The Information Place

Shelf Help Shenanigans: Episode 01 - Grief

Patron Advocate Katie Miller and Reference Associate, and Information Place Podcast extraordinaire, Amanda Bechtel discuss one of the most human of experiences, grief. In this episode, they normalize this experience through exploring examples of grief and discussing different forms of media that depict grief. Disclaimer: This episode goes over topics pertaining to grief, which includes brief mentions of death, depression, and suicide. You are encouraged to pause or close this episode to care for yourself. If you are having thoughts of suicide, homicide, or self-harm, or are experiencing any sort of mental health crisis, please call or text 988 or go to your nearest emergency room for help. The Information Place is a podcast of the Clark County Public Library in Springfield, Ohio. For more information about the library, visit our website at ccplohio.org.

Issue 05 - It's the Scooby Apocalypse!

It's our first ever listener suggestion episode! Strap in as Jonathan and Skye discuss their thoughts on The Scooby Apocalypse, Volume 1, as suggested by wonderful PR manager Allison. While we always start our discussions relatively spoiler-free, if the premise sounds interesting, take a moment to read Volume 1 for yourself before we get into too many details! The Spinner Rack also takes a trip down memory lane talking about Skye's recently acquired '90s Kenner action figures. Mentioned in this issue: The Scooby Apocalypse, Volume 1 - Did we pique your interest? Need to see this month's recommendation for yourself? It's available instantly through Hoopla! Hoopla – Sign up for Hoopla with your email address and library card to access thousands of digital graphic novels, single issue comics, and trade paperbacks, available for instant check out. No need to wait in a weeks-long hold line for a single issue! Trade Paperbacks and Graphic Novels at CCPL – Browse the collection of comic books and graphic novels available from the Clark County Public Library. CCPL Events – See what events and activities are taking place at the Clark County Public Library. Have a segment suggestion or discussion topic idea? Send an email to sperez@ccplohio.org.

Issue 04 - Rite of Spring and Supergirl (2026)

From the Rite of Spring, to Supergirl summer, this month's issue is a breakdown of Skye and Jonathan's thoughts on some of the comic media they've consumed over the last month. If you want to hear our spoiler-filled thoughts on Beneath the Trees Where No One Sees: Rite of Spring and Supergirl (2026), then this is the episode for you! Mentioned in this issue: CCPL Events – See what events and activities are taking place at the Clark County Public Library. Summer Challenge - Learn more about our Summer Challenge programs, tracking your activities in Beanstack, and how to win prizes! Trade Paperbacks and Graphic Novels at CCPL – Browse the collection of comic books and graphic novels available from the Clark County Public Library. Have a segment suggestion or discussion topic idea? Send an email to sperez@ccplohio.org.

Issue 03 - The Runs We Love to Hate

This month on The Spinner Rack, we stir up some drama! Jonathan and Skye discuss their top five most disliked runs, their reasons for the hate, and invite viewer feedback on their choices. On a more positive note, they also talk about the 2026 Eisner award nominees and some recent reads they've enjoyed. The Spinner Rack is also taking listener recommendations! If there's a graphic novel, comic, or manga you love and want us to read, send it to sperez@ccplohio.org and we might discuss it on the next episode. (Please limit suggestions to works under 200 pages due to time constraints.) Mentioned in this issue: Hoopla – Sign up for Hoopla with your email address and library card to access thousands of digital graphic novels, single issue comics, and trade paperbacks, available for instant check out. No need to wait in a weeks-long hold line for a single issue! Trade Paperbacks and Graphic Novels at CCPL – Browse the collection of comic books and graphic novels available from the Clark County Public Library. Have a segment suggestion or discussion topic idea? Send an email to sperez@ccplohio.org.

