EBCLD trustees, director breathe life into libraries

We are so fortunate to have a dedicated body of library trustees to ensure that our public library reflects our unique community. Last week I introduced you to three of them: Jeanine Asche, Gil Beyer, and Amy Flint. This week, you’ll get to know the remaining members as well as our library director.

Prior to being elected to the Library Board of Trustees in the spring of 2017, Judy Meyers had already proven her commitment to The Library as a volunteer. She continues to demonstrate her zeal for our community as a trustee. She says, “As one of the many retirees in Bonner County, I recognized the key role our library plays in this robust and thriving community. I wanted to be part of that.” Her childhood was shaped by her experiences with the bookmobile at its stop on Highway 101 in the Redwoods of Humboldt County, California. “I want, in some small way, to contribute to literacy – and thus opening up the world to other children and adults.”

Judy has learned to listen respectfully, seek common ground and consensus, and move forward even when the outcome is uncertain. As a critical care nurse, then a WSU College of Nursing faculty member and ethics consultant, she developed strong interpersonal skills that serve her well as a board member. “Contributing to the work of our library allows me to contribute to the greater good – and it’s a lot of fun.”

Susan Shea feels that everyone has a unique gift to share with their community and that we benefit personally by being involved in some form of public or community service. Her commitment to education and the board’s need for her skill set in accounting moved her to join the board about a year ago.

“Being a library trustee provides the opportunity to serve an institution that promotes and supports literacy and education to people of all ages,” she said. “It provides a helping hand to those who have or are at risk of falling through the educational cracks.” Despite her busy schedule, Susan stepped up to the challenge, even though she had never served on a board before, setting a fine example for other busy people who want to do more for their community.

The trustees meet monthly to share information, collaborate, and make weighty decisions about The Library. As library director, it is Ann Nichols’ job to put those decisions into action. The East Bonner County Library District employs an average of 45 staff between the two branch libraries in Sandpoint and Clark Fork. Ann oversees many departments within the organization and directly manages fiction collection acquisitions.

She has earned a master’s degrees in library information science and has worked at three different libraries, beginning as a part-time reference librarian. She served as the chair of the Public Library Division of the Idaho Library Association and has served on other industry association committees. What’s more, she speaks fluent Dewey Decimal System and kind of looks like a stereotypical librarian when she puts her hair up in a bun, but don’t let that fool you. Ann is much more than a librarian, and that is what makes her such an asset to our community.

Ann has always been driven by curiosity. Before achieving her MLIS, she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology, later studying college-level physics with a major in geology. She was appointed to the Citizens Advisory Board at the Idaho Nuclear Energy and Environmental Laboratory, then appointed to the INEEL Technical Library Advisory Board. As a participant in the Leadership Sandpoint program, she volunteered her time to mentor other community leaders in Bonner County. She led the Clark Fork Library remodel and the Sandpoint Library’s remodel and expansion projects, spearheading each project with the goals of maximizing innovation and relevance.

An introvert by nature, she is also fun-loving and adventurous. She plays the flute and used to breed and sell show-quality ragdoll cats. She is an artist and sold some of her work to help raise funds for the library building project. She seldom talks about herself, but interests like kickboxing and yard saling sometimes come out in conversation. Every one of these experiences has shaped Ann into a librarian who not only knows her way around a library but breathes life into the library profession.

The public is always welcome to attend the monthly meetings of the board of trustees on the third Monday of each month at 5: 15 p.m. For more information, visit ebonnerlibrary.org in the Get To Know Us tab.

Library events:

- Tuesday, June 19 — Mother Goose Storytime, 10: 15 a.m., at the Sandpoint branch. Story Times are back at The Library – now in the brand new children’s program area. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 years and caregivers. For more information, contact Suzanne Davis, 208-263-6930 ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, June 19 — Family Storytime, 11 a.m. at the Sandpoint branch. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930 ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, June 19 — Teen Make It at The Library, 3 p.m. at the Sandpoint branch, in the new Rotary Teen Lounge.

- Tuesday, June 19 — Reptile Man, 3: 30 p.m. at the Clark Fork branch. “Libraries Rock” with a visit from Reptile Man and his live alligator. A program for The Library’s Summer Reading 2018 challenge. Information: 208-266-1321, ebonnerlibrary.org or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, June 19, and Tuesday, June 26 —Introduction to Visual Communication, 4: 30 p.m. at the Sandpoint branch room 205. Late-deafened, age-related hearing loss or hard of hearing persons are encouraged to attend. For beginning ASL students, this visual language class is a good start. For more information, contact Susan Schaller susan.schaller@gmail.com.

- Tuesday, June 19 — Reptile Man, 6 p.m., at the Sandpoint branch. “Libraries Rock” with a visit from Reptile Man and his live alligator. A program for The Library’s Summer Reading 2018 challenge. Information: 208-263-6930 ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, June 20 — Clark Fork Stories & More, 10: 30 a.m., at the Clark Fork branch. Story time, crafts, prizes, and snacks for kids ages 3-8. Call 208-266-1321 for information.

- Wednesday, June 20 — Tracks, 2 p.m., at the Clark Fork branch. A program for the “Libraries Rock” Summer Reading 2018 Challenge. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesday, June 20 — Teen Karaoke & Lip Sync, 5 p.m., at the Clark Fork branch. Pick some songs and sing your heart out, or battle it out in our lip sync arena. Either way, it’ll be loads of fun. You could also come cheer on our friends. A program for the “Libraries Rock” Teen Summer Reading 2018 Challenge. For details visit ebonnerlibrary.org, call 208-263-6930 ext. 1245, or email morgan@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Thursday, June 21 — STEM in the Park, 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. The series runs June 21-July 26. No program on July 5. A program for the “Libraries Rock” Summer Reading 2018 Challenge. For details visit ebonnerlibrary.org, call 208-263-6930 ext. 1211, or email suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Thursday, June 21 — Teen Karaoke & Lip Sync, 5 p.m., at the Sandpoint branch. Pick some songs and sing your heart out, or battle it out in our lip sync arena. Either way, it’ll be loads of fun. You could also come cheer on our friends. A program for the “Libraries Rock” Teen Summer Reading 2018 Challenge. For details visit ebonnerlibrary.org, call 208-263-6930 ext. 1245, or email morgan@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturday, June 23 — Bella Note’ musical performance, 11 a.m., at the Sandpoint branch. A program for the “Libraries Rock” Summer Reading 2018 Challenge. For details visit ebonnerlibrary.org, call 208-263-6930 ext. 1211, or email suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturday, June 23 — Organic Seed Saving, 1 p.m., at the Sandpoint branch. Come and discuss organic gardening and seed saving. Bring food and seeds to share if you can. If you can’t, come anyway. Information: 208-265-208-2665.

- “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 May: At Dover City Park, read “The Perfect Nest” by Katherine Friend. At McNearney Park in Ponderay (behind Panhandle Animal Shelter), enjoy “Kitchen Dance” by Maurie J. Manning. In June: “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 featured non-profit for the month of June.

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.