Check It Out is the Normal Public Library’s podcast that features book, audio, and movie recommendations, timely info about the library’s programs and services, and fun discussions with talented people. Listen to individual episodes below, or subscribe in iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts to download the latest episode automatically!
Mari, our library podcast host extraordinaire, speaks with Ally, Jennifer, Ron, and Laura about their summer reads and shares some insights about what makes it all so summer-like. So sit back, press play, chill down, and Check It Out.
Talk back to us. Please! ask at normalpl.org
Our podcast host Mari McKeeth interviews Kathleen Kirk about quarantine reads and electronic formats. Kathleen Kirk is a library staff member, actor, poet, and avid reader. Sit back, continue to stay safe, and Check It Out!
Contact us about our podcast and let us know what you think! ask@normalpl.org
In this special episode of Check It Out! Mari and guests Jane, Kristi, and Laura talk about pandemic reads and comfort reads to stimulate the mind. Sit back, stay safe, and Check It Out!
Contact us about our podcast and let us know what you think! ask@normalpl.org
In this special episode of Check It Out! Mari and guests Jane, Kristi, and Laura talk about free resources for use at home while sheltering in place. Sit back, stay home, and Check It Out!
Contact us about our podcast and let us know what you think! ask@normalpl.org
It's bracket time! Four Normal Public Library librarians share their bracket picks for best book and the finish is an all out book-off! Join Mari, Krisit, Jane, and Laura in March madness with book bracketology.
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This episode includes Mari and Laura discussing Academy Awards and related titles, an annual episode topic. Books discussed:
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Join us this episode as we hear from Mari, Laura, and Kristi on all of their favorites of 2019 and the last decade! Books, films, and fun for your listening enjoyment all included in this episode. Some of the items discussed:
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Winter is a time that features holidays celebrated around the world -- Hannukah, Christmas, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, Los Posadas, Eid-al-Adha, Diwali, and many, many more. There is celebrating of the light, friends, culture, feasting, and giving to others. Today Kristi, Laura, Rachel and Mari will be talking about some favorite gifts - books, music, or film - that they have received, or given.
Let us know what you think after you check it out! Email us!
Welcome to our fiftieth episode of Check It Out! We celebrate Normal Public Library and our favorite, favorite reads with several staff visiting back to the studio.
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Our 49th episode may chill you to the bone. Please join our co-hosts Kristi Cates and Mari McKeeth as they talk with Laura Golaszewski about some of the most frightening titles available on our shelves. It's an episode of horrors to fill you with fear. This episode has a listener advisory at the top, so please be aware that some material discusses sensitive topics. Your discretion is advised. Pull the covers over your eyes, bite your lower lip, and check it out... if you dare.
Music in this episode...Deep Space by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/
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We don't know how you did. But you did it. You found our 48th episode, the mystery episode. Co-hosts extraordinaire Kristi Cates and Mari McKeeth talk about all of their favorite mysteries this time of year. It's an episode for the mystery seeker and you don't want to miss it. So grab a magnifying glass and a deerstalker hat, settle back and Check It Out!
Every Secret Thing — Laura Lippman
The Lady in the Lake — Laura Lippman
Wolf Pack — CJ Box
Bitterroots — CJ Box
The Dry — Jane Harper
Force of Nature — Jane Harper
Lost Man — Jane Harper
Black Ascot — Charles Todd
Cruel Deception (out in October 2019) — Charles Todd
American Agent — Jacqueline Winspear
One of Us is Lying — Karen McManus
City of Saints and Thieves — Natalie C. Anderson
The Cheerleaders — Kara Thomas
Let us know what you think after you check it out! Email us! Tweet at us!
It's our 47th episode! Co-host Kristi Cates and Jane Jankowski talk about all of their favorite podcasts and books about podcasts. It's an episode for the podcast lover and you don't want to miss it. So settle back and Check It Out!
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Summertime, the living is easy, the reading is beachy. Quite often the beachy reading choices are fiction. However, Mari McKeeth and Laura Golaszewski will recommend some fascinating nonfiction books to read during the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. Don't be afraid—nonfiction is great!
