How I Library

In episode 14 of the How I Library podcast, show host Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with Vicky Jenson, Glenn Slater, and Alan Menken, the director, lyricist, and composer, respectively, of the animated musical, "Spellbound." Jenson, Slater, and Menken are behind some of the most acclaimed film and stage productions ever created. Jensen is the Oscar-winning director of "Shrek;" Slater is the lyricist of "The Little Mermaid," "Sister Act," and "School of Rock" on Broadway; and Menken is the Emmy-, Grammy-, Oscar-, and Tony-winning composer behind "Little Shop of Horrors," "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," "Newsies," and many more. They have come together to create "Spellbound," a new animated musical on Netflix about a young princess whose parents are monsters—literally. How her parents became that way—and how they can revert to their original form—is the crux of the film, and it’s not a simple story. It’s one about family strife, and how it impacts parents and their children alike. It’s serious, but also buoyant and fun. Jenson, Slater, and Menken join the show to discuss their careers, their creative processes, the making of "Spellbound," and, of course, how they library.

In episode 13, show host Phil Morehart from the American Library Association and I Love Libraries speaks with author Raj Tawney. Tawney is a writer and journalist whose work largely reflects his mixed-race upbringing. He has explored his identity through personal essays in The New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, I Love Libraries, and other outlets, and in his first book, “Colorful Palate: A Flavorful Journey Through a Mixed American Experience” (2023). In his new book for young readers, “All Mixed Up” (2024), Tawney tells the semiautobiographical story of a multi-ethnic American boy who forges a complex friendship with a Pakistani immigrant in the wake of 9/11. Tawney joins the show to discuss his writing, book bans and the importance of representation in books for readers of all ages, the power of food, and of course, how he libraries.

For this special Halloween episode, show host Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with actor, writer, and producer David Dastmalchian. Dastmalchian is one of the most prolific and recognizable actors working today, especially in the horror, sci-fi, and superhero genres, who can be seen in “The Dark Knight,” The Suicide Squad,” “ Ant-Man,” “Dune,” “The Last Voyage of the Demeter,” “Oppenheimer,” “Late Night with the Devil,” and more. He is also a voracious comic book fan, both as a collector and a creator, whose writing credits include “Count Crowley,” “Creature Commandos,” “Knights vs Samurai,” “The Headless Horseman Halloween Annual,” “DC Horror Presents,” and many more. Dastmalchian joins the show to discuss his love of comics and horror movies, his writing career, and of course, how he libraries.

In episode 11, show host Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with New York Times-bestselling author Daniel Kraus. Kraus is one of the most acclaimed and prolific writers of terrifying fiction working today. His books include "Whalefall," "The Shape of Water" with filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, "The Ghost That Ate Us: The Tragic True Story of the Burger City Poltergeist," "Rotters," "The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch," and "The Living Dead" with the late horror director George A. Romero. Kraus’ latest book, “Pay the Piper,” finds him collaborating posthumously with Romero again. It is one of two novels the director known best for zombie films like "Night of the Living Dead" and "Dawn of the Dead" left unfinished when he died in 2017. “Pay the Piper" is an altogether different type of horror from Romero, about a mythical and mystical entity that terrorizes the Louisiana bayou. In Kraus’ hands, Romero’s work is finally out in the world. Kraus joins the show to talk about "Pay the Piper" and its origins, Romero’s influence, zombie movies, and of course, how he libraries.

In this special Banned Books Week episode of "How I Library," Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with New York Times-bestselling writer Beth Ferry. Ferry is the author of numerous books for young readers, including the recently released "Roar for Reading," a picture book about a brave little lion who decides to speak out against book banning. Ferry joins the show to discuss her new book, the book banning crisis engulfing the U.S., and her love of libraries.

In episode nine of “How I Library,” host Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with actor and writer Max Greenfield. Greenfield’s acting credits include the Fox sitcom “New Girl,” for which he received nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, and the Critics' Choice Television Awards; “The Neighborhood” on CBS, where he stars alongside Cedric the Entertainer; and the Fox animated series “Bob’s Burgers,” where he voices the character Boo Boo, the youngest member of the boy band Boyz4Now. He is also a successful author of books for kids, including “I Don’t Want to Read This Book,” “This Book is Not a Present,” “I Don’t Want to Read This Book Aloud,” and the recently released "Good Night Thoughts,” a sweetly funny bedtime book about anxiety. Greenfield joins the show to discuss his writing career, the inspirations for his latest book, and, of course, his love of libraries.

In episode eight of “How I Library,” host Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with actor and comedian Lil Rel Howery. Howery has appeared in films such as “Get Out,” “Free Guy,” and “Judas and the Black Messiah,” and in the TV shows “The Carmichael Show,” Rel,” and “Eureka!” And now he’s back on the big screen in the film version of Crockett Johnson's beloved children’s book, “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” starring as both the animated and life-action versions of Harold’s friend Moose. Morehart spoke with Howery about bringing Johnson's book to the screen, the power of imagination, the intricacies of playing a moose, growing up in Chicago, and of course, his love of libraries.

In episode seven of the “How I Library” podcast, host Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with artists and authors John and Anni Furniss. John and Anni Furniss are a married couple who live and create art from their home in Washington. John has been an accomplished woodworker for almost 20 years—he is also completely blind. A suicide survivor, John is passionate about sharing his story to help others. Anni is a mixed-media artist with a hypermobility condition who spreads awareness about using art to help with mental and physical challenges. Together, they have created an online community dedicated to mental health awareness, disability advocacy, and art with more than two million followers. In their book, "The Blind Woodsman” (Fox Chapel Publishing, 2024), John and Anni detail how they found each other and built a life and art practice together while navigating personal struggles and newfound fame. Morehart spoke with the Furnisses about their book, their art, their advocacy, and of course, how they library.

In episode six of “How I Library," host Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with comedian Paula Poundstone. Poundstone is an iconic standup comic, a panelist on NPR’s news quiz show, “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me,” the host of the podcast, “Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone,” and an actor in numerous TV shows and films. She’s also a longtime supporter of libraries. Morehart spoke with Poundstone about her wide-ranging career and interests—everything from information literacy and comedy to book bans and “The Twilight Zone.”  And, of course, how she libraries.

In episode five of “How I Library,” host Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with Ethan and Maya Hawke about “Wildcat,” their new film about author Flannery O’Connor. Directed by Ethan Hawke and starring his daughter, Maya, ”Wildcat” is a snapshot in the life of O’Connor, following the writer in her early twenties when she left New York City and returned home to Milledgeville, Georgia, after being diagnosed with lupus. It was a return that would forever shape her life, her writing, her faith, and more. The film intersperses depictions of O’Connor’s life with dramatizations of her writings, with Maya taking on multiple roles as she plays characters from O’Connor’s work. Morehart speaks with the Hawkes about bringing O’Connor to the big screen, as well as their thoughts on book bans and censorship, their book recommendations, and, of course, how they library.