What We’re Reading: An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

“Atlanta is where I learned the rules and learned them quick. No one ever called me stupid. But home isn’t where you land; home is where you launch. You can’t pick your home any more than you can choose your family. In poker, you get five cards. Three of them you can swap out, but two are yours to keep: family and native land.” –Roy Othaniel Hamilton Jr in An American Marriage 


Roy and his wife Celestial are a young, attractive, highly-educated African American couple on the way to living their dreams in Atlanta– he as a rising executive and she as a folk artist dollmaker.  Then they find themselves at the wrong place at the wrong time, and Roy is arrested and convicted of rape, shattering their world.  What will their marriage become after Roy’s incarceration, and can it possibly survive? 


This book was read by Susan Baker, Main Campus Librarian. 

Title: An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

Genre: Realistic, contemporary fiction

Reading Great Things 2021 Challenge Categories: A book recommended by Durham Tech Library staff, A book About social justice or equity, A book about family

This book was read by Susan Baker, Main Campus Librarian. 

Continue Reading →

Let’s Talk Money!

April is Financial Literacy Month!

What’s that? April is almost over?

Better late than never!

Financial Literacy Month

Sometimes the most useful pieces of financial literacy are how to negotiate initial salary or pay raises, how to get that public service loan forgiveness, how to reduce medical bills (ask for that bill to be itemized), and other things that involve more than teaching someone how to open a checking account. See below for resources Durham Tech and the library offer for helping you handle your money.

Continue Reading →

Out Loud in the Library: Spanish Language Collection with Tracey Callison

Hello, hello, hello!

The podcast is back after a short break and this time I spoke with Durham Tech librarian Tracey Callison about our new Spanish Language Collection. She put in the leg work to make this happen. Find out how a library collection gets put together, why having more Spanish language materials is important, and what Tracey is reading! (Hint: She’s reading one of our favorites!)

Out Loud in the Library: Durham Tech Library Podcast

Find the 2021 Read Great Things Challenge categories on the library blog!

Follow the library on Facebook and Instagram. Contact me, Courtney Bippley, at bippleyc@durhamtech.edu. Contact the Durham Tech Library at library@durhamtech.edu

Music for this podcast was made by Robert Isaacs. 

Out Loud in the Library with Tayari Jones

The final Library Fest Podcast is out now! 

Out Loud in the Library: Durham Tech Library Podcast

I was honored to interview three amazing, influential, and accomplished people for Out Loud in the Library and Library Fest– Gordon C. James, Volkan Alkanoglu, and Tayari Jones. You can find the first two interviews at the links below. 

However, this blog post is to highlight the interview I did with Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage, Silver Sparrow, Leaving Atlanta, and more. I highly recommend reading at least one (or all!) of her books. She’s a great writer who approaches stories with a real grounding in character.

Listen below as we discuss research, typewriters, happy mail, and what it was like to discover her book being read in the wild. 

Make sure you sign up for the Morning Call with Tayari Jones at the Library Fest website. And, check what else is going on as well. Chances are you’ll find something interesting!

Out Loud in the Library with Gordon C. James

Have you heard about Library Fest yet? It’s next week! And as a partner of Library Fest, the Durham Tech Library was able to talk to three of the special guests that will be at Library Fest. 

Out Loud in the Library Logo, Library Fest Logo, and pictures of upcoming podcast guests.

Today’s interview is with Gordon C. James, artist and illustrator. He’s illustrated multiple award-winning books, including I Am Every Good Thing and Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut

Hit play below to listen to our conversation! 

Continue Reading →

Out Loud in the Library: ACA 122 with Deidre Yancey

Have you taken ACA 122? Have you taught ACA 122? Have you only heard about ACA 122? No matter what, this episode has something new for you to learn!

Listen to rockstar ACA 122 expert Deidre Yancey describe why Durham Tech requires it, what her favorite assignment is, and what she’s been reading!

Do you want to be on the podcast? Email me at bippleyc@durhamtech.edu. 

Out Loud in the Library-Getting to Graduation with Brian Moody

Sometimes it feels like you’ll be in school forever. And, the journey to graduation can have twists and turns you don’t expect. But you can still make it!

Brian Moody is a Durham Tech student graduating Spring 2021 who shares his experiences making it to the finish line and wisdom he gained along the way. And, how his fellow students can do the same. Listen below or find the podcast on your favorite podcatcher. 

Happy Birthday, Brian!