RePlay Ep. 30 Not All Superheroes Wear Capes with William Sutton

**Our replay this week is an episode that was our first of Season 2 back in January before Covid hit. We talked with children’s librarian with the Louisville Free Public Library system William Sutton. If you are anything like Carrie and I, you are sorely missing your libraries and the dedicated people who staff them. In fact, our library system in Louisville KY furloughed the majority of its librarians for 3 months and only in the last month have patrons been able to do curbside pickup for book holds. In fact I think I have requested more books from the library than usual just so I have a reason to go to my local library, even if I can’t go inside. Just this week, many of our furloughed librarians have been called back. So in honor of libraries, their people, and what libraries mean to our lives, we give you this library episode with William. We will be back next week with all new episodes. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss a show.

Our guest today is what Mr. Rogers would call a “helper”. I first saw William Sutton on Metro TV, where he was interviewed about his work with children and it was obvious that he was something special. William works in the children’s department of the Portland branch of the Louisville Free Public Library system. Portland is one of the largest neighborhoods in Louisville and one that has a long and rich history. In the late 1800s it had the first trolley line from downtown and was the welcoming home to many waves of immigrants including Irish and German. In recent years this neighborhood has hit hard times; it has one of the lowest income levels in the city, but it is experiencing a rebirth with numerous art galleries, stores, and restaurants coming to the area. Nowhere is the small community spirit more evident though than in its neighborhood library. William Sutton is a favorite face there and you will see why. His joy in his work is infectious. He talks to us about why being a black male in a female heavy field is important for children to see, how comic books built the basis for his literary life, and why black superheroes can be an inspiration for teens to find the strength in themselves.

 

Books discussed in this episode:

1- Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
2- The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis
3- Storm by Eric Jerome Dickey
4- The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley