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Borrowed & Returned

Brooklyn Public Library
Censorship
Browse the Branches
Drag Story Hour
Brooklyn Public Library
Gender Queer
Community Engagement
New York City Public Libraries
Flamer
Book Bans
Brooklyn
Toni Morrison
LGBTQ+ Representation
Diversity In Literature
Beloved
Librarianship
Book Challenges and Bans
Storytelling
Protests
Books Unbanned
American Library Association

Brooklyn Public Library is full of stories. Borrowed brings the best of them to you.

Current podcast series:

Launching July 8, 2025, 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 cha... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes117Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsSociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

When Silent Spring came out in 1962, it was an instant best-seller and led to the establishment of the EPA, as well as the ban of harmful pesticides such as DDT. But Rachel Carson’s seminal work also shifted our way of thinking about nature. For the ... more

Molly Crabapple is an artist and writer who documents the extremes, from nightclubs to war zones. She’s also the author of several books, including Drawing Blood and Brothers of the Gun, a memoir of the Syrian War co-written with Marwan Hisham. We sa... more

Art Spiegelman is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the graphic novel Maus, the story of his parents’ experience during the Holocaust. We got to sit down with Spiegelman at Brooklyn Public Library’s recording studio earlier this month to talk abou... more

Art Spiegelman’s Maus almost single-handedly elevated comics from throw-away inserts in newspapers to a serious literary art worthy of winning the highest award in book publishing. But it’s not an accident that this book is coming back to us now. Mau... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Art Spiegelman
Famous cartoonist known for his graphic novel "Maus"
Episode: Maus and the Power of Images
Molly Crabapple
Artist and writer known for her work on conflict and the implications of fascism.
Episode: Maus and the Power of Images
Amy Kurzweil
Cartoonist and author of graphic memoirs about her grandparents' experiences during WWII.
Episode: Maus and the Power of Images
Diane Johnson-Feelings
Professor of English at the University of South Carolina, studying the history of African-American children's books
University of South Carolina
Episode: How The Snowy Day Changed Children’s Books
Meg Medina
Writer of books for teens and kids; served as the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature
Library of Congress
Episode: How The Snowy Day Changed Children’s Books
Matt de la Peña
Writer of YA books and picture books for kids; received a Newbery Medal
Episode: How The Snowy Day Changed Children’s Books
Don Dumas
History teacher in San Diego County, honored as the San Diego County Teacher of the Year in 2020
San Diego County
Episode: The Legacy of Howard Zinn's Radical History
Nick Witham
History professor at University College London, author of 'Popularizing the Past'
University College London
Episode: The Legacy of Howard Zinn's Radical History
Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
Renowned scholar of Native American history, author
Beacon Press
Episode: The Legacy of Howard Zinn's Radical History

Host

Virginia Marshall
Writer, producer, and audio producer with a focus on storytelling that engages communities and highlights impactful narratives.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 219 ratings
  • What the Parable of the Sower

    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!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Home girl from D
    United States2 months ago
  • When the Library’s a Stage

    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! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lola & Pixie's Mom
    United Statesa year ago
  • When the Library’s a Stage

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JFA Bk
    United Statesa year ago
  • When The Library’s A Stage

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LMeryl
    United Statesa year ago
  • When The Library’s A Stage

    Really enjoyed this episode, and what a wonderful workshop. Excellent!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dbjus
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There is strong admiration for the insights provided by both hosts and guests, resonating with their experiences and knowledge.
Many express excitement about learning from diverse voices and the impact of literature on personal and community growth.
Overall, the podcast is described as a heartwarming and enriching experience, with listeners eagerly awaiting new episodes.
The podcast is recognized for fostering important conversations around censorship and access to literature.
Listeners appreciate the engaging storytelling and the informative nature of episodes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#154
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#69
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#182
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#224
Germany/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#114
Hong Kong/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#178
Hong Kong/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Book Riot: The Untold Story of Black Librarians
Q: Could you talk on it a little bit?
Rodney explains that 'Are You a Librarian?' explores both historical and contemporary aspects of black librarianship, emphasizing its role in the struggle for freedom and education.
Matt de la Peña on Small Stories and the Power of Perspective
Q: Why is it important to have diversity in picture books for kids?
Diversity in children's books fosters empathy among readers by allowing them to see lives and experiences outside their own.
Meg Medina on Latine Stories and Reading as a Family
Q: What do you think about the political dynamics affecting children's books?
Meg believes current movements against diversity in literature are part of larger political dynamics, affecting picture books specifically.
Meg Medina on Latine Stories and Reading as a Family
Q: What organization are you involved with regarding diversity in children's books?
Meg co-founded We Need Diverse Books to advocate for a publishing pipeline that represents diverse voices and communities.
Meg Medina on Latine Stories and Reading as a Family
Q: How did it feel to be the first Latinx ambassador?
Meg expressed pride in representing Latin kids while also feeling it was a little scary and hopeful, believing she was the first but not the last.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Borrowed & Returned

What is Borrowed & Returned about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast showcases compelling stories surrounding the mission and impact of libraries, with a focus on the dynamic role they play in society. Episodes explore a variety of topics, such as the power of literature in shaping perspectives, the challenges posed by censorship, and the diverse narratives within children's literature. Conversations frequently feature library workers, authors, and readers, providing insights into how literary works have influenced individual lives and broader social movements. A highlight is the emphasis on community resilience amid contemporary issues, as well as the exploration of historical contexts that shape local narratives. The podcast endeavors to bridge past and present literary engagements, fostering ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Borrowed & Returned?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Borrowed & Returned:

1. NPR's Book of the Day
2. Fresh Air
3. Proxy with Yowei Shaw
4. Zero to Well-Read
5. Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club

How many episodes of Borrowed & Returned are there?

Borrowed & Returned launched 7 years ago and published 117 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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What guests have appeared on Borrowed & Returned?

Recent guests on Borrowed & Returned include:

1. Art Spiegelman
2. Molly Crabapple
3. Amy Kurzweil
4. Diane Johnson-Feelings
5. Meg Medina
6. Matt de la Peña
7. Don Dumas
8. Nick Witham

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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