Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 21: Storytelling at Mudrooms

At Mudrooms, Juneau's monthly storytelling event based on Anchorage's Arctic Entries, seven community members tell seven-minute stories around a theme. Mudrooms is currently in its fourth season and has raised over $28,000 for local charities, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Imagination Library, and AWARE. In this podcast, founders Amanda Compton and Alida Bus talk with librarian Claire Imamura about how Mudrooms got started, the power of stories, and dealing with stage fright.

We had a technical issue at the beginning, but the problem is fixed 1 minute and 31 seconds into the recording. We apologize about the initial sound quality.

Listen to podcast (.mp3)
[ 17 minutes ]
Recorded on December 12, 2014

Learn more about storytelling in Alaska and around the world:

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 20: Mango and OWL for Language Learning

Librarian Freya Anderson talks about how she uses Mango Languages and OWL videoconferencing to gain confidence and keep her brain young. Find out more about these great resources, accessible to all Alaska residents with internet access, and how you can join the Alaska State Library's French language discussion group.

Listen to Podcast (.mp3)
[10 minutes]
Recorded on November 12-13, 2014

Find out more:

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 19: Empowering Alaskans To Be Healthy, Independent, and Productive

Librarian Julie Niederhauser sits down with Kate Burkhart, Executive Director of the Advisory Board on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse and the Alaska Mental Health Board, to talk about the prevalent issue of substance abuse in Alaska and the behavioral health of Alaskans. Kate informs us that many Alaskans are affected by substance abuse and/or mental instability in some capacity, but support and solutions are available to those who seek it. We are all Alaskans, no matter what the struggle.

Listen to Podcast (.mp3)
[ 34 minutes ]
Recorded on October 6, 2014

Find out more:

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

How much was the PFD for the past seven years?

The 2014 PFD is the third largest in history, surpassed only by 2008 and 2000. Here are the amounts for the past seven years.

2014 $1,884.00
2013 $900.00
2012 $878.00
2011 $1,174.00
2010 $1,281.00
2009 $1,305.00
2008 $2,069.00

We previously posted the amounts for 2002-2007. The payment amounts since 1982 can be found at the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation website.

Since You Asked! Episode 18: Juneau Teacher Tales, 1930-1959

The Juneau Retired Teachers Association recently published the second edition of their book about Juneau teachers' experiences. The book includes personal histories by teachers who worked in Juneau in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, as well as information about Juneau's educational history. In this podcast, librarian Claire Imamura talks with retired teachers Barb Potter and Marie Darlin about the project.

Listen to Podcast (.mp3)
[ 20 minutes]
Recorded on September 29, 2014


Learn more about the Juneau Retired Teachers Association and find resources for your own historical research project:

Monday, September 15, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 17: Emergency management in Alaska, then and now

In 1964, a 9.2 earthquake struck Alaska, causing considerable damage to Alaska’s cities and villages. President Johnson appointed Dwight Ink of the Atomic Energy Commission to coordinate reconstruction after the earthquake. He had six months to do the job! Hear an excerpt from a conversation between Dwight Ink, former Executive Director of the Federal Reconstruction and Development Planning Commission, and John Madden, current Director of the Alaska Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. They were joined by Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Commissioner Pat Kemp, and Mr. Ink’s family members, Donna Wolf and Bruce Ink. Anastasia Tarmann, of the Alaska State Library Historical Collections recorded the session for University of Alaska Fairbanks's Oral History Program. Special thanks to all of the participants, and to University of Alaska Fairbanks.


Listen to Podcast (.mp3)
[ 18 minutes]
Recorded on September 10, 2014

Learn more about Alaska's history and emergency management in the state:
Learn more about the 1964 Earthquake:

Monday, September 1, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 16: Conserving Shipwreck Artifacts from the Gold-Rush Era

Librarian Claire Imamura talks with Conservator Ellen Carrlee of the Alaska State Museum about the museum's efforts to preserve artifacts recovered from the gold rush era shipwrecks in Alaska.

