Search Interviews

Colleagues Kristine Olsen (39) and Dara Schmidt (41) talk about their work at the Cedar Rapids Public Library, what their experiences of the library were like as young people, and the fulfillment they feel in their work as librarians.

Recording November 18, 2017--As a resident of Colorado City, Arizona, Ruth Barlow was one of the first patrons to apply for a library card at the Hildale Library Branch’s on its opening day. Libraries were important to her while growing...

Ken Behringer (66) talks with Valerie Horton (59) about their work as librarians over several decades--changes they've seen, what makes the Minnesota library system unique, and what they think makes libraries successful.

Angela Vaughn (31) and co-worker Tara Holl (31) interview at Salem Public Library on 11/21/2022. We talk about all things library, future of the library, and what makes this place so great!

Mary Graybill (63) and her daughter Amber Mussman (39) talk about Mary's relationship to her own mother, and her work with young people overcoming difficult circumstances. They also talk about Mary's parenting, and their gratitude for their mutual support and...

Nicole Thibodeau (42) speaks with her friend Claire Coté (41) about family, art, and her career path.

Kathleen O’Dell (68) interviews her long-time friend, Annie Busch [no age given], about her work in the Springfield community, from serving as the Executive Director of the Springfield-Greene County Library to her efforts to aid children experiencing homelessness.

Dianna Hawryluk (26) interviews her grandmother Stephanie Hawryluk (76) about her experiences growing up in Germany, immigrating to the U.S., and living in New York City.

Juniper Leherissey (50) interviews her colleagues David Caffey (75) and Jim Levy [no age given] about their accomplishments, contributions, and experiences as former directors of the Harwood Library and Harwood Museum. They also share stories, recall memorable personalities, and express...

Safiya Schaub [no age given] interviews her mentor Janan Atta-Najeeb [no age given] about her early childhood memories, the Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition, discrimination muslims face in the workplace, building a library of resources regarding Islam, and their hopes for...

Best friends Imogene Brooks (63) and Shirley Tarver (70) reminisce about the good times they have had together throughout their long friendship, describe what it was like growing up on the border of Columbus, GA and Phenix City, AL as...

Friends, Anna Sandidge (47) and Donna Young (66), share a conversation about Quakerism. They discuss the role faith plays in their lives, describe their spiritual experiences, and explain what being a Quaker means to them.

Elizabeth Jonkel [no age given] interviews her friend and colleague Honore Bray (69) about her life, legacy, and contribution to the Missoula Public Library.

Gary Nichols (62) tells his new friend and conversation partner Sarah Padgett (25) about his life and favorite memories.

Dale Morgan (78) talks with her friend, Alice Lundstrom (76), about childhood, adulthood, faith, lifelong learning, and legacy.

Recording May 8, 2018 – In the 1950s with both parents working, sisters Susan Ahrens and Mary Ashman rode the bus to the local Downey City Library in the summer to load up on books. This library was part of...

Friends Andrea Sanchez (39) and Elda Flores (71) share a conversation about serving as part of the San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees, their love for reading, and their investment in the local community.

Recording February 27, 2018 – When the Haslam Family moved to St. George, Utah in the summer for her father’s work, Maureen Haslam Booth was homesick for her friends and grandparents. St. George didn’t even have television, she said. It...

Recording November 18, 2017 – This date of Amanda Reeve’s interview was an open house with activities, catered food and even a cake to celebrate the first year of operation of the Hildale Library, which is part of the Washington...

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...