Unbound from Northeast Kansas Library System

In this episode of Unbound, Brenda Hough and Cadie Maas join Anna and Dan again—this time to reflect on a recent event they hosted: Every Book Its Reader: A Readers’ Advisory Gathering. What makes a good readers’ advisor? And what did we learn from bringing library staff together to talk about connecting readers with books? We look back at the gathering, the conversations that stuck with us, and why readers’ advisory is as much about understanding people as it is about knowing books.

Lacie Griffin returns to Unbound to chat about intellectual freedom informed by her work at Johnson County Library and being the chair of Kansas Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee. This content came from the 2026 NEKLS Trustee Training videos: https://youtu.be/jrK1eLqvfcg, https://youtu.be/krzTz7Ojy3o.

In April 2026, several library directors from small Northeast Kansas public libraries were invited to attend the IMLS Library Convening 250: Telling America's Story in Pheonix. Anna and Dan met up with this group over Zoom to reflect on their experience at the convening.

Anna and Dan are back for Season 6 of the Northeast Kansas Library System podcast. In this episode, we meet world-renowned choral lyricist Charles Anthony “Tony” Silvestri and talk about the hero’s journey, fellowship, and what these ideas can teach us about our work in libraries.

Cadie Maas and Brenda Hough join Dan and Anna to talk about a one day conference they recently held at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.

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.

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.

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 data-informed services and creative community partnerships.

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.

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.

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.

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 and programming. Tune into to hear about the robotics program Derrick conducted utilizing the NEKLS grant.

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.

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, Valarie Lamoreaux, Erin Verbick, and all of the KLA Conference committees that made this year's conference possible.

Happy New Year – we'll be back in late 2024 with season 4 of Unbound!

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

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 out the LibGuide Dawn shares with us here: https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld/home.

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.priscillahowe.com/.

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.

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 considering how season 3 is playing out, you may not want to). All this and more in our latest Unbound episode!

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 The Bookmark podcast.

Also, be sure to check out the new season of The Bookmark podcast for great reading suggestions: https://tscpl.org/books-movies-music/bookmark-podcast.