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Thank you for joining CTLS, Inc. in its first series of downloadable audio interviews. In each podcast, we'll be interviewing CTLS members to highlight best practices, successful programs, transformed library spaces, and more! With such a wealth of experience, talent, and creativity among our members, we hope that this podcast series will be another great way to share ideas with one another.

And don't miss Librarian Live, a podcast series that is jointly produced by the North Texas Regional Library System, CTLS, Alamo Area Library System, and New Mexico State Library.

Listen to Episode 13, July 22, 2008, Keeping Public Access Computers in Shape with Mike Buras

In this podcast, CTLS's own IT specialist, Mike Buras,  joins us to discuss factors that can keep your public access computers running smoothly.  

What Mike has been reading lately:

American Gods by Neil Gaiman
When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
The Last Legends of Earth by A.A. Attanasio
Old Man's War by John Scalzi

Listen to Episode 12, June 16, 2008, Stories Alive! Bringing Stories to Life  with Judith Black

We were thrilled to have Judith Black, professional storyteller, present the Stories Alive! workshop on June 20, 2008, at Austin Public Library. Judith emphasized that both the human details and the motivations behind characters' actions are critical in connecting an audience to the past. She also explained the role that storytelling plays in society. This podcast is an excerpt from her presentation.

Judith has been a featured storyteller at the National Storytelling Festival and has served as Teller-in Residence at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesboro TN.  She’s used storytelling to train national park interpreters, social workers, hospital personnel, teachers, librarians and eldercare professionals.  Judith has recorded songs and stories for children and adults, published her own stories in books and magazines, performed commissioned works and one-woman shows.  Her stories are full of wit and grace, offering insight into our common human story.

Listen to Episode 11, June 1, 2008, Nelson Salinas on Reaching our Spanish-Speaking Audience with Nelson Salinas

In a recent Reaching our Spanish-Speaking Audience (ROSA) workshop, Spanish-speaking community leaders in Austin were invited to participate in a panel discussion. Here is Nelson Salinas from AVANCE at that ROSA workshop, shedding light on this important population and talking about how libraries can better serve Spanish speakers.

AVANCE-Austin prepares primarily Hispanic low-income children, to enter preschool and elementary with skills necessary for success in school.  AVANCE children interact in a classroom environment that is rich in oral language opportunities, reading activities and social relationships with adults and peers as well as age-appropriate cognitive stimulation.

Listen to Episode 10, May 14, 2008, Long Range Planning with Jennifer Patterson

In this podcast, we hear from Jennifer Patterson, our Continuing Education coordinator here at CTLS, Inc., who explains the nuts and bolts of long range planning:

     -- what it is 
     -- why it's useful to libraries
     -- who are the active participants
     -- resources for long range plans

Listen to Episode 9, May 14, 2008, Library Environments: The Agony and The Ecstacy with Julie Todaro

CTLS and AIA Austin held a Library Design symposium recently where we were honored to have Julie Todaro , Dean of Library Services at Austin Community College, share her wisdom on creating library environments. Julie Todaro is one of our most regarded librarians in the state. Her department has created award-winning information literacy tutorials, an award-winning literacy program that reaches 15,000 students every year, and has expanded organization access to and management of ACC library services through Library 2.0 opportunities.

Julie and her department are currently building a new Round Rock general campus library with health sciences programs. ACC Round Rock will be their biggest campus to date. Over the past 7 years, ACC Library Services has renovated 2 libraries and in the most recent 3 years, they've built 3 new library environments.

Resources:
ACRL/LAMA Guide for Architects
Designing a Fine Library
Designing Libraries: the Gateway to Better Library Buildings
WBDG: Whole Building Design Guide

Listen to Episode 8, March 24, 2008, Georgetown Public Library's New Building with Eric Lashley

Eric Lashley, Georgetown Public Library Director, discusses the ins and outs of the new building, community buy-in, and expanding services to include community rooms and a delicious cafe.

