Brooklyn Public Library is full of stories. Our podcast brings the best of them to you.
You can listen by clicking the audio players below, or subscribe to Borrowed on your podcast app of choice.
Current Podcast Series
Borrowed and Returned
Revisiting the books that changed us, and changed America.
Borrowed and Returned is a new podcast series that examines what our reading public borrowed in the past, and what we’re all reading now. In conversations with library workers, authors and readers across the country, we’ll return to the books that changed us, and changed America, too.
Subscribe to Borrowed on your podcast app of choice so you don't miss an episode of this new series!
Previous Podcast Series
Borrowed and Banned
BPL's Peabody-nominated series about America's ideological war with its bookshelves. Over ten episodes, you'll hear from students on the frontlines, librarians and teachers whose livelihoods are endangered when they speak up, and writers whose books have become political battleground. This series also won a Webby Award and was nominated for an Ambie Award.
Start listening to the series here.
Borrowed
BPL's Anthem Award-winning podcast is a narrative show about superhero librarians, neighborhood stories and what it means to be a free, democratic place in today’s changing world. We’ve told stories about libraries during natural disasters, the challenges of homelessness, and NYC’s fraught relationship with trash.
Can I read a transcript of the podcast?
Yes! You can read full transcripts for each episode by clicking on the title of the episode below. You'll also find pictures and links to articles or books mentioned in the episode, too
I have an idea for an episode. Can I tell you about it?
Yes! We're always looking for stories about our Brooklyn community, or how public libraries impact our lives. Reach out to us by emailing podcasts@bklynlibrary.org.
How do I listen?
You can listen right on our website by clicking the audio players below. You can also listen on your smart phone. All you have to do is search for “Borrowed” in your podcast app of choice, then click “subscribe” or “follow” to get new episodes downloaded to your device as soon as they come out. Or, click the buttons below to subscribe on these apps.
Season 1, Episode 6
For Kids' Sake
It turns out that libraries weren’t always so friendly toward children. That started to change around the turn of the 20th century, thanks to a librarian who is pretty much unknown today. We're taking a field trip to a library truck in the Flatlands, a story time at Central, and to Brownsville in 1914...
Click here for a full list of book recommendations, curated for this episode, "For Kids' Sake."
Season 1, Episode 5
Weathering the Storm
Sometimes, in the wake of natural disasters, the library becomes an information center, a shelter and a community space. We travel to Coney Island, Red Hook, and Puerto Rico to learn about how neighbors come together after a storm, and how libraries can help.
Click here for a full list of book recommendations, curated for this episode, "Weathering the Storm."
Season 1, Episode 4
Across the Reference Desk
Online search engines are basically universal, so questions at the library reference desk are changing. We follow the story of one question, “I want to know how I can be happy,” and learn about how libraries are keeping up with the needs of the community.
Click here for a full list of book recommendations, curated for this episode, "Across the Reference Desk."
Season 1, Episode 3
Something to Offend Everyone
“A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone.” So goes the quote from librarian Jo Godwin. From Dr. Seuss to kosher books to Drag Queen Story Hour, this episode will explore what it means to challenge censorship, and what happens when patrons disagree with content in the library.
Click here for a full list of book recommendations, curated for this episode, "Something to Offend Everyone."
Season 1, Episode 2
Oil Spills and Moldy Paper
Preserving history is about more than battling mold and disintegration. We took a trip to Greenpoint, Brooklyn to learn about how an environmental disaster propelled residents into action, and how the public library is archiving the neighborhood’s past and present.
Click here for a full list of book recommendations, curated for this episode, "Oil Spills and Moldy Paper."
Season 1, Episode 1
Books Are Not Dead
Books on conveyor belts, book vacuums and books in the mail. This episode of “Borrowed” will take you behind the scenes to see how books travel around the boroughs, from Long Island City to Bensonhurst to your bedside table.
Click here for a full list of book recommendations, curated for this episode, "Books Are Not Dead."
Season 1, Trailer
Introducing 'Borrowed'
Every other week, “Borrowed” brings you stories that start here and take you somewhere new. Hosted by Krissa Corbett Cavouras and Felice Belle, and written and produced by Virginia Marshall.