fayetteville Public Library foundation here: https://supportfpl.org/

Marshall Breeding of Library Technology Guides is back for another ALA Recap! In this episode, we discuss the highlights of this year's American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois. Marshall shares insights into the three different panels he participated in, exhibit highlights, and his favorite Chicago activities.

Visit https://librarytechnology.org/ to learn more about Marshall's work!

Viva Las Vegas!

In this episode of the Library is Open Podcast, our special guest is Kelvin Watson, Executive Director of the Las Vegas–Clark County Library District and Library Journal's 2026 Librarian of the Year! Kelvin shares his experience in the library world, the unique experiences of leading a large library system in an internationally-known city, leadership advice, and so much more!

In this episode of the Library is Open Podcast, we have special guest Justin Denton, Chief Information Officer at Illinois Valley Community College! Justin recently hosted a session in our Digital Defense: Cybersecurity for Libraries webinar series called "Small Budget, Big Defense: Free and Low-Cost Tools That Protect Your Library." There were so many useful tips and insights from this webinar that we thought Justin needed to come on the podcast and share more. In this episode, we learn more about Justin's journey to becoming a Senior IT Executive, what he's learned along the way, and his favorite tools to keep systems safe and secure!

Check out Justin's next session in our Digtal Defense series here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KZJ-BsIXRTCdrONWBKZINQ#/registration

The Memeing Librarian (Molly Quinn) is back on the pod!! In this episode, we talk about the Libraries and AI study that Molly conducted and generic policy template that she created. We examine some of the results of these findings, what inspired the study and policy, and how libraries can begin to assess their AI policies if they haven't started yet.

Access the study here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thememeinglib/libraries-ai-ai-policies-guidelines-sent

Access the Generic Employee AI Usage Policy here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thememeinglib/e/520821

Listen to Molly's previous Library is Open podcast episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHF1DX6pJ5Q&t=

February is Library Lovers' Month, and to celebrate, we have a very special guest on the podcast! Shedriek Battle is a library professional and enthusiast who has worked in public libraries for over a decade. In this episode, we talk about the countless reasons why people should love their local library, and how we can be better advocates for libraries and library workers.

In our latest episode of The Library is Open podcast, we're joined by David Daghita, Library Accounts Supervisor at the Lewisville Public Library! David shares about his extensive experience as a Systems Librarian, his upcoming Digital Defense Cybersecurity webinar, and tech trends and hot topics for 2026.

Resources mentioned in episode:

• Digital Defense Library Cybersecurity Webinar series
• Koha Global Bug Squashing Week
• koha-US Community Calendar

In this episode of The Library is Open Podcast, Sam Passey returns! Sam Passey serves as the Associate Dean of Library Services at Colorado Mountain College, where he leads a multi-campus team reimagining how libraries support today’s students and communities.

In this episode, Sam talks about a new webinar series he is launching with PCI Webinars called Stoplights, Roundabouts, and Leadership: Navigating the Highways and Backroads of Organizational Life & Leadership. This course will explore the “transportation map” of leadership using metaphors like freeways, speedbumps, dirt roads, and roundabouts to examine how organizational structures shapemomentum, creativity, and collaboration.

We also talk about some of Sam's greatest insights he's gained as a library leader on vulnerability, stalled progress, and building trust among teams.

With more than twenty years of leadership experience, Sam brings a blend of humor, storytelling, and practical insight to his sessions. His work focuses on building trust-based teams, aligning systems with human needs, and helping leaders replace stoplights with roundabouts, so everyone can move forward together.

Connect with Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelpassey/

Marshall Breeding is back for another episode of The Library is Open Podcast! This time, we are talking all about AspenCon 2025 that was held in Nashville, Tennessee! In this episode, Marshall talks about being a Nashville local, gives an overview of his keynote presentation at AspenCon2025, his thoughts on the conference and growth of the Aspen Community.

You can watch the entire AspenCon2025 recordings here: https://www.youtube.com/@AspenLibraryCommunity

You can take Marshall's Library Technology Guides 2025 Library AutomationPerceptions Survey here:

https://librarytechnology.org/perceptions/2025/invite/

In our latest episode of The Library is Open Podcast, we talk with Toby Riesterer: Videographer, Owner of Riesterer Productions, and Digital Media Specialist at Pasco County Libraries in Florida. In this episode, Toby shares his love for video production and unique journey to becoming a library videographer. He gives insight into why videography is a critical component of library marketing and advocacy, thoughts on crafting an effective message, and some of his favorite projects. Toby also shares how libraries who don't have access to professional videography resources can still effectively create video content.

Visit Riesterer Productions here: https://riestererproductions.com/

Connect with Toby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-riesterer/

Welcome to another episode of The Library is Open Podcast! In this episode, we talk to Sarah Lane, Information Services Librarian at the Des Moines Public Library! Sarah is also the co-host of the Des Moines Public Library Podcast "Beyond the Shelves". Sarah shares what she's reading, how she got into librarianship, and dives deep into all things podcasting!

