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Circulating Ideas

Steve Thomas
Libraries
Horror Literature
Carl Sagan
The Last Kids On Earth
Where You're Planted
Education
Children's Literature
Dungeons & Dragons
Long-Term Relationships
Science Communication
American Library Association
Generative AI
Weird Sad and Silent
Human Resources
Hurricane Harvey
Time Travel
Community Engagement
Grief
Literature
Bosnian War

the librarian interview podcast

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes101Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Education

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Circulating Ideas

Latest Episodes

Steve chats with Camille Perri, author of the new book, Social Animals, about reluctant dog parents, why librarians should star in a reality show, the loneliness epidemic, and how she balances humor, relationship-building, and mystery to craft her ne... more

Steve chats with Catherine Kurtz, author of the new book Feast, about how her painting and food writing skills contributed to her first novel, why food is the perfect vehicle to connect readers, the feeling of hope at the heart of the book, and a few... more

Kicking off the 2026 Circulating Ideas Summer Reading Spectacular, Steve chats with humorist and librarian Hayley DeRoche, author of the new book, Dress Your Baby in Sage and Taupe: a Handbook for the Sad Beige Parent, about the “sad beige” parenting... more

Steve chats with Jarrett Dapier, writer of the graphic novel Wake Now in the Fire, about his path to librarianship, the story of Chicago public school students fighting back against censorship, the irony of Persepolis being the target of that censors... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Catherine Kurtz
Author of Feast
Author
Episode: 313: Feast by Catherine Kurtz – Summer Reading Spectacular 2026
Steve Thomas
Host and interviewer
Circulating Ideas
Episode: 313: Feast by Catherine Kurtz – Summer Reading Spectacular 2026
Hayley DeRoche
Author of Dress Your Baby in Sage and Taupe, a Handbook for the Sad Beige Parent
Author, Public Librarian
Episode: 312: Dress Your Baby in Sage and Taupe by Hayley DeRoche – Summer Reading Spectacular 2026
Jarrett Dapier
Librarian and author of Wake Now in the Fire
Episode: 311: Wake Now in the Fire by Jarrett Dapier
Dr. Jeremy Shermak
Instructor of journalism at Cuesta College and lecturer at Cal Poly
Cuesta College; Cal Poly
Episode: 310: Journalism Education, AI, and Local News, with Jeremy Shermak
Lynne Thomas
Archivist, author of The Infinite Loop
Smith College/Archivists
Episode: 309: The Infinite Loop: Archives and Time Travel in the Popular Imagination, with Lynne M. Thomas and Katy Rawdon
Katy Rawdon
Archivist/academic author
University/Archives
Episode: 309: The Infinite Loop: Archives and Time Travel in the Popular Imagination, with Lynne M. Thomas and Katy Rawdon
Alex Segura
Author of Enemy of My Enemy and Marvel/Archie writer
Author
Episode: 308: Enemy of My Enemy: A Daredevil Marvel Crime Novel by Alex Segura
Tamika Barnes
Associate dean for Perimeter Library Services at Georgia State University; current president of the Georgia Library Association
Georgia State University; Georgia Library Association
Episode: 307: ALA Presidential Candidates (2026)

Host

Steve Thomas
Host of Circulating Ideas; frequent moderator with a focus on library leadership, education policy, and author interviews.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 46 ratings
  • Love the summer author interview

    Hi Steve,

    Longtime listener. Just want to say I’m really enjoying the summer author series, especially the read-alike suggestions and Novelist tips.

    Kirsten

    Librarian in Ontario.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Smith613
    Canada2 years ago
  • Thanks to Circulating Ideas!

    Thank to Steve for giving a voice to librarians & the issues that impact our communities!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Librarian Troy
    United States5 years ago
  • đź’ˇ Love it! đź’ˇ

    Steve’s thoughtfulness shines through in each episode and I always find a gem (or several) in every discussion. Although library-centric, people in government, education, and evening social services professions will also benefit from list being this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LibraryHillary
    United States7 years ago
  • Timely and Informative

    Steve always picks great guests and topics to discuss. I am not a librarian, but I still find this show fascinating and look forward to hearing the variety of educational and intellectual voices on the pod. I highly encourage anyone who is interested in library science, education, publishing, or cultural discussion to give this a listen.

    The more podcasts like this, the better off we will all be.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Monarchist
    United States8 years ago
  • Terry Gross of Librarians

    This is quintessential listening to librarians and those who are interested in the library field. Steve is a great interviewer with excellent guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yolaleah
    United States9 years ago

Listeners Say

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

High-quality conversations that appeal to education and government professionals.
Thoughtful interviews with a library-centric lens.
Excellent guest variety and practical insights for librarians.

Top Education Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

312: Dress Your Baby in Sage and Taupe by Hayley DeRoche – Summer Reading Spectacular 2026
Q: Before we get into the book, you are a public librarian. How did you get started in the field? What drew you to the field?
Hayley describes growing up as a home-schooled kid, discovering libraries as a second home, and pursuing English in college, which naturally led to a career in libraries and a parallel path in comedy and content creation.
307: ALA Presidential Candidates (2026)
Q: What is the reason people should vote for you, and how can they learn more about your candidacy?
Tamika emphasizes being a builder and prioritizing member engagement, transparency, and strategic alignment; Becky highlights advocacy strength, diversity, and the power of networks, inviting listeners to visit their websites for more information.
307: ALA Presidential Candidates (2026)
Q: What is one thing you wish ALA members understood about the presidency and the organization's operations?
They discuss the three-year arc of involvement versus one-year presidency, the role of the staff and executive director, and the importance of leading a collective effort to advance the profession rather than acting as sole decision-makers.
307: ALA Presidential Candidates (2026)
Q: What inspired you to run for ALA president at this moment, and what unique perspective would you bring?
Tamika and Becky describe a nudge from peers and the opportunity to influence the profession at multiple levels, highlighting their systems-thinking approach, advocacy experience, and leadership within state and national divisions as the core of their candidacies.
307: ALA Presidential Candidates (2026)
Q: What are some of your earliest memories of libraries, and what drew you to librarianship as a career?
Tamika recalls memories of going to the library with her dad, enjoying book sales, and later on working late shifts in a university library that sparked her interest in helping others. Becky emphasizes the influence of her family and teachers who fostered a love of reading, a journey that led her to become a school librarian and eventually a leader within the profession.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Circulating Ideas

What is Circulating Ideas about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful interview series focused on libraries, librarianship, education, and publishing. Across episodes, the host delves into library advocacy, leadership, and how libraries adapt to new technologies, budgets, and community needs, often featuring authors, library directors, and educators who bring practical strategies for Readers' Advisory, program development, and information literacy. Notable strengths include a consistent emphasis on real-world library challenges, cross-sector collaboration, and lively discussions with guests who blend scholarly insight with hands-on experience. Listeners—primarily library staff, educators, and information professionals—will find actionable ideas for advocacy, management, and service design that ar... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Circulating Ideas:

1. The Daily
2. Up First from NPR
3. Maintenance Phase
4. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
5. Book Riot - The Podcast

How many episodes of Circulating Ideas are there?

Circulating Ideas launched 15 years ago and published 101 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 Circulating Ideas?

Recent guests on Circulating Ideas include:

1. Catherine Kurtz
2. Steve Thomas
3. Hayley DeRoche
4. Jarrett Dapier
5. Dr. Jeremy Shermak
6. Lynne Thomas
7. Katy Rawdon
8. Alex Segura

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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