The podcast where we hammer home the importance of school libraries.
Hosted by RAILS Data Analyst Janette Derucki and IHLS School Library Membership Coordinator Leah Gregory.
Can't Shelve This is a product of the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) in collaboration with the Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS).
It's not magic, it's research. 🔎✨
Janette and Leah sit down with RA for All's Becky Spratford to explore the art of connecting readers with the right books. From practical tips and resources to building a culture of book discovery, Becky shares why Readers' Advisory is all about conversations and curiosity.
Relevant Links:
HR 7661
SB 4925
HR 2616
Amanda Jones on Can't Shelve This
RA for All (https://raforall.blogspot.com/)
Bram Stoker Award
NoveList
10 Rules of Basic RA
Library Journal's Book Pulse
Publishers Weekly
Shelf Awareness
Book Riot (https://bookriot.com/newsletters/)
USA Today's Best-Selling List
Summer Scares 2026 Programming Guide
Justina Ireland
Pernille Ripp on Can't Shelve This
The Tourist Map of Literature (https://www.literature-map.com/)
What Should I Read Next (https://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/)
Why I Love Horror by Becky Stratford
Actively Anti-Racist Service to Leisure Readers
Follow Becky on Bluesky
11 Aug 2026
Call Me Maybe (After School)
Illinois's Governor Pritzker just signed a school cell phone ban into law—what does that mean for school libraries?
Janette and Leah welcome Texas library media specialist Nina Canales (aka @NinaTheGeekLib) to share her firsthand experience navigating a districtwide cell phone ban and the surprising effects it had on students, teachers, and the library itself.
Relevant Links:
LuAnn's Viral Clip
Illinois Cell Phone Ban (SB 2427)
Yondr Pouch (https://www.overyondr.com/)
Nina's LinkTree (lots of resources!) (https://linktr.ee/ninathegeeklib)
Follow Nina on X, TikTok, and Instagram
9 Jun 2026
Last Times at Normal U-High
Last times, new beginnings, and everything in between.
Janette and Leah visit University High School for a behind-the-scenes look at a standout school library and the people who bring it to life: librarian Amy Brokaw and students Suhn and Anuraag.
Podcast's out for summer! We'll be back in August 🎙️✨
Relevant Links:
Kate McDowell
Sora Audiobooks/eBooks (https://soraapp.com/welcome)
SWANK K-12 (check your system's discounts first!) (https://www.swank.com/k-12-streaming/)
Live in the Lab Schools Podcast
iSAIL Standards (https://aisled.org/isail/)
AISLE Exemplary School Award
The Immigration Project (https://www.immigrationproject.org/)
IHSA Heart of the Arts Award
Fusion Robotics Program (https://www.theteamfusion.com/home)
Onshape
PrusaSlicer
Autodesk Fusion
Brogan M. Pratt (https://shop.broganpratt.com/)
W3 Schools (https://www.w3schools.com/)
Who has been a guest on Can't Shelve This
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Heather McCarthy
Emily
Nathan
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
45
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact Can't Shelve This
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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