Behind the Books

Bob and Anna interview Matheson Westlake, Teen/Youth Services Librarian from the West Windsor Branch, as well as picture book author, Tara Lazar.

• Intro and Welcome
• 4:14 Interview with Matheson Westlake
• 16:25 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 21:45 Interview with Tara Lazar
• 35:43 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Elka Frankel, Reference Librarian from the West Windsor Branch, as well as author, Ramona Ausubel.

• Intro and Welcome
• 3:18 Interview with Elka Frankel
• 14:30 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 18:33 Interview with Ramona Ausubel
• 31:34 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Sharon Galbraith Ryer, Branch Manager from the Hickory Corner Branch, as well as author, Jacob Kornhauser.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:48 Interview with Sharon Galbraith Ryer
• 12:27 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 15:57 Interview with Jacob Kornhauser
• 28:12 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Minyee Mao from the Circulation Department at the Twin Rivers Branch, as well as children's book author, Natasha Tripplett.

• Intro and Welcome
• 3:08 Interview with Minyee Mao
• 15:43 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 20:44 Interview with Natasha Tripplett
• 34:14 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Alana Miles from the Lawrence Headquarters Branch, as well as author Lyn Liao Butter Collins about her latest thriller, What is Mine. 

• Intro and Welcome
• 3:29 Interview with Alana Miles
• 13:38 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 16:58 Interview with Lyn Liao Butler
• 29:28 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Kelly Newman from the Circulation Team at the Hopewell Branch, as well as Kathleen Collins about her debut novel, Study in Hysteria. 

• Intro and Welcome
• 3:01 Interview with Kelly Newman
• 13:50 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 18:22 Interview with Kathleen Collins
• 32:59 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Edward W. Bullock, President of the Trenton Literacy Movement about his debut picture book, Warren Goes to Grandpa's , as well as long-time writer, Karen Outen about her upcoming debut novel, Dixon, Descending.

• Intro and Welcome
• 4:16 Interview with Edward W. Bullock
• 19:28 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 22:33 Interview with Karen Outen
• 35:40 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Rebecca Eaton, Hollowbrook Branch Manager, as well as historical fiction author, Louise Fein, about her upcoming book, The London Bookshop Affair.

• Intro and Welcome
• 5:22 Interview with Rebecca Eaton
• 14:59 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 18:14 Interview with Louise Fein
• 34:02 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Tara Nunn from Circulation at the Robbinsville branch, as well as fantasy author, Greta Kelly, about her recent release, The Queen of Days.

• Intro and Welcome
• 3:39 Interview with Tara Nunn
• 13:42 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 16:30 Interview with Greta Kelly
• 27:38 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Marcia Wolf from Circulation at the Lawrence Headquarters branch, as well as picture book author, Scott Rothman, about his recent release, Basketball Town.

• Intro and Welcome
• 3:38 Interview with Marcia Wolf
• 12:42 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 16:31 Interview with Scott Rothman
• 32:24 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Molly Reinero from Youth Services at the Lawrence Headquarters branch, as well as picture book author, Dianna Wilson Sirkovsky, about her recent release, Just One Pebble. One Boy's Quest to End Hunger.

• Intro and Welcome
• 3:37 Interview with Molly Reinero
• 13:51 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 17:16 Interview with Dianna Wilson Sirkovsky
• 30:27 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview James Dunham from Circulation at the Ewing branch, as well as award winning author, Catriona McPherson, about her upcoming release, Hop Scot, which is the sixth installment of her Last Ditch Mysteries series.

• Intro and Welcome
• 3:37 Interview with James Dunham
• 13:51 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 17:16 Interview with Catriona McPherson
• 30:27 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

In two separate interviews, Bob and Anna talk with USA Today bestselling author, Kerri Maher about her recent release, All You Have to Do Is Call, as well as award-winning journalist and best selling author, Karma Brown, about her latest book, What Wild Women Do.

• Intro and Welcome
• 3:32 Interview with Kerri Maher
• 17:56 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 20:43 Interview with Karma Brown
• 32:09 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Michael Kerr from Adult Services at the West Windsor Branch, and Charise Harper, the award-winning author and illustrator of numerous children's books and series.

• Intro and Welcome
• 4:05 Interview with Michael Kerr
• 12:03 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 15:41 Interview with Charise Harper
• 27:46 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna talk with Hickory Corner staff member, Chip McAuley, who is a member of the NJLA Intellectual Freedom Subcommittee, as well as Pulitzer prize-winning science writer, Ed Yong, about his book, An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us.

• Intro and Welcome
• 5:21 Interview with Chip McAuley
• 12:20 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 15:26 Interview with Ed Yong
• 35:19 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Brielle Papaccio from Youth Services at the West Windsor Branch, and Saadia Faruqi, author of the popular "Yasmin" series, about her debut middle grade graphic novel, Saving Sunshine.

