Wednesday June 30, 2021 | VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC
by Jalen Codrington | Island Social Trends
Summer road trip season is here, and thanks to a new podcast from Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL), people can now bring a little bit of their library where ever they may roam.
Meet Me in the Stacks (MMITS) is described as a podcast for bookish people, and explores topics ranging from interviews with authors and academics to recurring segments with hidden gem reading recommendations.
“One of the most exciting things about being part of Meet Me in the Stacks is the freedom a podcast affords us to take deep dives into subjects that inform, entertain, and enlighten,” says Darby Love, VIRL Librarian and MMITS Co-creator.
MMITS is hosted by three librarians with diverse backgrounds and interests:
- Darby Love is a self-proclaimed “square dance caller and backyard farmer who got into libraries by riding the book carts at elementary school.” When she’s not podcasting, you can find her working out of the Nanaimo North branch of VIRL.
- Casey Stepaniuk is “a librarian and writer with special interests in Canadian and/or LGBTQ+ books.” She hosts the recurring Talk Bookish to Me segment on MMITS and works out of the Nanaimo Harbourfront branch.
- Nathan McKay is a librarian, musician, and the producer of the earworm MMITS theme song. In his role as a librarian, Nathan loves entertaining children and families at the Qualicum Beach branch.
In the most recent episode, Darby talks to acclaimed Indigenous writer, Eden Robinson — author of the Trickster Trilogy — about her books, sasquatches, matriarchy, and more.
Other topics discussed so far include storytelling in Dungeons and Dragons, a discussion with Lori Shwydky of Rebel Mountain Press, sci-fi and fantasy by black authors, and a fascinating interview about the Indian Act with prominent Indigenous Relations expert Bob Joseph.
Episodes are available to download for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Tune In. They can also be streamed any time at virl.bc.ca/meet-me-in-the-stacks. While there is no set release schedule, the team plans to produce 10 – 12 episodes per season.
