Submitted Photo Staff Writer Michele Meleen, left, and Rotarian Tom Berkhouse, right, display a draft of a logo for the Patterson Library’s “One Book, Two Book, Read Book, New Book” podcast program. Meleen explained the podcast series during the Oct. 23 Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club meeting, which was held at The Parkview in Westfield. This Rotary Club contributed $974 to help launch the Patterson Library’s podcast program.

What do discovery, fear and inventing have in common? They are just a few of the biweekly themes that will be the focus of Westfield’s Patterson Library new podcast program for children and families that will be launched in early December. Michele Meleen, Patterson Library Staff Writer, described the initiative with Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville members during this group’s Oct. 23 meeting, which was held at The Parkview in Westfield. Also, she showed a mock-up image of the logo, which was designed by her father, for the “One Book, Two Book, Read Book, New Book” podcast program. Her program was sponsored by Rotarian Tom Berkhouse, who is the Patterson Library Board of Trustees Vice President.

Several months ago, the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club offered a donation of $974 to the Patterson Library specifically for the purpose of launching its new podcast program. Meleen, who holds a Master of Science in Education Degree from St. Bonaventure University, has 15 years of experience in all levels of children’s programming. She is a full-time writer for the LoveToKnow.com website. About this podcast endeavor, Meleen stated, “As someone born in Westfield, I couldn’t be more excited about bringing quality, unique family programming to our community.”

Meleen explained, “A podcast is like a modern version of a radio show. People may hear podcasts on any listening devices, such as computers, phones, etc. Podcasts are just voice recordings. Basically, podcasts for children fall into two categories, either the reading of children’s stories or interviews done by children. Each of the Patterson Library’s podcasts will focus on one newer book and one older book, and will be tied into a theme, such as discovery, fear, made-up languages, books, inventing and neighbors. Due to legal issues, we will not be reading aloud the books.”

She continued, “Each of our podcasts will be the standard 15 to 20 minutes in duration. A host and a co-host will engage the listening audience with activities related to the theme, such as playing a game like “I Spy.” Kent Knappenberger, Westfield Academy and Central School Music Educator, is currently working on theme songs for each of the podcasts. The Patterson Library has purchased the necessary equipment, and our first podcast will air on Dec. 5, with Tom Vitale, Patterson Library Director, being the first co-host.”

Vitale added, “This is an amazing new program that will inspire wonder and curiosity in the youngest members of our community. We are proud to work with Michele on this exciting project, and we are grateful to the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club for its generous support.”

The podcasts will be of interest to those of all income levels, genders, generations and various environments. Meleen said, “We’re trying to reach an underserved population, those who can’t physically get to our library. Since we’ll be using a host site for the podcasts, we will be able to get some data analytics about this program’s use. We will have a special section in the Patterson that will have books related to the themes and that will be set up for a few days before and after each of the podcasts. It is not necessary for children and families to read the books ahead of time in order to enjoy the podcasts.”

Episodes, which will air every other week from Dec. 5 to early Dec. 2019, will be archived. Flyers about the program will be sent home with school students. There will be a lending page on Patterson Library’s web site and a link will be shared. A page will be on the library’s blog. Folks may leave comments or questions about the podcasts on this library’s blog or via email messages to Tom Vitale at director@pattersonlib.org. More exciting details about the Patterson Library’s new podcast program will be announced in the near future.