Libraries Lead!
Libraries Lead! is a provocative podcast about all things information & library hosted by Beth Patin (Assistant Professor, School of Information Studies, Syracuse U), Dave Lankes (Professor, iSchool, U of Texas), and Mike Eisenberg (Dean/Professor Emeritus, iSchool, U of Washington). Information age opportunities and challenges affect every aspect of human existence. We wrestle with such topics as social justice, political unrest, mis- and dis-information, kids, family and adult living; education and learning; work, employment, training and jobs; recreation, entertainment, and play; disasters & emergency preparedness with a focus on libraries & information science, services, and systems. 4 segments in approx. 1 hour: WAZZUP, AI WATCH, MAIN TOPIC, and AWESOME LIBRARY THINGY. For Resources & References for All Episodes please go to: https://tinyurl.com/libleadresources
Episodes
57 episodes
Episode 51 (May 2026): The Changing Contours of the Information Field
This episode examines the ascent of library science education from the academic periphery to becoming central to the modern university within Information Schools (iSchools). Over the past fifty years, the field has transformed from a nich...
Episode 50 (April 2026): Open Doors: Libraries as Sanctuary Space
Libraries aspire to be a place where everyone belongs — and in Episode 50, we explore what that commitment looks like in today's world. Far from simply reaffirming tradition, libraries are actively expanding their roles, From welcoming undocume...
Episode 49 (March 2026): It's a Crime! And, that's an INFORMATION Problem.
America's obsession with crime, from Serial to Investigation Discovery marathons, runs deep, and libraries are right there with our patrons, stocking the thrillers and hosting the book clubs. But in Episode 49, Da...
Episode 48 (February 2026): Can Mad Libs be Masterpieces? AI and The Arts!
Some say it’s theft, some call Generative AI a collaborator, many see the underpinnings of AI as simply remixing what is. Yet, the ideas of theft, remixing, and collaboration are all firmly founded in the arts. From pop art to hip hop, the ...
Episode 47 (January 2026): Life in the Digital Fast Lane: Who's Drivin' and Who's Ridin'?
Let’s stop for a moment, take a deep breath, and look around at the world that we humans have created and that we inhabit. Here’s a snapshot of what it's like to live day to day in 2026 with smartphones, the Internet, Web, AI, social ...
Special Episode 46 (Dec 15, 2025): Libraries Lead! xInfoversity Crossover Episode- From Collections to Communities: Reimagining Library Education
In this groundbreaking crossover episode, two podcasts (with Syracuse roots) – Libraries Lead and Infoversity – unite to explore the future of library education. Dr. Beth Patin, Associate Professor and newly appointed Program Director for the M...
Episode 45 (December 2025): What’s a Library—And Who is in Charge?
In case we don't have enough to worry about, in May 2025, a Federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals judge dismissed free speech claims in a public library book removal case in Texas. The Court ruled that library collection decisions are “gov...
Bonus Episode 44+: Saskia Scheltjens, Head of Research Services, Rijksmuseum, the Netherlands.
Saskia Scheltjens is the model of the curious information guru. She has worked in the university and museum world in Belgium and the Netherlands, and is currently Head of Research Services at the Rijksmuseum, the Netherlands. Her work at the Ri...
Episode 44 (November 2025): It’s Mutual! Communities Supporting Libraries and Libraries Supporting Communities
From natural disasters to social unrest to ongoing political and cultural attacks, libraries have consistently stepped up as safe havens, hubs for reliable information, and anchors of resilience. Yes, communities tu...
Bonus Episode 43+: Erik Boekesteijn
Erik Boekesteijn, Senior Advisor National Library of the Netherlands, is a self-described Global Library motivator and Library Pirate. In this bonus episode, Dave and Erik talk about story telling and future thinking.Recorded at the AI i...
Episode 43 (October 2025): You Need a Master's Degree to be a Librarian?
Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s near and dear to us: the pathways into librarianship and the broader information professions—the credentials, the professional development, and, honestly, the things we didn’t learn in library school....
Bonus Episode (Sept 2025) Aaron Chaote is Director of Research & Strategy, University of Texas Libraries
This semester (Autumn 2025), Dave is teaching a course off AI in Cultural Heritage Institutions. For that he is talking with global experts in libraries and museums about AI and its impact. We offer some of these conversations as bo...
Episode 42 (September 2025): Dumb and Dumber: The Year of Being Dumb
There has been an assault on knowledge institutions in the past 8 months. Added to attacks on libraries are attempts to shape and control universities, museums, and federal agencies like the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the N...
Episode 41 (May 2025): IMLS The Little Agency That Could
Aughhhh!!! We knew this was coming, but it still hurts – even more. As part of the chain-saw destruction of much of the US federal government, the Institute for Museum and Library Services has been eliminated to the maximum extend of the ...
Episode 40 (April 2025) March Madness - Info Style
With Dave on vacation, Beth & Mike also take a break from the challenges and issues facing the library & information field. Since both are both avid sports fans and since it’s “March Madness” (college basketball’s post-season extravagan...
Episode 39 (March 2025): Looking at the World Through Information-Colored Glasses
All three of us are hopelessly biased. We look at the world through “information-colored glasses.” This means that when we engage in any and all aspects of human life – work, play, learning – we can’t help but consider what’s going on fro...
DeepSeek AI Watch Feb 2025 Episode 38 bonus
From the Libraries Lead Podcast - February 2025, AI Watch Segment. In this 12 minute video, Dave Lankes explains why DeepSeek is such a big deal. Then, he blows our minds by demonstrating how DeepSeek works and maybe even ... think...
Episode 38 (Feb 2025): Stop Calling Them Customers!!
Library & information science for decades has focused on the “user” perspective in systems and services. This includes HCI (human-computer interaction), interfaces, features in search and catalog systems, and ways of improving ...
Episode 37 (Jan 2024): Show Me the $$
In the beginning … of our dot com digital age (roughly from the late 1970s) … there was a expectation that information and computer technology (ICT) would be a boon to society. Technology could be liberating rather than oppressing. The hope was...
BONUS EPISODE 36+ - NotebookLM
Dave explores NotebookLM’s podcasting feature. NotebookLM is an AI system from Google that lets you create a workspace around documents that summarizes, creates study guides, and much more. One of the features is creating an “Audio Overview” th...
Episode 36 (DEC 2024) – The Days After - What Now?
The election is over, and the reactions are emotional and raw. Some people are cheering; others crying. America is still as divided politically and socially as the day before. Putting those things aside, let’s look ahead from an information &am...
EPISODE 35 (NOV 2024) A Once in a Lifetime...Again and Again and Again
Natural and human-made crises, disasters, emergencies, and catastrophes. Whatever the cause (climate change, poverty, disease, overpopulation, war), it's undeniable that communities and individuals are continually facing daunting problems and c...
BONUS INTERVIEW (September 2024) - Rebekah Cummings, Librarian & 2024 Candidate for Lt. Gov of Utah!
Rebekah Cummings is interviewed by Dave Lankes. Rebekah was chosen to run with Gubernatorial candidate, Brian King. He described Rebekah as:“A mom. A public servant. A librarian. A defender against book banning and censorship. Utah...
Episode 34 (October 2024) AI-Corrosion (and Repair!) of Trust in Public Institutions
Corrosive AI: Effects On and Expanded Roles Of Libraries and the Information FieldSigh. It’s not enough that our instantly and continually connected information environment has eroded trust everywhere—including in our public inst...
Episode 33 (May/June 2024): TikTok—Is the Clock Really Ticking for TikTok?
TikTok! Used regularly by over half the US population, why do so many either love or loathe TikTok? Is it simply a fun and terrific platform for creating, sharing, and consuming content? Is it an addictive, mental health hazard destroying Ameri...