Episode 19 - Summer Challenge 2026: Unearth a Story

How many times can Sonya, Catie, and Amanda mention Harrison Ford in one episode? Turns out the answer is "several"! In between Harrison Ford chat, they also talk about the 2026 Summer Challenge. This year's theme is Unearth A Story so dinosaurs and archaeologists abound! Be sure to check out the links below or stop in at any location to see what you can dig up at the library! Mentioned in this episode: Unearth a Story: Summer Challenge 2026 - Details on how the Summer Challenge works, where to sign up, and the great prizes you could win! Summer Challenge Events & Programs at CCPL - A list of all the cool Summer Challenge specific events and programs on offer at CCPL this summer! Want a handy printed version? Stop in at any branch location to pick up our giant flyer of Summer Challenge fun! Beanstack - Sign up with Beanstack to log your Summer Challenge activities for the chance to earn freebies and be entered in the grand prize drawings! Download the Beanstack Tracker app or visit the website at ccplohio.beanstack.org. All CCPL Events - Learn about the events and activities mentioned in this episode and all of the other fun you can find at the Clark County Public Library! The Information Place is a podcast of the Clark County Public Library in Springfield, Ohio. For more information about the library, visit our website at ccplohio.org.

Episode 18 - Mental Health Resource Fair

Patron Advocate Katie Miller and Adult Programming Specialist Catie Stewart step back into the booth to talk about the upcoming Mental Health Resource Fair at the Main Library. Mentioned in this episode: Mental Health Resource Fair 2026 - Visit the Mental Health Resource Fair at the Main Branch to discover many of the local organizations offering mental health services to Clark County. Free Comic Book Day - Celebrate Free Comic Book Day at the Library! Take a look at all of the events going on at CCPL locations and be sure to listen to the Free Comic Book Day episode of The Spinner Rack. CCPL Events - Learn about the events and activities mentioned in this episode and all of the other fun you can find at the Clark County Public Library! The Information Place is a podcast of the Clark County Public Library in Springfield, Ohio. For more information about the library, visit our website at ccplohio.org.

Issue 02 - Free Comic Book Day at the Library

Welcome back to The Spinner Rack, this time with special guest Miri! In this month's issue, they discuss Free Comic Book Day, what they are excited to see on offer, and the multitude of awesome events happening at the Clark County Public Library that day. *Slight correction: To complete your Superfan stamp card, you will need 8 stamps, not the 5 stated. Apologies for any confusion! Mentioned in this issue: Free Comic Book Day at the Library – See the list of Free Comic Book Day events and which branch they are taking place at. Trade Paperbacks and Graphic Novels at CCPL – Browse the collection of comic books and graphic novels available from the Clark County Public Library. CCPL Events – See what events and activities are taking place at the Clark County Public Library.

Issue 01 - Welcome to the Spinner Rack

Skye and Jonathan are back again, this time with the first episode of their new comic and graphic novel podcast, The Spinner Rack! In this month's issue, they discuss the latest Marvel and DC trailer releases, upcoming Titans runs, and Skye faces the daunting task of blind ranking Batman: The Animated Series characters. Mentioned in this issue: Trade Paperbacks and Graphic Novels at CCPL – Browse the collection of comic books and graphic novels available from the Clark County Public Library. Libby – Libby has a vast collection of digital graphic novels, manga, and comics available for check out. Not sure where to begin? Check out the Comics Guide for recommendations! Hoopla – Sign up for Hoopla with your email address and library card to access thousands of digital graphic novels, single issue comics, and trade paperbacks, available for instant check out. No need to wait in a weeks-long hold line for a single issue! CCPL Events – See what events and activities are taking place at the Clark County Public Library. Have a segment suggestion or discussion topic idea? Send an email to sperez@ccplohio.org.

Episode 17 - Eisner Awards and The Spinner Rack

Did you go batty for our Batman Day bonus episode? Skye and Jonathan are back! This episode they're chatting with Amanda about the Eisner Awards. Want even more talk about comics and graphic novels? Keep an eye out for Skye and Jonathan's regular feature; The Spinner Rack! Mentioned in this episode: Graphic Novels at CCPL - Browse the collection of graphic novels available from the Clark County Public Library. hoopla - Hoopla has an extensive collection of graphic novels, comics, and manga. Borrow and enjoy these as well as audiobooks, eBooks, movies, TV, magazines, or music everywhere you have a screen-your computer, your phone, your car, even your TV. All you need is a library card! Hoopla syncs across all your devices, so you can stream titles immediately or whenever you're in the mood. Most titles can also be downloaded to your phone or tablet. Sign-up with your email address and library card and be sure to check out the 2025 Eisner Award Winners collection! Libby - Libby is a free app where you can enjoy ebooks, digital audiobooks, and magazines from your public library. You can stream titles with Wi-Fi or mobile data, or download them for offline use and read anytime, anywhere. All you need to get started is a library card. Not sure where to get started with comics, graphic novels, and manga? Take a look at the Comics Guide for suggestions from Libby librarians. CCPL Events - Learn about the events and activities mentioned in this episode and all of the other fun you can find at the Clark County Public Library! The Information Place is a podcast of the Clark County Public Library in Springfield, Ohio. For more information about the library, visit our website at ccplohio.org.

