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 

For US listeners, get 20% off professional development books for school librarians using code LIBRARYEXCHANGE20 at bloomsbury.com/BLU

School Library Journal Course: Shh Happens: Behavior Management for the Real Elementary Library: https://course.libraryjournal.com/products/shh-happens 

For 20% off the price of the course, use code: LE-Shh20
*Discount code is good for any session of the course through the end of 2027. 

Follow Melanie Wood on Instagram and TikTok @melanie_in_the_library

Episode Description:

Elementary librarian Melanie Wood shares practical, classroom-tested strategies for managing student behavior in the library. Drawing on her ISTE certification and experience leading professional learning, Melanie focuses on a three-part approach: intentional space design, tight routines and transitions, and purposeful relationship-building.

Key takeaways include using color-coding and clear sightlines to promote independence, routines for smooth transitions and checkout, and building rapport through lunch duty, morning and afternoon duties, library ambassadors, and teacher collaboration. Follow Melanie at @Melanie_in_the_library and explore her School Library Journal course for deeper strategies.

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 Crissi Brandhuber @itty_bitty_librarian

Follow Heather Kindschy @dickersonmsllc

Example Impact Reports:

Dickerson Middle: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SB1I6AS5jbQgjli_S6TBdqQkxkgV9un8/view?usp=drive_link 

Eastside Elementary: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1148KuU-ifMrmMNnfP-hl8qA9loX5gY9H/view?usp=drive_link 

Neosho Middle: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gdf33O1Jjj2aSeg_PbIUMvAqi4MIc4vr/view?usp=drive_link 

Episode Description:

In this episode of Library Exchange, three school librarians, Crissi, Rachelle, and Heather, share practical ways they use data to set goals, increase circulation, build partnerships, and advocate for their programs.

Hear concrete examples: a schedule change that doubled checkouts and raised ELA scores, a Breakfast Club and digital check-in that boosted learning activities, and aligning library services with curriculum changes. Learn simple tips for creating a Library Impact Report to make your library’s value visible.

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 Rachael Welsh on Instagram @RachaelReads and TikTok @RachaelReads_

Episode Description:

Hosts Julie and Jan interview middle school librarian Rachael Welsh about practical strategies for building a visible, schoolwide reading culture. Rachael describes easy, low-cost ideas like using digital photo frames for student book graphics, a Post‑it recommendation wall, an Adopt‑a‑Shelf display program, and teacher book‑cover signs that encourage peer recommendations and student ownership.

The conversation also covers motivation and competition through Beanstack and themed incentives, a campus and district Battle of the Books, and two inclusive book clubs (one bilingual) that deepen community connections across students and staff.

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 Alyssa on Instagram @international.school.librarian 

Episode Description:

Hosts Julie Saunders and Jan Wilson interview Alyssa Trommler, an international school librarian in Germany, about revitalizing a K–12 library with no budget. Alyssa shares practical strategies: Instagram wishlists, used-book sales, GoFundMe, community partnerships, repurposing furniture, and makerspace planning. Strategies that add high-interest books and create a welcoming space for students from 30+ countries.

This episode highlights creative fundraising, a summer reading incentive with local restaurants, eco-friendly solutions for refurbishing furniture, and advice to persistently pursue funding and community support to improve student library services.

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 explore how school librarians can claim leadership in their buildings and beyond. They share concrete strategies, running an active library media committee, sharing instructional partnerships, using proactive advocacy, and increasing visibility through presentations and community partnerships.

Guest Tiki Love discusses her own path from classroom teacher to district and state leadership, offering examples of saying “yes,” presenting at conferences, mentoring peers, and building coalitions that help librarians be recognized as instructional leaders.