Under the Charter Oak

In this lively episode of Under the Charter Oak, Ashley, Kym, and Matt welcome a special guest from outside the library world, Kristen Bellantuono from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) State Parks. Kristen oversees beloved statewide programs including No Child Left Inside, and the long‑running Sky’s the Limit Hiking and Walking Challenge, which will probably occupy the rest of Kym's year, that leaderboard is everything to her. Together the group discuss how DEEP works to make outdoor recreation safe, educational, and accessible for everyone. Which state parks will you visit this year?What we’re reading:Connecticut State Parks: A Centennial HistoryYesteryear by Caro Claire BurkeThe Children's Blizzard by Melanie BenjaminCutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese Still Live by Louise PennyResource we mentioned:Sky's the LimitNo Child Left Inside Credit:“Wholesome”Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/be/3.0/The Connecticut State Library. Preserving the Past to Inform the Future!

Do you have a famous dog on your van? We do. Today Ashley, Matt, and Kym learn all about Sargent Stubby, the most decorated war dog of WWI and the only dog promoted to Sargent. Where was Stubby from you ask? Where else, Connecticut. Christine Pittsley, Museum Curator at the Museum of Connecticut History joins us on the pod to tell us about Sgt. Stubby, his owner, and the impact Stubby had not only in CT, but across the country and even in a few others! He was small, but he was also mighty!Photos of Sgt. Stubby, the movie premiere, and the visit to France.Credit:“Wholesome”Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/be/3.0/The Connecticut State Library. Preserving the Past to Inform the Future!

CT LAB, also known as the CT Library for Accessible Books, is a FREE service of the CT State Library in partnership with the National Library Service. CT residents who struggle to read a physical book due to visual, physical or reading disabilities can qualify for access to tools such as talking book players, refreshable Braille display machines, a catalog of thousands of books, magazines, and music scores, and so much more. Our guest today is….. Matt Geeza, a host of the show!! He takes Ashley and Kym through the application process, the technology, resources, and the variety of ways that CT LAB services can support CT readers! We’ll have an extra special “guest” make a vocal appearance, and Matt says it’s okay to increase the speed of talking books. Don’t let others lie to you.What we’re reading:The House on Vesper Sands By Paraic O’DonnellThere are Rivers in the Sky By Elif ShafakWhen Women Were Dragons By Kelly Barnhill Resource we mentioned:CT Library for Accessible BooksThe Palace Project AppNational Library ServiceAll CT Reads Credit:“Wholesome”Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/be/3.0/The Connecticut State Library. Preserving the Past to Inform the Future!

What do William Webb, Jordan Freeman, and James H. Williams have in common? They were all black men who lived in Connecticut before the 1900’s, and they’ve all been portrayed as living history figures by Kevin Johnson an employee of the Connecticut State Library’s History and Genealogy department. This month Ashley, Kym, and Matt are joined by Kevin to learn about his research and the creative process that went into brining to life three men from CT’s history. Kevin’s passion for history and education is almost unprecedented, and his enthusiasm is infectious, and we mention Denzel Washington!Can’t get enough of Kevin! Listen to his episode on the Grating the Nutmeg Podcast!What we’re reading:The Leaving Room by Amber McBrideZoey and Sasafrass: Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia CitroThe End of Drum-Time by Hanna PylväinenColores Patriots of the American Revolution by William C Nell Resource we mentioned:Kevin Johnson's performance scheduleThe Connecticut State LibraryHistory & Genealogy: The Nutmeg Navigator BlogThe Voice of Black America by Philip S. FonerBlack Soldiers of the Revolutionary War Credit:“Wholesome”Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/be/3.0/The Connecticut State Library. Preserving the Past to Inform the Future!

Ashley, Kym, and Matt are joined by Kirsten Cappy, the Executive Director of I’m Your Neighbor Books, an organization that cultivates a sense of belonging and engagement with immigrants and new Americans. We dive into the power of storytelling, community building, and cultivating meaningful conversation. Prepare to hear about a lot of books, feel big feelings, and learn about an organization working toward literary access.What we’re reading:·        The Rose Field by Philip Pullman·        The Strongest Heart by Saadia Faruqi·        Looking For Smoke by K.A. Cobell·        Owl Diaries: A Woodland Wedding by Rebecca Elliott·        Rave On: The Biography of Buddy Holly by Philip NormanResources we mentioned:·        I’m Your Neighbor Books·        Diverse Book Finder·        AudioFile MagazineCredit:“Wholesome”Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/be/3.0/The Connecticut State Library. Preserving the Past to Inform the Future!