Happy New Year and a Message from the Director

Matt Naylor, Interim Director at the Clark County Public Library, wraps up the year with a round-up of all the new happenings at the library for 2025. Mentioned in this episode: Northridge and Tuttle Branches - Take a look at the newest CCPL locations through construction snapshots and photos from the grand opening celebrations. Be sure to visit in person, say hello to staff, and see all the fantastic things these new branches have to offer! Library of Things - A Library of Things breaks the mold of what a library typically offers with items ranging from board games, cones for driving test practice, CD players, book magnifiers, and much more. Plus, why buy when you can borrow? Check out the Bicycles tab for more information on the Bike Borrowing Program. CCPL Events - Learn about the events and activities going on at the Clark County Public Library! The Information Place is a podcast of the Clark County Public Library in Springfield, Ohio. For more information about the library, visit our website at ccplohio.org.

Episode 16 - November is for Gaming and Writing

Amanda chats about International Games Month and National Novel Writing Month and the Reference staff share their favorite games. Mentioned in this episode: The Great Courses Library Edition - Available through Libby Extras, The Great Courses Library Collection is a video on demand service brought to you by The Great Courses. With thousands of in-depth videos by the world's greatest professors, you'll always have something fascinating to learn about. There are never any commercials no matter how much you watch, and you can pause, rewind, fast forward or re-watch as often as you like. The best part is, it's free with your library card! Check out a 7-day pass through the Libby app and take a look at the Literature category for courses such as The Art of Storytelling, Writing Great Fiction, and How to Publish your Book! Gale Courses - Gale Courses offers a wide range of highly interactive, instructor led courses that you can take entirely online. As a library card holder in good standing, you are entitled to these courses at no cost. Courses run for six weeks and new sessions begin every month. Looking to brush up on your writing skills? Check out the Writing and Publishing category for courses like Beginning Writer's Workshop, Keys to Effective Editing, Beginner's Guide to Getting Published and many more! Board Games at CCPL - Did you know you can check out board games at the library? We also have TTRPG books and boxed sets! The weather outside is getting frightful, so stop by the library and plan your next cozy family game night. Once the weather warms up, be sure to check out the outdoor games available in our Library of Things! Video Games at CCPL - Get your game on with the library! Our collection includes games for PlayStation, Nintendo, and XBox (consoles not included). CCPL Events - Learn about the events and activities mentioned in this episode and all of the other fun you can find at the Clark County Public Library! The Information Place is a podcast of the Clark County Public Library in Springfield, Ohio. For more information about the library, visit our website at ccplohio.org.

Episode 15 - Spooky Story Spectacular!

Listeners beware, you're in for a scare! Come one, come all! The winners of the 2025 Spooky Short Story Contest are here to send shivers down your spine. Pull up a chair and listen to these tales of terror written by local young authors. 6-8 Runner-Up: "The Pumpkin Book" by Dylan (00:01:59) 6-8 Winner: "The Three Witches" by Riley, read by CCPL staff (00:04:39) 9-12 Runner-Up: "12.07" by Devyn (00:09:19) 9-12 Winner: "Turndown Service" by Matthew (00:14:33) Teen Runner-Up: "The Puppeteer" by Lillianna (00:20:17) Teen Winner: "The Crib" by Devyn, read by CCPL staff (00:27:12) The Information Place is a podcast of the Clark County Public Library in Springfield, Ohio. For more information about the library, visit our website at ccplohio.org.

