Middle Country Public Library Podcast
Join the librarians of Middle Country as they chat about upcoming programs and events, hear entertaining discussions on what to read, what to watch, and what to do at Middle Country Public Library!
Episodes
This week, we dive into the 2026 Youth Media Award winners from the American Library Association, highlighting standout titles in children's and teen literature perfect for snowy days indoors. The team discusses the Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and more—plus why these award-winning books are flying off the shelves (and available digitally via Libby and Hoopla).
Then, cozy up for a deep dive into comfort food: the fascinating history...
Discover two powerful, free resources available through the library that open doors to rich history and endless reading possibilities!
First, Sara dives into a comprehensive digital collection exploring American Indian history—featuring primary sources, landmark treaties, court cases, tribal flags, maps, timelines, videos, slideshows, and in-depth articles organized by tribe, culture area, subject, and era.
Then, Nicole has the la...
Struggling with New Year's resolutions that never seem to stick? This episode dives into why most goals fade by mid-January and shares realistic, bite-sized ideas to help you actually follow through.
From small daily habits that support better health and sleep, to gentle ways to improve focus and mental clarity, we explore practical changes that feel doable instead of overwhelming.
We also talk about the joys (and realistic challen...
Join us as we kick off 2026 with our 20th "This Week in History!" From Samuel Colt's 1847 revolver contract that saved his company, Utah's 1896 statehood after Mormon reforms, Patsy Mink's historic 1965 entry as the first Asian American woman in Congress, to the 1933 start of Golden Gate Bridge construction, there's these and so much more that's happened this week...
Also check out the latest History Bites about Thomas Paine's Comm...
As we say goodbye to 2025, join Sara, Nicole, and Sal for a fun chat about everything they're looking forward to in the year ahead. From thrilling sports events like the Winter Olympics in Italy and the massive FIFA World Cup across North America, to binge-worthy TV including the explosive final season of The Boys, the stylish drama of The Gilded Age Season 3, a new Game of Thrones spin-off, Blade Runner 2099, and big Marvel return...
Happy Holidays from the MCPL Podcast!
From a new baby and rice cooker to binge-worthy shows like Stranger Things Season 5, Welcome to Derry, and Only Murders in the Building, plus standout books such as Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, I See You've Called in Dead by John Kenney, and Michael J. Fox's Future Boy – the team reflects on concerts, podcasts, and personal wins that made the year memorable.
Stay tuned next week for what the...
Join the team for a festive episode filled with holiday cheer! First, dive into a playful guessing game as Sara challenges Sal and Nicole to spot real Hallmark Christmas movie titles from fakes.
Then, Nicole explores family-friendly ideas for the school holiday break, highlighting upcoming winter programs at the library.
This week discover practical, parent-friendly ways to help your child learn to read (or read better) with library resources, guided oral reading tips, and why reading aloud for just 15 minutes a night makes a huge difference. Then we flip to the surprising value of small talk: why it matters, how it boosts happiness and connection, and simple tricks to make it less painful (or even enjoyable). Great for anyone who’s ever dreaded sm...
Join us for a discussion of Satoshi Kon’s 2003 animated film Tokyo Godfathers, an unconventional holiday story that’s equal parts heartwarming, chaotic, and surprisingly realistic.
On Christmas Eve in Tokyo, three homeless individuals — a middle-aged alcoholic, a former drag queen, and a teenage runaway — discover an abandoned baby in the trash and embark on a wild, coincidence-filled quest to return her to her parents.
Take out th...
Happy Thanksgiving from the MCPL Podcast crew!
Keeping our annual ritual alive, we're gearing up to launch the holiday festivities with a fresh batch of captivating trivia—drawn straight from a fascinating Reader's Digest feature you can check out here:
https://www.rd.com/article/thanksgiving-trivia/ and a little help from our A.I. friends...
Join us for a holiday-ready episode of the podcast, where we're dishing out smart, budget-friendly ways to spark joy and creativity for the little ones—think endless playtime possibilities without the price tag...
Plus, get ready to debate (and crave) the ultimate lineup of seasonal pies. Which one will end up on your table this Thanksgiving?
Join Jim and Sal for another This Week in History!
Relive the chaos of the 1965 Great Blackout that darkened the Northeast, the founding of the US Marine Corps in 1775, and Sesame Street's groundbreaking premiere in 1969. Explore the eerie sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, the solemn dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the chilling Amityville murders behind a horror franchise, Apollo 12's dramatic lightning-hit launch...
As the year races to a close, Nicole dives into the standout books of 2025—from a lush, illustrated teen romance set against Rome's timeless streets to whimsical tales of undead adventures, animal classroom chaos, and joyful transformations that blur the line between reader and story.
View the list here: https://best-books.publishersweekly.com/children/2025/
Then join Sara as she whets your appetite for Thanksgiving food with take...
Ever woken up frozen in the dark, sensing a shadowy figure lurking just out of reach? Nicole dives into the eerie reality of sleep paralysis—its science, cultural myths, and quick escapes—before we pivot to the silver screen's most relentless slashers.
From Ghostface's meta mind games and Jason's lakeside rampages to found-footage chills, demonic deals, and Xenomorph hunts across the stars, Sara tallies the terrors of horror's almo...
As we approach the end of spooky season, Sara shares picks for horror movies available at the library: the 2021 Candyman remake, The Collector, Wes Craven's The Serpent and the Rainbow, Sinister, and the Silent Hill films. Then, dive into horoscopes with Nicole—what makes them appealing, the psychology behind them like the Barnum effect, and tips for using them as prompts for journaling or meditation. As always, check out library r...
Join us for a Spooktober scare-fest at the library: horror picks like Stephen King's latest, The Buffalo Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones, The No-End House by Jeremy Bates, The Devil by Name by Keith Rosson, Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman, The Lamb by Lucy Rose, The Library at Hellebore by Cassandra Carr, and The Possession of Albert Diaz by Isabel Cañas—available to borrow now!
Then, dive into AI's eerie future: n...
We celebrate the podcast's 400th episode by stepping out of the studio and into the library for a tour of the podcast team's favorite spots.
Join us for the kickoff of Spooktober 2025 at the Middle Country Public Library Podcast! This episode dives into the eerie with a true-or-false trivia game, exploring chilling tales of hauntings, ghostly ships, and mysterious figures. From poltergeists to spectral observers, test your knowledge of spooky folklore and paranormal legends. Stay tuned for next week’s special 400th episode!
The new class of NASA astronauts has arrived and Nicole has the details. Did you ever think you'd might want to be an astronaut? What about your kiddies? We have some details. Plus Sara has another list of upcoming DVDs, including F1, a remake of a classic flick, some horror for the season, and more!
Join us this week for Sara's review of a new Broadway production of Samuel Beckett's iconic play, Waiting for Godot, featuring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. She discusses the timeless themes of this 1952 piece, exploring existentialism, absurdity, and the human condition through the lens of two tramps waiting for a mysterious figure. Hear about the minimalist staging, standout performances, and the play’s historical and critical si...
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