DC Public Library Podcast

Hear book talks, conversations, special presentations, stories about the happenings in the library, the Labs, and Washington, DC, and much more! This show is recorded from the Labs Recording Studio at the historic, modernized, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in downtown Washington, D.C. This podcast was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

DC Public Library Podcast is a arts podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 108 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts DC Public Library Podcast, a arts show with 108 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #111

  Back to School: Vision, Books, and Model Schools

  Aug 1, 20261h 11m

  In this episode, we’re getting ready to go Back to School! In our newest segment, Stacks in the City , Donna Arrendell sits down with Damian Carroll and Ramiro Hernandez from Vision to Learn , an organization that provides free eye exams and glasses to students in grades four through twelve. In our Get Lit segment, host Chris Stevenson chats with Elaine Pelton, Assistant Manager at the Northeast Library and a children’s literacy expert. She shares her top reading recommendations for kids and their families. And finally, in All Things Local , Olubunmi Bakare speaks with Dr. Amber N. Wiley about her book Model Schools in the Model City: Race, Planning, and Education in the Nation’s Capital , which explores the history and evolution of education in Washington, DC, and how architecture and urban planning have been used in efforts to fight racism. Credits: All music is from Pixabay and is used in their content license . LoFi Relax by Kulakovka https://pixabay.com/music/lofi-lofi-relax-570489/ Upbeat Morning Café by sleepvolume https://pixabay.com/music/bossa-nova-upbeat-morning-caf%C3%A9-233023/ Chillhop lofi beats by lofidreams https://pixabay.com/music/beats-chillhop-lofi-beats-400375/ 静かな希望の響き by Lin_Hoyasi Lofi Jazz - Study Music by alex-morgan https://pixabay.com/music/modern-jazz-lofi-jazz-study-music-564256/ Lofi Jazz Hip Hop by VibeHorn https://pixabay.com/music/lofi-lofi-jazz-hip-hop-479218/ Connect with us! https://www.dclibrary.org/ @dcpl on X  @dcpubliclibrary on Instagram @ dcpubliclibrary.bsky.social on Bluesky

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  Episode #110

  America at 250: District Vibes & The Flag Was Still There

  Jul 1, 202655 min

  In this episode celebrating 250 years of America, we explore how the nation’s identity has been shaped locally and nationally. First, Olubunmi Bakare talks with Monica Miller about the DC Public Library’s new exhibition, “District Vibes: American Pride – How DC Changed American Culture.” Then, Chris Stevenson interviews David McKean and Todd Bennett about their book “The Flag Was Still There,” examining how the U.S. has lived up to its founding ideals across five major anniversaries. Music used in this episode "Smooth Chill Jazzy Music" by AllWorldMusic https://pixabay.com/music/smooth-jazz-smooth-chill-jazzy-music-275395/ "The Washington Post" Music by John Philip Sousa performed by the "The Presidents Own" United States Marine Band https://www.marineband.marines.mil/Audio-Resources/The-Complete-Marches-of-John-Philip-Sousa/The-Washington-Post-March/ "Summer Lounge In The City" by myshoun https://pixabay.com/music/beats-summer-lounge-in-the-city-223397/ "The Star Spangled Banner" performed by Jake Shimabukuro https://dn720308.ca.archive.org/0/items/js2006-06-09/js2006-06-09d1t13.mp3 Jazzy Lofi - Calm background Loop by Sonican https://pixabay.com/music/smooth-jazz-jazzy-lofi-calm-background-loop-541849/

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  Episode #109

  Get Lit: Mitchell and Dempsey

  Feb 27, 202647 min

  This Month we talk to Emily Mitchell about her new book The Divine Church of Electricity (UW Press) and to Tyler Dempsey, host of Another F@cking Podcast. Credits: All music is from Pixabay and is used in their content license . Chill Trip Hop (Short Version) by BoDleasons https://pixabay.com/music/beats-chill-trip-hop-short-version-401932/ Velvet Silence (Ambient Pop) by 9JackJack8 https://pixabay.com/music/ambient-velvet-silence-ambient-pop-419531/ Debussy - Clair de Lune - L. 75 - Arranged for Music Box (Version 2) by Debussy performed by GregorQuendel https://pixabay.com/music/lullabies-debussy-clair-de-lune-l-75-arranged-for-music-box-version-2-228857/ For Her Chill Upbeat Summel Travel Vlog and IG Music Royalty Free Use by Anonymous https://pixabay.com/music/beats-for-her-chill-upbeat-summel-travel-vlog-and-ig-music-royalty-free-use-202298/# /

