Shows / The Free Bin
The Free Bin
Join the staff of the Toledo Public Library as they dive deep into history, culture, and the arts! That's Toledo, Oregon, USA, by the way--not the bigger one in Ohio or the original one in Spain. But a public library serves everyone, so if you are someone, The Free Bin has something for you. Whether it's cult movies, cultural history, classic stories, games, or (of course) books, you never know what you'll find in here, so reach on in! The Free Bin is a production of the Toledo Public Library…
Episodes
- The Free Bin
Bacon
Sophia invites Cindy and Harrison to share some books from their favorite genres, as well as some unexpected picks. Thrilling adventures, dubious ghosts, and…
- The Free Bin
Radioactive
Cindy, Harrison, and new Library Programs Specialist Sophia discuss the Declaration of Independence, drink some more red juice, and recite the immortal words…
- The Free Bin
Five-Foot-Five, A Hundred And Forty Pounds
See the video episode here! As the library's Joust tournament approacheth, Harrison introduces Cindy to this classic arcade game, and seeks to answer one…
- The Free Bin
The Toledo Turkey
Cindy teaches Harrison about the history of Father's Day, acknowledges the complicated feelings that the holiday can bring, and caps it all off with a relevant…
- The Free Bin
Like A Zoo
Cindy and Harrison explore the public domain and beyond in this discussion of copyright, its implications for software preservation, and how to support the…
- The Free Bin
Bone Juice
Harrison and Cindy discuss the interesting case of "Unknown Man E," the Harem Conspiracy, and what this case can teach us about official records, historical…
- The Free Bin
Cindy the Doomslayer
Cindy steps into Doomguy's armor-plated boots to rip and tear through a discussion of Doom (1993), the evolution of PC game control schemes, and the ways in…
- The Free Bin
Very Polygonal Woman
In anticipation of this year's game-centric Summer Reading Program, Cindy and Harrison discuss some notable film adaptations of video games. Cindy is a Peach…
- The Free Bin
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
On the eve of her retirement, Denyse shares some favorite memories with Cindy, Harrison, and you, the listener. We've laughed, we've cried, we've dressed as…
- The Free Bin
Checking In (Stay Tuned!)
Harrison briefly explains why we've been quiet for a couple of weeks. Short answer: We have a lot of new stuff on the way!
- The Free Bin
Meeting Charles Conlee
Cindy shares a personal story from her father, detailing his experiences as an airman toward the end of the Korean War.
- The Free Bin
"I Can't Believe I Read The Whole Thing"
Content warning: This episode contains weird nightmare stuff. Harrison celebrates National Poetry Month by reading Clark Ashton Smith's 1920 eldritch…
- The Free Bin
This Picture's Horrendous
Harrison reads a few classic--and rather disturbing--19th-century children's tales from an English translation of "Struwwelpeter" by Heinrich Hoffmann. Music…
- The Free Bin
How Can I Better Understand You?
Cindy and Harrison celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and Cindy shares some relevant titles! In this episode: "The Bone Collector" by…
- The Free Bin
Steppin' On 'Em Like LEGOs
Cindy, Denyse and Harrison talk about board games, the Library's upcoming teen space, and more! Cindy challenges Denyse and Harrison to a literary trivia game…
- The Free Bin
Ten to Twelve Feet of Personal Space
Cindy and Harrison discuss some successful (and not-so-successful) book-to-movie adaptations. In this episode: "Black Klansman" by Ron Stallworth "Fear and…
- The Free Bin
There's a Lot of Little Guys
Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide. Don't try to lay no boogie woogie on the king of rabbit holes! In search of the origins of a…
- The Free Bin
Would That Spin?
