
Brooklyn Public Library is full of stories. Borrowed brings the best of them to you.
Current podcast series:
Borrowed & Returned is a new podcast series that examines what our reading public borrowed in the past, and what we’re all reading now. In conversations with library workers, authors and readers across the country, we’ll return to the books that changed us, and changed America, too.
Pre... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 125 | Founded | 7 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksArtsSociety & Culture | |||

Over forty years after The House on Mango Street came out, Sandra Cisneros is still hearing from readers about how her words healed them. In this episode, the award-winning writer shares the books that were her medicine growing up, and the prescripti... more
Linda Sarsour is a proud Brooklyn-born Palestinian-American activist, writer, and organizer. She’s spent her career building bridges between diverse groups of people, and working to make America a more equitable place. In this episode, she shares the... more
So many authors writing across languages and cultures point to Julia Alvarez’s debut novel, How the García Girls Lost Their Accents, as one of their ancestors. In this episode, we hear from Alvarez about the importance of defending all kinds of stori... more
Celebrations of the nation’s 250th anniversary can feel like a party not everyone is invited to, especially for those whose immigration status is in limbo. In this episode, Haitian-American writer Edwidge Danticat talks about the impact of transnatio... more
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I really enjoy listening to the stories told here and the beautiful way y’all educate the listeners. Thank you
I loved this episode/intro to your podcast 1. You all expanded my intro to the sister’s story, the book store’s righteous transformation as a traumatized community resource
2. Expanded my baby boomer fan girl love of OB’ vision, life work and Parable series
Thank you!
What a captivating episode of Borrowed! I wish I lived in Brooklyn so I could participate in this fun class! I would absolutely tune in for future readings as another option. Sounds like a great way to get people to the library while also providing them an outlet for creativity and expression. Great job Richard! Keep up the fantastic work! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Another example of why I love the Brooklyn Public Library! This program sounds exciting and important. I look forward to hearing more about it. Thank you to talented volunteers like Richard Omar.
This sounds absolutely fantastic! How incredible to have a no- judgement zone class where all are welcome to explore and take a deep dive into these works…all while having fun learning. Thank you for creating a program like this. Please keep it going!! Hats off to Mr Omar
and Miss Markowitz.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
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Apple Podcasts | #222 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Borrowed & Returned tends to center conversations around books, libraries, and the social power of reading. Recent episodes explore censorship, representation in children's literature, and how libraries serve as cultural hubs—whether discussing the lasting impact of classic works, the role of librarians in civil rights-era activism, or the ways authors and educators shape inclusive storytelling. A standout pattern is pairing literary analysis with lived experiences—from prison education and rehabilitation to community resilience in Brooklyn—often anchored by librarians, scholars, and children's authors. Listeners are likely drawn to thoughtful discussions about race, history, censorship, and the transformative potential of libraries as demo... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Borrowed & Returned:
1. NPR's Book of the Day
2. Zero to Well-Read
3. The Daily
4. The Book Review
5. The Interview
Borrowed & Returned launched 7 years ago and published 125 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Borrowed & Returned include:
1. Dr. Kellie Carter Jackson
2. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
3. Art Spiegelman
4. Molly Crabapple
5. Amy Kurzweil
6. Diane Johnson-Feelings
7. Meg Medina
8. Matt de la Peña
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