Episodes
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Ep 63: Open Book 2026
Our Open Book Festival is Sunday, November 8. Emma Radesovich and Claire McElroy give us the inside scoop on this fun, fantastic event taking place at the Ferndale Events Center!
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Ep 62 Deaf & Hard of Hearing Conversations with Rosie, Joy and Tasia
WCLS staff members, Rosie Everson, Tasia Ross and Joy McGrath discuss the September 12 Community Conversation with the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing coming up at the Ferndale Library and the $10,000 grant from the Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities that funded...
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Ep. 61: Mike and Kim Finger
In which we sit at the kitchen table with Deming Library patrons, Mike and Kim Finger and our old friend Vernon Leibrant to talk about community and libraries and apple farming!
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Ep. 60: Surprise Selection with Mary Kinser and Sarah Miller
Mary Kinser and Sarah Miller chat about Surprise Selection, our fun and easy book recommendation program.
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Ep. 59 Summer at the Library with Claire McElroy and Mary Vermillion
Claire and Mary talk about the wonderful things happening at Summer at the Library this year.
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Ep. 58: Hot Takes from WCLS Staff
As the winter weather approaches, we thought we would ask our coworkers for their hot takes on what is great about the library. We asked, "What is one thing you wish EVERYONE knew about the library?" We did not know what the responses would be and I feel like we just scratched the surface of...
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Ep. 57 Jason LaClair and Marty Jimmy
WCLS Nooksack Cultural Liaison Marty Jimmy and Coast Salish artist/muralist Jason LaClair sit down for a conversation about indigenous art, friendship and growing up, traditions and cultural legacies, and much more at the Deming Library where Jason created and installed a mural of Salmon Woman…
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Ep. 56: Thank You Whatcom County Voters!
Thank You, Whatcom County Voters! On Tuesday, August 5, Whatcom County voters approved a levy lid lift for the Whatcom County Library System. This allows us to continue to provide great service and offerings to county residents. In this special episode we talk with WCLS Trustee Matthew Santos,...
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Ep 55: Rod Lofdahl and Christine Perkins
In this episode we have a conversation with WCLS board chair Rod Lofdahl and executive director Christine Perkins. We touch on all sorts of topics. Stay tuned to the end for an unexpected lesson on viking history!
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Ep. 54 Intellectual Freedom Award Winners
A conversation with Mary Kinser, Jonathan Jakobitz, Emma Radosevich and Hana Boxberger, Washington Library Association's 2025 Candace Morgan Intellectual Freedom Award Winners for their work in developing a Right to Read training for WCLS staff.
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Ep. 53 Erica Bauermeister & Claire McElroy-Whatcom READS Wrap up
Our interview with No Two Persons author, Erica Bauermeister and a Whatcom READS wrap up with WCLS Adult Programing Coordinator, Claire McElroy.
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Ep. 52: Whatcom READS: Claire McElroy & Wes Weddell
Claire McElroy and Wes Weddell tell us about a new addition to the Whatcom READS author visit: MUSIC inspired by the book, performed by local musicians and organized by the Bushwick Book Club of Seattle!
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Ep 51: Janie Chang and Kim Morris at Open Book
Author Janie Chang and artist Kim Morris talk about their work and their love of libraries. Kim's cardboard sculpture of a dragon named Lloyd will be at our Open Book festival on Sunday, November 3, from noon to 5:00 p.m. along with Janie Chang who will be speaking about her books and…
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Ep 50: Clara Jacobson's 100th Birthday
We talk with Clara Jacobson, a volunteer for the Friends of the Ferndale Library, who celebrates her 100th birthday on September 27, 2024.
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Ep 49: Mariya Farmagey and Erin Suda
We check in with long-time WCLS staff and new branch managers Mariya Farmagey and Erin Suda. Mariya is now the branch manager for North Fork Library and Erin is the new branch manager for Island Library.
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Ep. 48: Catherine's Wedding and Birch Bay Vogt Library
A wedding at the Ferndale library and excited Birch Bay residents talk about their new library!
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Ep 47: Mango with Maggie Mae
We discuss our free Mango Languages app with WCLS Learning Coordinator Maggie Mae Nase who is a world traveler and a lifelong learner.
