The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
‘We’re at the heart of the community’
Library’s new podcast aims to foster local connections
MIDDLETOWN — In just a week, the first podcast borne out of the Russell Library’s strategic vision to spread the word on people who make Middletown such a diverse city is garnering worldwide attention.
“The idea is to get the public to know the names and faces, and now, voices to create that personal connection,” Director Ramona Burkey said. “I’m absolutely amazed and proud of our team.
Middletown Strong: Looking up with Russell Library show co-hosts are Cate Tsahalis, Burkey’s executive assistant; Ayanna Wright, who works in the teen department; Information Services and Adult Learning librarian Christy Billings; children’s librarian Kate McCarthyBond; and Kim Spachman, who works in the Digital and Emerging Technology Department.
“I was blown away by the quality and professionalism. It made me feel good listening to the podcast. We want the people of Middletown to feel good, too,” Burkey said. It will be released on a biweekly basis.
The library is open only for curbside pickup during the pandemic, making the project all the more important, Burkey said.
Tsahalis approached her supervisor about creating a podcast that centered on gratitude. As she spoke with other staff members,
they, too, were interested, she said. That idea eventually evolved into creating something “uplifting” involving members of the community who would be interviewed for the broadcast.
“Over the past year, a lot of people have not felt very uplifted, and have felt very disconnected. This is a way to get to know others in the community, maybe they haven’t heard of, as a way to feel more pride in the city,” Tsahalis said. “There hasn’t been enough of that.”
The library, located at 123 Broad St., released its strategic plan last month. Creating it was a yearlong process.
With the help of professional consultants, library workers conducted dozens of focus groups, interviews, surveys and advisory council meetings to solicit input from community members. More than 600 individuals completed surveys, according to the board of trustees.
“This fulfills our mission to connect with people. We felt the podcast was a great way to do that,” Burkey said. “We want to make sure we connect on a human level, and make sure people know we’re a trusted resource. We’re at the heart of the community.”
“When most people think of the word ‘library,’ they don’t think podcast,” Burkey said. “We have a diversity of talent,” including those who are into gardening, music, sewing and even chicken keeping, she said. Once Burkey began speaking with employees, even she was surprised.
Both Wright and Tsahalis have experience in radio and television. Eventually, the library will have an area in the annex building next door where patrons will find two refurbished computers with Zoom capability, two microphones and headsets, Tsahalis said. The hope is to create a podcasting station where visitors can use the equipment free of charge.
The software they’re using is either no- or lowcost, as the library has a limited budget, Tsahalis said.
The day the first episode was released, 73 people downloaded it, Tsahalis said. As of late Tuesday afternoon, that number had risen to 100. The first involved a get-to-know-you segment, during which each host explained her background; and they offered several book recommendations for adults and teens as part of “Shelf Life and Turn That Shhh Up!”
They also learned some fun facts about each other, and played 20 questions, Burkey said. “We’ve already had dozens and dozens of downloads all over the world.”
Tuesday’s interview will be with Leah Maille, the owner of Stage Left Dance, whom Tsahalis has known for a long while, she said. Maille, a dancer, doula and yoga instructor, also runs women’s circles.
Subsequent podcasts will feature a 17-year-old who is writing a children’s book, and an interview with a veteran. There are many other ideas in the works.
Meanwhile, Burkey is looking ahead to when full services resume and people can return to the building. She wants to do “cool things” with the lobby that won’t cost much, such as “having a designated area that’s dynamic with always changing with performances or demo spaces,” and possibly even a cafe to make it “a lot more enticing and active and engaging.”
To accomplish that, the director will be polling staff, looking for their “special talents.”
“We really wanted to have a good feel for issues our community is facing. There’s an amazing diversity of people, and we want to highlight all the wonderful things they’re doing,” Burkey said.
The next episode will be released Tuesday. To hear the first podcast, visit middletownstrong.buzzsprout.com. Contact the library at 860-347-2528.