Library-ish

The Movie Was Better?!—Our Favorite Book-to-Screen Adaptations (+ What’s Coming in 2026)

Wait… can a movie actually be better than the book? In this episode of Library-ish, we’re taking on one of the most debated topics in book and film culture: when adaptations don’t just work—they improve the story. From stronger pacing to unforgettable performances, we’re breaking down the moments where the screen version surprised us (and maybe even changed our minds). We talk about: Why some book-to-screen adaptations succeed where others fall short What changes between page and screen—and why it matters The rare cases where a movie elevates the original story Our favorite adaptations that we think actually did it better Upcoming book-to-screen adaptations to watch in 2026 Whether you’re firmly in the “the book is always better” camp or open to a few controversial takes, this episode is for you. 📚 Want to compare for yourself? Check out the original books and adaptations at your local library. ------------------------------------------- 🎙️ *Library-ish* is a podcast by the Butte County Library, where we explore books, literacy, and the role libraries play in our communities. 📚 Visit your local branch or explore our online catalog to discover more authors and stories. The Library-ish Podcast delves into libraries & librarianship within the context of culture and community. Library-ish podcast:⁠ https://www.buttecounty.net/2085/Library-ish-the-Butte-County-Library-Pod⁠ Butte County Public Library website: ⁠https://www.buttecounty.net/528/Library⁠ Our programming calendar: ⁠https://buttecounty.librarycalendar.com/events/month

Find Your Library Joy! | National Library Week

What does it really mean to *find your joy*—and what does the library have to do with it? In this special National Library Week episode, we explore how libraries create space for curiosity, connection, and quiet moments of happiness in a world that rarely slows down. From the nostalgia of Reading Rainbow to the modern-day impact of librarian and advocate Mychal Threets, we’re diving into the ways libraries have always been designed to support not just learning—but *living*. We talk about: * What “library joy” actually looks like in real life * Why libraries are one of the last truly free public spaces * How reading, discovery, and community create meaningful moments * The lasting impact of *Reading Rainbow* and how its message continues today * Simple ways you can reconnect with your library (no pressure, no expectations) Whether you’re a lifelong library lover or haven’t stepped inside one in years, this episode is your invitation to rediscover what makes libraries so special. ✨ This National Library Week, find your joy—your library is waiting. The Library-ish Podcast delves into libraries & librarianship within the context of culture and community. Library-ish podcast:⁠ https://www.buttecounty.net/2085/Library-ish-the-Butte-County-Library-Pod⁠ Butte County Public Library website: ⁠https://www.buttecounty.net/528/Library⁠ Our programming calendar: ⁠https://buttecounty.librarycalendar.com/events/month

Women Who Changed the Literary World | Women’s History Month

Who gets to define literature — and whose voices get remembered? In honor of Women’s History Month, this episode of Library-ish explores the women who didn’t just write books — they transformed the literary world. From authors who published anonymously or under male pseudonyms to those who reshaped entire genres, we’re highlighting the writers who expanded what stories could be told and who those stories were for. We discuss the impact of authors like Mary Shelley, Jane Austen, George Eliot, Virginia Woolf, Zora Neale Hurston, and Toni Morrison — along with trailblazing library leader Clara Stanton Jones, whose work helped ensure these voices remain accessible. Together, their contributions challenge us to think more deeply about literary history, representation, and the evolving idea of what counts as “literary.” 🎧 Listen now and discover how these women changed not just books — but the entire landscape of literature. — 🎙️ *Library-ish* is a podcast by the Butte County Library, where we explore books, literacy, and the role libraries play in our communities. 📚 Visit your local branch or explore our online catalog to discover more authors and stories. The Library-ish Podcast delves into libraries & librarianship within the context of culture and community. Library-ish podcast:⁠ https://www.buttecounty.net/2085/Library-ish-the-Butte-County-Library-Pod⁠ Butte County Public Library website: ⁠https://www.buttecounty.net/528/Library⁠ Our programming calendar: ⁠https://buttecounty.librarycalendar.com/events/month

Decluttering Books 101: A Librarian’s Guide to Letting Go

Is your bookshelf inspiring you… or stressing you out?  In this episode of Library-ish, librarians Traci and January share practical, no-guilt advice on how to declutter your bookshelves without regret. We’re talking about why it’s so hard to let go of books, how libraries “weed” collections professionally, and how you can curate a bookshelf that reflects who you are now — not who you used to be.    If you’ve ever wondered:  * How do I declutter books without feeling guilty?  * How do I decide which books to keep?  * What’s the right way to donate books?  * Is it okay to get rid of unread books?    This episode is for you.    We’ll walk you through a simple, librarian-approved system for spring cleaning your books, including the four-pile method, key decision-making questions, and what to do with books you’re ready to release.    Remember: owning books and reading books are two different hobbies. Choose the one that serves you.  —  📚 Need something new for your refreshed shelves? Browse our catalog or download Libby to get started.    🎧 Subscribe for more bookish conversations from Library-ish.     The Library-ish Podcast delves into libraries & librarianship within the context of culture and community. Library-ish podcast:⁠  https://www.buttecounty.net/2085/Library-ish-the-Butte-County-Library-Pod [https://www.buttecounty.net/2085/Library-ish-the-Butte-County-Library-Pod]⁠   Butte County Public Library website:  ⁠https://www.buttecounty.net/528/Library [https://www.buttecounty.net/528/Library]⁠   Our programming calendar:  ⁠https://buttecounty.librarycalendar.com/events/month [https://buttecounty.librarycalendar.com/events/month]

The History of Black Reading Spaces | Library-ish Podcast

Long before equal access to public libraries existed, Black communities created their own reading spaces—often in secret, often with great risk, and always with purpose. In this Black History Month episode of Library-ish, we explore the history of Black reading spaces and the powerful role reading has played in community, resistance, and survival. From literacy during enslavement to churches, homes, barbershops, salons, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities, we look at how reading spaces were created when access to books and libraries was denied. We want to be clear: we are not historians or subject-matter experts. We are librarians who believe deeply in access to information. This episode is meant to educate, to share what we’ve learned, and to help guide listeners toward trusted resources if they want to continue learning. This conversation is not exhaustive—it’s an invitation. 📚 Resources mentioned in this episode include: * National Museum of African American History and Culture * The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture * Library of Congress African American history collections * HBCU libraries and archives * Your local public library ## 📚 Sources used & Further Reading * Advertising Week. *Black Barbershops and Salons: The Custodians of Culture.* (https://advertisingweek.com/black-barbershops-and-salons-the-custodians-of-culture/) * African American Intellectual History Society (AAIHS). *Rethinking Early Slave Literacy.* [https://www.aaihs.org/rethinking-early-slave-literacy/](https://www.aaihs.org/rethinking-early-slave-literacy/) * Duke University Libraries. *Slave Letters Collection Guide.* (https://library.duke.edu/rubenstein/research/guides/slaveletters) * Duke University Press. *Forgotten Readers.* (https://www.dukeupress.edu/Forgotten-Readers) * JSTOR Daily. *Freedom Libraries and the Fight for Library Equity.* (https://daily.jstor.org/freedom-libraries-and-the-fight-for-library-equity/) * Library of Congress (Teaching with Primary Sources). *Education in Enslaved Communities.* (Aug. 2022) (https://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2022/08/education-in-enslaved-communities/) * National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6934089/](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6934089/) * Oakland Literacy Coalition. *Literacy by Any Means Necessary: The History of Anti-Literacy Laws in the U.S.* (https://oaklandliteracycoalition.org/literacy-by-any-means-necessary-the-history-of-anti-literacy-laws-in-the-u-s/) * Picturing Black History. *Learning in Secret Places.* (https://picturingblackhistory.org/learning-in-secret-places/) * Princeton University (Steven A. Knowlton). *Rapidly Escalating Demand…* (PDF) (https://steven-knowlton.scholar.princeton.edu/sites/g/files/toruqf3746/files/steven.a.knowlton/files/rapidlyescalatingdemand.pdf) * Public Discourse. *Article 84434.* (2022) (https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2022/09/84434/) * Reading Partners. *Literacy: Path to Freedom and the Cost of Illiteracy.* (https://readingpartners.org/blog/literacy-path-to-freedom-illiteracy/) * Wikipedia. *Anti-Literacy Laws in the United States.* (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-literacy_laws_in_the_United_States) * Wikipedia. *Third Place.* (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place) If you’d like help finding books, primary sources, or databases on this topic, your library is a great place to start. 🎧 Subscribe for more conversations about libraries, books, and the role libraries play in preserving history and building community. The Library-ish Podcast delves into libraries & librarianship within the context of culture and community. Library-ish podcast:⁠ https://www.buttecounty.net/2085/Library-ish-the-Butte-County-Library-Pod⁠ Butte County Public Library website: ⁠https://www.buttecounty.net/528/Library⁠ Our programming calendar: ⁠https://buttecounty.librarycalendar.com/events/month