The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books is a free event that celebrates the city’s rich literary community and love of reading. Poets, authors and readers gather at the Festival to pay tribute to Pittsburgh’s growing literary reputation. The festival features local and nationally-recognized authors, dozens of poets, children’s activities, bookstores, entertainment, publishers and more. https://www.pittsburghbookfestival.org/
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
And welcome inn. This is the CEO's You Should Know podcast.
I'm your host, Johnny Heart. Well, let's say hello to
Andrew Medler of Carnegie Library and Pittsburgh. Good to see
you again. How are you.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
It's great to see you, Johnny. I'm really excited to
be here.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
All right. You have a big event coming out. Tell
us everything we need to know.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
We have the biggest book event of the year coming up.
It's the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books Saturday, May thirty
first at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. That's a library.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Its new location.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
It is, it is. We are coming to Oakland this year.
This is the fourth year of the festival and it's
I mean, it's been great so far, and it's been
at different spots around Pittsburgh and now we're bringing it
home to the library.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
All right, So if somebody and this is a this
is a family friendly event and it's no cost, and
tell us all the well, it's going to be hard
to tell us everything that's going on, but try to
tell us what's going on.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
It is going to be a full day from ten
am to five pm of free and fun and three
events all about books and authors and exploring and having
a great time. We have dozens and dozens and dozens
of authors and poets, so many from right here in
our own community, and others from across the country who
(01:16):
are coming to Pittsburgh just to be with us, Pittsburgh readers.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
All right, somebody wants more information. What's the website that
they can get It.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Is Pittsburgh Book Festival dot org.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
All right, So this is the fourth annual, right, that
is correct? All right? So how did this all start?
Speaker 2 (01:31):
So the first festival four years ago was really a
labor of love from book aficionados in the community who
worked really hard to get fellow book lovers to come together.
I mean, you know, this is a community of festivals.
We love festivals here and we also love books, so
(01:52):
makes sense to bring those two things together.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
It does make sense. But what's surprising to me is,
you know, Carnegie Library Pittsburgh is you know, a you know,
it's a staple of Pittsburgh community.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
You bet it is.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
But you would think this would be the seventy fifth
annual Festival of Books.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Well, I'll tell you I can't be responsible for those
other seventy one years, but I will say that now
that we are up and running and we've got really
great momentum. I mean, thousands of people came to the
third annual festival last year, and then it was poor
and rain so we have really just a great experience
that we're going to carry forward and mark my words,
(02:33):
when you and I are sitting here celebrating the seventy
fifth annual, we'll remember this.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Day, all right. So what are some of the things
some of the events that you featured at this year's
Festival of Books.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Sure, so it's all about books and authors and poets,
yet in a really wide variety of ways. So, for example,
some of the events will be an author presenting about
their new book in a more traditional author presentation way
that folks are familiar with, and that will be authors
of books for adults, fiction, non fiction, fantasy, horror, romance,
(03:08):
you name it, and then books for teenagers and books
for all ages of kids. So they'll be author presentations. Yes,
there will also be really really fascinating panels on a
wide variety of topics of interest here to readers in
our community. And there are also going to be new
(03:28):
authors who maybe you haven't heard of yet, who will
be presenting what they're working on and sharing their stories.
There will also be vendors who will have available a
wide variety of book related paraphernalia for folks to enjoy.
And there will also be this is really important librarians,
your local book expert who will be telling you about
(03:51):
their favorite books, helping you discover your new favorite one.
So again, all about books, authors and poets and in
a wide foray of presentations and interactive engagements.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Sign I was going to say, this is a chance
to get close to some of your favorite authors.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
You bet, you bet get to know them and they
love meeting their readers and hearing your opinions on their works.
And so here's your chance to meet your favorite author
in person.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Will you have Q and A sessions as well?