Harrison chats with Donna Carter and Karen Fitzgibbon of the Yaquina Fiber Arts Guild to discuss the many facets of their work, as well as some upcoming…
- The Free Bin
Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025
Harrison shares a few titles for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In this episode: "Hellhound on His Trail" by Hampton Sides "The Kneeling Man" by Leta McCollough…
- The Free Bin
A Well-Meaning Grandchild
In preparation for the Toledo Public Library's upcoming digital literacy workshops (made possible by the Public Library Association and AT&T), Cindy and…
- The Free Bin
Public Domain 2025
Harrison shares some notable works that entered the public domain on January 1, 2025. The art, literature, music, and films of the 1920s are now in the public…
The Free Bin"Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus"
Santa Claus himself stops by the library to share Francis Pharcellus Church's classic 1897 newspaper editorial "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus." In this…
- The Free Bin
"We are the SLUGs, and we're proud of it!"
Richard Fetrow from the Seashore Literacy Ukulele Group (SLUGs) stops by to chat with Cindy and Harrison about the group's origins, activities, and community…
The Free Bin"Pumpkin Pie" by Mary Mapes Dodge
Harrison reads the short, humorous poem "Pumpkin Pie" by Mary Mapes Dodge.
The Free BinRaccoons Have Clean Little Hands
It's National Model Railroad Month again! Lisa Watson, Executive Director of the Yaquina Pacific Railroad Historical Society (YPRRHS), pulls into the station…
- The Free Bin
Some Good-Lookin' Dudes
Get your 20-sided dice ready! Cindy and Harrison sit down with esteemed local Dungeon Master (DM) Thomas Rogers to discuss all things Dungeons & Dragons (DnD)…
- The Free Bin
Readers' Advisory: Veterans' Day 2024
Harrison shares a selection of titles for Veterans' Day. In this episode: "In the Company of Soldiers" by Rick Atkinson "Jarhead" by Anthony Swofford "No Easy…
- The Free Bin
The Apple's More in the Smell
Harrison and Cindy chat with the Lincoln County Library District's hardworking cataloger/integrated library system (ILS) administrator, Christopher Davis, to…
- The Free Bin
Monster Romance with Swords & Starships
Harrison joins Brittney and Joshua from Swords & Starships, the Coos Bay Public Library's excellent sci-fi and fantasy podcast (listen wherever you get your…
- The Free Bin
Meet Cindy!
For The Free Bin's 100th(ish) episode, Harrison welcomes the Library's newest team member (and podcast co-host), Cindy! Cindy shares her favorite book and a…
- The Free Bin
The Stuffies Will Be The VIPs
Denyse and Harrison discuss their recent leisure reading endeavors. In this episode: "The Clockwork Sparrow" by Katherine Woodfine "Long Haul: Hunting the…
- The Free Bin
Did You Forget It Was Nasty?
Denyse and Harrison celebrate Banned Books Week with a couple of stories from history, a quiz game, and a strange liquid. Joyce causes trouble. "Obscene"…
- The Free Bin
May Shamash Bless Your Life
Denyse and Harrison exercise their right of selecting and discuss the complaint tablet(s) to Ea-Nasir--the much-maligned merchant, miscreant, and modern meme…
- The Free Bin
New and Noteworthy: September 2024
It's readers' advisory time! Harrison briefly shares a few new and newly-acquired items. In this episode: "The Animator's Survival Kit" by Richard WIlliams…
- The Free Bin
"The Autumn After Next" by Margaret St. Clair
Harrison reads Margaret St. Clair's humorous fantasy short story "The Autumn After Next" (1960).
