Beyond the Stacks

On this episode, our roving reporter, Linda Gandee, has an extended conversation with Steve Pettyjohn about the long-running history program here at the Library - The World at War Forum. Upcoming World at War Forum Dates & Topics (all events are from 7-8:30 pm):March 5 - The Battle of the AtlanticApril 2 - The Korean WarMay 7 - U.S. Marines in World War I

In the first segment, our roving reporter, Linda Gandee, chats with Katie (Adult Services Assistant Manager) and C.J. (Assistant Director) about the many creative options for patrons in the Makerspace.Then, we check in with Erin (Readers Advisory Librarian) and Aaron (Young Adult Librarian) for some recommendations to help you beat the winter blues, by reading about situations far worse than any Cleveland winter - Dystopian fiction.2024 Reading Challenges Mentioned:WPPL Challenge (the one Erin created)PopSugarThe 52 Book Club ChallengeErin's Challenges:A Second Change Author - At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. LovecraftCreepy Novel or Ghost Story - The Mummy! A Tale of the Twenty-Second Century by Jane WebbA Book with at Least 4 Points of View - The Album of Dr. Moreau by Daryl GregoryAaron's Challenges:A Mystery Written Between 1930 and 1970 - Turn on the Heat by Erle Stanley GardnerBiography of Someone You've Never Heard of - The Last American Man by Elizabeth GilbertTitle Chosen at Random from Your TBR List - High Bias: The Distorted History of the Cassette Tape by Marc Masters

In the first segment, Heather chats with Kim (Circulation) about the most visited spot in the Library, the Circulation Department. Then, we check in with Erin (Readers Advisory Librarian) and Aaron (Young Adult Librarian) for some recommendations to help you beat the winter blues, by reading about situations far worse than any Cleveland winter - Dystopian fiction. Erin's Recommendations:Titanium Noir by Nick HarkawayElla Minnow Pea by Mark DunnShades of Grey by Jasper FfordeOther lipogram titles:Gadsby by Ernest Vincent WrightEunoia by Christian BokAaron's Recommendations:Unnatural Disasters by Jeff HirschAt the End of Everything by Marieke NijkampThe Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

In the first segment, Heather chats with Chad (Local History Librarian) about the many databases patrons can use to research their family history.Then, we check in with Erin (Readers Advisory Librarian) and Aaron (Young Adult Librarian) for some recommendations for fans of Bonnie Garmus' Lessons in Chemistry.Erin's Recommendations:Mr & Mrs American Pie by Julie McDanielThe Love Hypothesis by Ally HazelwoodAaron's Recommendations:With the Fire on High by Elizabeth AcevedoThis Will Be Funny Someday by Katie HenryNon-Fiction - Books on WritingErin's Recommendations:Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica BrodyBird by Bird by Anne LamottAaron's Recommendations:Brave the Page: A Young Writer’s Guide to Telling Epic Stories by Rebecca Stern & Grant FaulknerDare to Write: Creative Writing Prompts by Kristen Fogle

In the first segment, Heather chats with Jane (Technical Services Manager) about how and why the library chooses what to add to the collection.In the second segment, we take patron questions about what to read next and put them to Erin (Readers Advisory Librarian) and Aaron (Young Adult Librarian).MysteryErin's Recommendations:The Haunted Lady by Mary Roberts ReinhartAaron's Recommendations:The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy MoldavskyStalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri ManiscalcoThe Strangers by Margaret HaddixParanormal Non-FictionErin's Recommendations:World of Lore by Aaron MankeThe United States of Cryptids by J.W. OckerThe Bigfoot Book by Nicholas RedfernAaron's Recommendations:The Teen Witches Guide to Palm Reading by Xanna Eve ChownThe Ghostly Tales of Cleveland by Beth A. Richards

In the first segment, Chad and Heather discuss the history of public libraries and then focus in on the history of Westlake Porter Public Library (WPPL) in particular.In the second segment, we play Stump the Librarian. This is where we take patron questions about what to read next and put them to the Readers Advisory Librarian to see what she'll come up with.Here are the books Erin and Aaron discussed on this episode:Q: What would you recommend if I loved Book Lovers by Emily Henry?A: Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson / By Any Other Name by Lauren KateQ: What would you recommend for a reader who loves science, but doesn't have a deep science background and doesn't want anything to technical and complicated?A: Anything by Randall Munroe. His author talk (from January 2023) is on our website. His books, What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions and the sequel, What If? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions are great reads.Other authors (and books) to check out include; Mary Roach (author of Stiff, Packing for Mars, Grunt, and Fuzz), Caitlin Doughty (Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs), and Sam Kean (The Disappearing Spoon). Connect with WPPL - Facebook / IG / YouTube