Ashley, Kym, and Matt are joined by Jennifer Matos, the Administrator at the Museum of Connecticut History at the Connecticut State Library. We learn about the history and mission of the museum, get highlights about various collections and artifacts, and finally learn the (true?) story of the Charter Oak. There was a heist! Oh and the Nutmeg, the seed that gave our beloved state one of its nicknames, may be based on a lie. Dun dun dun.What we’re readingThe Thing of Ours by Frederick JosephLow-Risk Activities by J EfronRebecca by Daphne du MaurierDavid Copperfield by Charles DickensA River Runs Through It by Norman MacleanState resources we mentioned:The Museum of Connecticut HistoryThe Palace Project AppCT ExploredCredit:“Wholesome”Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/be/3.0/The Connecticut State Library. Preserving the Past to Inform the Future!

We have our first guest! Brad Bullis, the CT State Library Digital Content and Innovation Coordinator joins Ashley, Kym, and Matt as we jump out from behind the curtain and take center stage! Much of how the Division of Library Development contributes to the state is hidden and often unknown, but today we discuss our public facing programs designed with Connecticut residents in mind!Today's Guest HostBrad Bullis is the Digital Content and Innovation Coordinator at the Connecticut State Library. He oversees eGO CT, researchIT CT, and other programs. Brad also served in the Connecticut Air National Guard for 34 years.What we’re readingThe Last Chairlift by John IrvingTwice by Mitch AlbomThe Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight by Andrew LelandFall of the Fireflies by Guadalupe García McCallThe Covenant of Water by Abraham VergheseState resources we mentioned:The Palace Project AppGet a Virtual Library CardCT Library for Accessible Books (CTLAB)All CT ReadsAll CT Reads 2026 titles!AdultPrimaryThe Emperor of Gladness by Ocean VuongSecondaryThe Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki BrammerThere are Rivers in the Sky by Elif ShafakHelp Wanted by Adelle WaldmanTeenPrimaryLooking for Smoke by K.A. CobellSecondaryIn Limbo by Deb JJ LeeRuin Road by Lamar GilesThe Summer I Remembered Everything by Catherine Con MorseKidsPrimaryMid-Air by Alicia D. WilliamsSecondaryThe Flicker by H.E. EdgmonSwim Team by Johnnie ChristmasOasis by GuojingCredit:“Wholesome”Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/be/3.0/The Connecticut State Library. Preserving the Past to Inform the Future!

Are libraries quiet study tombs, book repositories, or community spaces? Spoiler alert, they’re all of the above and more. Join Ashley, Kym, and Matt, as they discuss their journeys into the field of librarianship, why none of them planned to apply for jobs at the State Library, crush opinions about what a library should or shouldn’t be, and what they think might be the future of the field.  What we’re readingSilver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno GarciaThe Covenant of Water by Abraham VergheseIt’s All or Nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango State resources we mentioned:The Palace Project AppThe CT Library for Accessible Books Credit:“Wholesome”Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/be/3.0/ The Connecticut State Library. Preserving the Past to Inform the Future!

September is Library Card Sign Up Month and here in Connecticut we have more public libraries than towns! How do you get a library card? What do they have there? Why should I bother? Ashley, Kym, and Matt, librarians from the CT State Library, are here to answer the questions you have and the questions you never thought to ask.What we’re reading:·        The Secret Astronomers by Jessica Walker·        Evil Eye by Etaf Rum·        The Buffalo Hunter by Stephen Graham JonesState resources we mentioned:·        The Connecticut Christmas Movie Trail·        All CT Reads An all-state reading initiative·        Research It Access digital databases and newspapers·        The Palace Project App Access e books and e audiobooks from your local CT public library and the CT State Library in one locationCredit:"Wholesome"Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/The Connecticut State Library. Preserving the Past to Inform the Future!

The CT State Library is a gateway to lifelong learning for all residents and visitors, inspiring a shared and informed future through our diverse, historic, and cultural resources.The Under the Charter Oak Podcast will be a monthly podcast produced and run by Division of Library Development (DLD) staff members highlighting different library projects and initiatives of the CT State Library and partners.Take a listen to what's to come!The Connecticut State Library. Preserving the Past to Inform the Future!