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June: a month of reading in the sun. It's time for Episode Forty-Five of Check It Out and your hosts Mari McKeeth and Kristi Cates joined by Children's Librarian Jennifer Williams as she reviews and recommends some new and interesting titles for teens and tweens. Summer reading means adventure, treasure, romance, and mystery. Click play and Check It Out!
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Wow. Is it already time for Episode Forty-Four? Yes it is, and joining us today are NPL staff members Laura Golaszewski and Julia Cozad-Callighan, here to tell you about some of the newest nonfiction and young adult titles. We also highlight a local event, the Next to Normal Story Slam.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Congratulations! You have found Episode Forty-Three of the Normal Public Library podcast, Check It Out! Mari McKeeth welcomes children's librarian Lyndsey Carney to the show as Lyndsey interviews visiting author Lisa McMann. Lyndsey and Lisa talk books, art, acting, and British baking shows!
Events with Lisa coming up at the library include:
Let us know what you think after you check it out! Email us! Tweet at us!
Are you looking for Episode Forty-Two? It's here! Co-hosts Kristi Cates and Mari McKeeth talk newest in teen fiction with a little insight into what we find interesting, a preview along the way (Lisa McMann), and a few laughs. We even have a book about a cactus!
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
The War Outside by Monica Hesse
Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
Let us know what you think after you check it out! Email us! Tweet at us!
You found our forty-first episode! Co-hosts Kristi Cates and Mari McKeeth celebrate the return of Oscar season in this all-things-Oscars episode. And the winner is...!
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It's our 40th episode! Co-hosts Kristi Cates and Mari McKeeth celebrate the return of Check It Out! by highlighting staff favorites from 2018. Some of our library staff have provided an eclectic list of books, music, and films—and all are available for checkout or streaming from Normal Public Library.
Some of the items discussed in this podcast:
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Check It Out host Mari McKeeth examines Normal Public Library's science fiction offerings with Kristi Cates, our Teen Librarian and resident SciFi reader and advisor. She also buys all of our SciFi, by the way! Pretty cool job, huh?
Titles that our host and guest discuss include:
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Check It Out host Mari McKeeth examines Normal Public Library music offerings with four guests: Amy, Kristi, Cedric, and John. John talks folk and trombones, Kristi talks some film, and more! Tim Burton soundtracks? You'll find out all this, about Make Music at Normal Public Library (June 22-23), and what Mari likes in music when you Check It Out with Mari!
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Check It Out host Mari McKeeth examines all things tea with our resident barista and tea sommelier, Ben Mills. Ben's favorite tea is revealed, he talks tea, tea geography, tea books, and he advises on tea sipping be it local or afar. Melons and tea? Who knows? Give it a listen and give it a read:
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Check It Out host Mari McKeeth takes time out to speak with Children's Librarian Lyndsey Carney as she discusses reading and visiting with Margaret Peterson Haddix coming up soon on April 28, 2018. Our visiting author series is sponsored by the Normal Public Library Foundation and other wonderful local sponsors.
Some Haddix titles mentioned are:
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Check It Out welcomes guest host Ben Mills as he discusses all things Oscars with Mari McKeeth. This episode we discuss all films nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay.
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Check It Out welcomes new host Mari McKeeth. Kathleen Kirk (1:02) speaks about upcoming WWI Centennial events at the library, including our gallery display, Poetry is Normal Series, our WWI Film Festival, and more about the WWI speaker series; Kristi Cates talks about author Gene Luen Yang and his visit on March 7 (7:04).
