Multnomah County Library Podcasts

Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Ramsey

When Ruth and her parents take a motor trip from Chicago to Alabama to visit her grandma, they rely on a pamphlet called "The Negro Motorist Green Book" to find places that will serve them. Includes facts about "The Green Book.

Audience: Kids and Teens

Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing by Ann Angel

Spreading her wings -- Out of Port Arthur -- Looking for love -- Call on me -- Monterey Pop's poster child -- Cheap thrills, drugs, and self-destruction -- Kozmic Blues -- To love somebody -- Pearl -- Love, Janis.

Audience: Kids and Teens

Tell Us We're Home by Marina Tamar Budhos

Three immigrant girls from different parts of the world meet and become close friends in a small New Jersey town where their mothers have found domestic work, but their relationships are tested when one girl's mother is accused of stealing a precious heirloom.

Audience: Kids and Teens

Energy Island by Allan Drummond

It's windy on the Danish island of Samsø. Meet the environmentally friendly folks who, in a few short years, worked together for energy independence, and who now proudly call their home Energy Island.

Audience: Kids and Teens

Joe and Sparky, Superstars! by Jamie Michalak

When Joe the giraffe and his friend Sparky, a turtle, see a television talent show, Joe tries to find Sparky's talent so that they can compete.

Audience: Kids and Teens

The Big Book of Spy Stuff by Bart King

The secret to success? Know all the secrets! Learn how to escape tricycle-riding assassins. Find out why you can trust women more than men. Discover how squirrels can deliver top-secret messages. Learn the keys to tricking enemy agents. Create a disguise that renders you invisible in a crowd of two.

Audience: Kids and Teens

The Unforgettable Season: the Story of Joe Dimaggio, Ted Williams and the Record-setting Summer of '41 by Phil Bildner

Tells the story of baseball greatest heroes Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams and how during the summer of 1941 they each set records that still stand.

Audience: Kids and Teens

Super Chicken Nugget Boy vs. Dr Ned-Grant and His Eggplant Army by Josh Lewis

When school bully Dirk Hamstone pushes him to the dark side, Dr. Myron Ned-Grant develops an army of evil eggplants bent on world domination and it falls to Fern Goldberg's alter ego to save the world.

Audience: Kids and Teens

Amelia Lost: the Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming

Tells the story of Amelia Earhart's life--as a child, a woman, and a pilot--and describes the search for her missing plane.

Audience: Kids and Teens

Little Pink Pup by Johanna Kerby

Pink, a piglet who is the runt of the litter, is adopted by Tink, a dachshund who is nursing a litter of her own, and Pink is raised in the house along with the puppies.

Audience: Kids and Teens

I Feel Better with a Frog in My Throat by Carolyn Beccia

Audience: Kids and Teens

Orangutans are Ticklish by Steve Grubman

Audience: Kids and Teens

The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh

In 1347, when fourteen-year-old orphan William Paynel, an impoverished servant at Crowfield Abbey, goes into the forest to gather wood and finds a magical creature caught in a trap, he discovers he has the ability to see fays and becomes embroiled in a strange mystery involving Old Magic, a bitter feud, and ancient secrets.

Audience: Kids and Teens

Clink by Kelly DiPucchio

While newer, fancier robots are quickly purchased, Clink, an old-fashioned robot who can only make toast and music, gathers dust and feels downhearted until a young boy enters the shop looking for something special.

Audience: Kids and Teens

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brogol

In this graphic novel, Anya, embarrassed by her Russian immigrant family and self-conscious about her body, feels like she'll never fit in with kids at school. Then she falls down a well, where she stumbles onto a skeleton. And meets a ghost. The ghost needs her help, and offers in return, to help Anya survive in school. At first, having a ghost for a friend is great. Until the ghost starts taking over...

Audience: Teens

Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee

Two roller-skating best friends--one tiny, one tall--share three comical adventures involving outrageously bright socks, an impromptu trek to the Andes, and a most unlikely marvelous companion.

2010 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

Audience: Kids and Teens

I Spy Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold

While playing hide-and-seek with Buzz, Fly Guy is taken away by a garbage man.

2010 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

Audience: Kids and Teens

We Are in a Book by Mo Willems

Gerald and Piggie discover the joy of being read. But what will happen when the book ends?

2010 Theodore Seuss Geisel Award

Audience: Kids and Teens

How Oliver Olson Changed the World by Claudia Mills

Afraid he will always be an outsider like ex-planet Pluto, nine-year-old Oliver finally shows his extremely overprotective parents that he is capable of doing great things without their help while his class is studying the solar system.

