Search Interviews

In this recording, cousins Leah and Paul discuss reading habits, childhood books, and stylistic choices to create a reading list filled with literary merit.

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...

Helena Worthen (71) talks with Rhonda Kingman (67) about spending summers in the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts. She describes her family's house, the surrounding land, the community in Cummington, games her brother and cousins played, reading her Grandfather's extensive collection...

David Linzee, 63, discusses his career as a novelist and writing for local publications in St. Louis.

Sarah Padgett (24) interviews new friend Brandy Tolbert (34) about Brandy’s childhood, her family, and her children. Brandy also talks about her role as the director of the Literacy Alliance and how she discovered her passion for literacy work.

Two friends discussing growing up in Columbus, Georgia around the downtown area.

Deborah Davidson (68) sits down with her friend Patricia Thomas Ivery (63) to ask about Patricia's childhood, the wisdom that she has gained throughout her life, and the dreams that she still hopes to achieve.

Siblings, Barbara Davis (61) and Joe Davis (54), reminisce about their childhood in Miami, FL, tell stories about their family traditions, and reflect on how their parents helped shape who they are today.

Friends and co-organizers Nureaka Ross (28) and Lynette Mejia (51) discuss their involvement in advocating for their local library system and obstacles they have faced along the way.

One Small Step conversation partners Lewalta Haney (77) and Anthony Ellis (62) discuss their lives, politics, and influences.

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...

One Small Step partners, Emily Rushing (70) and Fred Bennett (76) discuss the changing landscape of news, media literacy, social issues, and being Christians who value diversity and racial reconciliation.

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...

Amelia Orosco (41) and her father Charles Tittle (78) talk about their father daughter relationship and the way Charles' epilepsy has played a role in it. Amelia remembers Charles' dedication to reading to her as a child and brings a...

Jenn Simmons (39) interviews her friend, colleague, and mentor, Howard Cavner (68), about his childhood in the Ozarks region of Missouri, his relationship with his grandmother, the pride he has for his daughter, and the most important lessons that he...

Etta Gold interviews her AJL BFF Heidi Rabinowitz.

Colleagues Richard Mussler-Wright (56) and Jane Zink (56) share a conversation about their children’s experiences in preschool, the importance of accessible childcare, and their work in early childhood education.

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.

Coworkers Silvia Bunn (67) and Deborah Clark (60) gather to honor and appreciate Deborah's years of service at the Mildred L. Terry Public Library, the first public library for African Americans in Columbus, GA. Deborah reminisces about coming to the...

Troy Wright (55) interviews his father, Eldredge Wright (75) about his life growing up in East Texas, becoming a father at age 19, moving to California and working for IBM

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...

Recording March 27, 2018 – To Billie Bleak [pronounced Blake] Frei, the St. George Library basement was a wonderful way to spend a hot summer afternoon in the cool of the children’s section. She grew up in St. George, Utah,...

Stephanie Stephens interviews Annabel Link for a college project and learns about each other. The basis of the topics discussed in this interview involves one's experiences, life journey, and memories. The theme is centered around "memories", reviewing our life lived...

Recording February 13, 2018 – Husband and wife Kelly James and Patricia Larson have many memories about visiting the St. George Library. They not only grew up in the area, but raised their family here too. The public library was...

One Small Step partners Laura Middlebrooks (53) and Ted Wiaziowski (47) have a conversation about how they have grown as people and the influences on their lives.