Speaker 2 (04:21):
There will be Q and A sessions, and there'll be
book signings. Like I said, and again it's going to
be at the main library in Oakland. And yet not
just in the main library. We'll also be spilling out
onto the front yard of the library and onto Schenley Plaza.
So this excitement and these activities cannot be contained in
(04:42):
a single building.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Once again, if somebody wants more information, where do they go?
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Pittsburgh Book Festival dot org and will be there from
ten to five on Saturday, May thirty first.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
All right, so summertime is always your busy time. You're
talking about, you know, school reading programs and things like that.
What are some of the things that you have planned
for this summer?
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Well, you are absolutely right that summer reading is my
favorite season of the year because it's about books and
it's about fun. And here's the secret, it's also about
maintaining for young people what they learned in school over
the previous year and being ready to go back to
school in the fall, ready to learn. So we always
(05:27):
celebrate with the Summer Reading Program, and this year it's
Flights of Imaginations. So come to the Carnegie Library Pittsburgh,
any of the locations, the one that's closest to you,
and also online and have an amazing experience that again
is really about fun.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Well, tell me more about the theme.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Sure, So our theme, like I said, is Flights of Imagination,
and it's about all things that fly. We have amazing
partners this year. We're working with the National Aviary and
the Moonshot Museum so we can learn about again all
things that fly. Sure, airplanes, and helicopters and hot air
balloons and all kinds of birds and dragons and hang
(06:10):
gliders and anything that you can imagine, because the idea
is to you know, come in and love love books
and read what you know that you're excited about, and
also to imagine things that you never knew that you
loved or were interested in.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
I almost introduced you as Anne Drew Medler because everything's
and you always have something. It's it's almost like a
set of ginsu knives. It's never just the ginsu knives.
There's that's that's not all. There's always something else because
you you you are very passionate about the library, the system,
(06:50):
the community, learning everything. And so I think if you,
if you would, if you, if you would indulge me
talk about, you know, the the involvement of the community
with the library in the summertime.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Well, the library is the community's library. That's the whole point.
That's the whole reason that your public library exists. It's
a place for you to foster your own literacy and
to enable your own explorations and to connect with your community.
(07:25):
And so the libraries in Pittsburgh and across Allegheny County
which are so wonderfully supported by our really great partners
at the Regional Asset District, are places to come for free.
We are free to the people to come in and
to do all those things, foster what you're interested in,
(07:46):
explore and connect with other people. And so we do
that at the library through our Summer Reading program, Yes,
which has really fun programs and events. It also has
amazing books to discover. We even more books during the summer.
Amazing spaces that are cool, that are engaging, and that
(08:09):
are open and welcoming to anyone for not even a penny.
And we have amazing library workers. My hundreds of colleagues
that I get to work with every day are there
to welcome you into this amazing space.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
It's no secret I've always you and I both have
talked about my you know, my passion for libraries and
how it's affected me in my life and my kids
and my family. And of course I know you know
the assets of the library. But you hear every once
in a while, you hear somebody say, why do we
need libraries? We have the library, or we have the internet,
(08:48):
why do we need libraries? And I've I've always been
a person who you know, but I'm curious what your
response is to somebody who says that.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Well, our neighbors say very differently. Our neighbors together say
that the library is an important and needed place. I'll
tell you we last year at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh,
thanks to our partners at the Regional Asset District, we
increased the hours that our buildings are opened by the
biggest amount ever in the history of our library, and
(09:20):
two hundred and fifty thousand more visits happened at the
library last year than the year before. So if you're
someone who is saying that libraries aren't needed, I have
a quarter of a million people who will tell you different.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
Yeah. Absolutely all right. So I'm so proud to have
an association with Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. I'd love your
passion and I really wish you all the luck in
the world with this year's year Book Festival and of
course not only the summer but for the future. And Drew,
thank you so much for stopping by.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Thank you, the feeling is very mutual. Appreciate your support
and your passion. And I'll see at the library.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
This has been the CEO's You Should Know Podcast showcasing
businesses that are driving our regional economy, part of iHeartMedia's
commitment to the communities we serve. I'm Johnny Heart. Well,
thank you so much for listening.
