We LOVE the Library

- Learn more about the SLO Friends of the Library from Karen Perry, a volunteer with and president of this important pro-library group
- Also, learn more about story time at the library from Laura Vazquez, the manager of the Cambria Library. Story time happens at libraries across the SLO County system

- Learn about The Literacy Connection from Adult  Literacy Coordinator  Michelle Haddad
- Check in with the Arroyo Grande Library, which continues  to serve patrons while closed for renovations 

- We celebrate Black History Month by speaking with a collection of super smart Black women who all love the library. First, we meet Sylvia Henson, chair of the Education Committee of the SLO County branch of the NAACP. She supports women and girls in STEM fields and has a deep commitment to education, reading, and critical thinking.
- Next, we speak with three college-age library power users. Kyleigh, Alexis, and Leanne are members of Cal Poly’s Black Student Union and they meet with us to discuss their love of libraries and passion for a wide range of books. What a delightful conversation! Also, we’ll hear a poem written by Paul Laurence Dunbar. 

- We travel the “quail trail” to visit two small but mighty libraries in North County: Shandon Library and Creston Library. Learn more about the unique Tool Library in Shandon from Joey and hear from Cookie in Creston about what it’s been like to run the public library for over 48 years.
- Also, for Black History Month part 1, we speak with local author John King about his background, his writing process, and his love for the public library. 

- Learn more about the SLO MakerSpace and its collaboration with the SLO County Library System.
- Meet local writer Alicia Gael and learn about her books, her background, and her writing process. She writes what she calls “Sapphic mysteries” and deploys identity as a crucial tool in solving the mystery. We'll also discuss LGBTQ+ art and literature more generally.

Learn more about graphic novels from the San Luis Obispo County library system’s Adult Services Coordinating Librarian Monique Matta. Also, hear from Joy Yamaguchi of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles about George Takei’s graphic novel-style memoir They Called Us Enemy. Mr. Takei’s book takes us into camps where he and his family were incarcerated by the United States government after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

We learn about the Branch Out program for the SLO County library system, we introduce our newest Library Foundation board member, and we learn about a unique Library Foundation project honoring SLO Library's first librarian.

We speak to poetry fan Christine Ahern as well as Beverly Boyd, curator and organizer of Poetry Night, to learn about the origins and story of this special free community event at the Los Osos Library. We also check in with librarian Rosalind Willis, the library staff member who helps make Poetry Night happen. Finally, we hear from poet Lisa Coffman who graciously agreed to read a poem for our podcast that she read at the November 2025 Poetry Night. 

Introducing a new feature: profiles of Library Power Users! Our first guest is Sammy, a 12-year old reading enthusiast and someone who, like us, LOVES the library.
We’ll also learn more about the well-stocked Explorer Backpacks from the “Library of Things” and other ways the public library helps connect us with nature. Susie Reddy of the Morro Coast Audubon Society joins us at Sweet Springs Nature Preserve to talk birds, libraries, and more.

We climb into a Time Machine with folks from Festival Mozaic to learn about the Young Musicians performances that took place in several libraries in SLO County during this annual summer festival. We also speak with Susana Lewis, the Coordinating Librarian for Youth Services, to learn more about the 2025 Summer Reading Program and how to keep kids and families engaged in reading throughout the year.