Podcasts

Longshots #232: Rethinking Your Work
In this episode, Sarah talks with David Heinemeier Hansson, creator of Ruby on Rails, co-founder of 37signals, and co-author of Rework. They discuss how Rework can help organizations of all types rethink their work, the importance of working on an inspiration before the motivation fades, keeping policies fresh and updated, doing away with meetings, making small decisions and moving on rather than getting mired down in big decisions, and how ideas in the book can translate to non-profits and libraries.

Longshots #229: The Importance of International Librarianship
Sarah talks with Peter Lor, Visiting Professor, School of Information Studies, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, about international librarianship. They discuss the importance of collaboration and the work of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA). They also talk about the inception of MARC records and the delicacy of today's trend toward making our historical documents digital. Lor makes recommendations for preserving our history for future generations.

Longshots #226: Get Tips for Marketing Your Library
Sarah talks with Denise Raleigh, Director of Marketing, Development, and Communications at Gail Borden Public Library District, about her many marketing successes. The library has been recognized nationally for their marketing efforts. Denise offers some marketing tips, such as taking well-planned risks, planning for big photo opportunities, and thinking big.

Longshots #211 The Future of Libraries Begins with the User Experience
Sarah talks with Tom Sloan, Executive Director at the DuPage Library System, headquartered in Geneva, Illinois. Tom brings to Illinois successful models of library and library system cooperation from his previous director positions at the Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN) and the State Library of Delaware. Tom explains why the future success of libraries is dependent on a solid examination of the full user experience at the library versus the more limited focus on the collection. Tom also explains why libraries must perform as community centers that supply the tools for creative energy, not just places to provide meeting rooms and a place to study.

Longshots #209: Building a Green Library
Sarah talks with Doug Skinner, an architect at Engberg Anderson, about their completion of the Rakow branch of the Gail Borden Public Library District. The building features environmentally sustainable elements and is registered as a LEED project. They also discuss new features of the library, such as the ability to check out DVDs 24/7.

Longshots #208: Future Plans for Purdue University Calumet Academic Library
Sarah speaks with Frank Cervone, Vice Chancellor for Information Services at Purdue University Calumet, about his position at the university and the importance of technology in the academic library. They also discuss his plans for the library, including being more proactive within the university, making it more of a social center for students, and digitizing their special collections.

Longshots #203: Exploring New Ways to Deliver Library Data
Sarah talks with Nicole Engard, Director of Open Source Education at ByWater Solutions and author of Library Mashups: Exploring New Ways to Deliver Library Data. They take a look at topics covered in the book, such as how to take various data sources and mash them into new ways to improve libraries, changing catalog data, and ways to mashup websites.

Longshots #184: What Libraries Can Learn from Zappos
Sarah talks with Rebecca Tolley-Stokes of East Tennessee State University Sherrod Library about her recent article in College and Research Libraries, "Try on a New Pair of Sensible Shoes: What Libraries Can Learn from Zappos About Customer Service and Organizational Culture." They look closely at possible ways academic libraries can offer improved customer service.

Longshots #155 - Making the Academic Library Relevant
Listen in on Sarah's conversation with Patrick Dawson, the new Dean of Libraries at Northern Illinois University, as they discuss the future of academic libraries. Hear Dawson's thoughts supporting Latino studies, digitization, and making the library relevant to students.

Longshots #144 - Veronda Pitchford
Sarah talks with Veronda Pitchford, Vice President of Membership and Communications for the Urban Libraries Council.

Longshots #141 - Sarah Houghton-Jan
Sarah talks with Sarah Houghton-Jan, Digital Futures manager for the San Jose Public Library, consultant for the InfoPeople project, and speaker at international and online events for libraries and other institutions.

Longshots #92 - The Future of Libraries
Sarah talks with Stephen Abram, the 2008 president of SLA,and the Vice-President of Innovation for SirsiDynix, about where libraries are going.

Longshots #71 - George Needham
Sarah completes her "Future of Libraries" series with this interview with George Needham of OCLC.

Longshots #66 - Brad Baker
Sarah continues her "Future of Libraries" series interviewing Brad Baker

Longshots #65 - Mary Ghikas
Sarah begins her "Future of Libraries" series with a discussion with Mary Ghikas