And welcome inn. This is the CEO's You Should Know podcast.
I'm your host, Johnny Heart. Well, let's say hello to
Andrew Medler of Carnegie Library and Pittsburgh. Good to see
you again. How are you.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
It's great to see you, Johnny. I'm really excited to
be here.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
All right. You have a big event coming out. Tell
us everything we need to know.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
We have the biggest book event of the year coming up.
It's the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books Saturday, May thirty
first at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. That's a library.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Its new location.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
It is, it is. We are coming to Oakland this year.
This is the fourth year of the festival and it's
I mean, it's been great so far, and it's been
at different spots around Pittsburgh and now we're bringing it
home to the library.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
All right, So if somebody and this is a this
is a family friendly event and it's no cost, and
tell us all the well, it's going to be hard
to tell us everything that's going on, but try to
tell us what's going on.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
It is going to be a full day from ten
am to five pm of free and fun and three
events all about books and authors and exploring and having
a great time. We have dozens and dozens and dozens
of authors and poets, so many from right here in
our own community, and others from across the country who
(01:16):
are coming to Pittsburgh just to be with us, Pittsburgh readers.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
All right, somebody wants more information. What's the website that
they can get It.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Is Pittsburgh Book Festival dot org.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
All right, So this is the fourth annual, right, that
is correct? All right? So how did this all start?
Speaker 2 (01:31):
So the first festival four years ago was really a
labor of love from book aficionados in the community who
worked really hard to get fellow book lovers to come together.
I mean, you know, this is a community of festivals.
We love festivals here and we also love books, so
(01:52):
makes sense to bring those two things together.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
It does make sense. But what's surprising to me is,
you know, Carnegie Library Pittsburgh is you know, a you know,
it's a staple of Pittsburgh community.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
You bet it is.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
But you would think this would be the seventy fifth
annual Festival of Books.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Well, I'll tell you I can't be responsible for those
other seventy one years, but I will say that now
that we are up and running and we've got really
great momentum. I mean, thousands of people came to the
third annual festival last year, and then it was poor
and rain so we have really just a great experience
that we're going to carry forward and mark my words,
(02:33):
when you and I are sitting here celebrating the seventy
fifth annual, we'll remember this.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Day, all right. So what are some of the things
some of the events that you featured at this year's
Festival of Books.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Sure, so it's all about books and authors and poets,
yet in a really wide variety of ways. So, for example,
some of the events will be an author presenting about
their new book in a more traditional author presentation way
that folks are familiar with, and that will be authors
of books for adults, fiction, non fiction, fantasy, horror, romance,
(03:08):
you name it, and then books for teenagers and books
for all ages of kids. So they'll be author presentations. Yes,
there will also be really really fascinating panels on a
wide variety of topics of interest here to readers in
our community. And there are also going to be new
(03:28):
authors who maybe you haven't heard of yet, who will
be presenting what they're working on and sharing their stories.
There will also be vendors who will have available a
wide variety of book related paraphernalia for folks to enjoy.
And there will also be this is really important librarians,
your local book expert who will be telling you about
(03:51):
their favorite books, helping you discover your new favorite one.
So again, all about books, authors and poets and in
a wide foray of presentations and interactive engagements.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Sign I was going to say, this is a chance
to get close to some of your favorite authors.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
You bet, you bet get to know them and they
love meeting their readers and hearing your opinions on their works.
And so here's your chance to meet your favorite author
in person.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Will you have Q and A sessions as well?
Speaker 2 (04:21):
There will be Q and A sessions, and there'll be
book signings. Like I said, and again it's going to
be at the main library in Oakland. And yet not
just in the main library. We'll also be spilling out
onto the front yard of the library and onto Schenley Plaza.
