Best NEKLS Podcasts (2026)

A curated slice of Focus On:, our monthly interview series with Kansas librarians in school, public, and academic roles. From playful programs to serious research, these conversations show the surprising, essential ways libraries shape their communities.

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Unbound s05e02: High School Librarianship with Fallon Farokhi 13:31

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3M ago13:31

13:31

School librarian, Fallon Farokhi, has worked in primary schools as librarian and teacher, and has now transitioned to running the highschool library. She joins Dan and Anna from California to chat about her path, her work with professional organizations, and a trove of resources for the school librarian.…

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Unbound s05e01: Pioneer Library System with Lisa Wells 19:07

3M ago19:07

19:07

Lisa Wells, Executive Director of the Pioneer Library System in Oklahoma, joins Anna and Dan to talk about her 35-year journey in librarianship and what it takes to lead a system recognized for innovation and community impact. Lisa shares how staff empowerment and a forward-looking mindset have shaped PLS’s approach—from 24-hour library kiosks to d…

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Unbound s04e05: Community Connections with Lissa Staley 12:26

1y ago12:26

12:26

Lissa Staley, a Library Journal Mover and Shaker joins the podcast to talk about her career path as a community connections librarian at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Tune to hear about her recent award and what it’s like to be a community embedded librarian.

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Unbound s04e04: Trustee Training with Gina Millsap 20:37

1y ago20:37

20:37

In this episode Anna and Dan chat with Gina Millsap, retired CEO of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Earlier this year Gina facilitated our annual NEKLS Trustee Training for our member public libraries. Listen along as we engage in big ideas for library trustees.

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Unbound s04e03: Mental Wellness with Beth Wahler 16:17

1y ago16:17

16:17

In this episode, Dan and Anna reflect on the NEKLS 2024 Spring Directors Institute with expert presenter Dr. Beth Wahler. Beth explores the 3 Es of Trauma, the rise of burnout in public services, and the importance of community-based program development. A special thanks to Beth for guiding us in addressing mental wellness in public libraries.…

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Unbound s04e02: Robotics with Derrick Larcom 14:10

1+ y ago14:10

14:10

In this episode, Anna and Dan get to catch up with Derrick Larcom. Derrick is the Technology Specialist for Ottawa Library, the public library in Ottawa, Kansas. In 2023, on behalf of the library, Derrick submitted a proposal for the NEKLS Innovation Awards, a competitive grant program designed to help fund innovative approaches to library services…

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Unbound s04e01: Passive Programming with Liz Karstadt 17:57

1+ y ago17:57

17:57

Anna and Dan are back for a season 4 of the Northeast Kansas Library System podcast. In this episode we take a look at passive programming and interactive displays. Our guest, Liz Karstadt uses these "self-directed" programs to entice patrons to come to the library, and stay a while, even when there aren't big in-person programs going on.…

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Unbound s03e08: 2023 KLA Conference 19:07

2y ago19:07

19:07

In the season finale, Anna and Dan do their first clip show! Dan captured audio from the 2023 KLA Conference in Wichita, Kansas in early November, and today the Unbound hosts talk about some of the highlights. Thanks to Dawn Krause, Terri Wojtalewicz, Shanna Smith-Ritterhouse, April Hernandez, Jason Robb, Ollie the Robot, Erin Downey Howerton, Vala…

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Unbound s03e06: Podcasting with Max Wirestone 22:10

2y ago22:10

22:10

Tonganoxie public library director, Max Wirestone, tells Anna and Dan about his foray into podcasting this past summer. In this episode, we also talk about mysteries, reading, and interviewing authors. Check out Max's podcast here: https://www.onebookmanyneighbors.org/blog

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Unbound s03e07: Natural Foresight with Dawn La Valle 16:56

2y ago16:56

16:56

Anna and Dan chat with Dawn La Valle, Dawn is is the Director of the Division of Library Development for the Connecticut State Library and a Certified Strategic Foresight Practitioner. In October 2023, Dawn facilitated a workshop for NEKLS and our members on using Natural Foresight in libraries and in this episode we revisit this practice. Check ou…

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Unbound s03e05: Storytelling with Priscilla Howe 12:27

2y ago12:27

12:27

Anna and Dan pick up some storytelling tips from the best, Priscilla Howe! Priscilla is a former academic and youth services librarian who answered the calling to be a professional storyteller. Today we talk about Zoom, being an international storyteller, and, of course, libraries. Be sure to check out Priscilla's website to learn more: https://www…

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Unbound s03e04: Library Leadership with Robin Newell 17:50

2y ago17:50

17:50

Anna and Dan are joined by the former Emporia Public Library Director, Robin Newell. Today, Robin talks about library director and board relations, leadership training, and different avenues of learning and collaboration that professional organizations can provide.

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Unbound s03e03: Collection Development with Lacie Griffin 20:23

2+ y ago20:23

20:23

Dan welcomes Lacie Griffin, Johnson County Library Collection Development Manager, and we get to learn about how collection development works in a large multi-branch library system. Also, Lacie lends her informed perspective on digital content, and how streaming services are problematic; you cannot borrow the Mandalorian from your library (though c…

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Unbound s03e02: Reader Engagement with Autumn Friedli 19:39

2+ y ago19:39

19:39

This time on Unbound, Anna and Dan chat with Autum Friedli, Public Services Supervisor at Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. Listen in to hear about the difference between reader engagement and readers' advisory, witches imprisoning librarians, knowing the collection "front, back, and sideways", community partnerships, NoveList, and TSCPL's Th…

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Unbound s03e01: Teen & Adult Services with Alyssa LaRue 22:08

2+ y ago22:08

22:08

Unbound is back for a new season. In this episode we talk to librarian Alyssa LaRue, she does a little bit of everything at the Derby Public Library, teen services, marketing, yoga, and now adult services too! Tune in to hear about the awesomeness that is Alyssa.