• Intro and Welcome
• 1:35 Interview with Brielle Papaccio
• 13:31 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 17:15 Interview with Saadia Faruqi
• 29:57 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Diana Chico from the Circulation Department at the Hightstown Memorial Library Branch, and author Roberta S. Kuriloff about her recent memoir, Framing a Life: Building the Space to be Me.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:27 Interview with Diana Chico
• 13:06 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 17:04 Interview with Robert Kuriloff
• 28:26 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Lydia Weltmann from the Administration Office at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch, and author-illustrator, Abi Cushman. 

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:58 Interview with Lydia Weltmann
• 11:08 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 14:56 Interview with Abi Cushman
• 29:17 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview MCLS Library Commissioner, Dennis Waters, as well as the internationally bestselling author, Shari Lapena.

• Intro and Welcome
• 4:48 Interview with Dennis Waters
• 18:40 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 21:26 Interview with Shari Lapena
• 33:49 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Dana Chin from Hickory Corner's Circulation Department, as well as bestselling author, Steven Rowley.

• Intro and Welcome
• 4:26 Interview with Dana Chin
• 16:02 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 20:28 Interview with Steven Rowley
• 35:43 Summary and Closing
• Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Jill Long from the Acquisitions and Cataloging Department, as well as romantic comedy author, Pernille Hughes. 

• Intro and Welcome
• 3:39 Interview with Jill Long
• 15:01 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 18:54 Interview with Pernille Hughes
• 32:57 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Kim Livingston, Website Administrator from the MCLS IT Department, as well as Newbery Honor winning author, Gennifer Choldenko.

• Intro and Welcome
• 5:32 Interview with Kim Livingston
• 17:41 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 22:11 Interview with Gennifer Choldenko
• 36:03 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Irene Szymelewicz, Administrative Assistant at the Lawrence Headquarters Administration Office, as well as debut author, Sidney Karger.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:49 Interview with Irene Szymelewicz
• 10:35 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 14:26 Interview with Sidney Karger
• 25:08 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Follow Sidney Karger on Twitter @SidKarger and Instagram @sidkny.

Bob and Anna interview Pamela Price, Director of Library Services at Mercer County Community College, as well as debut author, Ore Agbaje-Williams.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:31 Interview with Pamela Price
• 15:45 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 19:24 Interview with Ore Agbaje-Williams
• 31.26 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Pamela Murphy from Youth Services at the Lawrence Headquarters branch, as well as children's author, Kelly Bennett.

• Intro and Welcome
• 3:56 Interview with Pamela Murphy
• 13:52 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 19:41 Interview with Kelly Bennett
• 34:38 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Kathy Merzena from the Circulation at the Hopewell branch, as well as #1 best-selling, award-winning author, Lisa Scottoline.

• Intro and Welcome
• 3:56 Interview with Kathy Merzena
• 13:52 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 19:41 Interview with Lisa Scottoline
• 34:38 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Sharon Wang, Reference Librarian at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch, as well as discuss with writer, Alex Mar, her new release, Seventy Times Seven.

• Intro and Welcome
• 3:03 Interview with Sharon Wang
• 12:12 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 16:10 Interview with Alex Mar
• 30:09 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Robert Bee, Branch Manager at the West Windsor Branch, as well as Tanaz Bhathena, award winning YA author.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:36 Interview with Robert Bee
• 13:25 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 17:21 Interview with Tanaz Bhathena
• 32:28 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Kim Luke, Reference Librarian at the Hightstown Memorial Library Branch, as well as Leah Henderson, an author for young readers of all ages. Henderson's books have been named a Children’s Africana Book Awards Notable and a Bank Street Best Book.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:16 Interview with Kim Luke
• 11:01 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 16:38 Interview with Leah Henderson
• 30:51 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview David Rosario, Senior Circulation Assistant at the Hickory Corner Branch, as well as Amanda Flower, a USA Today bestselling American writer of mystery novels.

• Intro and Welcome
• 5:08 Interview with David Rosario
• 15:11 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 18:28 Interview with Amanda Flower
• 32:01 Summary and Closing
• Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Dennis Beebe, reference librarian at the West Windsor Branch, as well as Dana O'Neil, senior writer for The Athletic and author of The Big East: Inside the Most Entertaining and Influential League in College Basketball History.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:36 Interview with Dennis Beebe
• 11:55 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 16:20 Interview with Dana O'Neil
• 30:48 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Laura Nawrocik, Head of the MCLS Information Technology Department, as well as multiple award-winning #1 New York Times bestselling author of fast-paced, fun and funny page-turners for kids, Chris Grabenstein.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:13 Interview with Laura Nawrocik
• 11:54 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 17:40 Interview with Chris Grabenstein
• 33:11 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Mercer County Library System staff members celebrate with memories and well-wishes for reference librarian, Ann Kerr, as she heads into retirement after almost 48 years of working at MCLS.  Bob and Anna interview debut author and award-winning screenwriter, Iris Yamashita.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:32 Ann Kerr Tributes
• 10:03 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 14:21 Interview with Iris Yamashita
• 26:20 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Shannon Tuorto, Part-time Library Assistant at the Hopewell Branch, as well as mystery thriller author and award-winning screenwriter and director, Katie Tallo.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2.:52 Interview with Shannon Tuorto
• 13:03 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 16:44 Interview with Katie Tallo
• 31:49 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Bekka Trapp, Youth Services Library Associate from the Twin Rivers Branch, as well as New York Times best-selling, middle grade author, Margaret Peterson Haddix.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2.:47 Interview with Bekka Trapp
• 13:24 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 16:52 Interview with Margaret Peterson Haddix
• 31:33 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Liz Celentano, Circulation staff member from the Ewing Branch, as well as award-winning, romance-comedy author, Bethany Turner.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2.:38 Interview with Liz Celentano
• 11:15 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 16:10 Interview with Bethany Turner
• 30:39 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Katie Barany, MCLS Social Work Intern from Rutgers University School of Social Work, as well as international number-one bestselling author for thrillers, Jeffrey Deaver.

