Celebrating Community Memories

Dan Owens, Adult Services Librarian, Neill Public Library

Last Saturday I had the good fortune to meet with the dedicated members of the Whitman County Genealogical Society, and it was a wonderful reminder of how we construct memories in our communities. The spectrum of knowledge is enormous- from the very specific knowledge of one’s ancestors, to the community events recorded in local newspapers (and now so many other places) to the broad, national and international forces that shape our local communities and personal lives. Our local institutions do their very best to record, organize, preserve, and celebrate our history in a way that relates to a specific place, an all-too-rare effort in today’s world of “listicles” and “hot takes”.

We have many wonderful organizations on the Palouse invested in local history, including our public libraries. The Manuscripts, Archives & Special Collections (MASC) unit of WSU Libraries does amazing work. The Whitman County Historical Society and Whitman County Genealogical Society have a variety of wonderful resources in both Pullman (at Gladish Community & Cultural Center) and Colfax (Perkins House). The Pullman Depot Heritage Center is already hosting fantastic history programs, just across the river from Neill Public Library. 

Of course, history and experience crosses state lines and thus Idaho has many resources as well. The Latah County Historical Society hosts wonderful events and exhibitions at the McConnell Mansion and at the Moscow Chamber of Commerce. Historical societies in Potlatch and Nez Perce do great work, too.

And I haven’t even discussed the Roy Chatters Newspaper and Printing Museum in Palouse, or the Appaloosa Museum in Moscow. There are so many others that I haven’t mentioned- all kept alive by determined community members who understand the importance of understanding our shared past.

And of course, which stories are told also matters. After a local Pullman historian wrote a detailed history of Neill Public Library, he told me that it was actually quite difficult to find information on the spouses of early male WSU faculty and administrators- even though they did an incredible amount of work to build the Pullman community, perhaps even more than their better-known husbands. So when visiting our local institutions, look closely, and you might notice who and what has been left out of our historical narratives. You might even notice that certain groups and events are over-represented in our historical narratives.

The many community members contributing to these organizations every day occupy unique and oft-changing roles. Sometimes they are simply organizing information, while at other times they are actively constructing a historical narrative that will affect how the community views itself. It’s always inspiring to see. In many ways, these acts are expressions of hope and faith that future generations will find this knowledge valuable and worth paying attention to- though there are no guarantees this will actually be the case.

I strongly encourage everyone to check out all of these wonderful places and organizations. They all have websites and many have a presence on Facebook, too. We learn so much about our communities and ourselves, and usually have a lot of fun along the way.

Choose Your Words

Joanna Bailey, Director, Neill Public Library

Hate. Love. Racism. Equality. Fear. Human Rights. Sexism. Peace. Xenophobia. Unity.

     

These words are everywhere lately and whether spoken or read elicit a strong emotional response from all of us.  Words are some of the strongest communication tools we use.  Words can build or destroy.  They can hurt or heal.  Words can become a weapon or an olive branch.  A bullet or a healing salve.  As selectors of our own words, we are responsible and must be held accountable for the words we choose. 

My profession is built on words.  I read a lot of words and I like to talk even more.  But lately I’ve been doing a lot of listening to what you, our library patron, have to say.  Our conversations have been heart-breaking, honest and vulnerable.  As a parent, business owner, visiting student or faculty, I thank you for sharing with me that Neill Public Library is your identified safe space within this community.  You feel welcome and respected here.  You feel safe to be who you are without fear of judgment, persecution, or retaliation.  You find staff helpful, friendly and kind, delivering the right balance of care and attention to you and to everyone.  In your words, “The library doesn’t care what I believe in, who I love, or how much money I make.  Here, everyone has the same rights and everyone receives the same service.”  Yet another reason why having a vibrant responsive public library is essential to its community.  Especially these days.

I am humbled by your words.  Humbled and grateful to be a part of something so positive and important for our community.  I am exceedingly proud to be part a staff team who work hard to ensure their actions reflect the library’s core service values of providing an open environment without judgement and with access for all. 