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Unbound s02e09: Introvert-Friendly Libraries with Jennifer Kahnweiler, PhD 20:18

3y ago20:18

20:18

Anna and Dan wrap up season two of the Unbound podcast and also the continuing education series on creating introvert-friendly libraries with best selling author and global speaker on introversion, Jennifer Kahnweiler, PhD. In this episode, our guest talks about the work she has done with introversion inclusion and how this might directly apply to …

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Unbound s02e08: People First Libraries with Savannah Ball 16:07

3y ago16:07

16:07

Anna and Dan talk to Savannah Ball, librarian and independent consultant, about some of her favorite training topics like servant leadership and dealing with ambiguity. Thanks to Savannah for presenting at our 2022 Fall Directors Institute and joining us for this episode. Learn more about Savannah at peoplefirstlibraries.com. Savannah Ball has work…

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Unbound s02e07: Technical Services with Scarlett Fisher-Herreman 21:35

3y ago21:35

21:35

Today on Unbound Anna and Dan meet with Scarlett Fisher-Herreman to learn more about the role of technical services in a large (for Kansas) urban public library. Yes, we talk about Covid and resources that Scarlett uses in her role. But we also get to talk about zoos and having a neighborhood beat. Scarlett is cool, your cool, let's spend another t…

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Unbound s02e06: Early Childhood Literacy with Beth Fredericks 22:02

3y ago22:02

22:02

Anna and Dan discuss early literacy and early childhood education with longtime educator and consultant Beth Fredericks. Beth will be the facilitator for the Kansas Early Literacy Symposium on Friday, April 14, 2023, a day long workshop for "childhood educators and library and museum professionals who work with families of children aged birth throu…

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Unbound s02e05: Trustee Training 2022 with Bonnie McKewon 18:06

3y ago18:06

18:06

Anna and Dan are at it again, and this time they are interviewing Bonnie McKewon from the State Library of Iowa. Bonnie provides a plethora of tips and resources that support the continuing development of public library trustees. Learn more about Bonnie below, and thanks Bonnie for being on Unbound! Bonnie McKewon is a consultant with the State Lib…

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Unbound s02e04: Data Visualization with Linda Hofschire 21:41

3+ y ago21:41

21:41

Anna and Dan learn more about data visualization from library consultant, Linda Hofschire. In this episode we get to know Linda, and talk about strategies and tactics to make reports and strategic plans tell the library's story with attention grabbing graphs and imagery. Pro-tip for libraries: start taking and saving photos at library programs with…

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Unbound s02e03: Librarianship with Keith Rocci 18:06

3+ y ago18:06

18:06

In this episode Anna and Dan dive into librarianship from the MLS professor's perspective. Keith presented at the NEKLS 2022 Spring Directors Institute on performing a community assessment. Keith Rocci is an academic librarian with three advanced degrees. Keith is the Distance Education Library Department Head at Pima Community College. He has been…

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Unbound s02e02: Strategic Planning with Brenda Hough and Diana Weaver 20:21

3+ y ago20:21

20:21

Anna and Dan meet up with two former NEKLS librarians to hear about the process they recently used to develop a new strategic plan for the Basehor Community Library. Update: Brenda is now the Staff Development Coordinator and the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. https://basehorlibrary.com/ https://elucidarelearning.wordpress.com/ https://w…

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Unbound s02e01: Youth Services with Sarah Howard 18:38

3+ y ago18:38

18:38

Anna and Dan catch up with guest Sarah Howard. Sarah is the Youth and Community Services Manager for the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia, Missouri. Highlights over the years include teaching classes for the School of Information Science and Learning Technologies (SISLT) graduate program at the University of Missouri-Columbia and the oppor…

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Unbound s01e06: Adult Programs & Social Media with Cindy McGuire 15:17

4y ago15:17

15:17

In the final episode of season 1, Anna and Dan meet up with Cindy McGuire, Programming & Marketing Coordinator at Leavenworth Public Library to talk about adult programming before and during the age of Covid 19.

1
Unbound s01e05: Fundraising & PR with Shelley O'Brien 17:08

4y ago17:08

17:08

Anna and Dan welcome Shelley O'Brien, NEKLS new Fundraising and Public Relations Consultant.

1
Unbound s01e04: Teen Services with Jennifer McCulley 16:47

4y ago16:47

16:47

Anna and Dan meet up with Jennifer McCulley, Youth Services Coordinator at McPherson Public Library (Kansas), to talk about teen services.

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Unbound s01e03: Privacy & Confidentiality with Robin and Jessi 18:14

4y ago18:14

18:14

Anna and Dan meet up with fellow NEKLS librarians, Robin and Jessi, to talk about the NEKLS 2021 Trustee Training workshop presented by Becky Heil.

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Unbound s01e02: Making with Louisburg Library 17:51

4+ y ago17:51

17:51

Earlier this year, Anna and Dan met with some of the innovative staff from Louisburg Library in Miami County, Kansas. Thanks to Kiersten, Holly, Elizabeth, and Rusty for chatting with us about their maker program.

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Unbound s01e01: Library Design with Pat Wagner 20:39

4+ y ago20:39

20:39

Earlier this year, Anna and Dan spoke with library trainer, Pat Wagner, for the inaugural episode of Northeast Kansas Library System's new podcast series.