Down Time with Cranston Public Library

This week Tayla is joined by Christopher Woodrow-Butcher and Deb Aoki from the podcast Mangasplaining. They talk about their show Mangasplaining, a show about reading manga for the non-manga fan. They also discuss manga and comics getting them interested in things they would never be interested in on their own, webtoons, and how different generations view comics. During The Last Chapter they discuss: What anime/manga superpower would you like to have? 

This week Tayla is joined by Shannon McDonnell and Christina Garcia from Sojourner House. They discuss the work Sojourner House does to support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human traffiking. They also discuss regency romance, Dune, and how not to drown in a cup of water. During The Last Chapter they discuss: What is a book you recommend to everyone? 

This week Tayla is joined by Dennis Hilliard, director of the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory,  and author Claremary P. Sweeney to discuss how science helps us both solve crimes and improve mystery novels. They discuss Dennis’s work at the Crime Lab and at URI and how he became a character in Claremary’s books. They also discuss NCIS, Crime Shows, and the story behind Claremary’s background gag in a PBS special about South Kingstown. During The Last Chapter they discuss: Where is your favorite place to read?  

This week Tayla is joined by Elena and Angela, two members of the American Library Association’s 2024 Emerging Leaders cohort. They discuss the program and how they hope to influence library advocacy happening on behalf of the organization. They also discuss when to jump into long-running book series and watching podcasts on YouTube. During The Last Chapter they discuss: What author alive or dead would you like to meet and why?

This week Tayla is joined by documentary filmmaker Shaun Michael Colón to talk about his latest project, Age of Audio. Age of Audio is a documentary about the rise of podcasts in popular culture and the use of the format to create art. They also discuss Sapiens, the state of the MCU and much to everyone’s surprise, football. During The Last Chapter they discuss: If you could find out the truth about one mystery what would it be?

This week Tayla is joined by Allison Horrocks and Mary Mahoney, hosts of the podcast Dolls of Our Lives and authors of the book by the same name. They discuss why they decided to make a podcast about American Girl and why these dolls appeal to so many young people. They also discuss J.Lo, podcasts leading to a reading deep dive, and mysteries. During The Last Chapter they discuss: Which American Girl do you think you’re most like? 

To celebrate our 200th episode, the creative team got together to share their hot takes by doing some tier ranking! Listen to find out what books ruined Elena, Robin’s favorite author events this year, Dave’s favorite robots, and Tayla’s thoughts about how librarians are represented in the media.

This week Tayla is joined by Emily to talk all things romance novels - what draws her to the genre, what keeps the formula interesting, and what she’s reading right now. They also talked about romantasy, Hallmark Channel series, and cults. During the Last Chapter they discuss: have you ever had a crush on a book character and, if so, who?

This week Tayla is joined by Dave and Maggie from the Central Library to talk about media with time loops in honor of Groundhog Day. They discuss why they enjoy media with time loops and what some of their favorites are. They also discuss hopeful future narratives, brain candy, and British original vs American remake. During The Last Chapter they discuss: Is there a book that you weren’t able to finish and why?

This week Tayla is joined by Tia Pinney and Scott McCue from MetroWest Mass Audubon to talk about Massachusetts official groundhog, Ms. G. They discuss how Ms. G became Mass’s official groundhog and their upcoming groundhog’s day festivities. They also discuss King Philip's War and the value of making music. During The Last Chapter they discuss: How do you organize your bookshelves at home?

This week Tayla is joined by Alyssa from the Central Library and Paula, past librarian and current book lover to talk about their reading goals for the new year. They also discuss Apple TV, going to the movies, and Goodreads. During The Last Chapter they discuss: What is your favorite way to find out about new books?

This week Tayla is joined by Lucas and Ottavia, co-owners of Riffraff Bookstore + Bar in Providence. They discuss how taking over the ownership of Riffraff, for them, is about keeping what is special about the store going. They also discuss books about food, The Golden Bachelor, and preferences for streaming services. During The Last Chapter they discuss: If you could rewrite a book from another character’s point of view, what story/character would you choose?   

