Library Table Talk is looking for guest podcast episode hosts - no podcasting experience required! Proposals are due Friday, August 14, 2026.
For our 2026-27 season, we’re looking for up to three guest hosts or guest host teams. We’d especially love proposals from early- to mid-career academic library workers who want to talk about a topic they’re curious or passionate about. As guest host, you would be responsible for the topic, format, and content of the episode - and if you’re interested, editing and producing the audio. Strong proposals will clearly position the topic within the scope of Library Table Talk. Please refer to past episodes to get a more concrete sense of the scope. We'll still consider new angles/perspectives on topics we've already talked about, but please clearly describe your different angle in your proposal.
For examples of past guest-hosted episodes, see episode 11, episode 12, and episode 13.
See the rubric we'll be using to evaluate proposals.
In a short paragraph, describe your topic, explain why it’s important to talk about within the profession, and tell us how it fits within the scope of Library Table Talk.
Tell us what format you’d like to have your conversation in. For example:
An interview with a guest or panel.
A conversation-style podcast with you and one or more friends, guided by questions or prompts.
Other! Let us know what ideas you have.
Provide two sample interview questions or discussion prompts. If you’re selected, you are not required to stick to these.
Tell us a little bit about yourself to contextualize your perspective on your topic.
Proposals are due Friday, August 14, 2026.
(This information will not be used to evaluate proposals.)
Any relevant experience you have with interviewing, audio production, etc.
Whether you’re interested in helping edit the episode, in addition to guest hosting.
Timeline:
Proposals are due by August 14, 2026.
We will be selecting and notifying our guest host by August 28, 2026.
Ideally, you’d record your episode by the end of December 2026.
We’ll publish the episode in spring 2027, or possibly in fall 2026 if you’re speedy.
Hannah and Stephanie’s role: We can consult with you on:
The process of recruiting and scheduling interviewees
Recording technicalities
Audio production
Any other questions that come up for you in the process
Credit: You will be credited as the author of the episode. If you edit the episode, you will be credited as the editor. Stephanie and Hannah will be credited as producers.
Proposals submitted now will only be considered for the 2026-27 season. Thank you for your participation!
Contact us with any questions via our contact form.
Submit your proposal via this Google form. Please limit one proposal per person. You are welcome to submit a joint proposal among 2-3 collaborators.
Michael Bean and Raegan Stearns, Episode 11 - Paths into the archives
Marcus Ortiz and Lindsay Inge Carpenter, Episode 12 - In the stacks: A reflection on library fellowship programs
John Bryans, Episode 13 - Leaving and returning