• Intro and Welcome
• 3:25 Interview with Katie Barany
• 13:45 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 17:45 Interview with Jeffery Deaver
• 32:11 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Julia Cuddahy from Adult Services at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch, as well as award-winning an Amazon #1 selling independent author, Kevin G. Chapman.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:42 Interview with Julia Cuddahy
• 12:41 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 16:09 Interview with Kevin Chapman
• 29:18 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Tanusree Ganguly from the Circulation Team at the Robbinsville Branch, as well as, Veera Hiranandani, award-winning author of several middle-grade books, including The Night Diary, and her most recent release, How to Find What You're Not Looking For.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:31 Interview with Tanusree Ganguly
• 12:07 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 15:46  Interview with Veera Hiranandani
• 28:40 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Lisa Auger from the MCLS Acquisitions and Cataloging Department, as well as award-wining writer and novelist Kamila Shamsie.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:59 Interview with Lisa Auger
• 12:25 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 17:32 Interview with Kamila Shamsie
• 28:48 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Bob and Anna interview Shilpa Shanbhag from the Reference Team at MCLS Hickory Corner, as well as The New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist Deanna Raybourn.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:36 Interview with Shilpa Shanbhag
• 13:31 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 17:44 Interview with Deanna Raybourn
• 25:39 Summary and Closing

Pictures of the Community Loom at the Hickory Corner Branch can be seen at:

Bob and Anna interview Joanna Potts from MCLS Instructional Technology, as well as Abdulrazak Gurnah, the 2021 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:14 Interview with Joanna Potts
• 12:58 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 16:53 Interview with Abdulrazak Gurnah
• 30:08 Summary and Closing

Bob and Anna interview Emily Frey, Hightstown Memorial Library's Branch Manger, as well as  author and illustrator, Renee Kurilla.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:15 Interview with Emily Frey
• 12:01 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 14:56 Interview with Renee Kurilla
• 29:58 Summary and Closing

Bob and Anna interview Anna Korn from the Circulation Team at our West Windsor Branch, as well as well as graphic novelist and cartoonist, Aron Nels Steinke, of the early reader graphic novel series, Mr. Wolf's Class.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:34 Interview with Anna Korn
• 12:56 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 16:49 Interview with Aron Nels Steinke
• 31:37 Summary and Closing

Bob and Anna interview Marygrace Billek, Director of Human Services for Mercer County, as well as well as Synithia Williams, contemporary romance author.

• Intro and Welcome
• 1:43 Interview with Marygrace Billek
• 16:56 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 20:39 Interview with Synithia Williams
• 32:51 Summary and Closing

Bob and Anna interview their colleague from the Hopewell Branch, Pete Ronaghan, as well as best selling fantasy romance author, Elise Kova.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:50 Interview with Pete Ronaghan
• 12:16 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 15:56 Interview with Elise Kova
• 28:44 Summary and Closing

Bob and Anna share their experience doing the run, as well as interviews with Building Maintenance Worker, Rob Henderson, and staff writer at The New Yorker, Ben McGrath, about his recently released biography about Dick Conant, Riverman: An American Odyssey.

• Intro and Welcome
• 4:51 Interview with Rob Henderson
• 13:49 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 16:40 Interview with Ben McGrath
• 33:00 Summary and Closing

Bob and Anna interview Gina Bartolino from the library's Administration office, as well as R.S. Mellette, author of the Billy Bobble middle-grade science fiction novels and the new YA science fiction novel Kiya and the Morian Treasure.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:06 Interview with Gina Bartolino
• 13:05 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 17:23 Interview with R. S. Mellette
• 31:13 Summary and Closing

Bob and Anna interview Alyssa Anderson from the Hollowbrook Branch, as well as H. H. Leonards, author of the book, Rosa Parks Beyond the Bus: Life, Lessons, and Leadership, coming out June 19, 2022.

• Intro and Welcome
• 2:01 Interview with Alyssa Anderson
• 12:44 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 17:39 Interview with H. H. Leonards
• 31:46 Summary and Closing

Bob and Anna interview Jen Crabtree from the Youth Services Team at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch, as well as Hannah Dennison, the author behind the Honeychurch Hall, Island Sisters and Vicky Hill cozy mystery series.

• Intro and Welcome
• 1:50 Interview with Jen Crabtree
• 11:59 Programs and Services @ MCLS
• 15:32 Interview with Hannah Dennison
• 31:55 Summary and Closing