Listen to the best library podcasts for librarians, avid readers, and educators. Tori and I have MLIS degrees, have worked in public libraries, and blog about books, so these podcasts are important to us.
Each podcast on this list focuses on timely and relevant topics, including readers’ advisory, AI, censorship, and funding. Learn how to support underserved populations and discover how to diversify library offerings with the community in mind. Many of these podcasts will help with ordering, classroom lessons, leadership, and programming. Libraries are more than just (amazing) books on shelves, after all.
Afterward, you might also like these good book review podcasts, books about books and reading, and books featuring libraries and librarians.
10 Best Library Podcasts Right Now
Please note that we update this article to remove podcasts that have stopped airing new episodes within a year or more unless the content is relevant/helpful today.
Circulating Ideas
A great library podcast for the 21st century, Circulating Ideas facilitates conversations about the innovative ideas that keep libraries updated and current. It’s no secret that with information at our fingertips, the role of the library has been called into question.
How, with the internet, AI, and smart devices, can the brick-and-mortar library survive?
But the host, Steve, begs us to reconsider what many consider a dying profession. His episodes draw thoughtful conversation about those who keep the library current and impactful, especially when it comes to underserved and diverse populations.
Circulating Ideas reminds listeners that libraries are a wealth of information and resources, including digital ones, and that librarians are still essential.
Library Leadership Podcast
From ensuring your library system is supporting neurodivergent staff and volunteers to making the most out of collected data, become a better (or potential) leader at your library with the Library Leadership Podcast.
This is a terrific podcast for library administration and support staff looking to optimize employees’ skills, resources, and funding, paired with ideas for how to better serve the community and bridge gaps. Listen to topics about sexual harassment, increase civic engagement, and improve workplace dynamics.
FYI: The Public Libraries Podcast
FYI: The Public Libraries Podcast is hosted by Public Libraries Online, the digital magazine published by the highly respected Public Library Association (PLA). With a mission to address the changing needs and interests of public librarianship, the podcast aims to equip public librarians with valuable content and resources to address their ever-changing professional landscape.
As one of the best public library podcasts, FYI: The Public Libraries Podcast discusses racial equality, staff diversity, outreach for the formerly incarcerated, social services, and additional DEI topics. More topics include technological innovation, community outreach, books, authors, and programming.
Book Club for Masochists
Book Club for Masochists is a readers’ advisory-focused podcast, helping librarians become experts in all genres – even the ones they don’t like to read! Most experts feature a specific, randomly picked genre, including domestic thrillers, military fiction, gender, holiday romance, and many, many more.
As librarians, we appreciate how specific some of their episodes get, and we chuckle at their “hate reads” episodes. The podcast also discusses additional topics related to readers’ advisory and ordering, like moving collections, digital and audiobooks, and reading challenges. Book Club for Masochists is an essential podcast if you’re a readers’ advisory or reference librarian.
The Library Pros
From a librarian and information tech professional, listen to a podcast interviewing staff at Libro.fm to publishers and other librarians and library administration staff around the globe. The Library Pros tackle current issues like AI, and will let you geek out with history, technology, and indie bookstore information.
Lost in the Stacks (Radio Show)
Lost in the Stacks is technically a radio show, but it’s also a mash-up of music meets academic library podcasts. Affectionately called the “research library rock’n’roll show,” Lost in the Stacks shares music sets, interviews, and library conversations, including relevant political ones in these trying times.
School Librarians United
In a world of classrooms and kid-lit, library media specialist Amy Hermon seeks to create a library podcast specifically dedicated to running a successful school library. Tune into the ins and outs, as well as the unique challenges, that school librarians face.
Hermon interviews other school librarians and discusses topics such as TikTok, content warnings, manga, bibliotherapy, DEI, circulation software, management, and so much more. Of course, there are episodes dedicated to books, including book recommendations, book-based programming, and collections, as well. If you are or are considering becoming a school librarian, School Librarians United is a must.
Library Punk
Library Punk is one of the left-leaning library podcasts, hosted by library workers chatting politics, library musings, and how they intermingle. Not surprisingly, they don’t shy away from conversations about Pride, diversity, book bans, and intellectual freedom.
Asking the big questions is fair game for Library Punk, and the conversations and interviews featured are thoughtful, engaging, and, quite frankly, necessary. The funny and intelligent hosts don’t shy away from foul language and antics, either. Listeners will undoubtedly be entertained but also challenged in the way they think about the library and the profession of librarianship.
I Blame My Shelf
From the Hillsboro Public Library, I Blame My Shelf discusses books, media, gaming, and pop culture, and is committed – as most librarians are – to helping others find the next best thing to watch, read, or play.
Each month, staff discuss monthly book releases and have many other literary-oriented episodes, including summer reads, graphic novels, and genre-themed round-ups. They’ve also tested out board games, created library ASMR, hosted watch parties, played trivia, and used their library of things to showcase how the library can help patrons problem-solve with their offerings.
I Blame My Shelf is a true gem in the world of library podcasts; not only is it fun and unique, but it reminds listeners of just how diverse the library’s collections are.
Stump the Librarian
One Michigan library – the Kent District Library – is putting librarian knowledge and research skills to the test! Librarians Jill and Liz use their librarian minds and library resources to answer questions submitted by listeners. Think, do fish get thirsty? How do cruise ships float? How do tornadoes happen? What animal poops squares?
Along the way, they recommend books, resources, activities, and websites. Stump the Librarian is one of our favorite library podcasts to listen to with kids and curious learners. Introduce little ones to the wonderful world of information and keep your brain active while listening!
More Library Podcasts To Try
Just a few more podcasts to add to your listening queue:
- A Little Too Quiet – “Libraries aren’t as quiet as they used to be. A podcast for library lovers and the library curious. Book chatter with librarians, community perspectives, and author interviews.”
- Sounds from the Shelves – “What is the B-side of library life all about? Here’s a hint: it’s not just books.” – from the Salt Lake County Library
- The Gamer Librarian Podcast – For information on video games and books.
- Libraries Lead! – A vast variety of information, including education, employment, training & jobs, and disasters & emergency preparedness, with a focus on libraries and information.
Backlist Podcasts For Librarians
(Last aired in 2024 but may still be helpful.)
Call Number With American Libraries
Library hauntings, cybersecurity, author interviews, outreach, and program planning are just some of the conversations had on Call Number, a podcast by the American Library Association’s American Libraries magazine. Each week (currently through December 2024), the Call Number tackles a different topic about the shifting roles of the library and its staff.
Plus, listen to stories of library renovations, sustainability, juicy debates, such as banned books, and more niche aspects that might not have been on your library radar, like medical librarianship… and ghosts in the book stacks.
Call Number is one of the few library podcasts that showcases the breadth and depth of library services while providing a solid resource for librarians and library professionals.
Do you have a favorite library podcast? We are always adding to our listening lists. Please let us know in the comments.