Open.  Without Judgement.  Access for all.  Public libraries take this charge very seriously.  We intentionally foster a wide diversity of ideas, information, stories, and opinions.  We believe a well-informed citizenry is a cornerstone of democracy, so we create opportunities for you to gain knowledge and engage in peaceful deliberative conversation.  We purposefully build collections and offer programs that reflect the broad interests of our shared community. Our policies and practices are rooted in defense of your civil liberties and protect your right to choose to use, or not use, the resources we offer.  The result is a word-filled environment that is dynamic and respectful and feels safe, inclusive and welcoming. 

This same environment is not limited to libraries.  Imagine how much better our world could be if we each chose love over hate, knowledge over assumption, compassion over judgment.  It starts with the words we choose. 

Off to School

In just another week, the parade will have passed, the lentil delicacies will have been consumed and our Palouse harvest will be in full force. So we know what that means - time to turn energies and attention to the start of school. Whether you have a sweet little one headed off for the first day of kindergarten or a somewhat older sweet one making her/his way to the land of crimson and gray, the excitement is palpable.

For me, this time of the year always takes me back fifty-seven years to a sunny, exciting August day when my older brother Kevin walked with me to my first day of school. I was joining the big leagues – headed to first grade since our tiny rural school did not offer kindergarten. I wanted to get to my educational Shangri-La and get there soon. It took everything I had not run at break-neck-six-year-old-speed as I clutched my lunch, unsharpened pencils and ever-ready crayons.  Look out world, first grade was mine.

Those first school day memories are centered on my senses. The smell of chalk dust and pencil shavings.  The sound of a ringing bell and the songs my teacher played on our classroom piano.  The taste of cold chocolate milk and crackers for snack.   

Time flew by, to junior high, high school, and college. Then, it all came full circle, in 1977 when I stood in the doorway of a first grade classroom again – only this time I was the teacher, welcoming little ones and their parents to our classroom.  The excitement was palpable.

Time moved forward and I continued to teach another nineteen years, followed by being a children’s librarian for the past twenty-two years.  The excitement is still palpable and the learning continues – for me.  Forty-two years have taught me that the best teachers are children. Their curiosity knows no bounds, their hearts have no judgments and their joy is contagious. They have much to teach each of us if we will stop long enough to listen.

So if someone you love is headed off to school in the next few weeks, let’s send them off with big hugs, kind words and the deep feeling that they matter. They matter.  There is no greater gift we can give to our children.

And although we do not have chocolate milk, crackers or a piano at Neill Public Library, we have thousands of wonderful books waiting to be shared along with many other resources to support and celebrate the back-to-school journey.  The excitement is palpable.  We hope to see you and yours soon.

Kathleen Ahern
Youth Services Librarian

Ebooks, Embargoes and Equal Access

Neill Public Library is proud to participate in the Washington Anytime Library, an e-book consortium of 40+ small public libraries in the state of Washington. Working together is an incredibly effective use of our resources, but even working together, there can be long waiting lists for our most popular ebooks and e-audiobooks. Unfortunately, recent moves by some publishers are making it even harder for us to connect patrons to the resources they need.

Already, libraries pay three to five times the consumer price for ebook or e-audiobook. So for most books, we often pay $50 or more for a single license that can be used by one person at a time- and that license usually expires after a certain number of uses or a certain period of time (usually two years). Once that license expires, we must purchase another license to continue to ensure access for our patrons. If you’ve ever run into a case of the Washington Anytime Library missing a title in a popular book series, that’s usually what has happened- our last license has expired, and we now have to decide between buying a new license with our limited budget, or purchasing a new, “hot” title.

Last summer, the science fiction publisher Tor announced a temporary embargo on selling their titles to public libraries- libraries had to wait months after the release date to purchase titles for their patrons. And just recently, a major e-audiobook publisher (Blackstone) has decided also to permanently “embargo” select titles from purchase by public libraries for three months. These steps directly threaten public libraries’ ability to serve their patrons and uphold their commitment to equitable access for all. As a result, the Washington Anytime Library has decided not to purchase e-audiobooks from Blackstone Publishing for six months.

