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 

Learn more about Malcolm Mitchell’s Share the Magic Foundation, dedicated to promoting reading, at readwithmalcolm.com.
 

Episode Description:

In this episode Julie and Jan talk with former Super Bowl champion Malcolm about his personal journey from a sports-focused childhood to becoming a passionate literacy advocate. Malcolm shares how he learned to read as a young adult, founded the Share the Magic Foundation, and created Read with Malcolm programs, including the global Read Bowl challenge that reaches classrooms in multiple countries.

The conversation highlights why school librarians must be welcoming, culturally relevant, and actively pursuing reluctant readers while making books accessible for every child.

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 learn more about the studies discussed in this episode visit LibSlide.org or KeithCurryLance.com. 

Episode Description:

Hosts Julie Saunders and Jan Wilson speak with researcher Dr. Keith Curry Lance about how school librarians influence student achievement, the importance of leadership and technology integration, and the critical role of information literacy. The episode highlights decades of research, the SLIDE data tools, and practical strategies for advocacy.

Listeners are directed to resources like LibSlide.org and KeithCurryLance.com to explore staffing trends and research findings and learn how to use data to demonstrate library impact.

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 Amanda Hunt on Instagram or TikTok @thenextgenlibrarian.

Episode Description:

In this episode Julie and Jan talk with Amanda Hunt (The NextGen Librarian) about her work on the AASL standards, strategies for middle school collection development, and practical ways to reignite student reading using tools like Beanstack and social media.

They discuss balancing professional reviews with knowledge of your student community, partnering with teachers, leveraging equitable ed-tech like Adobe Express, and Amanda’s plan for moving to the high school level to build a culture of reading.

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 Billy Allen on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube @3Kingvisions

For more information about Billy Allen's Hip Hop Storytime visit https://3kingvisions.com/

Episode Description:

In this episode we feature Billy Allen, founder of Three King Visions, who reinvents storytime by pairing hip‑hop and R&B with read‑alouds to spark a love of reading across ages and communities. We discuss his journey from public librarian to youth advocate, his community work in Las Vegas, and the impact of creative programming on families, teens, and lifelong learning.

Billy explains how libraries offer limitless learning and social services, why outreach and partnerships matter, and what’s next as he grows Three King Visions to bring hip‑hop storytimes, teen empowerment events, and professional development to more schools and libraries.

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 Mike Rawls on Instagram @thebookwrangler 

Through Mike's Instagram bio, access Google Freebies or visit his Teacher Pay Teachers store.

Episode Description:

Mike Rawls, aka The Book Wrangler, discusses building a diverse, intentional elementary library collection, embracing all reading formats (from graphic novels to audiobooks), and using creative passive programming like character height charts and passport displays to spark curiosity.

He shares practical tips for creating designs while encouraging educators to welcome multiple pathways to literacy.