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Bonus Episode: Batman Day

Riddle me this, riddle me that, when is the day we celebrate the Bat...man? September 20th is Batman Day and some of our staff are very excited about it! Join Library Assistant Skye Perez and IT Manager Jonathan Knight as they share their love of all things Batman. Mentioned in this episode: Batman in the CCPL Collection - From comics to books, movies to games, and much more! Check out all of the Batman items available from CCPL. Comics on Hoopla - Whether you're looking for the classic Detective Comics, the new Absolute Batman, or anything in between, take a look at Hoopla's comics section for all your Dark Knight needs! CCPL Events - Learn about the events and activities going on at your library! The Information Place is a podcast of the Clark County Public Library in Springfield, Ohio. For more information about the library, visit our website at ccplohio.org.

Episode 14: CCPL Comedy Hour

Patron Advocate Katie Miller and Reference Librarian Zoë Spangler rejoin Amanda in the booth for a comedy cavalcade! Katie gives insight into comedy and mental health while Zoë stumps her cohosts with top comedy film trivia. Mentioned in this episode: Funny and Female - In honor of the first lady of comedy, Lucille Ball, check out some of these great films featuring other funny ladies. List courtesy of IMDb.com. Must-Read Humor - A mix of witty, satirical, and offbeat reads—this list blends classic humor with irreverent twists for laughs in all forms. From NoveList Plus, a trusted source of expert read-alike recommendations, available through libraries around the world. Spooky Short Story Contest - Attention young writers! It's time for the annual CCPL Spooky Short Story Contest! Open to Clark County residents age 6-18 (and still in high school), full contest details and submission requirements can be found on the library's website. CCPL Events - Learn about the events and activities mentioned in this episode and many, many more! The Information Place is a podcast of the Clark County Public Library in Springfield, Ohio. For more information about the library, visit our website at ccplohio.org.

Episode 13: The Summer Challenge Continues!

We're halfway through the 2025 Summer Challenge and halfway through the year. That makes this the perfect time to catch up with our January guests, Cathy Reid and Cindy Firman, to see how their yearly reading challenges are going. Mentioned in this episode: Color Our World: Summer Challenge 2025 - Check out our website for more information on the Summer Challenge, how to participate, and all the great programs and events this summer at CCPL! Beanstack - Sign up with Beanstack to log your Summer Challenge activities for the chance to earn freebies and be entered in the grand prize drawings! Download the Beanstack Tracker app or visit the website at ccplohio.beanstack.org. CCPL Events - Learn about the events and activities mentioned in this episode and many, many more! The Information Place is a podcast of the Clark County Public Library in Springfield, Ohio. For more information about the library, visit our website at ccplohio.org.

Episode 12 - Summer Challenge 2025: Color Our World

It's Summer Challenge time! Catie Stewart and Sonya Knisley return to give us the scoop on Clark County Public Library's 2025 Summer Challenge. This year's theme is Color Our World and the challenge runs from June 1st through July 31st. Be sure to sign up early and check out all the fun happening at your library! Mentioned in this episode: Color Our World: Summer Challenge 2025 - Check out our website for more information on the Summer Challenge, how to participate, and all the great programs and events this summer at CCPL! Beanstack - Sign up with Beanstack to log your Summer Challenge activities for the chance to earn freebies and be entered in the grand prize drawings! Download the Beanstack Tracker app or visit the website at ccplohio.beanstack.org. CCPL Events - Learn about the events and activities mentioned in this episode and many, many more! The Information Place is a podcast of the Clark County Public Library in Springfield, Ohio. For more information about the library, visit our website at ccplohio.org.

Episode 11 - The Butler Did It! Mystery Spotlight

Your presence is requested at The Information Place. You'll be joining your host, Amanda, and other esteemed guests, Cathy Hackett and Allison Peck, for a delightful evening of murder, mystery, and mayhem. And we would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for those meddling kids! Mentioned in this episode: The Great Courses - The Libby app has more to offer than great eBooks. Available through Libby Extras, The Great Courses offers engaging and understandable lectures by esteemed professors, professionals, and experts in topics ranging from history, better living, science, language learning, and much more. Checking out a 7-day pass gives you access to the full The Great Courses Library Collection including The Secrets of Great Mystery and Suspense Fiction taught by Professor David Schmid, Ph.D. Kanopy - Kanopy has over 30,000 documentaries, classic, and indie films available to Clark County Public Library cardholders. Looking for some of the British detective shows we mentioned in the episode? You're in luck! Death in Paradise, Midsomer Murders, and Father Brown are all available through Kanopy. Five Minute Mysteries - Check out this link to the Internet Archive for eighty-two stories from the Five Minute Mysteries radio show. Originally aired on the Mutual Broadcasting Network from August of 1947 to March of 1950, Five Minute Mysteries offered guest panelists the opportunity to play detective and guess the perpetrator before the solution to the crime was revealed at the end of the episode. CCPL Events - Learn about the events and activities mentioned in this episode including the Mental Health Resource Fair, Tunes-n-Tales: There Was A Party For Langston, and many, many more! The Information Place is a podcast of the Clark County Public Library in Springfield, Ohio. For more information about the library, visit our website at ccplohio.org.