Publishers claim to have data showing ebook sales to libraries hurt the overall market for ebooks, but they have not shared any of their data and refuse to discuss specifics. In fact, there is a much more open joint project between large publishers and the largest library ebook vendor to research the impact of library ebook usage on ebook sales- and it is still ongoing. Yet, prior to completion of that important project, we still see publishers changing license terms and establishing embargoes without waiting for the completed research. And they too rarely acknowledge the work libraries do to build a culture of literacy, through reading programs for children, promoting new authors, book clubs, and the many other ways libraries enhance a love of books and reading.

Neill Public Library will continue to do our best to ensure patrons have access to the broadest possible range of materials while spending library funds effectively and responsibly. And for more information about our ebooks and e-audiobooks, visit the Washington Anytime Library on the web today!

Dan Owens
Adult Services Librarian
Neill Public Library

Springing Into Summer

Spring on the Palouse.  There is nothing like it, is there? In our family, the first sign of spring is seeing the rolling hills transform into lush emerald-ness. Once the green surrounds us, my sweet hubbie and I know it’s time to gather our mesh bags, don hiking boots and head out for some morel mushroom hunting.  And then, as a dear friend said to me today at the library, it’s also time to “get our bare feet in the soil and do some planting” – always a tender reminder of life’s nourishing gifts.  

Outside of work, spring is all about hills, mushrooms and gardening, but at the library, it’s all about the Summer Reading Program for children, teens and families. The initial planning started in the depths of winter, but spring means we’re ready, set and (almost ready) to go! So, buckle up, buttercups, it’s about to unfold.

Friday, June 14 is the first day of registration for youth of all ages (newborns to seventeen-year-olds). And thanks to the generous support of the Friends of Neill Public Library, we are able to offer amazing shows by a variety of professional performers. Puppeteers? Magician? Clowns? We’ve got ‘em and so much more! Also on tap are weekly programs for little ones from birth to twenty-four months, storytimes for Toddlers and Preschoolers, S.T.E.A.M. programs for elementary kiddos as well as fun for teens and tweens with a renowned anime artist, pizza and game night, virtual reality and a robotics demonstration.  Whew!

And if that’s not enough, our Mayor, City Supervisor, and members of our Fire and Police Departments will be our returning guest readers – each a crowd hit!  Also, the Friends of Neill Public Library have purchased thousands of paperback books to give away again this summer while teens can enter to win a Kindle Paperwhite. Local businesses have generously donated gift cards and coupons we will give away each week throughout the summer.  And … there is no cost to join us for Summer Reading! Wow!  

Of course, we will also celebrate with our annual Summer Reading Program finale. We hope you and yours will join us at Reaney Park on Thursday, July 25 from 6-8 pm. We’ll have a variety of carnival style games, a bouncy house, snow cones and great door prizes! Mama and Papa Berenstain Bear along with beloved book character Corduroy will be on hand for photo ops.  And we thank in advance the teen volunteers who will help us make it a fun time for one and all.  

So, all of us at the library are (almost!) ready for summer. How about you? 

Should you have questions about the library’s summer fun or anything else, stop by, give us a call or send us an email. We are here to help you - in every season of the year.

By Kathleen Ahern

Youth Services Librarian

Learn with Lynda.com

We live in a fast-changing world, and we’re constantly implored to learn new skills and stay up to date on our current skills. But doing so isn’t easy. Once we leave school, how are we supposed to keep up? Many of the free resources we find online are of dubious quality, and often ask for our personal information. Or there’s a free component, but to access quality instruction, you have to pay- usually some sort of monthly subscription fee.

Another issue is that many software programs change constantly. Gone are the days of once-every-few years updates; programs often update automatically every year, or even more often. It is even difficult to keep up using instruction manuals and textbooks- sometimes it seems as soon as a book is published, it’s out of date.