Books by Gene Luen Yang:
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Ben Mills recommends a cookbook full of year-round farm-fresh recipes (11:12); Silvia Schuh talks October and November arts and crafts (7:57); and Mari McKeeth recommends some epistolary novels, with the help of the host (19:07). Ben recommends:
Dishing Up the Dirt by Andrea Bemis
Mari recommends:
Jared recommends:
Possession by A.S. Byatt
Let us know what you think! Email us! Tweet at us! Download Episode 33
In this episode, Tori Lieggi introduces us to a unique and quirky travel book (9:31), and Kristi Cates recommends a stack of young adult historical fiction (17:16). Plus, we interview visiting antique and fine art appraiser Mark Moran (11:17). Mark Moran's website is here. Tori recommends:
Atlas Obscura by Joshua Foehr, Dylan Thuras, and Ella Morton
Kristi recommends:
In this back-to-school-themed episode, Laura Rocco gives us one last school-themed recommendation before heading back to school herself (17:43); Silvia Schuh ushers in the fall semester with September arts and crafts (6:51); and Mari McKeeth takes us all to school with some quirky and educational nonfiction (15:10). Laura recommends:
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
Mari recommends:
Register for Mark Moran's What's It Worth? session by calling NPL on the old-fashioned (but classic!) telephone at (309) 452-1757 (registration opens on August 30th). Email Mark to schedule a private session at moranm1953@gmail.com. (A portion of his fee benefits NPL.) Email us! ask@normalpl.org Tweet at us on Twitter! @NPLTweets Download Episode 31
In this, our thirtieth episode, Kathleen Kirk recommends an especially literary cookbook (7:29); Ally Byerly puts out the call for submissions to our Normal Library Extraordinary Stories project (6:11); and Kristi Cates sorts some YA novels into their appropriate wizarding houses (23:20). Kathleen recommends:
Feast: Poetry and Recipes for a Full Seating at Dinner, edited by Diane Goettel and Anneli Matheson
Kristi recommends:
Have an NPL memory you'd like to share? Normal Library Extraordinary Stories wants to hear from you! Have a podcast-related opinion? Hit us up! Email: ask@normalpl.org Twitter: @NPLTweets Download Episode 30
In this episode, Kathleen Kirk previews a very special visiting poets event (11:31), and Mari McKeeth recommends a pile of novels based on the works of Shakespeare (14:57). Plus, we reveal the name of the new recurring cookbook segment (spoiler alert: it's a really geeky librarian in-joke). Kathleen recommends:
Jared recommends:
The River Cottage Meat Book by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Mari recommends:
From the Hogarth Shakespeare Project:
Email! ask@normalpl.org Twitter! @NPLTweets Download Episode 29
In this episode, Silvia Schuh talks summer arts, crafts, and events (11:29); Laura Rocco recommends a cookbook in an as-yet-unnamed recurring segment (9:12); and Kristi Cates recommends some books she loves that are great for Teen Summer Reading (19:03).
Laura recommends:
Will It Waffle? by Daniel Shumski
Kristi recommends:
Have an idea for a great name for our recurring cookbook segment? Tell us via email (ask@normalpl.org) or Twitter (@NPLTweets). Thanks!
In this episode, Laura Rocco recommends a classic narrative that blends fiction and nonfiction (9:52); Kristi Cates gives us the rundown of the library’s summer programs for teens (15:06); and Mari McKeeth talks about some 2016 books that won Major Awards (15:30).
Laura recommends:
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
Some of Kristi’s Summer Programs For Teens™:
Teen Summer Reading (and all the Summer Reading)
Mari recommends:
Email us, please! ask@normapl.org Tweet at us, pretty please! @NPLTweets
In this episode, Silvia Schuh talks May arts and crafts (7:41); Julia Cozad-Callighan explains the library’s Lunchtime Yoga program (2:49); and Kristi Cates recommends some YA novels full of murder and mayhem (18:14).
Kristi recommends:
Tell us what you think! Complete our short survey, email us at ask@normalpl.org or tweet us @NPLTweets!
In this special episode, Bloomington-Normal artist Rashod Taylor talks about his work as a photographer specializing in the wet plate collodion process. Taylor’s work is on display at the Normal Public Library through July 2017. An artist reception will be held on April 7th, 2017 from 4:30 to 6:30 in the gallery.
You can find Rashod’s work here: rashodtaylor.com
Email us and tell us what you think!