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Ep. 46 Cynthia French and A Forest of Words
Poet and WCLS Communications Specialist Cynthia French joins us to talk about the intersection of libraries and poetry.
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Ep. 45: YAI Podcast interview with Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe
We feature an episode from the Young and Indigenous (YAI) Podcast from Children of the Setting Sun Productions. YAI hosts, Cyrus James and Wykeklyaa Curleybear talk with Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe about her book Red Paint and about life and everything else. Sasha's powerful memoir, Red Paint, is…
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Ep 44 Digital Literacy with Christine Perkins and Tamar Clarke
Christine and Tamar stop by to tell us about the Digital Literacy webpage (https://www.wcls.org/digital-literacy/) they have created in cooperation with the University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public through a grant from the National Science Foundation.
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Ep 43 Claire McElroy and Whatcom READS
Claire McElroy is our Adult Programming Coordinator, wrangling speakers, authors, events and workshops for WCLS and Whatcom READS. Is the job as fun as it sounds? Tune in to find out!
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2023 Wrap Up with Christine Perkins
Mary Vermillion chats with Executive Director Christine Perkins about the eventful 12 months that were 2023 and the exciting library events and activities that will take place in 2024. Also, a call to write in and give us some feedback. Send comments to [email protected]
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Ep. 41 WCLS Gift Guide for 2023
Our WCLS book selectors sit down and discuss several of the books in our Gift Guide publication, available at WCLS library branches. Two conversations, our adult selectors, Lisa Gresham, Mary Kinser and Emma Radosevich discuss their picks and three of our Youth Services selectors, Thom…
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Ep 40 Open Book Recap and Shush with Debi
Listen to folks at our Open Book Festival and get a glimpse at the man behind the microphone as we share an excerpt from Puyallup Public Library's podcast, Shush!...with Debi in which Debi turns the tables on me and interviews me at the Deming Library.
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Ep. 39 Open Book Festival
Find out about the Open Book Festival happening on Sunday, November 5, 2023. WCLS Executive Director Christine Perkins and Village Books Co-owner Paul Hanson talk about this "book lover's dream day" and all the "bookish experiences" to be had there.
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Ep 38: Jerry Steinhilber & Whatcom Grooves
We caught Jerry after his trio performed among the stacks in the Ferndale Library and we discussed jazz and kids and the importance of libraries. And the one record album he recommends we all listen to.
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Ep. 37 Sarah & Hana: Summer Reading Update
Sarah Lavender and Hana Boxburger update us on the lively and exciting Summer Reading 2023 activities and we get a surprise announcement about our Whatcom Million Trees Project partnership! Transcript
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Ep 36: Whatcom Grooves with Liz Andre, Deb Wibe, Nancy Wyan and Brett Green
Find out about our Summer Jazz Series. Transcript
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Ep 35 Summer Reading 2023 - Whatcom Million Trees Project
Sarah Lavender discusses our Summer Reading program and our partnership with Whatcom Million Trees Project and then we take a walkin the woods with Whatcom Million Trees Executive Director Michael Feerer as he and his crew of volunteers remove English Ivy from the trees in Cornwall Park.
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Ep 34: Washington Library Association Conference 2023
14 WCLS staff members visited the Washington Library Association Conference in Wenatchee this year. Find out why and what they did there. Elizabeth Steward gives us her experience at WLA.
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Ep 33: Jess Walter, Whatcom READS 2023 Author
An interview with Jess Walter to kick off the Whatcom READS 2023 Season. Jess comes to town March 2-4 to talk about his historical novel, The Cold Millions. Find out more at whatcomreads.org
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Ep.32: An Oral History of Whatcom READS
Ann McAllen, Linda Lambert, Chuck and Dee Robinson, Paul Hanson and Christine Perkins tell the origin story of Whatcom READS, now in its 15th year.
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Ep 31 Bringing books back to the Sumas Library
We talk to staff who are loading books onto the brand new shelves of the newly remodeled Sumas Library after the flood of November, 2021 caused extensive damage. Bonus, find out who makes the best cinnamon rolls!
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Ep 30 Remembering Joan Airoldi, former Executive Director for WCLS
WCLS’s former Executive Director Joan Airoldi passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 3, 2022. Joan was our leader from 2002 to 2013. She will be remembered as a Library Champion on a multitude of counts: establishing the Whatcom READS program in collaboration with partners at Whatcom...