A 2012 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award Nominee

Audience: Kids and Teens

Flight of the Phoenix; Nathaniel Fludd Beastologist Book One By R.L.LaEvers

In 1928, when timid ten-year-old Nate learns that his parents have been lost at sea, he joins his father's cousin on a flight to Arabia where they must oversee the death and rebirth of the phoenix, thus beginning his training as a "beastologist."

A 2012 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award Nominee

Audience: Kids and Teens

Judy Moody and Stink; The Mad Mad Mad Treasure Hunt by Megan McDonald

During a weekend trip to Ocracoke Island, siblings Judy and Stink Moody take part in a pirate treasure-hunting game, in which various clues lead them to silver coins, or "pieces of eight," hidden across the island.

A 2012 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award Nominee

Audience: Kids and Teens

Magical Ms. Plum by Bonnie Becker

The students in Ms. Plum's third grade class soon learn that there is something very special about their teacher and her classroom's mysterious supply closet.

A 2012 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award Nominee.

Audience: Kids and Teens

Calvin Coconut; Trouble Magnet by Graham Salisbury

Nine-year-old Calvin catches the attention of the school bully on the day before he starts fourth grade, while at home, the unfriendly, fifteen-year-old daughter of his mother's best friend has taken over his room.

A 2012 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award Nominee

Audience: Kids and Teens

Nubs; The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle  by Brian Dennis

The story of a wild dog who befriended Marine Major Brian Dennis in Iraq, and, when they were separated, trekked seventy miles through the desert winter to rejoin his friend.

A 2012 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award Nominee.

Audience: Kids and Teens

Baseball is one of America's central institutions, and it has long reflected the complicated and painful history of race in the United States. Pride and Passion is an exhibition that tells the story of black baseball players over the past century and a half. Dr. Thabiti Lewis, Associate Professor of English at Washington State University Vancouver and author of the book Ballers of the New School: Race and Sports in America offers an engaging look at the content of this exhibition.

Exhibition open: December 3, 2011 - January 22, 2012

Author and life-coach Sarai St. Julien helps you cope with holidays and crazy days, year-round. Experience a quick and simple relaxation technique you can do anywhere, anytime.

Recorded live at Central Library: November 3, 2011

We often avoid difficult conversations out of fear of conflict, being misunderstood or that the issue won't be resolved. Join Berry Kruijning to learn the three keys to starting and having these difficult conversations.

Recorded live at Central Library: October 27, 2011

Matt de la Peña talks about growing up in National City, poverty, Mexican and White, going to college and becoming a famous author.  Absolutely hilarious!

Examine any part of your life and you will find conflict. This presentation will help you develop a more constructive outlook on this phenomenon.

Recorded live at Central Library: October 20, 2011

(Parts of the audience group discussions deleted)

Night of Sharing. Martha Grover (Somnambulist) will discuss her hilarious zine about family meetings. Families are downsizing and sharing households, and this phenomenon is reflected in her zine.

and. . .

Nicole Georges will present her work Tell It Like It Tiz, a zine that shares anecdotes and stories of the elders at the Marie Smith senior center in Portland. Georges will also discuss her upcoming graphic novel Calling Doctor Laura.

Recorded Live October 11, 2011 at Hollywood Library

Target Audience: Adult

It's never too late to start again. Speaker Jennifer Anderson will identify tools to help you find the perfect career for this time of your life.

Recorded live at Central Library: October 13, 2011

Join us for a discussion of the notion of freedom of information in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Panelists will discuss the Wikileaks disclosures, the uprisings in the Arab world spurred by Facebook and Twitter, media censorship and freedom of the press in places like China, Turkey and elsewhere.

Moderator: Tim DuRoche, Director of Programs at the World Affairs Council of Oregon.

Panelist: David Wolman, author of Righting the Mother Tongue: From Olde English to Email, the Tangled Story of English Spelling.

Panelist: Jeff Golden, political activist, radio personality, politician and author.

Panelist: Peter Laufer, author and the James Wallace Chair in Journalism at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication.

Recorded live at Central Library: October 1, 2011

Comics and Art Coming Together. Ebin Lee, cartoonist and student at Pacific Northwest College of Art, talks about getting started in comics. Does going to art school improve your art? Which school is the right one? And how do you make your way as a person of color in the mainly white world of comics and art?

and. . .

Aron Nels Steinke, cartoonist and teacher, talks about his comics. How does writing for kids, adults and oneself fit together? How important is it to maintain a life outside of art and where does inspiration ultimately come from? What is the difference between self-publishing and working with a larger book publisher? Steinke will also discuss his two new comics Super-Duper Dog Park and Big Plans, No. 5.

