Sponsor Spotlight: Indianapolis Public Library

In this sponsor spotlight, we spoke with Joe Backe, Director of Communications at the Indianapolis Public Library.

What role does your company play in the community?

The Indianapolis Public Library enriches everyone and strengthens communities by inspiring lifelong learning. We are committed to providing access to information equitably for all people in our service area and promoting literacy in all its forms, such as reading, writing, technology, wellness and more. We do this through our 24 locations throughout Marion County, a robust collection of books, movies, research databases, public WiFi and computers, and thousands of programs and events annually.

But the most important aspect of our service is the people who are serving the public every day in our branches, providing human-to-human interactions, guidance and various services that can truly make a difference for a patron.

Why does your organization support WFYI?

We at IndyPL find commonality with our friends at WFYI in our goals of educating and engaging the Indianapolis community. WFYI offers information and entertainment that is accessible through a variety of mediums, notably broadcast TV, radio and streaming. Easy access to content — particularly unbiased journalism — is a foundational element of an informed community.

What role does WFYI play in your life?

I personally find public media to be the safest, most unbiased source of news in a time when people truly need to consider their sources of information. Additionally, nearly all of my favorite podcasts started or air on NPR, which has opened up a whole new world of learning and understanding the world.

Which is your favorite WFYI program, and why?

I enjoy catching All Things Considered on my evening commute, often catching both quick news and deeper stories. I also am a big fan of Planet Money and subscribe to that podcast. However, when my kids were younger, we would consume lots of PBS Kids too — particularly Odd Squad, Daniel Tiger and Peg + Cat.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Reach out to Niki Staggs at nstaggs@wfyi.org or visit our Become a Sponsor page for more information.