This week Tayla is joined by Robin from the Central Library and her husband Tom to talk about their experience being balloon handlers in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. They discuss how they got involved with the parade and what it’s like to be part of such a big day! They also discuss Yoga, the Avon Theatre, and Hallmark Christmas movies. During The Last Chapter they discuss: What are your reading goals for 2024? 

Our team is on break for one more week, but don’t fret, we have a delicious Rhody Radio episode here to keep your podcast feed fed. Back in October, the Rhody Radio team enlisted library workers from around the state to try out all of the restaurants featured in the Rhode Island Food Fights TacoMania competition, and they’ve compiled their reviews into an audio feast to guide your own taco adventures! They also sat down with Jim Nellis, the Founder of Rhode Island Food Fights, to talk about the competition and how it got started. We hope you enjoy this episode, and we’ll be back next week with a brand new episode of Down Time.

This week Tayla is joined by Dawn (aka Hillary Shank) and Breanne (aka Gabagool) from Providence Roller Derby. They discuss the sport of roller derby, how it’s changed over the last couple of decades and what makes Providence Roller Derby special. They also discuss the Great British Baking Show, Edgar Allen Poe, and nostalgic cartoons. During The Last Chapter they discuss: What is your favorite fictional depiction of roller derby? 

This week Tayla is joined by Jariah, the creator of twohungrybitchesRI, the social media brand featuring food and entertainment in the Ocean State. They talk about how Jariah started posting about food and what it means to be a food influencer. They also discuss disability representation in books, rewatching shows, and the zoo. During The Last Chapter they discuss: If you could have a superpower, what superpower would you have? 

This week Tayla is joined by Evan Villari, maker of the documentary “Blood & Watershed” about the creation of the Scituate Reservoir. They talk about what Evan learned about water access making the film and his personal connections to the story. They also discuss curating library collections, a local author, and Martin Scorsese. During The Last Chapter they discuss: What is the worst best book you’ve ever read? 

This week guest host Elena is joined by two of our teen volunteers, Emelin and Kiane. They discuss their experience volunteering for the library and why they find it so fulfilling. They also trash problematic book heroines and dish on YA book bad boys. During The Last Chapter they discuss: Have you ever had a crush on a book character and if so who?

This week Tayla is joined by Peter Shinkle, author of Uniting America: How FDR and Henry Stimson Brought Democrats and Republicans Together to Win World War II. They talk about Peter’s process writing and researching the book as well as how we find ourselves in a similar political climate today. They also discuss Superman Smashes the Klan, animals in movies, and historical costuming.  During The Last Chapter they discuss: If you were going to read outside of your comfort zone, what genre would you read? 

This week Tayla is joined by Justin Silverman from the New England First Amendment Coalition and Ed Fitzpatrick from the Boston Globe. Ed shares his experience working as a journalist and how journalism has changed since he began. Justin speaks to the importance of protecting the first amendment and the free press for our democracy. They also discuss Katherine Switzer and the Boston marathon, mockumentaries, Queer Eye. During The Last Chapter they discuss: Are you a re-reader and if so what do you find yourself rereading? 

This week we have a special halloween episode for you all to enjoy. We went around and chatted with our colleagues here at Cranston Public Library to find out what they usually do for Halloween. We also got some of them to share their scariest horror movie memories. Thank you to Sarah, Becky, Sam, Robin, Ally, Katherine, Julie, Alyssa, Carla, and Christine for helping make this episode possible. 

This week Tayla is joined by Pam Steager from Courageous RI, a Department of Homeland Security project to increase media literacy and prevent domestic terrorism. They talk about the projects that Courageous RI has implemented in order to increase media literacy among Rhode Islanders. They also discuss reading or work and pleasure, sci-fi as a reflection of our society, how much “the algorithm” knows about us.  During The Last Chapter they discuss: What are some titles you would recommend to people who want to learn more about media literacy?

