October, it's the time to rake leaves, bob for apples, take a hayride and listen to the latest episode of Playback, the monthly podcast that revisits the best NPR had to offer from 25 years ago. This month's episode conjures up some frightening stories including the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the epic battle between Geraldine Ferraro and Barbara Bush, the mind games of Leon Redbone, and the twisted wreckage of John Waters' hilarious visit to the demolition derby. No matter if you like trick or treat, this month's Playback has a little something for everyone.

Stick up for your freedom! Read a banned book this week.

Kerry Thompson mined the depths of the NPR archive for September's episode of Playback, the podcast that revisits NPR's finest from 25 years ago this month. Not only did she unearth a classic piece on chair calisthenics, she also dug up a story about a brand new technology called the CD. In addition, there's some great interviews with comedian George Carlin, Shoe creator Jeff MacNelly, and an "oh so very young" Ellen DeGeneres. This month's episode also features another installment of "First File", the occasional series where we interview NPR's best and brightest about the very first piece they ever filed. Up this month is Art Silverman, a producer for All Things Considered, with his first piece entitled "Rat Olympics". It's destined to be a classic in the annals of NPRness.

As part of our audio reference services, librarians here at NPR are frequently asked to find old newsreels covering a specific topic or historical sound of a specific person. We do have a small but important collection of speeches, movies and television shows for the staff to use. Often times, though, we search known websites with archival sound for that perfect clip to be used in a reporter's story.

Recently two organizations have released free archival material on their websites that could come in handy for future audio reference questions.

Anyone who has been to an airport in the last few years knows that there are a lot of rules: Take off your shoes. Put your lip balm in a plastic bag. Get that computer out of your bag!

NPR's Brian Naylor reported today on whether these measures actually make flying any safer. But whether or not the "millimeter wave whole body imager" is truly effective, I think it's safe to say many of the enhancements to airport security that were made since 1985 do benefit travelers. Take for instance the fact that the baggage under the aircraft is now actually screened which was not true back then, as you'll here in this report by Wendy Kaufman:

from June 24, 1985 All Things Considered

September is Library Card Sign-up Month. The American Library Association (ALA) and local libraries across the country are sponsoring a marketing campaign to encourage children, teenagers, and adults to sign-up for a library card at their local public library. Basketball star Candace Parker is featured in multiple radio public service announcements as well as print media. This year's theme focuses on library cards as being the "new" must-have school supply and being one of the "smartest cards in your wallet."

Here in NPR's Spoken Word collection, I found a short skit The Library Card performed by Mr. Television Milton Berle, in which he tries to take out a book from the library but he doesn't have a library card.

from The Golden Age of Comedy: 50 Years of Great Humor, from Vaudeville to Video. Larchmont, NY : Longines Symphonette Society. 1971.

Freelancer reporter Ben Calhoun did a story about Reading Rainbow this morning. Today is the last day that Reading Rainbow will be broadcast on PBS.

I remember watching this show growing up and wanting to be one of the kids who recommended books. NPR's Ira Glass captured some of those kids auditioning for the show, as well as librarians and publishers discussing the value of the program.

from October 19, 1986 Weekend All Things Considered

Public libraries have become more important in communities around the country during this tough economic time. Still states are forced to cut budgets therefore reducing library services and/or closing library branches.

I was pleasantly surprised to catalog a story broadcast on Weekend All Things Considered highlighting one community that is making a significant investment to ensure future generations continue to explore and grow their imagination at their library.

from June 24, 1982 Morning Edition

It just so happens reporter Bruce Gellerman filed a story in 1985 (not quite 30 years, but still) on Americans' sugar consumption. Gellerman questions people on the street about the sugar content of one Coca-Cola and no one knows the answer.

Last Thursday, convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, was released from prison because he is suffering from terminal prostate cancer. NPR's Rob Gifford provided reaction from the residents of Lockerbie regarding this release on All Things Considered.

Pan Am Flight 103 crashed in Lockerbie, Scotland on December 21, 1988 just a few days before Christmas. That day Robert Siegel talked with NPR's Bill Buzenberg about the crash on All Things Considered.

Twelve years later on All Things Considered, NPR's Julie McCarthy covered the trial of the two bombing suspects. On the second day of the trial, Julie captured audio of al-Megrahi's daughter defending her father.

Here's something for those of you who can't take another story about people yelling and hollering during health care forums, or talking endlessly about Brett Favre.

It's an interview with a woman in Illinois who should be upset at being inconvenienced by hundreds of people calling her business phone, which happens to be very similar to the Cash for Clunkers phone number, but instead, she takes a positive attitude.

Things tend to slow down around these parts during the month of August, but you'd never know it after listening to this month's episode of Playback, the podcast that revisits the best of NPR from 25 years ago. August 1984 brought a variety of interesting guests to our studio, including Tony Randall, Randy Newman, and future Tonight Show host, Jay Leno. So cool off and chill out to the funky retro sounds of Playback.

Every summer many talented interns descend upon Washington, DC, for 10 weeks of (hopefully) life-changing experiences.

The summer "class" of interns at NPR are ending their time here this week. Every "class" is given the opportunity to produce their own 30-minute radio show, called Intern Edition and premiere it for the NPR staff. This year actually marks the 10th Anniversary of the Intern Edition program here at NPR.

Being a former intern, I wondered what kind of intern stories has NPR featured in the past?