Listen to Podcast
[ 13 minutes ]
Recorded on August 26, 2014

Learn more about this shipwreck and the efforts being made to preserve it:

Friday, August 15, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 15: Juneau's Community and Economic Development

Librarian Julie Niederhauser talks with District 2 assembly member Karen Crane about the affordable housing shortage in the City and Borough of Juneau, the Willoughby Arts and Cultural District, Juneau's economic development, and the current state budget deficit. Julie also inquires about Karen's community service and the importance of participating in community.

Listen to Podcast (.mp3)
[ 20 minutes ]
Recorded on August 8, 2014

Learn more about....

Friday, August 1, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 14: Artist and Weaver Teri Rofkar

Librarian Julie Niederhauser talks with Tlingit artist and weaver Teri Rofkar. Teri is the recipient of the 2013 Rasmuson Distinguished Artist Award. During their conversation, Teri shares about her experience weaving baskets and textiles, as well as her work toward publishing a book with the University of Pennsylvania to share her knowledge of baskets.

Listen to Podcast (.mp3)
[ 25 minutes ]
Recorded on July 14, 2014

Teri Rofkar's website

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 13: State Single Audits

What is a state single audit and why is it important? Librarian Julie Niederhauser talks with Colleen Campbell, State Single Audit Coordinator of the Finance Division of the State of Alaska Department of Administration. Colleen enlightens listeners about the how and the why of state single audits and what that means for entities and organizations within Alaska who receive grants.

Listen to Podcast (.mp3)
[ 24 minutes ]
Recorded on June 26, 2014

Learn more: 

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 12: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Trends in Alaska

Ever wondered where all those numbers and statistics come from when it comes to substance abuse and mental health issues within Alaska? Librarian Julie Niederhauser interviews Ken Boegli, a research analyst of the Alaska Division of Behavioral Health, about substance abuse and mental health trends in Alaska. Learn where Alaska ranks compared to the rest of the United States when it comes down to the number of suicides or the abuse of marijuana within our state.

Listen to Podcast
[ 26 minutes ]
Recorded on April 4, 2014

Online access to statistics:

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 11: Alaska Water and Sewer Challenge

Librarian Julie Niederhauser speaks with Bill Griffith,  Project Manager of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s Alaska Water and Sewer Challenge, a research and development effort to find better and more affordable methods to deliver drinking water and sewage disposal services to rural Alaska.  

Listen to Podcast (.mp3) 
[ 18 minutes ]
Recorded on April 14, 2014

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 10: Support for Service Programs

Librarian Julie Niederhauser interviews Robert Sewell, Health Program Manager, Health Planning & Systems Development, Alaska Dept of Health & Social Services

Listen to Podcast (.mp3) 
[ 25 minutes ]
Recorded on March 21, 2014

Learn more about Health Planning & Systems Development in Alaska:

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 9: Juneau Public Libraries

Librarian Julie Niederhauser interviews Robert Barr, director of Juneau Public Libraries.

Listen to Podcast (.mp3) 
[ 21 minutes ]
Recorded on January 24, 2014

Contact Juneau Public Libraries:

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 8: Online Legal Resources Through the Alaska State Court Law Library


The Alaska State Court Law Library has more locations than any other library in Alaska. At each of these locations, people can access Westlaw and other credible sources for forms, case law, articles, and other legal information. The law library also offers online resources that people can search from their homes or offices. In this podcast, Marinke Van Gelder of the Alaska State Court Law Library describes these resources.


[ 9 minutes ]
Recorded on November 22, 2013


Contact the Alaska State Court Law Library:
  • Email us at library@courts.state.ak.us
  • Call the Anchorage Reference desk at 907-264-0585, or dial toll free: 888-282-2082 (in Alaska, but outside the Municipality of Anchorage)
  • Fax or mail a Request for Information form: Word | PDF
Start using the Alaska State Court Law Library's online resources:
Alaska Court System website
Alaska State Court Law Library website
   Library Catalog
   Locations & Hours
   Electronic Research Resources

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 7: Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute

Librarian Julie Niederhauser speaks with Tyson Fink about the Alaska Seafood Marketing Industry. Tyson serves as the Communications Director of ASMI, which partners with the State of Alaska.

