Hiatus until the new year

The podcast recently took an unannounced and unexplained hiatus. I wanted to give an update about the reason for our absence. Just before we were set to record new episodes, we received the devastating news that our friend and colleague, Amber Clark, had been shot and killed while leaving the branch where she was supervisor.

I first met Amber as a teen librarian. We worked together on a Haunted Library program that showcased her supportive nature. She was able to synthesize the disparate ideas of her teens into a fun, funny, and polished tour. The first year I helped her, her sense of humor shone through and carried the tour, and it was clear that the teens respected and loved her. And you could tell how much of an impact she was having on the teens because, even though the tour was sparsely attended, everyone left with a sense of accomplishment. We worked on the tour a second time, and it was clear that the confidence of her teens had increased: the tour was even more well-designed, their sense of ownership was higher, and the attendance was larger.

Amber was promoted after that, and I didn't have as much direct contact with her. But it was at this point that she launched the passion project that the library has chosen to associate her with: ensuring that the library is an accessible place for everyone. She launched a series of programs for patrons with disabilities.

Amber had the dry sense of humor that I always find in kindred spirits, she was game for painting her face like a zombie when the program called for it, and she seemed comfortable working around my chaotic and free-wheeling energy. Basically, along with everyone who works on the podcast, Amber had the uncanny ability to make me feel like I am a librarian. A statement that feels in question whenever I'm not around people like the crew of the podcast or Amber.

--Nathan Milos

Episode 050: Double Bill—Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin and Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Here are two of the original episodes we recorded that are both too short for individual release (though hopefully not to short for a meaningful discussion).

We discuss Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin and Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys and suggest the books George by Alex Gino, Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills, and None of the Above by I. W. Gregorio, as well as author Elizabeth E. Wein.