This week Tayla is joined by Robin and John who work at the Central Library to talk about their time doing library advocacy in honor of National Friends of the Libraries Week. They share how library super fans can get involved in library advocacy and help their local library thrive. They also discuss meeting Henry Winkler, going to the movies vs streaming, and folk music. During The Last Chapter they discuss: Do you track your reading and if so how?  

This week Tayla is joined by Miranda from Pride Alliance at RIC and Jae from SAGA at URI to talk about their experience being part of a LGBTQIA+ organization at their schools. They share the role of their organization on their campus and their experience being part of the leadership of these groups. They also discuss bi erasure, representation in media, Queer reality TV. During The Last Chapter they discuss: If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be? 

This week Tayla is joined by Pauline Getzoyan and Giovanna Wiseman to talk about their work on the RI Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission. They share how the commission helps RI teachers include the holocaust and education about other genocides in their curricula. They also discuss reading as escapism, Barbenheimer, and Galaxy Quest. During The Last Chapter they discuss: If you could have the answer to one mystery, what would it be and why? 

This week guest host Elena is joined by Genesis and Agonza, two rising Latinae artists to discuss their projects and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. They discuss the importance of being visible in their work so that kids can see people like them achieving great things. They also chat about the origins of Halloween, horror, and Spanish children’s books. During The Last Chapter they discuss reading snacks! 

This week Tayla is joined by Suzanne Walker and Emma Mieko Candon to discuss their short stories in Star Wars From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi. They share with us what it was like writing in a universe that they have loved since childhood. They also discuss both reading and writing fantasy and science fiction, rewatching shows, and Critical Role. During The Last Chapter they discuss: What would be the title of your autobiography/memoir?

This week guest host Robin is joined by Robin Kall, founder of “Reading with Robin”, which started as a radio show and turned into in person author events. They discuss how Robin got started doing these sorts of events and how it has grown since she started in 2002. They also chat about yoga, marking books DNF, and feel-good movies. During The Last Chapter they discuss their feelings about audiobooks. 

Interested in free tickets to see Jean Kwok at the Gamm Theatre on Wednesday, October 11 at 7:00 PM? Email Robin at robin@robinkall.com and let her know you heard about the event on Down Time for free admission!

This week Tayla is joined by Carla Panciera, author of Barnflower: A Rhode Island Farm Memoir and Kristin Orr, a dairy farmer from Thompson, CT. Carla joins us to talk about her book and her experience growing up on a dairy farm while Kristin adds her perspective on what dairy farming is like today. During The Last Chapter they discuss: Where is your favorite place to read? 

This week Tayla is joined by Liz Gotauco, YS librarian at the Cumberland Public Library and creator of the TikTok F*cked Up Fairy Tales. They talk about Liz’s experience sharing these takes on classic fairy tales online and what is the possible future for FUFT. They also discuss Avatar the Last Airbender, Shakespeare, and musical improv. During The Last Chapter they discuss: What fairytale/folktale would you like to see retold from another character’s perspective?

This week Tayla is joined by Jeremy Whitley (Princeless, School for Extraterrestrial Girls) and Chris Schweizer (Six Sidekicks of Trigger Keaton, History Comics: Roanoke Colony) to talk about their experience making comics for young people. They also discuss horror movies, video games, and Christmas folklore. During The Last Chapter they discuss: If you could rewrite a book from another character’s point of view, what book and character would you choose?

This week Tayla and Dave are joined by Jodie Vinson from LitArtsRI to talk about their new space! They talk about all of the benefits of becoming a LitArtRI member including access to co-working space, workshops, and more. They also discuss health care inequality, serial killers, and Esther Perel. During The Last Chapter they discuss: Have you ever had a crush on a character from a book and if so who? 

