How I Library

Episode 21: Brian Selznick

In episode 21 of the “How I Library” podcast, host Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with writer and artist Brian Selznick. Selznick is the author and illustrator of multiple books for young readers, including “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” which won the Caldecott Medal and was adapted into Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-winning film “Hugo,” “Wonderstruck,” which was adapted into a feature film by Todd Haynes, and “The Marvels.” His illustrations include the 20th-anniversary book covers for the Harry Potter series. Selznick’s new book, and his first novel for young adult readers, “Run Away with Me,” is a coming-of-age love story about two teen boys who find each other and fall in love over one summer in Rome in the 1980s. It’s a beautiful, touching ode to Rome and its history and architecture, the magic of books, and being young, queer, and in love. And it’s gorgeously illustrated. Selznick joins the show to discuss “Run Away with Me” and its influences, Italian art and architecture, the importance of creating stories that depict the LGBTQ+ experience, book repair, and, of course, how he libraries.

Episode 20: Penn Jillette

In episode 20, Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with magician, actor, and author Penn Jillette. As part of the Emmy Award-winning duo, Penn and Teller, Jillette has wowed audiences worldwide with his unique blend of magic and comedy. With Teller, he hosted the long-running television show, “Penn and Teller: Bullshit,” and currently hosts the magic-competition show, “Penn and Teller: Fool Us.” Jillette is also the host of the podcast, “Penn’s Sunday School,” and is the author of multiple fiction and nonfiction books, including the new novel, “Felony Juggler,” a semi-autobiographical tale about a nomadic street performer whose life is turned upside down after participating in a bank heist. Jillette joins the show to discuss “Felony Juggler” and its influences, magic and skepticism, the importance of libraries in his life growing up, book bans and information access, and of course, how he libraries.

Episode 19: Nick Brooks

In episode 19, Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with Nick Brooks. Brooks is the critically acclaimed author of the award-winning young adult (Y.A.) thriller, "Promise Boys,” a filmmaker, and a musician from Washington, D.C. His new book, "Up In Smoke," is another page-turning, Y.A. thriller that follows the events that spiral after a murder is committed during a Black Lives Matter protest. It’s part murder mystery, part call to revolution. Brooks joins the show to talk about "Up In Smoke" and its influences, his writing career, empowering today's youth, and of course, how he libraries.

Episode 18: Mariam Zahra and Aruja Misra

In episode 18, show host Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with Marium Zahra and Aruja Misra, two high school students from El Paso, Texas, who are participants in “On Our Minds,” an award-winning podcast series from PBS News Student Reporting Labs about the teenage experience. Each season is hosted by two high school students, and episodes are co-created with teens and feature segments produced by student producers across the country. The new season, which premiered April 16, asks teens, “Who Inspires You?” For Zahra and Misra, it was their school librarian, Mr. Biddle, who is beloved on campus for his outgoing personality and for being a proponent of reading banned books. Zahra and Misra join the show to discuss working with PBS News Student Reporting Labs, podcasting, journalism, banned books, and of course, how they library.

Episode 17: Dawn Logsdon and Lucie Faulknor

In episode 17, show host Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with filmmakers Dawn Logsdon and Lucie Faulknor about their new documentary, “Free for All: The Public Library,” which premieres April 29 on PBS’s Independent Lens. “Free for All: The Public Library” is a love letter to America’s libraries that follows Logsdon and Faulknor as they travel across the United States to examine the history of our libraries and the unsung heroes behind them, from the pioneering women behind the “Free Library Movement” of the late 19th century to the librarians whose influence helped ignite the Harlem Renaissance and other artistic and social movements to today’s librarians who serve us all despite book bans and threats to their lives. Logsdon and Faulkner join to show to discuss the film, its production, and some of its featured luminaries, the library’s place in American life today, book bans, and of course, how they library.