Listen to Podcast (.mp3)
21 minutes ]
Recorded on December 16, 2013

Learn more about the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute:

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 6: Book Review of Computer Security Literacy: Staying Safe in a Digital World

Digital Librarian Daniel Cornwall reviews the book Computer Security Literacy: Staying Safe in a Digital World by Douglas Jacobson and Joseph Idziorek. Daniel provides an overview of the book's content along with a favorable review. The podcast closes with three computer security tips taken from the book.

Listen to Podcast (.mp3)
[ 12 minutes ]
Recorded on January 15, 2014

Table of Contents, as promised in the podcast:

Chapters
  1. What Is Information Security?
  2. Introducation to Computers and the Internet
  3. Passwords under Attack
  4. Email Security
  5. Malware: The Dark Side of Software
  6. Malware: Defense in Depth
  7. Securely Surfing the World Wide Web
  8. Online Shopping
  9. Wireless Internet Security
  10. Social Networking
  11. Social Engineering: Phishing for Suckers
  12. Staying Safe Online: The Human Threat
  13. Case Studies
  14. Moving Forward with Security and Book Summary
Glossary
Appendix A: Reading List
Appendix B: Basics of Cryptography
Appendix C: Web Surfing Security Technologies


Find this book:

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 5: Alaska State Library Historical Collections / Alaska's Digital Archives

Librarian Julie Niederhauser speaks with Jim Simard about the Alaska State Library Historical Collections and the Alaska’s Digital Archives. Jim serves as the Head of Historical Collections for the Alaska State Library.

Listen to Podcast (.mp3)
[ 19 minutes ]
Recorded on December 30, 2013

Contact the Alaska State Library's Historical Collections:

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 4: Becoming a More Effective Public Speaker with Toastmasters


In this podcast, Katie Fearer of the Alaska State Library talks with Joyce Vick, an accountant with the Department of Administration, Division of Finance, and member of Toastmasters.  Toastmasters is a membership organization focused on public speaking and leadership.  Joyce describes Toastmasters and explains a few key public speaking tips.


Listen to Podcast (.mp3)
[ 11 minutes ]
Recorded on January 17, 2014


Learn more about Toastmasters:


Saturday, February 15, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 3: Exxon Valdez Litigation Documents Project

Librarian Julie Niederhauser speaks with archivist Larry Hibpshman about the Exxon Valdez Litigation Documents project.  Larry is an archivist with the Alaska State Archives and responsible for overseeing this important project.

Listen to Podcast (.mp3)
[ 18 minutes ]
Recorded on October 26, 2013

Contact the Alaska State Archives:

Additional Resources:

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 2: SLAM Building

Librarian Julie Niederhauser speaks with Bob Banghart about the State Library, Archives and Museum building (also known as the SLAM building) currently under construction in Juneau. Bob serves as the Deputy Director for the Alaska State Library and Chief Curator for the Alaska State Museum.

Listen to Podcast (.mp3)
[ 25 minutes ]
Recorded on October 23, 2013

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Since You Asked! Episode 1: Alaska Economic Trends

Librarian Julie Niederhauser speaks with Dan Robinson about the Alaska Economic Trends, a monthly publication dealing with a wide variety of economic issues in the state of Alaska. Dan is the Chief Research Analyst for the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development.

Listen to Podcast (.mp3)
[ 13 minutes ]
Recorded on October 21, 2013

To contact Trends authors or request a free electronic or print subscription:
Alaska Economic Trends Online Resources:
Subscribe to a hard copy in the mail or view online
Search archived copies online (1978 - present)