Middle Country Public Library Podcast

Join us for an engaging discussion on an independent film that explores the complexities of growing up and facing life's challenges. We dive into the flick Late Bloomers, a 2023 dramedy about a young woman navigating personal struggles, relationships, and unexpected connections. With a talented cast, including a standout performance by a well-known actress, this movie offers a mix of heartfelt and challenging moments. Available to stream with your library card on Kanopy, this film sparks conversation about aging, responsibility, and self-discovery. Watch now to hear our thoughts, then let us know yours in the comments!

Celebrate National Dog Month with fun ways to honor your furry friends! Learn about the history of dog domestication, fascinating facts like their incredible sense of smell, and tips for keeping them safe and healthy in the summer heat. Discover activities like visiting dog-friendly trails, baking homemade treats, or hosting a pup playdate. Explore library resources, including pet-themed books like "Because of Winn-Dixie" and "A Dog's Purpose," and movies like "Homeward Bound." We also highlight Parent TV, a valuable resource offering thousands of short, expert-led parenting videos in multiple languages, accessible with your library card. Plus, get a book recommendation for "The Hunger Games" series, with a focus on the prequel "Sunrise on the Reaping," offering fresh perspectives on Haymitch’s story.

Join us as we explore fun and engaging family activities for August! Discover how to participate in the library summer tour, where visiting multiple libraries can earn you rewards like gift cards and patches. Learn about family programs and the convenience of museum passes for exciting outings to lighthouses, museums, state parks, and more. We also dive into Wellness Month, discussing simple ways to boost your physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, environmental, and occupational well-being. From small habits like stretching or journaling to library programs such as hula hooping and soul line dancing, find inspiration to stay active and connected!

Join us for an exciting discussion about National Night Out, a fantastic community event happening on August 5th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Centereach Pool Complex! We're thrilled to have special guests, Brookhaven Town Clerk Kevin LaValle, Officer Rob Dekenipp from the Sixth Precinct, and Coordinator of Outreach at MCPL Deborah Hempe sharing insights on this annual event that brings together the police and community in a relaxed, fun setting. Learn about the event's history, its growth over the years, and what to expect from touch-a-truck to food trucks, vendors, and activities like pickleball, beach volleyball, and pool fun. We also dive into the library's exciting contributions, featuring drones, coding robots, button making, and a performance by the Flashing Fingers Sign Language Club. Don’t miss this episode packed with details on this annual community gathering!

Join us for another summer fun episode where we dive into the latest book releases and share essential sun safety tips! Discover a diverse selection of new books, from nonfiction gems like "Secrets of Adulthood" to thrilling mysteries and unique cookbooks featuring creative ramen recipes. We also explore practical advice for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, including the best SPF options and sun safety practices for all ages. Perfect for book lovers reading on the beach and anyone looking to stay safe in the sun this summer!

Dive into a captivating journey through history with this week's episode, covering significant events from July 6th to 12th. Explore the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the establishment of the U.S. dollar, and the first Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Learn about pivotal moments like Anne Frank's family going into hiding, the first open heart surgery by Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, and the Scopes Monkey Trial. From the Battle of Britain to the duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, this episode uncovers fascinating stories that shaped the world.

Join Sal, Sara, and Nicole for a sizzling summer trivia episode of the podcast! Dive into a fun-filled celebration of Summer in the U.S.A. with challenging questions, lively banter, and surprising facts about the season. Play along at home, test your knowledge, and enjoy the festive vibes—perfect for kicking off your holiday weekend!

Join us for a special episode of the podcast featuring Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa from the Fourth Legislative District. In this engaging conversation, Nick shares his deep roots in Selden, where he was born, raised, and raised his own family. He reflects on his mother’s legacy as a legislator and how her community involvement inspired his own path in public service. Nick discusses his role as a county legislator, explaining the legislative process, his work on common-sense laws and efforts to address affordable housing and public safety. Plus, get the scoop on exciting upcoming events, including the library's “MCPL Under the Stars” concert series, and the Middle Country Chamber's "Music in the Park." Don’t miss this fun, informative and insightful episode!

For this week's special episode, we take a look at the 2025 Summer Reading Club, themed "Color Our World"! Join librarians from the adult, children's and teen departments as we cover this year's clubs and learn how reading this summer can enter you into a raffle to win amazing prizes and access to fun experiences. Sign up now and color your summer with reading! And remember: audiobooks and graphic novels count, too!

In this episode, we explore heartwarming and thought-provoking titles for all ages, from charming picture books like "Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle" and the true-story-inspired "Our Subway Baby" to captivating teen reads such as "Her Royal Highness" and "Every Day." We also highlight acclaimed novels like "The Song of Achilles," "The Guncle," and "Camp Damascus," alongside powerful stories like "The Prophets" and "The Emperor of Gladness." Discover these diverse, inclusive stories available at our library, perfect for readers seeking love, identity, and resilience. Browse our catalog or check out our Pride Month display at the library. Don’t miss this episode filled with recommendations that celebrate the rainbow of human experiences.

