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 more information about the Library of Things: https://sites.google.com/view/lotmutualaid/home 

Episode Description:

Julie and Jan talk with Hazel Onsrud of Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Maine, about the Library of Things: a community-focused, sustainability-driven collection of items, from dehydrators and worm-casting kits to power washers, supported by repair cafés, swap carts, and local partnerships.

Hazel shares practical tips on packaging, safety, maintenance, and using experience passes and the LOT Mutual Aid network so other libraries can tailor a sharing program to their community.

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 reflect on Season 1 of Library Exchange, highlighting real-world strategies school librarians used to demonstrate value, expand resources, and increase equity in collections and access.

This episode shares concrete ideas, from advocacy and branding to student helpers, partnerships, shelving innovations, and reading challenges while encouraging listeners to set professional library resolutions for the new year.

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 

To follow Kannan Cangro on Instagram: @cangrolib 

Or contact her through email at [email protected] 

Episode Description:

In this episode, Kannan Cangro shares how she built a sustainable STEAM program in a busy elementary library—from leveraging a Boeing grant and simple materials like Kiva planks and math manipulatives to using micro:bits and robots. Hear practical, low‑cost instructional strategies, the engineering design process applied with no‑stakes formative assessment techniques, and tips for managing makerspace time and collaboration. Cannon also explains her inclusive true book fair model that gives every K–6 student two new books.

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 

Check out the Postcrossing program here: https://www.postcrossing.com/ 

Episode Description:

Hosts Julie Saunders and Jan Wilson talk with Laura Silver, a New York City high school librarian, about bringing Postcrossing to students. Learn how the program uses postcards to teach geography, writing skills, language use, and empathy by connecting students with people around the world.

The episode covers how Postcrossing works, classroom and privacy tips, memorable exchanges, and simple steps to start a similar passive program in your library.

 

More resources for student-centered letter writing projects:

American Philatelic Society: Educator Resources

https://stamps.org/learn/educator-resources

* request a free box of cancelled stamps. We have used them for inquiry lessons and art projects. Students love to add the stamps to their phone cases.

Compassion Prison Project

https://compassionprisonproject.org/services/letter-writing-campaign/

FIUTS (Foundation for International Understanding Through Students)
https://www.fiuts.org/be-a-pen-pal

GlamourGals
https://glamourgals.org/my-dear-friend-main

Invites students to create greeting cards for seniors

Inclusive Schools Pen Pal Exchange

https://inclusiveschools.org/isw-activity/pen-pal-exchange/

Letters Against Isolation

https://loveforourelders.org/learning

Love for Our Elders

https://loveforourelders.org/learning

The National Postal Museum
https://postalmuseum.si.edu/

Library of the National Postal Museum

https://library.si.edu/libraries/postal-museum/collections

Postcards: The Write Stuff

https://postalmuseum.si.edu/sites/default/files/education/pdfs/postcards-the_write_stuff.pdf

Operation Gratitude

https://www.operationgratitude.com/volunteer/anywhere/letters/

Student Letter Exchange

https://www.pen-pal.com/

Trucker Buddy (for younger students)

https://truckerbuddy.org

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 

Click this link for more information and resources provided by Jessie Storrs: http://tinyurl.com/YDFlib 

Episode Description:

Teacher librarian Jessie Storrs runs the El Centro Junior Senior High School library inside the Sacramento Youth Detention Facility, serving residents and staff with books, DVDs, and 50+ board games. She uses strategy games like CuBirds to teach SEL skills—accountability, emotional resilience, and responsible decision‑making—and runs virtual field trips tied to popular series like I Survived.

Her central goal is to inspire residents and reduce recidivism by providing consistent caring, literacy access, and community through gaming and programming.