29/09/2023
Check out the newest episode!
Episode 1: The One With My Friend John Howard, Director of the Mahomet Public Library (IL)
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/readreturnrepeat/episodes/Episode-1-The-One-With-My-Friend-John-Howard--Director-of-the-Mahomet-Public-Library-IL-e29u896
On the first true episode of the podcast, host *Almost* Dr. Laura Pitts brings on her library colleague John Howard, known to many of her friends as "John from Illinois." The discussion talks about programming that works and doesn't work, what it's like to go back to library school later in life, the concept of libraries as safe places, exploring the strengths of fellow staff members, and how James Patterson is just...everywhere.
** Please note that it should reflect John and Laura met in Fargo, North Dakota - not Illinois, as for some reason my head not in the right place when i mentioned that! - Laura **
John is the Director of Mahomet Public Library, two hours downstate from Chicago and just outside Champaign-Urbana, IL, home of the University of Illinois and its top-ranked library school. He worked as a fundraiser and a nonprofit consultant for 20 years before fate, karma and the Great Recession of 2008 led him to a job at the Alliance Library System.
In 2014, at the age of 47, John returned to school to get his Masters in Library Science. Two years later he received both his master's and his first job as a library director, at the Farmington Area Public Library outside of Peoria, IL.
John has now worked at the Mahomet Library for nearly five years. He currently serves as President of his local Rotary Club, on the Board of the Rolling Prairie Digital Consortium, and on the Conference Committee for the Illinois Library Association.
John favors science fiction, fantasy and an eclectic mix of nonfiction. He is currently reading One Summer: America 1927 by Bill Bryson as his breakfast book, and How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse by K. Eason in his car.
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/readreturnrepeat/episodes/Episode-1-The-One-With-My-Friend-John-Howard--Director-of-the-Mahomet-Public-Library-IL-e29u896
On the first true episode of the podcast, host *Almost* Dr. Laura Pitts brings on her library colleague John Howard, known to many of her friends as "John from Illinois". The discussion talks about programming that works and doesn't work, what it's like to go back to library school later in life, th...
