Exploring the Midwest

Southern Libraries Staying Active

We're heading south to explore libraries in South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi. These libraries had many firsts and continue to do so much! Thanks to Amherst, Virginia [https://townofamherstva.com/amherst-county-public-library/] for adding to our collection as well. South Carolina - Anderson Library [https://www.andersonlibrary.org/]; Florida - Zephyrhills Public Library [https://pascolibraries.org/]; Georgia - Brooks County Public Library [https://brooks.public.lib.ga.us/]; Alabama - Daphne Public Library [https://daphneal.com/178/Public-Library]; Tennessee - Pigeon Forge Library [https://www.cityofpigeonforgetn.gov/195/Library]; Mississippi - Waynesboro Wayne County Public Library [https://www.wwcls.lib.ms.us/]

Beaches and Birthplaces

We continue our celebration of America with four more states and a territory. Tune in to hear about unique foods, festivals, and facilities along the southeast coast and in the North Pacific. We'd like to thank the Queen Anne's County Library (Maryland), Bristol Public Library (Virginia), Ohio County Public Library (West Virginia), Spangler Branch of the Cleveland County Library (North Carolina), and the Guam Public Library (Guam).

Celebrating Culture and Uniqueness with the Rozos

We were happy to have a conversation with Allison and Rafael Rozo, authors of Diego Fuego the Firefighting Dragon and Unique Like You. Allison is an Orrville native. She and Rafael found a passion writing picture books together sharing Latin American culture and the joy of celebrating who you are and where you're from. Find their books and more at RozoBooksArt.com [www.rozobooksart.com].

5th Local Author Festival Chats

Our 5th Local Author Festival was on March 21, 2026. Twelve authors were new to the event and sat down to chat about their books and writing. The interviews in this episode include Don Ake [www.donake1.com], Jim Duffey [https://rionhallpublishing.com/], Irv Korman [www.irvkorman.com], Jack Kristofco [https://www.orchpress.com/index.php/en/], Brad Rice [https://bradrice.com], S.E. Rood [https://www.sarahelizabethrood.com], S.A. Schneider [sa-schneider.com], G.E. Stroud [HTTPS://www.reflectionsinrhyme.com], Jane Ann Turzillo [https://www.janeannturzillo.com], and Lori Wilkerson [https://search.orrville.lib.oh.us/Record/a8249051?searchId=43515055&recordIndex=1&page=1&referred=resultIndex].

Coasting down the East Coast

The next stops on our U.S. exploration take us down the east coast a little more. Libraries in Connecticut, New York, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania shared some fun facts that we're passing on to you. Thanks to the Canton Public Library, CT, Northport-East Northport Public Library, NY, Millsboro Public Library, DE, Cape May County Public Library, NJ, and Punxsutawney Library, PA!