In this episode, Julia Cozad-Callaghan gives us an update on her Read Harder 2017 reading challenge (12:26); Silvia Schuh updates us on March and April crafts, and puts out a call for some charitable knitting (9:07); and Mari McKeeth talks 2017 Oscar Nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay (22:05). Plus, we ask for your feedback!
Julia recommends:
Mari recommends:
Tell us what you think! Complete our short survey, email us at ask@normalpl.org, or tweet us @NPLTweets!
In this very special episode, we present a two part interview with local author and educator Scott William Foley. First, Scott recommends a novel that blurs the line between fiction and nonfiction (11:41); and then he talks about the rewards and pitfalls of balancing the roles of working writer, high school English teacher, and family man (23.03).
Some books Scott talks about:
Email us! ask@normalpl.org
Tweet us! @NPLTweets
Thanks for listening!
In this episode, Tori Lieggi recommends a memoir that comes to terms with family and mental illness with sharp wit and a lot of heart (8:02); Silvia Schuh gives us the lowdown on February (and some March) arts and crafts (6:43); and Kristi Cates recommends a handful of books for teens and adults that serve as funny diversions during the doldrums of February (14:55). Plus, we invite young writers to the Teen Writer’s Workshop.
Tori recommends:
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
Silvia recommends:
Kristi recommends:
As always, we’d love to hear from you!
Email us: ask@normalpl.org
Tweet us: @NPLTweets
In this first episode of 2017, Julia Cozad-Callaghan recommends a unique reading challenge to start off the new year (9:55); Randi Sutter talks up the Children’s Department’s new S.T.E.A.M. Club (6:14); and Mari McKeeth recommends a couple of 2016 books that stood out from the rest (14:55).
Julia mentioned:
Find the details of the challenge here at BookRiot.com.
Mari recommended:
Email us! ask@normalpl.org
Tweet us! @NPLTweets
In this final episode of 2016, Laura Rocco recommends an unusual fantasy perfect for reading at night (12:18); Silvia Schuh explains why January is Scarf Month at NPL (4:53); and Kristi Cates recommends an assorted trio of adventure books and explains the library’s local schools “book talk” programs (17:00).
Laura recommends:
Kristi recommends:
Tell us what you think!
Email: ask@normalpl.org
Twitter: @NPLTweets
In this episode, we hear a selection of poems from the RHINO 40th Anniversary Poetry Reading at the library, organized by Kathleen Kirk; Silvia Schuh talks December arts and crafts; and Alec Gramm recommends some books that open up the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons.
Our RHINO poets were:
Find more great poetry in the library’s collection of RHINO and at the RHINO website.
Alec recommends:
We know you have opinions about the podcast, and we’d love to hear them!
Email us: ask@normalpl.org
Tweet us: @NPLTweets
In this bonus segment of Check It Out, Marketing Assistant Nakia Worrell talks about the library’s past and present Giving Tuesday campaigns.
Helpful links:
We’re thankful to have so many enthusiastic community patrons to serve! Please contact us if you have questions or feedback of any kind. Our email is ask@normalpl.org, and you can reach us on Twitter at NPLTweets.
In this episode, Laura Rocco recommends a chilly gothic novel for long cold nights (8:30); Kathleen Kirk previews the RHINO Magazine 40th Anniversary poetry reading (10:53); and Mari McKeeth recommends a range of holiday-themed genre fiction (15:17).
Laura recommends:
Kathleen recommends:
Mari recommends:
Tell us what you think!
Email: ask@normalpl.org
Twitter: @NPLTweets
In this Halloween Pumpkin-spice-infused episode, Silvia Schuh previews upcoming arts and crafts programs (7:24); Julia Cozad-Callaghan and Kristi Cates introduce NPLay, a new recurring library event for cosplay enthusiasts (4:28); and Kristi recommends a few delightfully creepy novels for young (and old) adults (14:50).
Kristi recommends:
Tell us what you think! We read every email and every tweet. Email us at ask@normalpl.org, or talk to us on Twitter at @NPLTweets.