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  Episode #108

  Get Lit: Cross, Flores Anderson, Dunham, and Fleury (Special Edition)

  Jan 31, 202659 min

  In this episode, Chris Stevenson talks to four writers with emphasis on why they write and what to do about it. We also get to hear excerpts from Tracy Cross’s A Gathering of Weapons and Lacey N. Dunham’s The Belles. Credits: Tracy Cross Melissa Flores Anderson Lacey Dunham Spencer Fleury Music: All music is from Pixabay and is used in their content license . Psychedelic Chilled Trip Hop Full by catch22music https://pixabay.com/music/beats-psychedelic-chilled-trip-hop-full-366217/ Debussy - Clair de Lune - L. 75 - Arranged for Music Box (Version 2) by Debussy performed by GregorQuendel https://pixabay.com/music/lullabies-debussy-clair-de-lune-l-75-arranged-for-music-box-version-2-228857/ Halloween Piano~Nightmare Friday by pianocafe_Kumi https://pixabay.com/music/modern-classical-halloween-pianonightmare-friday-366032/ Chill Trip Hop (Short Version) by BoDleasons https://pixabay.com/music/beats-chill-trip-hop-short-version-401932/#/ For Her Chill Upbeat Summel Travel Vlog and IG Music Royalty Free Use by Anonymous https://pixabay.com/music/beats-for-her-chill-upbeat-summel-travel-vlog-and-ig-music-royalty-free-use-202298/# / Vampiric Heritage - Victorian Gothic Piano by Joel Fazhari https://pixabay.com/music/modern-classical-vampiric-heritage-victorian-gothic-piano-music-241158/ Dreadful Darlings (horror trailer) by MYCATWROTETHIS https://pixabay.com/music/horror-scene-dreadful-darlings-horror-trailer-285546/ Je vais trouver by olleaugust https://pixabay.com/music/electronic-je-vais-trouver-441385/#/

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  Episode #106

  Get Lit: Gray, Angelella, Lennox, Seibel

  Aug 13, 20251h 7m

  Please be advised that this episode contains explicit language. Join us this month as we talk to "Sarah Gray, who has a memoir out with HarperOne titled, A Life Everlasting: The Extraordinary Story of One Boy's Gift to Medical Science – A Powerful Memoir of Loss, Discovery, and Organ Donation ." We also have the director of my old Alma Mater, the Jimenez Porter Writers House at the University of Maryland. Ross Angelella. He is an award winning novelist and screenwriter. Then we talk with the prolific (over 200 books written) Best-Selling and self-published author Valerie Lennox. We talk to her about work and writing and the work of writing. Then we finish up with indie favorite Kyle Seibel, whose latest book Hey You Assholes (from Clash Books)! Is catching buzz everywhere. We talk to him about work, working and writing, and the work of writing. Credits 8/12/2025 Java Pop by Spires That in the Sunset Rise is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License . https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Spires_That_in_the_Sunset_Rise/Curse_the_Traced_Bird/Java_Pop/ Washington, DC by The Nighttime Adventure Society is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 International License . https://freemusicarchive.org/music/The_Nighttime_Adventure_Society/Chapter_One_The_First_Chapter/The_Nighttime_Adventure_Society_-_Chapter_One-_The_First_Chapter_-_01_Washington_DC/ $x4 (MicroSong) by sthm is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License . https://freemusicarchive.org/music/microSong_Challenge/2015021275957958/x4_MicroSong/ Re-Function! by junior85 is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License . https://freemusicarchive.org/music/microSong_Challenge/2015021275957958/junior85_-_08_-_Re-Function/ Radiate Instrumental (GLASS) .mp3 by Nuisance is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License . https://freemusicarchive.org/music/nuisance/glass-instrumental/radiate-instrumental-glassmp3/ zate it with a spork by Uncle Milk is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License . https://freemusicarchive.org/music/microSong_Challenge/2015021275957958/zate_it_with_a_spork_1516/

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