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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 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