Thnks Fr Th Mmrs
Can't Shelve This
It’s a summer send-off at Can’t Shelve This! In this season finale, Leah and Janette go straight to the source for school library wisdom: Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School librarian Heather McCarthy and two of her eighth graders, Emily and Nathan! Together, they talk about what it feels like to have a school with a thriving library, and what you can do to help build one. Relevant Links:
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An Airing of Grievances
Can't Shelve This
Instead of feeling sad, let's get mad. In the spirit of a mid-year Festivus, co-hosts Janette and Leah address the current library landscape and read listener-submitted rants. Relevant Links: Books Mentioned:
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E is for Everyone
Can't Shelve This
Every student deserves to be seen in their school library. Janette and Leah are joined by "A" (local school librarian) and Jessica Silva (RAILS Member Engagement Specialist) to discuss how to create welcoming and inclusive school libraries. Together, they share strategies for supporting EDIA in the changing educational landscape. Relevant Links: Executive Orders:
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Let's Get Certified
Can't Shelve This
We talk about certified school librarianship all the time in Library Land, but what does that even mean? Janette and Leah break it down for you in this episode with Lauren Ochs (School Library Licensure Coordinator at University of Illinois) and Hannah Fiedler (recently-certified school librarian). Relevant Links:
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A Love Letter to Libraries
Can't Shelve This
Janette and Leah sit down with the internet's favorite librarian, Mychal Threets! Together, they talk about how even the smallest moments of library joy help us persist—both in librarianship and in life. Plus, we read and react to your library joy stories! Books We Discussed:
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A Good Librarian's Guide to Getting Along (with Administration)
Can't Shelve This
School librarian and administrator relationships can be tricky to navigate. Janette and Leah are joined by school librarian Beth Kovacic and principal Akemi Sessler (Dryden Elementary School) and discuss how you can foster that positive relationship to improve student, teacher, and community success. Relevant Links:
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The Library's Got Rizz
Can't Shelve This
Janette and Leah chat with district librarian Nichole Folkman (Hartsburg-Emden CUSD #21) about the best ways to get your tots, tweens, and teens excited about visiting the school library. Plus, we read and discuss your submitted programming stories! Relevant Links:
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Advocacy 101: Help Me Help You
Can't Shelve This
Help us help you…share the important work that you’re doing in school libraries. Janette and Leah chat with school librarians Gail Meyer (Thornton Fractional High School) and Deb Will (Zion-Benton Township High School) about the simplest and most impactful ways that anyone can advocate for school libraries. Relevant Links: Music produced by Can't Shelve This is a Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) production in collaboration with Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS).
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You Can Totally Sit With Us
Can't Shelve This
Welcome to Can't Shelve This: your new school library podcast. Co-hosts Janette Derucki ( Data Analyst) and Leah Gregory ( School Library Membership Coordinator) introduce themselves and discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly happening at Illinois school libraries. Relevant Links: Intro/outro music produced by . Can't Shelve This is a Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) product in collaboration with Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS).
info_outlineWe talk about certified school librarianship all the time in Library Land, but what does that even mean?
Janette and Leah break it down for you in this episode with Lauren Ochs (School Library Licensure Coordinator at University of Illinois) and Hannah Fiedler (recently-certified school librarian).
Relevant Links:
Illinois School Library Workers Symposium (September 17, 2025)
Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE) Scholarships