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Rhody Radio: A Very 2020 Solution
Rhody Radio is Rhode Island’s first collaborative state-wide library radio project. Born in a time when libraries were closed to the public due to a worldwide pandemic, Rhody Radio has become a long-term programming outlet for libraries. Rhody Radio is a podcast produced by library staff and their communities. It captures conversations, lectures, and performances with many talented Rhode Islanders all in a format as welcoming as libraries themselves, available 24/7 wherever you find your podcasts. If you are a library staff person, presenter, performer, or community organization that would like to get involved with Rhody Radio, contact us at rhodyradioonline@gmail.com.
Project Team
Nicolette Baffoni, OLIS Liaison and Community Engagement Lead
Nicolette Baffoni is the Learning and Community Engagement Coordinator at the RI Office of Library & Information Services, where she coordinates continuing education for library staff, supports adult programs, and works to connect other state agencies and community organizations to public libraries. Nicolette also serves on the Advisory Board of the Rhode Island Center for the Book. Nicolette would frequently record herself reading books when she was a child, and became a school librarian for many years, in part so she could continue reading books out loud; exploring podcasting through Rhody Radio has been a great substitute for reading out loud now that she no longer works in a school. Contact Nicolette at nicolette.baffoni@olis.ri.gov.
Dave Bartos, Audio Recording and Technology Lead
Dave Bartos is the Coordinator of Adult Services at the Cranston Public Library, where he focuses on collection development, professional library services, and community programming and engagement. In April 2020, he co-launched the podcast Down Time with Cranston Public Library with Tayla Cardillo, branch librarian at CPL’s Oak Lawn Branch, as a venue for the community to connect with library staff book and movie suggestions during lockdown. He then applied this on-the-job experience of recording, editing, and distributing a podcast to Rhody Radio as this project was in development in the Spring and Summer of 2020. He is the main point of contact for audio editing and technical questions, training, and support. You can contact him at davebartos@cranstonlibrary.org and find him on Mastodon @davebrarian.
Emily Goodman, Producer and Marketing Lead
Emily Goodman is the Adult Services Coordinator at the RI Office of Library & Information Services where she coordinates state-wide projects (like Rhody Radio). When she's not working on projects, she's listening to audiobooks, in the kitchen batch-cooking to stock her freezer, or visiting one of the many wonderful small business in Rhode Island. She brought her intimate relationship with Canva to Rhody Radio, creating the logo, episode frame template and public marketing materials. For marketing queries and requests, general questions about episode production, or to chat about her passion for sustainability and low(ish)-waste living, you can contact her at emily.goodman@olis.ri.gov
Lauren Walker, Producer and Lead Listening Editor
Lauren Walker is the Assistant Director at Coventry Public Library, where her main focuses are adult programming, collection development, marketing, and library administration. As an avid listener of podcasts interested in how podcasting could expand library programming, Lauren began attending virtual Rhody Radio editorial meetings at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. After sitting in on several meetings as a curious spectator, she finally joined the team as a content creator and Lead Listening Editor. For information on becoming a listening editor, contact Lauren at lwalker@coventrylibrary.org