EBCLD employees honored for excellence

As I write this, the 2018 Emmy nominee list has just been released. Around here, however, we are celebrating the announcement of an honor that is much more close to home. The winners of the Idaho Library Association’s annual awards have been released. We are pleased to announce that the East Bonner County Library District won three of the seven award categories.

Our very own Library Director Ann Nichols was named Idaho Librarian of the Year for 2018. If you caught our June 15 column, you were likely impressed, as I was, to learn about this multifaceted gem we have in our community (you may recall, she studied geology — pun totally intended).

She was recommended for this award by several community members and staff. Dyno Wahl, past president of the Rotary Club of Sandpoint, said this about her, “Ann is respected by her staff, her volunteers, and the Sandpoint community as someone who works tirelessly to make sure we have the best library a community of our size can possibly dream of.”

The nominating committee said that one of the outstanding reasons she was selected was because of her leadership involving Your Library Transformation, the Sandpoint Branch remodel and expansion project. We wholeheartedly agree. Congratulations, Ann.

Next, we learned that Amanda Ruff took the award for Idaho Paraprofessional of the Year. Amanda supervises the Information Services department and supports all things technology, including management of the new Emerg-ing Tech-nology Depart-ment. Aman-da’s current job title could take up a full paragraph in this article and she has worked in nearly every department in this library district. She takes on tasks with a fresh perspective, always seeking input from others to reveal the most effective way to get things done.

A fellow colleague describes her this way, “You will never hear her say, ‘We’ve always done it this way.’ She is not afraid to try new methods in an effort to improve things, even if it means stretching her learning curve. I want to be more like that.”

Suzanne Davis, Children’s Librarian, was awarded the ILA Scholarship. Suzanne is currently attending the University of North Texas in the Masters of Library Information Science Program while doing amazing things for families and childhood literacy right here in Bonner County.

A fellow staff member made this comment in a letter recommending Suzanne for this honor: “She’s known throughout the community for her work in the Children’s Department and her presence in the schools and local child services groups. Suzanne excels at collaboration and customer service, and her knowledge of her collection and the field of children’s library services is exceptional; she constantly strives to learn new techniques, stay on top of trends, and improve her skills.

Congratulations to all of these outstanding women for representing the library profession and 7B with their hard work and talents.

- Friday, July 13 — Spooky Stories in the Cemetery, 7:30 p.m. at Lakeview Cemetery, 1213 Elm St. It’s Friday the 13th. Join us for spooky stories in the cemetery. A Libraries Rock 2018 Summer Reading program ebonnerlibrary.org. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211, or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturday, July 14 — Library Garden Work Day, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Sandpoint branch library. The Library is building a new community educational garden and we need your help. Show up to break ground, find out what will be planted, how it will be funded, and what the future holds for this epic project for our community. Information: Mike Bauer, 208-265-2665.

- Saturday, July 14 — Little Mozarts Music Class Series, 10:30 a.m. at the Sandpoint branch library. The Music Conservatory of Sandpoint’s Michelle Handy leads music class for kids. Registration is required: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211, or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org. A Libraries Rock 2018 Summer Reading program ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Monday, July 16 — Monday Madness: Animal Tracks, 10:30 a.m., at the Sandpoint branch library. Learn to tell animal tracks apart and identify who left them. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211, or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, July 17 — Mother Goose in the Park, 10:15 a.m., Travers Park, 2100 Pine St. The Library’s Story Times have moved to Travers Park for the month of July. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 years of age and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211, or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, July 17 — Family Story Time in the Park, 11 a.m., at Travers Park, 2100 Pine St. The Library’s Story Times have moved to Travers Park for the month of July. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211, or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, July 17 — ASL: Intro. To Nonverbal Communication Class, 4:30 p.m. at the Sandpoint branch library. For more information, contact Susan Schaller susan.schaller@gmail.com.

- Tuesday, July 17 — Teen Summer Reading – Sheet Music Art, 5 p.m., at the Sandpoint branch library. We provide the sheet music, you provide the creativity. Design unique art using sheet music. Check out some cool examples at ebonnerlibrary.org (click on the listing in the Events calendar). A Libraries Rock 2018 Teen Summer Reading program ebonnerlibrary.org. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245, or morgan@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, July 18 — Stories and More, 10:30 a.m., at the Clark Fork branch library. Stories, crafts, prizes, and snacks for kids ages 3-8. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesday, July 18 — Clark Fork ring making workshop, 2 p.m., at the Clark Fork branch library. Make your own copper ring with local artisan, Weezil. Free family fun with a craft to take home. A Libraries Rock 2018 Summer Reading program ebonnerlibrary.org. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesday, July 18 — Teen Summer Reading – Sheet Music Art, 5 p.m., at the Clark Fork branch library. We provide the sheet music. You provide the creativity. Design unique art using sheet music. Check out some cool examples at ebonnerlibrary.org (click on the listing in the Events calendar). A Libraries Rock 2018 Teen Summer Reading program ebonnerlibrary.org. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245 or morgan@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, July 18 — Family Karaoke, 6 p.m., at the Sandpoint branch library. Love Disney songs? Join us for family-friendly karaoke with Wade Thames. A Libraries Rock 2018 Summer Reading program

- Thursday, July 19 — The Library’s STEM in the Park Series, 1 p.m., at Travers Park pavillion, 2100 Pine St. A variety of science, tech, engineering, and math projects geared for kids age 8-11, but all welcome. A Libraries Rock 2018 Summer Reading program ebonnerlibrary.org. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211, or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Libraries Rock Summer Reading Program. Log your reading to earn badges, win prizes, and stay sharp over the summer. Summer Reading is online this year (print logs are available, too). Register at ebonnerlibrary.beanstack.org to record your reading and read-to-me books. Meet your friends at Libraries Rock workshops and events all summer long. Details at ebonnerlibrary.org.

- StoryWalk — A partnership of The Library, Kaniksu Land Trust, city of Dover, and city of Ponderay. In June enjoy “I Love My Pirate Papa” by Laura Leuck at McNearney Park and “My Father Knows the Names of Things” by Jane Yolen at Dover City Park. Enjoy a pop-up StoryWalk at Evans Brothers Coffee with “Curious George Plants a Tree”. Kaniksu Land Trust is Evans Brothers June featured non-profit. July StoryWalks: McNearney Park — “Searcher and the Old Tree” by David McPhail. Dover City Park — “Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads” by Bob Shea.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing and community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-208-208-263-6930, ext. 1204.