The Library is Open

Getting Our IT Together with Justin Denton: The Library is Open Ep. 63

In this episode of the Library is Open Podcast, we have special guest Justin Denton, Chief Information Officer at Illinois Valley Community College! Justin recently hosted a session in our Digital Defense: Cybersecurity for Libraries webinar series called "Small Budget, Big Defense: Free and Low-Cost Tools That Protect Your Library." There were so many useful tips and insights from this webinar that we thought Justin needed to come on the podcast and share more. In this episode, we learn more about Justin's journey to becoming a Senior IT Executive, what he's learned along the way, and his favorite tools to keep systems safe and secure! Check out Justin's next session in our Digtal Defense series here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KZJ-BsIXRTCdrONWBKZINQ#/registration

Library AI Policies with The Memeing Librarian: The Library is Open Ep. 62

The Memeing Librarian (Molly Quinn) is back on the pod!! In this episode, we talk about the Libraries and AI study that Molly conducted and generic policy template that she created. We examine some of the results of these findings, what inspired the study and policy, and how libraries can begin to assess their AI policies if they haven't started yet. Access the study here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thememeinglib/libraries-ai-ai-policies-guidelines-sent [https://buymeacoffee.com/thememeinglib/libraries-ai-ai-policies-guidelines-sent] Access the Generic Employee AI Usage Policy here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thememeinglib/e/520821 [https://buymeacoffee.com/thememeinglib/e/520821] Listen to Molly's previous Library is Open podcast episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHF1DX6pJ5Q&t= [https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=&v=LHF1DX6pJ5Q]

Love Your Library with Shedriek Battle: The Library is Open Ep. 61

February is Library Lovers' Month, and to celebrate, we have a very special guest on the podcast! Shedriek Battle is a library professional and enthusiast who has worked in public libraries for over a decade. In this episode, we talk about the countless reasons why people should love their local library, and how we can be better advocates for libraries and library workers.

Digital Defense with David Daghita: The Library is Open Episode 60

In our latest episode of The Library is Open podcast, we're joined by David Daghita, Library Accounts Supervisor at the Lewisville Public Library! David shares about his extensive experience as a Systems Librarian, his upcoming Digital Defense Cybersecurity webinar, and tech trends and hot topics for 2026. Resources mentioned in episode: * Digital Defense Library Cybersecurity Webinar series [https://bywatersolutions.com/news/bywater-solutions-announces-cybersecurity-essentials-for-libraries] * Koha Global Bug Squashing Week [https://bywatersolutions.com/news/koha-community-announces-global-bug-squashing-week] * koha-US Community Calendar [https://koha-us.org/calendar/]

Stoplights, Roundabouts, and Leadership with Sam Passey: The Library is Open Ep. 59

In this episode of The Library is Open Podcast, Sam Passey returns! Sam Passey serves as the Associate Dean of Library Services at Colorado Mountain College, where he leads a multi-campus team reimagining how libraries support today’s students and communities. In this episode, Sam talks about a new webinar series he is launching with PCI Webinars called Stoplights, Roundabouts, and Leadership: Navigating the Highways and Backroads of Organizational Life & Leadership. This course will explore the “transportation map” of leadership using metaphors like freeways, speedbumps, dirt roads, and roundabouts to examine how organizational structures shapemomentum, creativity, and collaboration. We also talk about some of Sam's greatest insights he's gained as a library leader on vulnerability, stalled progress, and building trust among teams. With more than twenty years of leadership experience, Sam brings a blend of humor, storytelling, and practical insight to his sessions. His work focuses on building trust-based teams, aligning systems with human needs, and helping leaders replace stoplights with roundabouts, so everyone can move forward together. Connect with Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelpassey/