Stump the Librarian

Stump the Librarian

Welcome to Kent District Library’s Stump the Librarian Podcast where your friendly neighborhood librarians put their research skills to the test answering questions from you, the listener! Jill and Liz every other Wednesday to learn new and exciting information. Think you have a question that can stump us? Visit www.kdl.org/stump to submit a question of your own!

Episodes

October 22, 2025 30 mins

Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “How do landfills work?” and “How many teeth do whales have?” We also have a fact about Pokémon and a great book recommendation you are sure to love! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

Regarding landfills... 

https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/solid-waste-management/471032/related#nodeId=websites&page=1 

https://www.epa.gov/l...

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That Dog Has a Job! 

In this episode we answer the questions “Why are there rocks around train trachs?” and “What is the difference between service dogs and therapy dogs?” We also share a fact of the day from Kentwood Librarian Hatka and Jill recommends an exciting chapter book about kids stuck in an airport. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!       

 

Hatka’s fact of day: Sensational ...

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September 24, 2025 34 mins

Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Why is hippo sweat red?” and “How old is the US postal service?” We also have a fact about squids and a super fun graphic novel recommendation you are sure to love! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

Regarding Hippos... 

https://a-z-animals.com/animals/hippopotamus/hippopotamus-teeth-everything-you-need-to-know/ 

https://en.wikipedia.o...

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September 10, 2025 28 mins

Thanks a Lot, Axolotl! 

In this episode we answer the questions “Where do seagulls live?” and “Can axolotls regrow parts of their brain?” We also share a fact of the day from Ada Librarian Angela and Jill recommends a summertime chapter book. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!      

Angela’s fact of day: Extreme Records by Julie Beer https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C603149 

...

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Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Why was Central Park set aside as a park in New York City?” and “Why do bats live under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, TX?” We also have bonkers balls fact from a special guest and two picture book recommendations. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

Regarding Central Park... 

 

"Central Park." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Bri...

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May 14, 2025 27 mins

In this episode we answer the questions “How did Poseidon get the sea?” and “What is a Portuguese Man of War?” We also share a fact of the day from Bookmobile Librarian Caleb and recommend a quirky chapter book. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!     

 

 

Jill’s book recommendation: The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science  

by Kate McKinnon 

https://kdl....

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April 30, 2025 31 mins

Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Why do I lift out of my seat on a roller coaster?” and “How do animals stay up when they sleep?” We also have a fact about  hippos and an amazing book recommendation you are sure to love! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

 

Regarding Roller Coasters... 

 

https://coasterforce.com/physics/ 

https://physicsworld.com/a/twists-turns-thril...

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April 16, 2025 31 mins

The Ink-redible Octopus 

In this episode we answer the questions “What’s the weirdest invention that actually worked?” and “Do all octopuses ink?” We also share a fact of the day from KDL’s Data Coordinator and share a nonfiction book about a daring dog. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!     

  

Jill’s book recommendation: Balto by Emma Carlson Berne 

https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/...

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Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Why does cool air come out of a person's mouth when they blow (like to cool off hot soup), but warm air comes out when a person goes HAAAAAAH (think warming your hands on a cold day)?” and “Do hummingbirds really hum?” We also have a fact about gardens and a book recommendation you are sure to love! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

 

...

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March 19, 2025 26 mins

The Booger Episode  

In this episode we answer the questions “How do trees talk to each other?” and “Why are boogers green?” We also share a fact of the day from a Patron Services librarian and share a graphic novel about a student struggling with math. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!    

  

Joel’s Fact of the Day: The Animal Toolkit by Steve Jenkins  

https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/...

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Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Why do we get goosebumps?” and “Are narwhals the unicorn of the sea?” We also have a fact about bones and a book recommendation you are sure to love! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

Regarding Goosebumps.... 

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-do-you-get-goosebumps 

"skin." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 6 Jun. 2019....

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February 19, 2025 28 mins

In this episode we answer the questions “Is seaweed a plant?” and “What is the most dangerous bird?” We also share an elephant fact of the day from a Plainfield Twp. librarian and recommend a fascinating nonfiction book about parasites! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

  

Lynn’s Fact of the Day: Fish Farts and Other Amazing Ways Animals Adapt by Joanne Settel 

https://kdl.biblioco...

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February 5, 2025 26 mins

Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “What’s the tallest mountain in the world?” and “Are reindeer real?” We also have a fact about a very fast shark and an adventure/fantasty book recommendation you are sure to love! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

Fact of the day book: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1124561 

Book recommendation:https://kdl.bibliocommons....

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January 22, 2025 29 mins

In this episode we answer the questions “How is paper recycled?” and “How do we know elephants never forget?” We also share a fact of the day from an East Grand Rapids librarian and share a funny science fiction book about a boy from outer space! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

 

Monica’s Fact of the Day: Incredible Animal Trivia by Eric Braun 

https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/re...

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January 8, 2025 27 mins

Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Why are school buses yellow?” and “What is up with the naked mole rat?” We also have a fact about the richest person in history and a book recommendation you are sure to love! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

Regarding School Buses... 

https://archive.nytimes.com/cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/why-are-school-buses-yellow-a-tea...

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December 18, 2024 26 mins

In this episode we answer the questions, “What is the one bone in the body that floats?” and “What is the Blue Glaucus and what does it eat?” We learn a fact of the day live from a Wyoming librarian and share a funny chapter book about a kid finding a heap of money. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!    

Jackie’s Fact of the Day: Amazing Facts- Olympics & Paralympics by Caroline Ro...

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December 11, 2024 27 mins

Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Why do we yawn?” and “why does my voice sound different on a recording?” We also have a fact about a sailing stones and a cozy mystery recommendation you are sure to love! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

Fact of the Day book: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1124561 

Liz Recomends: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record...

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November 27, 2024 25 mins

In this episode we answer the questions, “How does GPS work?” and “Why do I have to brush my teeth?” We learn a fact of the day from a Byron Township librarian and share a fantasy chapter book that would be perfect for fans of magic & animals. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

Natalie’s Fact of the Day: Do Your Best: How to Be a Scout by Bear Grylls 

https://kdl.bibliocommons.c...

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November 13, 2024 24 mins

Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “How do we know what stars are made of?” and “Why does my stomach growl when I’m hungry?” We also have a fact about a megaldon shark and a book recommendation you are sure to love! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

Hannah’s Fact of the Day: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1018270 

Liz’s Book Recommendation: https://kdl.bib...

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October 30, 2024 29 mins

In this episode we answer the questions, “How do animals that live underground know where they’re going?” and “Why can’t I tickle myself?” We learn a fact of the day from an East Grand Rapids librarian and share a realistic fiction chapter book that would be a great family readaloud. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

Jenny’s Fact of the Day: Why? Encyclopedia: Brilliant Answers to ...

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