Search Interviews

Recording November 18, 2018 -- Amy Alkema describes her early experiences of going to the library in California and finding a 'happy place to read. As a mother she has continued the tradition of taking her children to libraries including...

One Small Step participants Michael Anderson (59) and Margaret Jackson [no age given] discuss their respective upbringings in the Wichita and Boston area, their love of the outdoors and the countryside, and how they wish politicians would listen to everyday...

Melody Schmid & Angela Vaughn, co-workers at Salem Public Library, talk about growing up using the library and how libraries are an important part of a community.

Coworkers, John Ramirez (33) and Maira Sanchez (25), have a conversation about sandwiches, their experiences, Hispanic culture, their job at the library, and how their life has been since COVID-19 began.

Building & Grounds Co-Chairs of the Ladies’ Library Association (LLA) of Kalamazoo, Paula Jamison (no age given) and Marge Kars (no age given), detail the process of maintaining the LLA’s historic building.

Friends and coworkers Lynn Houghton (65) and Sharon Carlson (60) discuss their shared passion for Kalamazoo history, the built environment, and cultural preservation.

Julia Bergman, 64, talks with her research partner Will Maynez, 63, about their work and research in the Diego Rivera Mural Project.

Recording September 18, 2018 – With two enthusiastic fans of the Makerspace movement, the St. George Library is fortunate to have just the right circumstances for the Washington County Library System to add its second and larger Makerspace to the...

Barbara Yonker & Angela Vaughn discuss library memories, the importance of reading, and the value of a good community public library!

Amy Christian (52) interviewed Josilyn Pinnow (49) about homeschooling.

Molly Schroeder-Linzmeier (32) interviews her friend and colleague Mary Jane Herber (73) about her experiences as a librarian and the rich history and economy of Brown County, Wisconsin.

Significant partners Tara Anura (47) and Rebecca Varney (64) sit down to discuss rural politics and local activism. They express their appreciation and pride for one another and the work they do in their community despite how disheartening it can...

Audrey, 51, interviews her mother, Maria, about growing up in Shanghai, immigrating to the United States, and her family.

Melanie McMullen (26) and her grandmother, Marie Hewlett (79), sit down for a conversation about their family, Marie’s teaching career, and their shared love of reading.

Charity Tyler (43) talks with her professional predecessor Katie Geiken (38) about their experiences in the role of Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, the process of city planning before and after the 2008 flood, and their...

Recording February 13, 2018 – Carol Miles Vincent grew up in St. George, Utah in the 1950s and began using the St. George Library while attending the Vernon Worthen Elementary. The children’s section was in the basement. As an older...

Recorded August 14, 2018 -- Libraries and reading set the stage for the continued education of a brother and sister. Janice McArthur Hepworth and E. Durant McArthur grew up in the St. George, Utah area and the local library had...

Etta Gold interviews her AJL BFF Heidi Rabinowitz.

Recording April 24, 2018 – In a day before television, reading was important to best friends Leslie Empey Johnson and Cynthia Cox Shepherd. They reminisced about dropping by the Thomas Judd’s Store for candy and heading across the street to...

Colleagues Karen Johnson Slaton (59) and Selena Martinez (24) share a conversation about their work as librarians, the value of libraries, their library’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and where they see libraries headed in the future.

Recording February 27, 2018 – The Leavitt sisters grew up in St. George, Utah and have many memories of the library. Ann Leavitt Jacob’s first vivid memories of the library are of attending 2nd grade there, though she admitted “the...

Coworkers Bonnie Scherr (60) and Rachael Perez (23) share a conversation about their experiences living in Dalton, Georgia, the books that have impacted them, their work in the library, and the roles they see themselves filling in their community.

Spouses, Scott Savage (58) and Jennifer Savage (56), share a conversation about the books that Scott writes, their collaborative working process, the tours they go on together, and the power of books. They also talk about neurodiversity and the role...

Keith Jemison (64) shares a conversation with his dear friend Maybelle Wallace (92) about the history of Black Wall Street, including the Tulsa Massacre, as well as the continued importance of the Greenwood community and the power of love to...

Richard Nawrocki (83) and his wife, Kathleen Nawrocki (79), share a conversation about their childhood, courtship, marriage, and family life.