Now Neill Public Library cardholders have a new way to pursue lifelong learning- access to Lynda.com, a robust learning resource with more than 12,000 courses. New courses are added and existing courses are updated frequently, and you can learn at your own pace. And Whitman County Library cardholders have access to Lynda.com as well.

Lynda.com courses range from basic computer skills to advanced computer programming, including instruction on various software programs, programming languages, and business topics. Video courses are taught by industry experts and designed for any skill level. Lynda.com offers more than 50 different learning paths to help users achieve their bucket lists, get ahead in their current jobs or prepare for a career change. Lynda.com courses are available for dozens of popular software and developer tools, including:
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, etc.)
• Adobe Creative Suite and other specialized software including QuickBooks, GIS, and CAD programs
• Coding and markup languages such as C, Java, Python, Ruby, MySQL, HTML, CSS, and PHP 

Lynda.com is not limited to computer software, though. It also offers courses on general business topics and personal advancement, such as:
• Starting and managing a small business
• Project management, communication, marketing, and leadership
• Data analysis and visualization, user experience, and general web design
• Creative arts including music, film, animation, and game design

Lynda.com is available inside or outside the library, from any device with an internet connection. Whether you are a professional wanting to sharpen your skills, or a beginner learner starting from square one, Lynda.com provides convenient self-paced instruction to help you fulfill your educational goals. Best of all, it’s free with your Neill Public Library card. To get started, grab your library card and visit www.neill-lib.org, then select Lynda.com on the menu. Happy learning!

Lynda.com is available thanks to a partnership with the Washington State Library, Office of the Secretary of State and LinkedIn.

Dan Owens
Adult Services Librarian

Cook Up a Cure to the Winter Blues

Joanna Bailey

Director
Neill Public Library

I have a confession to make.  I hate winter.  Winter brings bitter cold, freezing rain, treacherous ice and mountains of artic snow.   With fewer hours of sunlight, my days begin and end in a shroud of darkness.  However, there is one thing about winter which I do appreciate.  The best antidote to the bracing cold weather and long hours of darkness is a bowl of steaming hot soup.  I make more soup in the winter than any other time of the year.  Soup warms your soul and heals your body.  Generations of wise parents knew this when they fed their children bowl after bowl of chicken soup when they were sick.

Born from a liquid base of water or broth, soup rehydrates our bodies in a nutrient dense way. Soup is versatile and forgiving and it’s one of the most budget friendly dishes out there as it can be made from scraps of anything and quickly expands in volume.  Leftover vegetables and scraps of meat make great soup.  If you’re feeling really adventurous throw in your dinner leftovers from earlier in the week, say a half-eaten cheeseburger (complete with pickles and mustard), a couple of fries, and few slices of stale pizza into your broth and build your concoction from there. You can adjust the seasoning as you go.  If it’s too salty or spicy, throw in a potato or two and you’ll be back on track.  If it’s too thick, add water or more broth.  Making soup sets my creativity loose.  And yes, I can tell you from experience, that cheeseburger fry pizza soup actually does taste really good.

Soup brings people together. Throw a soup party! Rally your favorite people and ask each person to bring one mystery soup ingredient. Then, enjoy the surprise bounty as you build your creation together and enjoy the fruits of your shared labor.  If you’re a fan of author Marcia Brown, throw in a few stones for good measure (wash first) and call it Stone Soup.

Egyptian Red Lentil soup is my go-to recipe to warm me on the darkest coldest days of winter.  I adapted this recipe from the Global Feast Cookbook by Annice Estes.  Here it is now for your enjoyment:

Serves 6 as main dish; Preparation time:  1 hour

Ingredients:

2 cups dried red lentils

2 quarts stock (vegetable, chicken, beef)

1 medium sized onion, peeled and chopped

1 or 2 medium sized tomatoes, chopped

2 – 3 garlic cloves, diced

4 TB butter or oil of your choice

2 tsp ground cumin or to taste

1 tsp salt or to taste

Freshly ground pepper to taste

1 lemon cut into wedges

Directions:  Wash dried lentils in a large sieve or colander with small holes set under running cold water and rinse and rub the lentils until the draining water runs clear.  In a heavy 4 – 5-quart saucepan, melt butter or oil and add onions, salt and pepper.  Sauté until the onions soften.  Add garlic and cumin and cook until fragrant.  Add tomatoes and stock and bring to boil over high heat.  Reduce heat to low and simmer partially uncovered for 45 minutes or until lentils are tender.  Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.  Serve with a lemon wedge to squeeze over the top and stir in just before eating.