Recorded live at Central Library, U.S. Bank Room, October 18.2011

Target Audience: Adult

Annie Murphy, editor of Gay Genius, a comics anthology, explores just what it means to be exceptional and LBGT in the past, present and future,

and...

 Asian Pacific Islander Pride Zine presenter Sally Moon Lee shares the diversity of Asian gay culture in Portland through this compilation zine.

Recorded live at North Portland Library, October 4, 2011.

Target Audience: Adult

Put humor into your messages without jeopardizing your career. Gabriel Boehmer will include real-life examples from his career as a Fortune 500 communications consultant and local author.

Recorded live at the Central Library: October 6, 2011

Grow your business successfully and enhance your interactions by building better relationships. Discover the real value of networking through the art of conversation.

Recorded at Central Library: September 29, 2011

Zines rock! PORTLAND rocks! ...and on August 3, your library rocked! Zinesters present their rock'n' roll publications for your enjoyment, edification and rock-ification. Featuring:

Music from Growler

Roz Ballard - Rozine

John Isaacson Ride the Lightning and Feedback

Jen Sbragia Diary of a Metal Girl

Kevin Cross Radio and Truly Crucial Rock n Roll

Recorded live at Central Library, U.S. Bank Room, August 3, 2011

Target Audience: Adult

About 300,000 youths are trafficked for sex each year nationwide, according to the U.S. Justice Department. When Jessica Richardson was 17 years old she became a victim of this illegal industry and was trafficked throughout the west by her pimp. She's since escaped the life and is a Gresham businesswoman, teaching people how to save money on groceries.

Moderated by Emily Harris, host of Think Out Loud, OPB's daily public affairs talk show.

Recorded at Central Library: June 5, 2011

Zora and Me by Victoria Bond and T.R.Simon

A fictionalized account of Zora Neale Hurston's childhood with her best friend Carrie, in Eatonville, Florida, as they learn about life, death, and the differences between truth, lies, and pretending. Includes an annotated bibliography of the works of Zora Neale Hurston, a short biography of the author, and information about Eatonville, Florida.

Audience: Kids and teens

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

Sixth-grader Tommy and his friends describe their interactions with a paper finger puppet of Yoda, worn by their weird classmate Dwight, as they try to figure out whether or not the puppet can really predict the future. Includes instructions for making Origami Yoda.

Audience: Kids and teens

The Search for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi.

Living in isolation with a robot on what appears to be an alien world populated with bizarre life forms, a twelve-year-old human girl called Eva Nine sets out on a journey to find others like her. Features "augmented reality" pages, in which readers with a webcam can access additional information about Eva Nine's world.

Audience: kids and teens

Where the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Thirteen-year-old Hayaat of Bethlehem faces check points, curfews, and the travel permit system designed to keep people on the West Bank when she attempts to go to her grandmother's ancestral home in Jerusalem with her best friend.

Audience: Teen

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

From sixth grade through tenth, Raina copes with a variety of dental problems that affect her appearance and how she feels about herself.

Audience: Kids and teens.

The Secret Life of Ms. Finkelman by Ben H. Winters

Spurred by a special project from her social studies teacher, seventh-grader Bethesda Fielding uncovers the secret identity of her music teacher, which leads to a most unusual concert performance and a tutoring assignment.

Audience: Kids and Teens

You know you can borrow all sorts of things from the library, but how about borrowing someone else's shoes? We invite you to check out a fresh perspective and get the answer to the question, "what's it like to be someone else?"

This session's speaker is Terris Harned, 32 years old, bipolar, and a student of life. He has been experiencing houselessness off and on for 9 years.

Moderated by Emily Harris, host of Think Out Loud, OPB's daily public affairs talk show.

Recorded at Central Library: May 21, 2011

Join Deborah Kass-Ray, MS, LCSW, parent educator and psychotherapist in a workshop that explores building self-esteem in children. Learn about your child’s unique temperament, strengths and challenges, and how to promote a strong parent-child relationship. Explore your own temperament and identify specific parenting strategies to help your child better manage the daily ups and downs.

The roots of conflict are in the ways that we talk with and respond to each other. Learn ways to have ethical conversations to resolve conflict.

Recorded at Central library: May 12, 2011

Explore life from a different perspective in this series that allows you to hear "what it's like to be..." In this podcast you'll hear Emily Harris speaking with Muna Abshir Mohamud. Muna settled in the west 11 years ago as a refugee of her war-torn homeland of Somalia. Since then, she has worked on refugee rights and resettlement issues; post 9/11 education and advocacy work. A passionate educator, Muna believes that education through honest and respectful dialogue is an effective way to counter prejudicial and intolerant attitudes in our communities.