- The Free Bin
Secret Otter Pockets
Denyse and Harrison wrap up their packed summer schedule by sharing the items they are/will be reading/watching. Inspired by actual events. In this episode…
- The Free Bin
The Good Ice
Denyse and Harrison share some road trip memories for American Adventures Month. Denyse feeds a notable hippo and visits a "treesort." Harrison eats a notable…
- The Free Bin
Minus the Stilts
Denyse and Harrison celebrate International Clown Week 2024 with some clown, comedy, and circus-related titles. Denyse shares her family connection to…
- The Free Bin
Self-Publishing in Another Toledo (with Vinnie Grewal)
Thanks to a fortuitous geographical mix-up, Harrison has a chat with self-published author and medical student Vinnie Grewal from Toledo, Ohio. Vinnie's…
- The Free Bin
You Can't Ride on That Yoshi
Denyse and Harrison share some books about fish, the sea, and related topics. Denyse becomes a puffin. Harrison gets carried away with fish stuff. In this…
- The Free Bin
Readers' Advisory: Historical Fiction
Harrison shares some historical fiction selections, struggles with his microphone levels, and drinks nothing. In this episode: "The Armor of Light" by Ken…
- The Free Bin
Readers' Advisory: Juneteenth 2024
Denyse brings some titles to celebrate Juneteenth, and Harrison brings a red beverage! In this episode: "An American Story" by Kwame Alexander "Box" by Carole…
- The Free Bin
Readers' Advisory: 80 Years From D-Day
Harrison quickly shares some nonfiction recommendations to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. In this episode: "The Allies" by Winston Groom "Citizen…
- The Free Bin
Genealogy with Muriel King
Muriel King from the Lincoln County Genealogical Society (LCGS) stops by to talk about her work and share some events and resources! In this episode: Lincoln…
- The Free Bin
"The Dog and His Girl" by Ricky Dyson
Local author Ricky Dyson shares an original short story about a very special dog.
- The Free Bin
Enchanted Forest with Susan Vaslev
Denyse and Harrison are joined by Susan Vaslev from Enchanted Forest theme park in Salem, Oregon. As the eldest daughter of park creator Roger Tofte, Susan has…
- The Free Bin
Short Episode: Smokey Bear Quiz
Harrison shares a five-question true-or-false quiz about Smokey Bear, who turns 80 this year! In this episode: "Decades" Smokey Bear PSA
- The Free Bin
People Like Them Dunes
April is National Poetry Month! Denyse and Harrison share a few favorite poems and poets. Denyse serves an opaque, brown liquid. In this episode: "Beneath a…
- The Free Bin
The Eyes Have It
Harrison reads the humorous short story, "The Eyes Have It," by Philip K. Dick.
- The Free Bin
Work of the Week: A Swift Kick
Denyse and Harrison share the cultural works that held their attention this week. Denyse dissects a pop star's corpus. Harrison loses an old game. Swifties…
- The Free Bin
Women's History Month 2024
Denyse and Harrison celebrate Women's History Month with a selection of books for readers of all ages! In this episode: "Agent Sonya" by Ben MacIntyre "Amerlia…
- The Free Bin
Chemirocha
Denyse and Harrison discuss one of the 20th century's most fascinating cases of cultural exchange. No spoilers! In this episode: "Chemirocha (I)" by Cherwo…
- The Free Bin
This is the Fancy One!
Harrison regales Denyse with the story of the Antiqua-Fraktur dispute. A dog wears a crown. Hitler gets mad. Due consideration is given to Comic Sans…
- The Free Bin
Black History Month 2024
Denyse and Harrison share some books celebrating Black history and bid Deb a fond farewell. In this episode: "African Samurai" by Thomas Lockley and Geoffrey…
- The Free Bin
Might Be a One-Timer
In this short episode, Deb and Harrison introduce the phenomenon of clandestine "bone music" in the Soviet Union, and also learn what "CoQ10" is. In this…
- The Free Bin
I Don't Know if There's Tea
Deb and Harrison share their favorite "cozy" titles. In this episode: "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman "A Common Life" by Jan Karon "Crooked House" by Agatha…
- The Free Bin
Outsider Art pt. 3: He Still Cannot be Stopped
The Free Bin concludes its outsider art series with a lively discussion of a few notable outsider musicians. Discussed in this episode: "Cousin Mosquito #1" by…
- The Free Bin
Outsider Art pt. 2: Year of the Dragon
Content warning: This episode contains discussions of hate crime and physical injuries. Happy New Year! Deb, Denyse and Harrison drink some cordyceps and…