Join us for an exciting episode of the Middle Country Public Library Podcast as we dive into the vibrant summer programming for 2025! We cover everything from teen and children's programs to adult activities. Registration for teen and children's programs begins June 12th at 9:30 AM, with adult programs following on June 13th at 9:30 AM. Discover highlights like the Summer Reading Club themed "Color Our World," teen cooking classes, Disney trivia, Island Idol, and an intro to AI. For kids, enjoy off-site adventures like Quack-Tastic Night, free lunch programs, and Z-Tag. Adults can look forward to the new Suffolk County Parks parking permit program, Music Under the Stars concerts, National Treasure movie night, arts and crafts, cooking classes, and unique trips like the Thimble Islands cruise. Don’t miss out on these popular programs—register early! Visit mcplibrary.org for the full quarterly guide and join us for a summer packed with learning, fun, and community.

Join us for an eclectic episode this week as we dive into two important topics: water safety and micro habits. Nicole presents her annual look at critical insights on water safety, highlighting the importance of vigilance around pools and open water, especially for kids, with stats and tips from the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. Then, Sara introduces the concept of micro habits, drawing from bestsellers Atomic Habits and Tiny Habits, (both available here at the library) and explains how small, easy actions can lead to big life changes.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Nicole shares cozy, comforting book recommendations for kids and teens, including classics like Good Night Moon and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, plus mindfulness resources like Breathe Like a Bear. She also highlights library programs and digital resources to support mental well-being. Sara dives into exciting DVD releases hitting the library in June, featuring titles like the intense war drama Warfare, the quirky comedy The Ballad of Wallace Island, Stephen King’s horror-comedy The Monkey, the blockbuster Minecraft Movie, and action-packed Working Man starring Jason Statham. Plus, we share our favorite comfort watches and go on a fun tangent about the latest news on Peppa Pig's new sibling!

Join us for another "This Week in History" for May 11th–17th! From Minnesota joining the Union in 1858 to the Dust Bowl storms of 1934, the debut of Mickey Mouse in 1928, and the final episode of Seinfeld in 1998, we cover a wide range of historical events that shaped the world. Expect fascinating stories, Civil War insights, and pop culture moments!

Join us as we dive into the heartwarming sci-fi comedy Jules! The team discusses this hidden gem, starring Ben Kingsley, Harriet Sansom Harris, and Jane Curtin. When a UFO crashes in a small Pennsylvania town, lonely retiree Milton befriends a mute alien named Jules, sparking an unexpected adventure filled with quirky neighbors, government pursuits, and themes of loneliness, friendship, and human connection. Discover why this critically acclaimed yet underseen film earned a 9/10 from our team! Spoiler alert: We unpack the movie’s tender moments, clever Easter eggs, and surprising plot twists. Watch Jules for free with your MCPL library card on Hoopla Digital or take out the DVD today!

In honor of the premiere of the PBS documentary "Free For All," which many say is "a love letter to libraries," we’re diving into a fun and educational round of library trivia! Test your knowledge with 12 historical and technical questions about libraries, from the ancient Library of Alexandria to modern cataloging systems like MARC. Play along with Sara and Nicole at home and learn fascinating facts about the world of libraries.

Celebrate Earth Day (a little late) and get funky! This week, Nicole dives into the importance of Earth Day, sharing practical tips for families to connect with nature and recommending eco-friendly books for kids, teens, and adults. Plus, groove to the beat as we preview the upcoming Indie Lens Pop-Up event featuring the documentary "We Want the Funk," with a special live performance by Long Island's own NOIZ! Learn about the roots of funk music, the legendary James Brown, and how you can access funk-tastic resources through the library's digital platforms like Hoopla and Kanopy.

This week, discover the history of National Poetry Month, started by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, and explore its impact on readers, students, and poets worldwide. From tips on reading poetry to spotlighting U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón’s work, this episode covers it all. Plus, enjoy poetry recommendations for teens and kids, featuring powerful spoken word, Shel Silverstein-inspired rhymes, and even a custom poem about the podcast! Whether you're a poetry newbie or a seasoned fan, there’s something here for everyone.

This week Nicole explores the rise of space tourism and discusses Blue Origin's historic all-women space flight, launching April 14. Plus: Sara surprises us with a fun "real or fake" romance novel game.

Take a nostalgic trip through time with Sal and Jim celebrating the milestones of 2025! From the 10th anniversary of the earworm sensation Baby Shark (yes, it’s been a decade!) to the 70th birthday of Disneyland, where Walt’s magic began, this episode is packed with surprises. We’re talking Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Office, Back to the Future and The Goonies. Find out what superstar would be rocking his 90th if still around. Plus, did you know the game Operation and the Grand Ole Opry are marking anniversaries? Grab your DeLorean and dive into this fun, fact-filled chat about the anniversaries that shaped our world. Hit that like button, subscribe, and join the MCPL family—let’s celebrate history together!