Recorded: May 7, 2011

Explore ways to build leadership and collaboration skills that develop more effective teams.

Recorded May 5, 2011

Author and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Brent Walth talks about lessons learned as a writer and teacher. Learn skills he wishes he had 30 years ago.

Recorded April 28, 2011

From self-published mini-comic zines to traditional comic books, manga and graphic novels, comics are a seriously big deal in our community, home to big-time publishers, small presses and independent artists. Speakers Dylan Williams, of Sparkplug Comics, Dark Horse Executive Editor Diana Schutz, PSU Special Collections Librarian and Archivist Cris Paschild, and independent comics creator Julia Gfrorer discuss the cultural and economic significance of comics. The panel discussion was followed by Julia Gfrorer reading her comics Too Dark to See and Ariadne auf Naxos, with the assistance of Jesse Reklaw.

Recorded live at Central Library, U.S. Bank Room, April 14, 2011.

Target Audience: Adult

Speaker Berry Kruijning leads an exploration of internal barriers to listening. Gain practical tips to improve your listening skills, equipping you to build authentic and dynamic relationships.

Recorded April 14, 2011

On Sunday, April 10, 2011, an enthusiastic crowd of Devon Monk fans came to hear the author read from her upcoming book and talk about her writing. She started by reading from her soon to be published "Dead Iron: the age of steam", the first book in her new steam punk fantasy series. She then took questions from the audience which included many questions about her ongoing Allie Beckstrom urban fantasy series which takes place in Portland. Her latest book in that series, "Magic on the Hunt", just came out on April 5. (about 72 minutes)

VoiceCatcher presents prose and poetry from its fifth women writers anthology. The work of several contributing authors will be highlighted. VoiceCatcher's mission is to publish an anthology of Portland-area women's writing reflecting a diversity of voice and genre. They offer a local publishing opportunity that respects, nurtures and promotes local artists.

Web site:                http://www.multcolib.org/events/writers.html

Baba Wagué Diakité is a well known artist and storyteller from Mali, West Africa. Before Mali was a country, it was a great empire whose deeds are still passed down from generation to generation. Baba will tell the 13th century epic story of the creation of the Mali Empire from Sogolon the Hunchback Woman--the spirit of the Buffalo and Maghan the Handsome—the spirit of the Lion. Their invalid son, the great Sundiata Keita grows up to unite the twelve kingdoms of Mali and create one of the greatest empires of Africa.

My Rotten Life by David Lubar

Tired of continually having his feelings hurt by popular students and bullies, fifth-grader Nathan agrees to try an experimental formula, Hurt-Be-Gone, and becomes a half-dead zombie, a condition which, he soon discovers, has some real advantages.

Speaker: Joaquin Sampson

My Life in Dog Years by Gary Paulsen

The author describes some of the dogs that have had special places in his life, including his first dog, Snowball, in the Philippines; Dirk, who protected him from bullies; and Cookie, who saved his life.

Speaker: Joaquin Sampson

The only boy in Superopolis with no superpower, Ordinary Boy discovers there are some talents even better than superpowers.

Charley makes new friends, meets his neighbor, and scares his new friends.

Allie Finkel tries to sabotage her family's planned move.

Babymouse enters the Downhill Derby with the help of her friend, Wilson.

No one appreciates one little girl's sincere help.

The Dodgeball Chronicles by Frank Cammuso

Artie King's hopes for easing into life at Camelot Middle School are dashed when he opens a mysterious locker filled with useful, wonderful items and is pulled into a do-or-die dodgeball game that pits Artie and his friends against the school's toughest kids.

Speaker: Joaquin Sampson

How to Draw 101 Things that Go by Dan Green

Learn how to draw 101 things that go! It’s easy! Follow the simple step-by-step drawings and you will soon be amazing all your friends with your newfound art skills!

Speaker: Joaquin Sampson

When A.J. tells his teacher that he hates school, his teacher tells him that she hates school, too.

Queen learns not to be so bossy from a new and surprising friend.

Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel

In 1973, when a renowned Canadian behavioral psychologist pursues his latest research project-- an experiment to determine whether chimpanzees can acquire advanced language skills-- he brings home a baby chimp named Zan and asks his thirteen-year-old son to treat Zan like a little brother.

Audience: Teen

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

Sixteen-year-old Gemma, a British city-dweller, is abducted while on vacation with her parents and taken to the Australian outback, where she soon realizes that escape attempts are futile, and in time she learns that her captor is not as despicable as she first believed.