So this excitement and these activities cannot be contained in
(04:42):
a single building.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Once again, if somebody wants more information, where do they go?
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Pittsburgh Book Festival dot org and will be there from
ten to five on Saturday, May thirty first.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
All right, so summertime is always your busy time. You're
talking about, you know, school reading programs and things like that.
What are some of the things that you have planned
for this summer?
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Well, you are absolutely right that summer reading is my
favorite season of the year because it's about books and
it's about fun. And here's the secret, it's also about
maintaining for young people what they learned in school over
the previous year and being ready to go back to
school in the fall, ready to learn. So we always
(05:27):
celebrate with the Summer Reading Program, and this year it's
Flights of Imaginations. So come to the Carnegie Library Pittsburgh,
any of the locations, the one that's closest to you,
and also online and have an amazing experience that again
is really about fun.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Well, tell me more about the theme.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Sure, So our theme, like I said, is Flights of Imagination,
and it's about all things that fly. We have amazing
partners this year. We're working with the National Aviary and
the Moonshot Museum so we can learn about again all
things that fly. Sure, airplanes, and helicopters and hot air
balloons and all kinds of birds and dragons and hang
(06:10):
gliders and anything that you can imagine, because the idea
is to you know, come in and love love books
and read what you know that you're excited about, and
also to imagine things that you never knew that you
loved or were interested in.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
I almost introduced you as Anne Drew Medler because everything's
and you always have something. It's it's almost like a
set of ginsu knives. It's never just the ginsu knives.
There's that's that's not all. There's always something else because
you you you are very passionate about the library, the system,
(06:50):
the community, learning everything. And so I think if you,
if you would, if you, if you would indulge me
talk about, you know, the the involvement of the community
with the library in the summertime.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Well, the library is the community's library. That's the whole point.
That's the whole reason that your public library exists. It's
a place for you to foster your own literacy and
to enable your own explorations and to connect with your community.
(07:25):
And so the libraries in Pittsburgh and across Allegheny County
which are so wonderfully supported by our really great partners
at the Regional Asset District, are places to come for free.
We are free to the people to come in and
to do all those things, foster what you're interested in,
(07:46):
explore and connect with other people. And so we do
that at the library through our Summer Reading program, Yes,
which has really fun programs and events. It also has
amazing books to discover. We even more books during the summer.
Amazing spaces that are cool, that are engaging, and that
(08:09):
are open and welcoming to anyone for not even a penny.
And we have amazing library workers. My hundreds of colleagues
that I get to work with every day are there
to welcome you into this amazing space.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
It's no secret I've always you and I both have
talked about my you know, my passion for libraries and
how it's affected me in my life and my kids
and my family. And of course I know you know
the assets of the library. But you hear every once
in a while, you hear somebody say, why do we
need libraries? We have the library, or we have the internet,
(08:48):
why do we need libraries? And I've I've always been
a person who you know, but I'm curious what your
response is to somebody who says that.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Well, our neighbors say very differently. Our neighbors together say
that the library is an important and needed place. I'll
tell you we last year at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh,
thanks to our partners at the Regional Asset District, we
increased the hours that our buildings are opened by the
biggest amount ever in the history of our library, and
(09:20):
two hundred and fifty thousand more visits happened at the
library last year than the year before. So if you're
someone who is saying that libraries aren't needed, I have
a quarter of a million people who will tell you different.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
Yeah. Absolutely all right. So I'm so proud to have
an association with Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. I'd love your
passion and I really wish you all the luck in
the world with this year's year Book Festival and of
course not only the summer but for the future. And Drew,
thank you so much for stopping by.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Thank you, the feeling is very mutual. Appreciate your support
and your passion. And I'll see at the library.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
This has been the CEO's You Should Know Podcast showcasing
businesses that are driving our regional economy, part of iHeartMedia's
commitment to the communities we serve. I'm Johnny Heart. Well,
thank you so much for listening.
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