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”Thank you Joan Airoldi” Bonus Episode
So many people wanted to say thank you to former WCLS Executive Director Joan Airoldi, who passed away on December 3, 2022, that we created a special bonus episode to thank her.
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Ep 29 WCLS Jail Services with Barry MacHale
An interview with WCLS Jail Services PSA, Barry MacHale about the services we provide our incarcerated patrons. Originally produced for our All Staff Learning Day, this episode provides insight into how the WCLS mission of connecting information, ideas, and community is fulfilled through jail...
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Ep 28 Lisa Gresham-Life Cycle of a Book
Collections Manager Lisa Gresham takes us on a tour of her departments that she calls "The Life Cycle of a Book"
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Ep. 27 Sumas Flood, one year later - Carl Crouse, Penny Leenders, Paul Fullner
Sumas and Everson Library Manager Paul Fullner talks with long-time Sumas residents Carl Crouse and Penny Leenders about the devastating flood that occurred in Sumas one year ago. Carl has written a book called The Waters Are Rising: Stories of Inspiration and Hope from the Sumas, Washington…
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Ep. 26 Alix Prior, Theresa Morrison & Sarah Lavender
We welcome new Ferndale branch manager Alix Prior and talk with Theresa and Sarah about the return to in-person Storytimes.
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Ep. 25 Jenn Rick-Library Foundation
Whatcom County Library Foundation Development Director Jenn Rick tells us all about the Foundation and the wonderful things they do to support the library and the community.
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Ep. 24 Clyde Ford Read & Share
Bellingham author Clyde Ford talks to WCLS Collection Development Librarian Mary Kinser about his award-winning memoir and our 2022 Read & Share title, Think Black, as well as his newest non-fiction book, Of Blood and Sweat: Black Lives and the Making of White Power and Wealth.
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Ep. 23 North Fork 11th Anniversary Party
Vern Yadon, Ann Marie Impero and Katrina Buckman at the North Fork Library's 11th Anniversary Celebration.
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Ep. 22 Summer Reading with Sarah Lavender
Sarah Lavender talks about our Summer Reading plans and programs. And we get a handful of book recommendations from Sarah, Mary Vermillion and even your host, Neil! If you listen carefully, you can hear the birds singing. Summer is going to be really fun!
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Ep. 21: Cayla Samms, Jonathan Jakobitz, Emma Radosevich and Marie Guenette
Update on the Sumas Library with Cayla Samms, Jonathan Jakobitz talks about events at Blaine Library and Emma and Marie talk about Young Adult fiction in a jam-packed episode.
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Ep. 20: Poetry Month & PLA Conference
Stories from the Public Library Association Conference in Portland OR and we ask What Does Amy Think About Poetry for National Poetry Month.
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Ep. 19. Whatcom READS Wrap Up
We get a look behind the scenes at Whatcom READS with Emma Radosevich who interviewed author Michael Christie in Deming, Amy Jones who attended our author's Mount Baker Theatre presentation and the author himself, Michael Christie backstage at the theatre before his presentation. See videos of…
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Ep. 18 WhatcomREADS Author’s Week
The first week of March is the culmination of a season of WhatcomREADS events as Greenwood author Michael Christie comes to town for 4 in-person and one live streaming event. We talk to Village Books owner and steward, Paul Hanson about the independent bookstore's role in WhatcomREADS and we talk...
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Ep. 17: Whatcomics
WCLS Teen Services Coordinator Tamar Clarke talks about Whatcomics and A Forest of Words, our annual teen art and poetry publications. We are also joined by Sorrel Thoerner, a WCLS patron, high school student and artist who talks about why Whatcomics is important for teens.
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Ep. 16: Freegal with Rose Momsen, Whatcom READS with Ann McAllen
In this first episode of 2022, Rose Momsen and Neil discuss our streaming music service, Freegal and Ann McAllen, Chair of our Whatcom READS community-wide book club talks about this year's book, Greenwood by Michael Christie and all the events surrounding the upcoming author visit.
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Ep. 15: Blooper Reel
You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. And we couldn't make our podcast without breaking out in laughter. As an end-of-year reward to our faithful listeners, we present some of our broken eggs. Here's to many more omelettes in 2022!