In this episode, Laura Rocco recommends a serial graphic novel with a childlike premise but an adult sensibility (9:30); Kristi Cates talks with Teen Advisory Council member Isabel about a couple of young adult novels (5:17); and Mari McKeeth and Jared recommend a classic dystopian novel in honor of Banned Books Week (15:56).
As always, we’d love to hear from you! Email us at ask@normalpl.org, or find us on Twitter @NPLTweets.
Laura recommends:
Isabel recommends:
Mari and Jared recommend:
In each episode of this new spinoff podcast, Normal Public Library staff discuss a novel they’ve never read before, but should have. In this inaugural episode, Alec Gramm, Jared Johnson, Holli Kober, Ben Mills, Laura Rocco, and Pam Schuett discuss Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s 1864 novel, Crime and Punishment.
We’d love to hear from you! Email us at ask@normalpl.org, or find us on Twitter at @NPLTweets.
In this episode, Pam Schuett and I geek out over the films of Hiyao Miyazaki (14:04); Kristi Cates recommends some books for middle school kids who are starting to outgrow middle school books (15:32); and we preview the library’s latest podcast, It’s Novel (To Me).
Pam recommends:
Kristi recommends:
Contact us about absolutely anything by emailing us at ask@normalpl.org, or find us on Twitter @NPLTweets.
In this episode, Kristi Cates talks about the library’s Anime Clubs for Teens and for Adults (7:12); Silvia Schuh is back to talk about August arts and crafts programs (3:41); and Mari McKeeth highlights a few of the many magazines the library carries, and explains how patrons can use Zinio to download magazines to read on a digital device (12:47). Plus, I invite listeners to join us for a rousing discussion of Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, which will be featured in the first episode of our spinoff podcast, It’s Novel (To Me).
As always, we love to hear from you! Email us at ask@normalpl.org, or contact us on Twitter @NPLTweets. And thanks for listening!
After a bit of a hiatus, Check It Out is back! In this episode, Mari McKeeth explains how the library chooses items to add to its adult print collection (10:59); Laura Rocco recommends a funny book about a Depressing topic (8:59); and Kristi C. talks up two YA sports novels with universal themes (12:05). Plus, we invite you to read along with us in preparation for our upcoming spinoff podcast.
Laura recommends:
Kristi recommends:
The library’s new podcast stars will discuss:
As always, we’d love to hear from you! Our email is ask@normalpl.org, and we can be found on Twitter @NPLTweets.
In this episode, Kristen Bauder and host Jared Johnson talk about what a “library assistant” does, Silvia Schuh gives the rundown of May arts and crafts and previews the plans for summer, and Mari McKeeth recommends two very different books that both have a Muslim protagonist.
Mari recommends:
As always, please contact us with praise, criticism, or random musings. Our email is ask@normalpl.org, and you can tweet us on Twitter @NPLTweets.
In this episode, Rachel Weishar talks about Poetry Is Normal, a new semi-regular poetry reading event held in the library’s cafe (6:34); Amy Kubica explains the Staff Picks and Patron Picks programs (5:06); and Kristi Cates recommends three recent prize-winning young adult novels (12:05). Plus, we inaugurate a new segment in which we talk to a kid about the library. (This week, it’s Montana’s turn. Thanks, Montana!)
Amy recommends:
Montana recommends:
Kristi recommends:
Please tell us what you think! Our email is ask@normalpl.org, and you can find us on Twitter @NPLTweets.
In this episode, Kristi Cates explains how the Teen Advisory Council contributes to the library’s mission (4:33), Silvia Schuh talks up April’s arts and crafts programs and fills us in on National Library Week activities (6:19), and Mari McKeeth makes some recommendations to fill the Downton-Abbey-shaped gap in patrons’ lives (13:46). Plus, there’s a new classic first line challenge!
Take a look at the Teen Advisory Council schedule and sign up for April arts and crafts using our Activity Calendar.
Check out Mari McKeeth’s Downton-Abbey-style recommendations:
As always, please contact us about anything and everything using our email, ask@normalpl.org, or check out our Twitter account, @NPLTweets!