What Eric has been reading lately:

Gonzo: The Life of Hunter S. Thompson by Jann S. Wenner
Living in a Foreign Language: A Memoir of Food, Wine, and Love in Italy by Michael Tucker

Listen to Episode 7, February 1, 2008, 2008 Texas Summer Reading Programs with Suzan Nyfeler

It's never too early to start thinking about Summer Reading Programs for your library! In this podcast, Suzan Nyfeler will talk about this year's themes for Texas public libraries and what's new for 2008. For more information, visit the Texas Reading Club website and the Texas Teens Read website.

Listen to Episode 6, January 11, 2008, Merchandising, Mount Laurel Style with Kam McEvoy

Happy New Year! Make 2008 the year you incorporate merchandising into your routine at the library for increased circulation and improved patron satisfaction. Kam McEvoy at CTLS discusses the merchandising techniques that Kathy Schalk-Greene and Joan Bernstein from the Mount Laurel Library in New Jersey used to transform their library. For more resources, visit the Trading Spaces Website.

What Kam has been reading lately:

Emperor of Ocean Park, by Stephen Carter
The State Counsellor, by Boris Akunin
The China Study, by T. Colin Campbell

Listen to Episode 5, December 15, 2007, Nonfiction Selection and Readers Advisory with Jennifer Patterson

Today we speak with the wonderful Jennifer Patterson, Continuing Education Coordinator for CTLS, Inc., and former Branch Manager at Austin Public Library. In this podcast, we discuss:

- what kinds of nonfiction patrons want
- barriers to selecting nonfiction
- resources to help with nonfiction selection
- how to tailor your nonfiction collection to fit the needs of your patrons

What Jennifer has been reading lately:

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith by Ann Lamott
Heat: An Amateur's Adventures as Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany by Bill Buford
Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich

Listen to Episode 4 November 15, 2007, Providing Computer Classes for Adults with Daniel Berra

Daniel Berra works at the Wells Branch Community Library in Austin, Texas, and he organizes a robust adult programming schedule, including ongoing computer classes for adults. We will discuss some ways to:

- choose what topics to present
- market classes to your patrons
- design curriculum
- get volunteers involved in teaching the classes
- fit computer classes into your programming schedule

Books Daniel has been reading lately:

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
World War Z by Max Brooks
Translation Nation by Hector Tobar

Listen to Episode 3 October 31, 2007, Library Districts with Beth Wheeler Fox, Director of the Westbank Community Library District.

- What are library districts and how did they get started in Texas?
- What are some advantages of becoming a library district? 
- What requirements does a library have to meet in order to become a library district? 
- What was the process like when Westbank became a library district? 
- What kinds of resources are available to libraries interested in learning more about library districts?

Resources for this podcast:

Westbank's Web page on Library Districts
Texas State Library Development Division: 512-463-5465

Listen to Episode 2  September 19, 2007, Library Additions with Mickey DuVall, Director of the Bastrop Public Library in Bastrop, TX.

In this podcast, Mickey discusses:

- what prompted the new addition
- the process of building the new addition, from a long range plan to the grand opening and everything in between
- what surprises happened along the way
- the biggest challenges Bastrop PL faced during this process
- how the new addition has changed the way Bastrop Public Library delivers service to patrons
- tips for libraries that are about to build a new addition

Books Mickey has been reading lately:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Listen to Episode 1  August 10, 2007,  Effective Fundraising with Beth Wheeler Fox, Director of the Westbank Community Library District in Austin, TX. 

In this podcast, Beth discusses:

- How fundraising plays a role in enhancing Westbank's programs, services, and facilities for patrons
- Techniques that Westbank uses to get its community invested in the library
- Successful fundraisers at Westbank has held
- Delegation for managing the fundraising events
- Recommendations for fundraisers that are effective and low-cost
- Upcoming projects for Westbank Community Library District

Books Beth has been reading lately:

Heart of the Community: The Libraries We Love  by Karen Christensen
The Devil Went Down to Austin by Rick Riordan