2011 Prinze Honor Award

Audience: Teen

Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick

Finland, 1910: Fifteen-year-old Sig is shocked to see a hole in the frozen lake outside his family's cabin and to find his father's corpse nearby. Why did Einar steer his dog sled across the lake instead of taking the safer land route? Sig's sister and stepmother go for help, leaving Sig alone with Einar's body in the cabin. Soon after, an armed stranger barges in, demanding a share of Einar's stolen gold.

2011 Prinze Honor Award.

Audience: Teen

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

In a futuristic world, teenaged Nailer scavenges copper wiring from grounded oil tankers for a living, but when he finds a beached clipper ship with a girl in the wreckage, he has to decide if he should strip the ship for its wealth or rescue the girl.

2011 Prinze Award Winner

Audience: Teens

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker is the daughter of a drifter who, in the summer of 1936, sends her to stay with an old friend in Manifest, Kansas, where he grew up, and where she hopes to find out some things about his past. She discovers a hidden cigar box full of mementos, including some old letters that mention a spy known as the Rattler. These mysterious letters send Abilene and her new friends, Lettie and Ruthanne, on an honest-to-goodness spy hunt. The more Abilene hears, the more determined she is to learn just what role her father played in that history.

2011 Newbery Award winner.

Audience: Teens and Kids

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead

Amos McGee, a friendly zookeeper, always made time to visit his good friends: the elephant, the tortoise, the penguin, the rhinoceros, and the owl. But one day--'Ah-choo!'--he woke with the sniffles and the sneezes. Though he didn't make it into the zoo that day, he did receive some unexpected guests.

2011 Caldecott Award Winner

Audience: Kids

Central Library hosts readings and presentations commemorating Oregon's late poet laureate.

Host: Joseph Soldati
Featured Speakers: Greg Simon, Donna Henderson, Elizabeth S. Johnson, Willa Schneberg, Don Colburn

Recorded January 30, 2011

Multnomah County is excited to have a two year grant to promote financial literacy among at-risk families and seniors. Over the past six months, we have been busy enhancing our collection, building a web site, and offering workshops. In December, we started distributing promotional materials about the Smart Saving program. This presentation talks about the Smart Saving program and also includes short talks from representatives from non-profit and community organizations that are providing financial services to the public. Given by Joanne Kahn and guest speakers

Stress is an inevitable byproduct of life. Speaker Karl Starkweather will introduce you to techniques to recognize stress triggers, let go of no-productive patterns, release tension and improve concentration.

Recorded February 24, 2011

Presented by Director of Libraries Vailey Oehlke to the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on February 17, 2011.

Too often we seek a magical wizard to show the way to success when we have the power within us the whole time. Discover the keys to unlocking a whole new level of success.

Recorded February 10, 2011

Portland’s walking expert Laura Foster has recently released her latest book, "The Portland Stairs Book: Walks, Views, Stories." Join the author as she shares with you the best and most interesting staircases in Portland. Covering 207 staircases (and 10,155 steps), Foster’s journey combines geology, architecture, history and horticulture to tell the amazing stories of twenty outdoor staircases.  The stairs include the Willamette River Bridge Stairs, The Westover Terraces Steps and Rocky Butte’s Grand Staircase.  Presented at Hollywood Library January 23, 2011.
More information about Laura Foster can be found on her website at:
http://www.portlandhillwalks.com/

Discover the roots of conflict and the mediation skills needed to find effective solutions. Learn how to have discussions that are balanced, direct and fair.

Recorded: February 3, 2011

Change isn't always about completely letting go of the old. The best changes blend your history and core values with a new focus to move forward. Explore strategies to help you plan for change.

Recorded: January 27, 2011

Budget living without feeling the pinch: Chelsea Baker (Olympia) presents Cheap Cookin': A Beginners Guide to Affordable Cooking and Raleigh Briggs (Seattle) shows how to Make Your Place: Affordable, Sustainable Nesting Skills.

Recorded: September 7, 2010

Are you ready to start dipping into your retirement funds?  You worked a long time to build that nest egg, so you'll want to minimize the tax impact and know the rules to consider.  A certified public accountant from the Oregon Society of CPAs will walk you through different scenarios for taking distributions from 401k and IRA accounts, and will also touch on social security benefits and pension and annuity income.

Speaker: Selene Peterson, Oregon Society of CPA's

Recorded: January 12, 2011

Want the secret to getting along better with people very different from you? Join speaker Sally Rhys for a short survey and short lecture, followed by tips to have more satifying interactions with others.

Recorded at Central Library: January 20, 2011.