Got you in the mood to cook?  Neill Public Library has several hundred cookbooks with fabulous soup recipes.  So go brave the snow, grab an armful of cookbooks and head into your kitchen.  You won’t regret it.

A to Z and Everything in Between

The New Year marks my sixteenth year as a Washington state resident. And each day, I continue to learn about our gorgeous Evergreen state. As examples, I now know its unofficial main dish is planked salmon, while the official state foods are the apple, and our oh-so-delicious Walla Walla sweet onions. And the decision to select the coast rhododendron as our state flower?  It turns out it was a most contentious matter over one hundred years ago. Many folks advocated for the ordinary clover. But 53% of Washington women voting chose the rhododendron. That’s right – no men were allowed in this election.  Who knew? 

And since we are located but a whisper from the Idaho border, I decided to see what facts and fun I could find out about our neighboring Gem State. Huckleberries and potatoes are the official state foods of Idaho (both delicious, but no surprise there). But I was both impressed and delighted to read women were given the right to vote almost a quarter of a century before the nineteenth amendment was passed. Way to go, Idaho!

Since I’ve lived in a number of other states, I decided to continue my search for the new, the interesting and the “how about that” information across the USA.  Here are a few nuggets of my new knowledge: The artist who embroidered the first Minnesota state flag studied tapestry weaving at the Gobelins manufactory in Paris. My home state of Illinois has popcorn as its official food (which helps explain why it was such a popular staple in my childhood home). And residents of New Mexico can take great pride that their enchanted state has three of the top ten cities in U.S. with the cleanest air.

How did I find out these interesting facts? It was incredibly easy and 100% free to use. And this amazing resource is available to you too. Simply go online to www.neill-lib.org and click on “databases.” And there it is – A to Z the USA – “the world’s largest database of U.S. State information, including U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.” The sheer amount of information it contains is truly mind boggling. State reports and articles, recipes, photos, postcards, flags, specific information about each state’s culture, history, geography, economy, indigenous people, famous residents, rivers, lakes, parks, historical figures and on and on and on.  It’s incredibly thorough and just two clicks away.

It’s perfect for school reports, state projects, cozy armchair traveling and so much more. From soup to nuts, “A to Z the USA” is a free, easy library resource that has it all. I encourage you and yours to explore it today and often!

Kathleen Ahern

Youth Librarian

Looking Forward to Winter...Books

It is the first week of January, and as I write the dreaded “wintry mix” is pelting my office window, glazing streets and sidewalks with an inhospitable layer of precipitation.  And all of Pullman seems to be slightly on edge as students return, traffic increases, and we suddenly realize that April and May feel very far away.  January, February, and March just don’t seem all that exciting.

But in the midst of all this, Neill Public Library continues to receive new materials and we’re really looking forward to a variety of upcoming book releases, even during these days of gray skies and early sunsets. In January alone, we have new novels from James Lee Burke (New Iberia Blues), a new James Patterson (there’s always a new James Patterson, FYI), and a whole selection of Instant Pot cookbooks. We also just received my favorite book of the month, as far as the title is concerned- How to Hold a Grudge: From Resentment to Contentment, written by Sophie Hannah.

February brings another James Patterson (seriously), a new Eve Dallas book from J.D. Robb (Connections in Death), and a new thriller from Jane Harper, The Lost Man. Susan Mallery has a new book coming out- California Girls, which, judging by the cover, might make you feel warm even in the depths of winter. We’ll also receive The Border, the last book in Don Winslow’s The Cartel trilogy.