In this episode, Rebecca Gopinath invites us to attend a screening of the hit Bollywood film Bajrangi Bhaijaan (5:38); Jennifer Williams gives the rundown of kids’ spring break activities that we’re calling Spy Training (6:01); and Kristi Cates recommends two great but often overlooked young adult novels (8:30).
Check out our activity calendar to register for Spring Break programs.
Check out Kristi’s recommendations:
As always, please tell us what you think! Our email is ask@normalpl.org, and we’re on Twitter @NPLTweets.
Jennifer Williams talks about Mo Willems’ new chapter book, The Story of Diva and Flea (5:45); Silvia Schuh gives us the lowdown on March arts and crafts programs (3:50); and Mari McKeeth recommends Val McDermid’s latest mystery, Splinter the Silence (12:33). Plus, Mari talks about two services for finding great books: Novelist and eSequels.
Please tell us what you think by emailing us at ask@normalpl.org, or tweeting us @NPLTweets!
In this episode, Perry Kaufman explains the difference between “hard” and “soft” science fiction and makes a couple recommendations (13:21), and Kristi Cates talks about books that readers of The Martian might also like (13:39). Plus, there’s a new prize challenge.
Perry’s recommendations:
Kristi’s recommendations:
Please let us know what you think! You can email us at ask@normalpl.org, or tweet us @NPLTweets.
In this episode, Meghan Rogers explains the Adult Winter Reading Program, and Mari McKeeth talks about all the great books that were turned into movie scripts and nominated for this year’s Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar:
And as always, you can register for library programs on our website. Please write us at ask@normalpl.org and tell us what you think!
In our first episode of 2016, Silvia Schuh recommends the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness, starting with the first novel in the series, A Discovery of Witches. Holli Kober recommendsSuicide Squad, a series of comics that patrons can access through Hoopla. Plus, we talk February arts and crafts (register here), and we bring our first literary interpretation challenge to a close.
The translation of Dante’s Inferno by Mark Musa referenced in this episode is excellent, by the way.
Comments, questions, suggestions, and random thoughts are welcome at ask@normalpl.org!
In the final episode of 2015, Amy Kubica recommends the Black Jewels trilogy by Anne Bishop, Laura Rocco recommends The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su and Kate Noble (which is based on a popular Youtube series), and I have some thoughts about libraries as we bring 2015 to a close. Plus, we check in on last episode’s literary challenge.
The book I refer to in my editorial is Among Others by Jo Walton. You can see pictures of the remarkable JT and EJ Crumbaugh Memorial Library here.
To respond to the literary challenge or to give us feedback, please contact us at ask@normalpl.org.
In this week’s episode, we explore the wonders of the library’s 3D printer, eLearning programs you can access through our website, and January’s arts and crafts programs (register now!). Also, we talk about some books that Star Wars fans might have a good feeling about. Plus, a new and better way to win the episode’s weekly prize.
Books we recommend in this episode:
This episode features the “Sunrise” opening to Also Sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss, performed by the University of Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Barbara Schubert, available at the Internet Archive. For over one hundred different performances of Strauss’s Also Sprach Zarathustra, why not check out Naxos Music Library? It’s free, and all that’s required is a Normal Public Library card (which is also free). Plus, Naxos Music Library offers streaming access to more than 109,960 CDs with more than 1,609,000 tracks of many musical genres including classical, jazz, world and pop/rock.
In this episode, we talk about The Black House by Peter May, the first in a trilogy of mysteries set on a remote Scottish island. Also, we talk about the library’s arts and crafts programs coming up in December, how to download audio and video content using the internet and your trusty Normal Public Library card, and our Giving Tuesday fundraiser, which aims to raise enough money to fund a mobile maker space for our teen patrons. Plus, another chance for our loyal podcast listeners to snag a prize!
In this inaugural episode, we talk about the young adult novel The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson, the library’s collection of James Bond films, November’s arts and crafts programs, and how to download ebooks using your Normal Public Library card. Plus, our brilliant listeners get their first chance to win a prize.