This week Tayla brought the rest of the Down Time Creative Team - Dave, Robin and Elena - together to talk about books from our experience re-reading books from our youth. After having re-read these books we enjoyed, we answer the question: does it hit different? They also talk about cryptids, Indiana Jones, and Barbie. During The Last Chapter they discuss: What is the hardest you’ve laughed while reading a book? 

This week Tayla is joined by Astrid Drew from the Steamship Historical Society located in Warwick, RI. They talk about what the Steamship Historical Society collects and the recent work they’ve done to make their collection more diverse. They also discuss zombies, TV adaptations, and The Bear. During The Last Chapter they discuss: Do you annotate books or take notes in some way while reading?

This week guest host Elena is joined by Kim and Becky from the Central Library’s technical services department. We hope you enjoy this behind the scenes glimpse at their efforts to prepare library materials for use. During The Last Chapter they discuss: What are the kinds of books you like to give as gifts?

This week guest host Robin is joined by Zaidee and Myshara, two library staff members of the William Hall Library who also work at academic libraries in RI. They share their journey into librarianship as well as some of the differences between the work in the two different library types. During The Last Chapter they discuss: What is your favorite library that you’ve worked at or visited? 

This week Tayla is joined by Mark Binder, author, storyteller, and award nominated audiobook writer/narrator. They talk about how he went from a playwright/author to a live storyteller and what kept him doing storytelling. They also discuss Discworld, tabletop games, and medical dramas. During The Last Chapter they discuss: What author alive or dead would you like to meet and why? P.S. This is the first Down Time episode that included harmonica accompaniment. 

This week Tayla is joined by Julia Krasnow and Laura Guillén from EforAll Rhode Island to talk about their work accelerating economic and social impact in communities in the Ocean State through inclusive entrepreneurship. They also discuss escapist reading and returning to the movies of their childhood as adults. During The Last Chapter they discuss: What is one book or resource that you recommend to people at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey?

This week Tayla is joined by Christine “Tacos” Blandino and Andrew Grover to talk about working with Lego. Andrew talks about this experience recreating RI landmarks with Lego and Christine discusses her work using Lego to teach kids STEM. They also discuss Providence as an old world city, TV shows as background noise, and needing to have music on while driving . During The Last Chapter they discuss: What fictional world would you like to visit on vacation? 

This week Tayla is joined by Emily Drabinski, incoming president of the American Library Association, and Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. They get into the controversy of book challenges and censorship, which poses a threat to free expression and vital library services all over the United States. They also discuss cozy mysteries, trash TV, and balancing reading for work and for pleasure. This episode was recorded live at the 2023 Rhode Island Library Association Annual Conference, held May 24-25 at the Providence Public Library.

This week Tayla is joined by Jerrad Pacatte and Jennifer Galpern from the Rhode Island Historical Society to talk about their new RI History Navigator Tool. They also discuss mermaids, cooking shows, and Unsolved Mysteries. During The Last Chapter they discuss: If you could travel back in time to visit any time period, what time period would you choose?  

This week Tayla is joined by Maria Cotto, Babs Wells, and Lisa Lesinski, three RI librarians who are part of the Sensory Friendly Inclusive Group. They talk all about how the Sensory Friendly Inclusive group supports and inspires library workers to offer sensory friendly programming at their libraries. They also discuss audiobooks, youth graphic novels, and family recipes. During The Last Chapter they discuss: What are your favorite titles that celebrate the neurodiverse community? 

This week Tayla is joined by author and librarian Dawn Wing to talk about her work highlighting Chinese American stories. They talk about graphic memoir and the power of it as a storytelling format, Zine making, and stories about Asian Americans in books and TV. During The Last Chapter they discuss: How do you organize your bookshelves at home? 

Our thanks to the Summer 2023 CPL Teen Volunteers for updating links to our new catalog!

This week Tayla is joined by fellow Cranston Public Library librarians Alyssa and June to discuss their work with teens both in and outside the library. They also discuss restorative justice, hopeful sci-fi and reality TV. During The Last Chapter they discuss: What is the last book you bought?