Learn more about the Beyond the Shelves podcast here: https://www.dmpl.org/explore/library-publications/dmpl-podcast%EF%BB%BF

It's that time of year again—back to school!!! In this episode of The Library is Open Podcast, we welcome back Telishia "Tee" Murray, Director of Library and Learning Resources at Galveston College's David Glenn Hunt Memorial Library to talk about all things back to school. Tee shares the months-long prep that goes on to ensure student success; the data and reporting processes her library implements to produce comprehensive reports; and the programming and outreach initiatives library staff use to welcome students into the library and create a safe, nurturing space.

Learn more about the library's Data Dashboard here: https://library.gc.edu/data-dashboard/home

Follow Galveston College Library on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/galvestoncollegelibrary

In this episode of the Library is Open podcast, we welcome return guest Marshall Breeding to talk about his experience at the American Library Association Annual Conference 2025, his annual Library Perceptions Survey, and other industry insights!!

In this episode of The Library is Open Podcast, Jessie and Elise are at ALA Annual 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!! They talk about their conference highlights, exciting Koha upgrades, Philly adventures, and so much more!!

Thank you so much to the ALA Podcast recording crew who helped make this recording possible!!

Welcome to Part Three of our three-part series on ByWater Solutions partners who were honored as Library Journal Movers and Shakers for 2025!

In this episode, meet Jen Park, Government Relations Specialist, Ramapo Catskill Library System, Middletown, NY. We discuss Jen's unique role as a government liaison within the public library system, how we can all make an impact for library advocacy, and her experiencing being honored as a Mover and Shaker!

Read Jen's Mover and Shaker feature here: https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/jen-park-movers-shakers-2025-advocates

Join us for Part 2 of our three-part series on ByWater partners that were named as Library Journal Movers and Shakers 2025!

In this episode, Meet Jason Homer, the Executive Director of the Worcester Public Library in Massachusetts.

Jason shares his unique path to librarianship, his experience leading a library in a rich and vibrant multicultural community, creating a safe space for library staff and users, and so much more! Read more about Jason's achievements in the Library Journal Movers and Shakers piece

Learn more about the Wocester Public Library.

Reach out to Jason on LinkedIn!!

Welcome to our three-part series on ByWater partners that were named as Library Journal Movers and Shakers 2025!

First up, meet Leah Gregory, School Library Membership Coordinator at the Illinois Heartland Library System. Leah was honored in the Advocates category, and is referred to as the "Librarian's Librarian" for her work supporting school librarians all across Illinois!

In this episode, we discuss Leah's unexpected career trajectory to librarianship, her advocacy and support work at the Illinois Heartland Library System, and her experience being named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker!

You won't want to miss this episode!!

Listen to the You Can't Shelve this Podcast here!

Reach out to Leah at: lgregory@illinoisheartland.org

In this episode of The Library is Open Podcast, we have return guest Brian Pichman and ByWater Aspen Sales Consultant Bill Kessler to talk about all things Computers in Libraries 2025! Brian and Bill both attended and presented at the conference, so we wanted to discuss their key takeaways and highlights from the event.

Learn more about our Digital Defense: Strengthening Library Cybersecurity Webinar Series.

In honor of Women's History Month, we wanted to talk to Diana Silveira, President of Novare Library Services, a female-founded library technology, training, and consulting company. Diana is also the author of Library Technology Planning for Today and Tomorrow.

In this episode, we discuss Diana's journey in the library world, her experience starting a library technology company, and what she has learned (and continues to learn) along the way. She gives insight into how to grow professionally, and shares some of her favorite trainings she has participated in over the years. We also talk about the trends she is seeing libraries focus on and what conferences she will be attend this year.

Connect with Diana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianasachssilveira/

Learn more about Novare Library Services:

https://novarelibrary.com/

Get Diana's Book: https://novarelibrary.com/technology-planning-book/

In this episode of The Library is Open podcast, we have not one, but TWO fabulous guests: Paul Cuomo and Yonah Levenson!! Paul is a Product Specialist at TDNet and host of The Info-Leaders Podcast. Yonah is aMetadata, Taxonomy, and Asset Management Strategy Consultant; Language Metadata Table Chair and Rutgers DAM Certificate Program Co-Director/Instructor.

They will both be co-presenting at this year's Special Library Association conference on "Expanding Horizons and Career Transformations".

In this episode, we learn more about Paul and Yonah's careers, discuss alternative career paths and self-marketing tips for information professionals, and get hype for this year's SLA 2025 Conference! You won't want to miss this episode!!!

Connect with Yonah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yonahlevenson/

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulcuomo/