Rockford Reads: Curated by Your Library Crew

Historian, Dr. Kat Williams and her book All the Way: The Life of Baseball Trailblazer Maybelle Blair (Rebroadcast)

With the grand reopening of Beyer Stadium just around the corner, we're bringing back this episode featuring Author and International Women’s Baseball Center CEO, Kat Williams.  Join us for an exhilarating conversation with Lara Griffin, RPL podcast host, and historian Dr. Kat Williams. Women's baseball has been a lifelong passion for Kat, beginning when she was a girl playing in the streets and fields around her home. This dedication led her to author three books on women who have been a part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). In this episode, she discusses her latest work, All the Way: The Life of Baseball Trailblazer Maybelle Blair, showcasing her commitment to women's sports and her mission to uncover these hidden stories. The Rockford Public Library has hard copies of the book as well as an e-book at Rockford Public Library.  Additional information about the opening of Beyer Stadium is available here: Grand Re-Opening of Beyer Stadium at Maybelle Blair Park [https://www.gorockford.com/event/grand-re-opening-of-beyer-stadium-at-maybelle-blair-park/31213/]

The Stories Hidden in Plain Sight: Author Andrew Mertzenich on His book, Forest City Yester-Queer

In this episode, we sit down with author Andrew Mertzenich to discuss his book, Forest City Yester - Queer, a groundbreaking exploration of Rockford's LGBTQ+ history. Our conversation explores the importance of preserving local history, uncovering stories that were once hidden, and why understanding the past helps us better understand our communities today. Whether you're interested in history, storytelling, LGBTQ+ experiences, or the people who helped shape the communities we call home, this episode offers a fascinating look at the stories waiting to be found.

Forest City Stories: Neil Bloom on Film, Community, and Rockford

What does it take to build a filmmaking community from the ground up in a mid-sized Midwest city? Bridget Finn, RPL Marketing Director, sat down with Neil Bloom- writer, director, and founder of Future Films, and the Rockford Public Library’s newest Artist in Residence - for a conversation about storytelling, ego-free sets, and why he believes Rockford has everything it needs to support a thriv9ng creative community.  Neil talks about his journey from theater kid to filmmaker, the vision behind Forest City cinema Community, what it means to call RPL’s Nordlof Center home, and the five short films he and his collaborators have been quietly building toward a big night on May 30th. This one is for every Rockford creative who’s ever wondered if this city is the right place to make something real. Tickets to the Neil Bloom Short Film Showcase are $10 at this link. JR Sullivan Theater at RPL’s Nordlof Center, Saturday, May 30th – doors open at 6PM screenings are at 7PM.   Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/neil-bloom-short-film-showcase-tickets-1988600601932?aff=oddtdtcreator [https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventbrite.com%2Fe%2Fneil-bloom-short-film-showcase-tickets-1988600601932%3Faff%3Doddtdtcreator&data=05%7C02%7Clgriffin%40rockfordpubliclibrary.org%7Ca85cb5348b894dd2fb9f08debb491c6f%7Ce73a7f369d084f5fb663eb6df1fe46d3%7C0%7C0%7C639154119871306897%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=KjHV%2B4jE1xkOGCP2TbgoBKH%2Fm0LTNMuPpDW%2FIMfjWQo%3D&reserved=0]

Unearth a Story: Discover Summer Reading at Rockford Public Library

Kick off summer with curiosity, creativity, and reading! In this episode, East Branch Manager Erin Birdsong joins us to share how the Summer Reading Challenge brings the Rockford community together—one book at a time.

Threads that Bind: Celebrating Ramadan Through Global Fashion

We’re proud to partner with the Muslim Women of Rockford to celebrate culture, connection, and community at Rockford Public Library.  In our latest podcast episode, Bridget Finn sits down with Sameena Zahurullah to talk about the special Ramadan Storytimes and the beautiful exhibit, "Threads that Bind: Ramadan, Dress, and Service,"  now on display in the Elias Cosper Gallery. Together, we explore how these programs create space for learning, understanding, and shared experiences across our city. Listen now and be inspired by the power of partnership.