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Borrowed & Returned

Brooklyn Public Library
Censorship
Brooklyn Public Library
Diversity In Literature
Children's Literature
Book Bans
The Snowy Day
Brooklyn
Community Engagement
Children's Books
Drag Story Hour
Browse the Branches
Civil Rights Movement
Maus
Holocaust
Graphic Novels
Picture Books
LGBTQ+ Rights
Gender Queer
New York City Public Libraries
Ezra Jack Keats

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes125Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsSociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

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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Recent Guests

Dr. Kellie Carter Jackson
Associate Professor of Africana Studies at Wellesley College
Wellesley College
Episode: This Guy Sucked: D W Griffith with Kellie Carter Jackson
Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Marine biologist, climate scientist, and activist
Urban Ocean Lab
Episode: Thresholds: Ayana Elizabeth Johnson on the Future That’s Still Possible
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

Hosts

Adra Dusey
Co-host of Borrowed & Returned; librarian and library staffer referenced in episode materials
Virginia Marshall
Writer/producer and host on Borrowed & Returned with deep involvement in Brooklyn Public Library projects
Adwoa Aduse
Co-host at Brooklyn Public Library; often appears as a primary host on Borrowed & Returned

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 224 ratings
  • Thank you

    I really enjoy listening to the stories told here and the beautiful way y’all educate the listeners. Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Grog22PDX
    United Statesa year ago
  • 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 Statesa year 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 States2 years 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 States2 years 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 States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Thoughtful, library-forward storytelling with strong production quality.
Episodes balance academic analysis with accessible, human-interest moments.
Guest diversity consistently adds fresh perspectives on literature and history.
Librarian-focused insights make it especially appealing to education professionals.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#235
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#50
Indonesia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#105
Indonesia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#129
India/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#212
Austria/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#222
India/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

This Guy Sucked: D W Griffith with Kellie Carter Jackson
Q: What would you study if you could choose a different historical subject?
I would probably focus on pre-colonial African history or the history of the Bible due to my fascination with those topics.
Thresholds: Ayana Elizabeth Johnson on the Future That’s Still Possible
Q: Can you tell me something about the world that you're in love with today or this week?
Johnson shares her delight in observing bees dancing around native plants in her garden, highlighting the positive effects of converting a lawn into a space that supports local ecosystems.
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.

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?

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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Which podcasts are similar to Borrowed & Returned?

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

How many episodes of Borrowed & Returned are there?

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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What guests have appeared on Borrowed & Returned?

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

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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