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Borrowed & Returned

Brooklyn Public Library
Censorship
Browse the Branches
Brooklyn Public Library
Gender Queer
New York City Public Libraries
Community Engagement
Flamer
Book Bans
Brooklyn
Diversity
Toni Morrison
LGBTQ+ Representation
Diversity In Literature
Beloved
Book Challenges and Bans
Librarianship
Representation
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes119Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsSociety & CultureBooks

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Borrowed & Returned

Latest Episodes

Today we’re bringing you a really interesting episode from our friends at This Guy Sucked, a podcast hosted by historian and writer Claire Aubin about the worst people in history. Each episode, Claire sits down with an expert to pull back the scholar... more

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist, climate scientist and activist. Recently, she sat down with Jordan Kisner, of the Thresholds podcast, to talk about our climate future. You may have heard clips of their conversation in our last epis... more

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

Key Facts

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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

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 222 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 States6 months 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 States7 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 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.

Listeners appreciate the podcast for its engaging storytelling and the way it elevates important literary discussions.
Reviews highlight the podcast's ability to connect personal experiences with broader societal issues, making the content relatable and thought-provoking.
Many find the exploration of censorship and social justice themes particularly resonant and timely.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#207
Singapore/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#217
Philippines/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#218
Hong Kong/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#241
Indonesia/Arts/Books

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.

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Gender Skew
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Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Borrowed & Returned

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

The discussions focus on the intersection of literature, society, and culture, highlighting the role of libraries, the challenges they face, and the stories of those who rely on them. A recurring theme includes exploring the impact of censorship and the representation of marginalized voices in literature. Additionally, guests often provide personal anecdotes that connect literary works to broader social issues, revealing the transformative power of reading and community engagement. This series also invites listeners to reflect on the books that have influenced their lives, positioning libraries as essential spaces for dialogue and change in society.

What stands out is the podcast's commitment to advocating for social justice and inclusion,... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Borrowed & Returned?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Borrowed & Returned:

1. Code Switch
2. Zero to Well-Read
3. Poetry Unbound
4. NPR's Book of the Day
5. It's Been a Minute

How many episodes of Borrowed & Returned are there?

Borrowed & Returned launched 7 years ago and published 119 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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