By Juli Knutson
Photos by Collin Stroup, Stroup Media
Libraries have long fostered a love of reading, learning, and connection through books, videos, puzzles, and community programming. Today, they have evolved into vibrant community hubs, filled with new creative opportunities for all ages.
The Boone Power Recording Studio at the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library’s Whitestown branch is a prime example. This innovative space provides patrons with the tools to create and share their knowledge and talent.
A place to create
The recording studio grew out of a larger effort to ensure the new branch reflected the community’s needs and interests. Before construction began, a recording studio emerged as one of the top suggestions from surveying area residents. It is part of the library’s extensive MakerStudio, which allows community members to use 3D printers, a laser engraver, sewing and embroidery machines, and more.
“We wanted the library to be a place where people could not only consume information but also create it,” said Kaki Garard, director of advancement for the library.“ A podcast and recording studio was a natural fit.”
That’s where Boone Power came in, providing the energy to make the space a reality — both literally as the electric provider for the facility, and through a naming-rights sponsorship of the studio. Boone Power views the library as an invaluable community partner, one that shares the value of improving quality of life.
The Whitestown branch serves as a central gathering spot for residents old and new, hosting alumni groups, nonprofit organizations, meetings, and programs for all ages.
The recording studio adds another dimension to that mission by encouraging creativity and learning. The space includes professional recording equipment, including a computer with software, microphones, headphones, and speakers.
Unlimited opportunities
Interest in the Boone Power Recording Studio has been strong. So far, it has been used to create podcasts, meditation recordings, singing performances, vlog editing, and audio clips for auditions.
One local user, Cindi McGarvey, MD, a neurologist, uses the space to create educational content with her colleague, Doug Strobel, MD. She is passionate about educating patients, their families, and the public about brain health. She also provides lectures on brain health topics, such as epilepsy, strokes, and dementia, every other month at the Whitestown or Zionsville library branches. In fact, that is how she learned about the studio, and she was immediately hooked.
“When you have the tools available, your mind starts thinking of things you can do,” McGarvey said. “I would never have made the leap to do podcasts otherwise. It’s an amazing opportunity, especially because it’s free to record a wealth of information that people might want to learn about.
“There is just not enough time for doctors to educate patients,” she added. “Knowledge gives them ownership over their diseases. We hope that these podcasts will help people in that way, even if it is just knowing what questions to ask.”
Neither McGarvey nor Strobel has done anything like this before, and they admit there is a lot to learn. With their growing library of content, they hope to begin sharing their podcasts soon.
Crafting new music
Mark Hansen, a retired chemist, enjoys reimagining existing songs by adding his own music and vocals to create new versions, often parodies. Some of his favorite artists are The Beach Boys and Paul McCartney. He builds each track in the studio himself and has even written a couple of original songs.
Hansen lives nearby and walks to the library. He noticed the studio early on and asked about using it to record music. Riya Shrestha Koirala, the MakerStudio specialist, was a great help to him as he got started and helped him troubleshoot in the beginning. He noted that recording music is more complicated than something like a podcast, but it’s well worth it.
“I have a ton of fun in the studio,” he said. “I have always been interested in music; I was in a band when I was younger. Sometimes I record several attempts, piecing the chords together and shaping them as I like. Then somehow it sounds like a great guitarist. I am not a great guitarist!”
“In the old days, when you recorded, you had several musicians, and if you made a mistake, you had to start over. It was very painstaking. With this equipment, you can isolate each piece and fix it,” he said.
Hansen added, “The studio is a great addition to the library. I try to spread the word. I wave people in, talk to them, or play something for them. I’ve made all kinds of friends.”
It’s no wonder. After all, he uses the studio three or four times a week!
Seeing the value for the community
Boone Power is thrilled to support this resource that benefits the community with access to enriching experiences.
“Our partnership with Boone Power allowed us to open the studio and outfit it soon after the branch opened,” Garard explained. “They saw how valuable it could be for the community and helped make it happen.”
In addition to sponsoring the new recording studio, Boone Power provided the library with rebates for energy-efficient upgrades such as LED lighting, variable-frequency drives, and energy-efficient air-source heat pumps.
“We value our local communities and look for ways to give back,” said Mandy Saucerman, Boone Power’s director of communications. “Everything we do is about supporting quality of life in our service area.”
Like many library programs, the recording studio is completely free to use. Community members do not even need a library card to reserve the studio space, though they must first complete a short training video through the library’s online learning platform.
As more residents discover the studio, library leaders hope it will continue to amplify community voices.
“Libraries are about access,” Garard said. “Access to information, to technology, and to opportunities people might not have otherwise. This studio is just one more way we can open those doors.”
Just as the library is committed to serving the community, Boone Power is committed to serving the community in a variety of ways. Through a recent Operation Round Up grant, the library has purchased cameras that will be added to the recording studio. This upgrade is expected to be available in the coming months.
Studio facts
Equipment
- An instrument microphone
- A vocal microphone
- Three podcast microphones
- Three sets of headphones
- Scarlett 18i20 audio interface
- Behringer headphone mixing/distribution amplifier
- Pair of Yamaha HS5 speakers
- Mac minicomputer with software
- Monitor screen, keyboard, and mouse
- Two portable isolation booths
- Green screen
- Coming soon: cameras!
Studio Hours (same as library hours)
Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Sunday: 1–5 p.m.
The studio can be reserved up to three hours at a time.
Special song!
Mark Hansen created a parody of Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show’s “On the Cover of Rolling Stone” just for Boone Power and Indiana Connection!
Listen to the song here!
