The Tea on Teaching, Budgets, & Burnout
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It's time for some real talk. ☕️ Janette and Leah dive into the realities of school librarianship today—unpacking the numbers, staffing shortages, and loopholes schools use to sidestep library standards. This one is a must-listen for administrators. Relevant Links: 💭 Have a topic idea? Want to be a guest? Email Ola at ola.gronski@railslibraries.org or leave us a voicemail on our hotline at 630.734.5015.
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Diary of a First-Year School Librarian
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What’s it really like to be a brand-new school librarian? In “Diary of a First-Year School Librarian,” Janette and Leah chat with Mary Alice Maloney (Charles J. Sahs School Librarian) as she reflects on her first year as a full-time certified school librarian. Hear about the challenges, wins, and plans for year two. Relevant Links: 💭 Have a topic idea? Want to be a guest? Email Ola at ola.gronski@railslibraries.org or leave us a voicemail on our hotline at 630.734.5015.
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The One Where They Get Connected
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You're not alone. School librarians have a powerful network of support behind them. In "The One Where They Get Connected," Janette and Leah are joined by Cyndi Robinson (Executive Director of the Illinois Library Association) and K.C. Boyd (District of Columbia Public Schools Librarian—AKA The Boss Librarian). Together, they unpack how to find your people, advocate for your job, and tap into perks like student discounts to help the next generation of librarians thrive. Relevant Links: Follow K.C. on and If you’re an Illinois librarian attending AASL in St....
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Back to the Stacks
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Season 2 is officially in session! Settle into back-to-school season with Janette and Leah as they unpack all the library propaganda we're not falling for. No homework—just laughs, mythbusting, and a few hot takes. Relevant Links: Have a topic idea? Want to be a guest? Let us know! Email Ola at ola.gronski@railslibraries.org or leave us a voicemail on our hotline at 630.734.5015.
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Thnks Fr Th Mmrs
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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:
info_outlineIt’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:
“A Great Big Beautiful Life” by Emily Henry
Emily Henry's Taylor Swift Inspo
“The Last Letter” by Rebecca Yarros