WHERE TO LISTEN “Who Dewey Think We Are?” is available at the Owatonna Public Library website, as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and IHeartRadio. Episodes:
owatonna.gov/230/New-at-Your-Library
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Just two episodes in, Christina Ingvaldson and Cassie Gilgenbach have touched on everything from local history to cryptozoology in their new podcast, but they have a long way to go before they’ve tackled every subject in the library.
Invaldson and Gilgenbach are the co-hosts of “Who Dewey Think We Are?” — a staff podcast launched by Owatonna Public Library in February. The monthly show explores a wide range of topics, including the latest happenings at the library.
Their third episode is due this month, and will likely release next week.
While libraries are usually in the business of storing media rather than producing it, Invaldson said the show is part of their strategy to meet the evolving needs of 21st century patrons.
“It’s essential to keep growing and changing and evolving with our community because part of the library’s purpose is to provide information to people in a way that they can get it. That means we have to change,” she said.
One of their goals with the podcast is to demystify the Dewey Decimal System, a source of bewilderment for many library patrons.
Gilgenbach acknowledged the Dewey Decimal System can seem dry and intimidating, but she said there’s plenty of fun to be had with it.
Much of this fun comes at the expense of the system’s creator, Melvil Dewey.
“Dewey was a real schmuck, so that does allow us a little fun in there where we can lighten the topic a little bit,” said Ingvaldson.
His ethical shortcomings are one of the topics addressed in their second episode. Regardless of their feelings regarding Dewey the man, the system that bears his name is an essential part of their job.
Ingvaldson was drafted into the staff podcast when she mentioned her interest in podcasting to Library Director Mark Blando, with Gilgenbach following soon after.
“Cassie and I play really well off of each other. We roped Cassie in to help balance me out a little bit. She provides a lot more of the facts and groundwork,” said Ingvaldson.
The two already had the right dynamic for the podcast, in part because they share an office at the library.
Gilgenbach, who describes herself as a “quiet type,” didn’t think of herself as a natural co-host, but she’s enjoyed expanding her comfort zone. Though OPL has been her library since childhood, the podcast has given her an even deeper knowledge of the library, and her field as a whole.
“It’s been interesting. I feel like it’s kind of refueled my passion for library science again,” she said.
Thus far, they’ve invited other library employees to guest on the podcast, introducing listeners to Blando, Blooming Prairie librarian Nancy Vaillancourt and Assistant Library Director Renée Lowery.
Gilgenbach said new listeners can jump into the podcast anywhere, noting that new episodes will include up-to-date information on library programming.
While they aim to educate their listeners, the podcast is also a learning experience for the hosts.
The podcast equipment they use is part of a makerspace that was funded by a grant the library received from T-mobile in 2022. The equipment will be available for public use in the future, but first they need to learn how to use it themselves.
By running their own podcast, Gilgenbach and Ingvaldson are learning all the pitfalls of podcasting, like when the files for their second episode seemingly vanished until Blando rediscovered them. Now when patrons run into the same problems, they’ll have experienced staff to rely on.
The details on the makerspace are still being ironed out, but Gilgenbach recommended curious patrons keep a close eye on the library’s website or Facebook page.
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