Hannah Byrd Little, author of A Sense of Place: School Libraries at the Heart of Learning, Connection, and Belonging, joins the Future Ready Librarians podcast to explore how intentional library spaces connect to the Future Ready gears—family-school-community partnerships, use of space and time, collaborative leadership, and budget and resources.

In this episode, Katie Capshaw shares practical strategies for transforming the school library into a welcoming, flexible, and collaborative hub for students and staff. From rethinking book organization to designing adaptable learning spaces and implementing passive programming activities, Katie explores how librarians can foster connection, creativity, and inclusivity in every corner of the library. Let’s learn together how to make the library the heart of the school!

In this episode, Crystal Burkes shares how pre-recording her library lessons has boosted engagement and improved classroom management. From playful transitions and ASMR moments to viral video trends, Easter eggs, and themed costumes, she walks us through the creative process, favorite tools, and tips for getting started—showing how a little video magic can keep students entertained, learning, and connected while letting her be in two places at once.

In Guilford County Schools, Nancy Cravey and Natalie Strange created STEM Battle of the Books that combines reading with hands-on STEM learning as students tackled real-world problems inspired by the texts. Using the engineering design process and Robo Wunderkind robots, they designed solutions, programmed story-based challenges, and brought characters’ journeys to life. You won’t want to miss this inspiring podcast.

Dione Mila is an elementary school librarian, while Diana Haneski is a high school librarian, and together they wrote From Learners to Leaders: Empowering Student Volunteers in the School Library. Drawing from years of experience, they share practical strategies for transforming student volunteers into confident leaders who take ownership of their library community. Their work blends educational technology, library science, and a passion for student empowerment, inspiring librarians to create programs where kids learn, lead, and love the library.

In this podcast episode, elementary teacher librarian, Katelyn Jernigan, joins Shannon to talk about supporting EL learners in the library. Katelyn does so much to support the students she serves within her school library. In this episode, she provides information, tips, tricks, strategies, and ideas to help teach and serve EL Learners in our library spaces.

Future Ready & Full of Joy explores how libraries foster joy, curiosity, and essential skills for the future. In this episode, we define library joy and show how it empowers students to be creative, collaborative, resilient, and adaptable—skills they’ll need for tomorrow’s challenges. We also discuss how librarians can nurture their own joy, overcome burnout, and model thriving behaviors for their students. Practical tips, inspiring stories, and reflective questions help both educators and students embrace joy while preparing for a future-ready world.

In this episode, our guest, Dr. Cathay Collins, dives into tips, strategies, and tools for teaching news literacy in today’s age of AI. She shares insights from her upcoming ISTE book, Teaching News Literacy in the Age of AI: A Cross-Curricular Approach (coming January 2026), and highlights her free Substack newsletter, Smarter News Literacy in an AI World, which offers ongoing resources for educators. It’s an important conversation for all librarians and educators.

Middle school librarians Christina Chatel and Marcia Kochel have started an advocacy campaign to encourage publishing companies to create a new category of books for young teens. Learn about the gap between middle grade and young adult books and how important it is to have Young Teen Lit for our 12-15 year old readers.

In this episode, Jennifer Sancedio Boatman and Shannnon tackle the misconception that libraries are no longer relevant. We share how libraries are evolving to meet the changing needs of our students and patrons—offering access not only to books, but also to diverse resources, innovative technologies, and meaningful experiences. It’s a celebration of how libraries continue to be vibrant, essential spaces in our communities.

In this podcast, school librarian Len Bryan explores the controversial yet crucial practice of weeding library collections. He argues that a smaller, well-curated collection enhances accessibility and student engagement, countering the common "more is better" mindset. Bryan encourages librarians to approach weeding as a strategic, student-focused effort, emphasizing relationship-building, transparency, and the importance of keeping collections fresh and relevant.

Graphic novels are highlighted as powerful tools for teaching social justice in education. Amy Brownley shares her experiences from a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute, where she learned to incorporate graphic novels into her K-12 curriculum. The discussion emphasizes the importance of diverse stories in fostering understanding and empathy among students.

In this inspiring episode of Leading From the Library, host Shannon Miller sits down with Greg, a visionary educator who redefined what a school library can be. Greg shares his incredible journey from serving as a District Librarian in Zion, IL—where he ran the middle school library and oversaw five elementary libraries—to launching a transformative program at LEARN Charter School. Initially hired as a technology teacher, Greg saw an opportunity to do more than just teach “tech class.” He began incorporating engineering, built a library from the ground up, and ultimately created SLaM, an innovative hybrid of STEM, Library, and Media. Tune in to hear how Greg engages students through hands-on projects, the vital role technology plays in modern education, and why libraries must evolve to support diverse and dynamic learning experiences. 📚✨ Whether you're an educator, librarian, or STEM enthusiast, this episode will leave you energized and full of ideas! 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode of Leading From the Library!

📚 In this episode, join Caitlin Wingers as she reflects on her journey as a first-year librarian transforming the library into a vibrant, play-based learning environment! Discover how shes reimagined the space to spark creativity, curiosity, and a lifelong love of reading—while keeping technology intentionally minimal. From open-ended exploration to student-led learning, she shares the intentional design choices that support collaboration, agency, and joyful discovery every day. ✨ Whether you're a fellow educator or just passionate about creating engaging spaces for kids, this episode is for you!

In this inspiring episode of the Future Ready Librarians podcast, host Shannon McClintock Miller sits down with Jamie, a passionate and multifaceted school librarian whose journey into education is anything but ordinary. From dreams of becoming a professional bodybuilder, Peace Corps volunteer, lawyer, and even a music video director, Jamie shares how a love for Soul Train and a chance job fair led her to a fulfilling career in school libraries. Together, Shannon and Jamie explore the evolving role of librarians in schools—as collaborators, media literacy champions, and advocates for student well-being. Jamie opens up about her aspirations in educational leadership and reflects on how the next chapter of her life will be dedicated to growing as an educator, leader, and advocate. Don't miss this powerful conversation about passion, purpose, and the impact of school libraries in shaping the future of education. Guest Name: Jami Rhue Guest social media: @YURWI

In this episode of the Future Ready Librarians Podcast, Martha Bongiorno takes us beyond the books to explore why creativity isn’t just important in school libraries - it’s essential for student well-being and future-ready skills. Creativity fuels curiosity, builds confidence, and supports mental health, and librarians are uniquely positioned to champion and cultivate it. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on embracing creative confidence, empowering students, and ensuring libraries remain spaces where learning, exploration, and self-expression thrive.

In this episode, we explore how incorporating makerspaces and learning stations can transform an elementary library or classroom into a vibrant hub of creativity, exploration, and hands-on learning. We’ll discuss practical tips for setting up engaging, student-centered spaces, share success stories, and highlight the impact of makerspaces on curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Whether you’re a librarian, teacher, or education enthusiast, this episode will inspire you to reimagine the library as a place where innovation and literacy go hand in hand.

Authors’ Studio features engaging discussions with librarians and authors. The episode highlights Beth Campbell's innovative Author Studio project, which connects students with authors through interactive workshops. The platform fosters a love for reading and provides resources for teachers, showcasing authors like Jill Esbaum and her diverse body of work.

Host Shannon McClintock Miller talk with Nantucket librarians Becky Hickman and Jill Surprenant about the joys and unique challenges of running a shared 6–12 library on an island. From a beautifully renovated space to innovative programming like canine therapy, student podcasting, and community-building morning events, these librarians are making waves. Hear how they balance it all—from middle school independent reading to a thriving high school book club—and what it means to foster literacy and connection miles from the mainland.