What's New and Coming Soon

Welcome back to The Information Place! It's been a minute since our last episode, so join Amanda and special guest Sonya Knisley for a quick rundown of some new and returning collections and upcoming events at the Clark County Public Library. Mentioned in this episode: Community Engagement - What is Community Engagement? Check out their page at ccplohio.org to meet the Community Engagement Team and find out what they do. Be sure to tune in for our next episode where the team will share one of their awesome community outreach programs! Library of Things - The Clark County Public Library’s Library of Things is a collection of fun, useful, and unexpected items that go beyond what you would normally expect from your community library. A Library of Things breaks the mold of what a library typically offers with items ranging from board games, cones for driving test practice, CD players, book magnifiers, and much more. Seed Library - The Seed Library at Clark County Public Library is back! Click the link to check out our new Seed Library Resource Guide. Visit us at the Main branch Reference desk to become a member and check out seeds for your garden! Tunes-n-Tales - There Was a Party for Langston - Follow the link for more information and to register for the very special Tunes-n-Tales: There Was a Party for Langston event! Special thanks to permissions from the author, illustrators, Simon & Schuster and Writer’s House. Additionally, we wish to greatly thank the composer, conductor, educator, Evan Williams, DMA. CCPL Events - Learn about the events and activities mentioned in this episode plus many, many more! The Information Place is a podcast of the Clark County Public Library in Springfield, Ohio. For more information about the library, visit our website at ccplohio.org.

Episode 10 - Beating the Winter Blues

Everyone at CCPL is anxiously awaiting Spring's arrival. In the meantime, Katie Miller and Jerry Reed join Amanda to talk about how to beat the Winter Blues. Mentioned in this episode: Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center - Looking for some new hobbies to add to your toolkit? Hobbies and Craft Source offers detailed "how-to" instructions and creative ideas to meet the interests of virtually every hobby enthusiast. Full text is provided from leading hobby and craft magazines. Freegal Music - Want to expand your musical horizons? Freegal offers access to about 15 million songs, including Sony Music's catalog of legendary artists, and over 40,000 music videos. In total, the collection is comprised of music from over 40,000 labels with music that originates from over 100 countries. There is no software to download, and there are no digital rights management (DRM) restrictions. With your library card, you can stream Freegal Music up to three hours per day and download three songs per week. 988 Lifeline - If you are experiencing mental health struggles, emotional distress, or alcohol or drug use concerns, we encourage you to seek help. When people call, text, or chat with the 988 Lifeline, they are connected to trained crisis counselors who are part of the existing 988 Lifeline network, made up of over 200 local crisis centers. These crisis counselors are trained to provide free and confidential emotional support and crisis counseling to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress and connect them to resources. These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across the United States. Using the 988 Lifeline is free. When you call, text, or chat the 988 Lifeline, your conversation is confidential. The 988 Lifeline provides you judgment-free care. Connecting with someone can help save your life. CCPL Events - Learn about the events and activities mentioned in this episode plus many, many more! The Information Place is a podcast of the Clark County Public Library in Springfield, Ohio. For more information about the library, visit our website at ccplohio.org.

Tuttle Branch Grand Opening

Join us from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 for our Tuttle Branch Grand Opening Celebration! Stop by to visit the branch, explore all that it has to offer, pick up some special library swag (while supplies last) and some refreshments too! With an open feel and a bright, colorful interior, customers will love utilizing this new space to attend programs, host meetings and take advantage of our wealth of library services. The Information Place is a podcast of the Clark County Public Library in Springfield, Ohio. For more information about the library, visit our website at ccplohio.org.