In late February, we’ll have a new Mark Bittman cookbook (Dinner for Everyone), with a wide variety of recipes for all types of eaters and occasions.

March will bring us new books from Harlan Coben (Run Away) and another installment in the reliably excellent Joe Pickett series from CJ Box (Wolf Pack). We’ll also have Gretchen Rubin’s new self-care book- Outer Order, Inner Calm, just in time for your spring cleaning routines. Don’t worry, there will be another James Patterson, too, along with new thrillers from Catherine Coulter, Stuart Woods, and Iris Johansen.

If your taste runs more towards the movie side of the library, we’ve already pre-ordered copies of A Star is Born, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Grinch, First Man, The Hate U Give, and many more. For fans of Planet Earth and Blue Planet, February also brings a brand-new BBC David Attenborough documentary, Dynasties.

Interested in any of these? Contact us and we’ll make sure you get on the list ahead of time. And be sure to come in and check out our new book selection today; you might just find the title that helps you through the short days and slippery sidewalks. Rest assured, we have many more on the way.  

Dan Owens
Adult Services Librarian

Explore, Discover and Connect @ Your Library

The City of Pullman’s first biennial budget begins in January.  This two year budget offers departments a more strategic approach to planning as funding is attributed to service priorities implemented over a longer period of time for better assessment.  This longer range planning encourages big picture thinking, creative problem solving and an innovative approach to public service.  These are exciting times!

For the next two years, Neill Public Library will focus on four service priorities to better help you explore, discover and connect with your world. 

Technology where and when you need it

Within the first quarter of the year, patrons will be able to send print jobs from their mobile devices to the library’s print center and scan and send photographs and documents to their email, smartphone, Google Drive, and so on.  An additional self-checkout station will be located closer to youth book collections making it easier for parents and children to browse and borrow in close proximity to each other.  Payment of library fines will become more convenient as debit and credit cards are accepted.

Community programs will have a strong focus on technology.  Watch for coding workshops for youth and computer classes for adults, both made possible thanks to a new laptop lab purchased by our Friends of NPL.

We will offer free access to Lynda.com, thanks to a partnership between the Washington State Library and Microsoft.  Lynda.com is a powerhouse online learning platform with coursework in five different languages from business, software, technology and creative industries. This is self-paced learning at its best!

Public service – easy, efficient, intuitive

We will continue to employ User Experience and Lean methodologies to improve public service and internal processes.  The layout of the public computers will change to support quiet and social computer use.  Library wayfinding will get easier when exterior lettering is added to the outside building façade, thanks to funding from our Friends of NPL.

Library cards for more Pullman residents

By cardholder, 69% of all cardholders are Pullman residents.  By population, 30% of Pullman residents are cardholders.  Resident borrowing activity accounts for 83% of our total circulation.  Pullman residents who have library cards make great use of the services they pay for.  But wouldn’t it be great if every Pullman resident owned a library card and received the benefits they already pay for?  We think it would be fabulous.  So, over the next two years the library will make a concerted effort to increase the number of resident cardholders through expanded outreach, new community programs, new collections which spark curiosity and a possible partnership with Pullman School District to equip every child and teacher with a library card.

Improved service for older youth

The library does an excellent job providing services for the very young and is widely recognized as a center for early literacy.  However, services for youth ages 11 – 17 are not as plentiful nor developed.  We aim to change that.  Watch for technology centric programs, anime art programs, book discussion groups, and curated collections all specifically tailored to better serve our older youth.

Plenty of exciting changes are coming over the next two years! Get your library card today!

By Joanna Bailey, Library Director

Neill Public Library

The Gift of Trees

Hasn’t the fashion show that has surrounded us of late been particularly spectacular? The colors! The patterns! The beauty! Autumn is the peacock of seasons with its array of deciduous trees showcasing their breathtaking leaves of pumpkin orange, persimmon red, coppery brown sugar and egg yolk yellow. A delicious menu of visual art for one and all.

As a child growing up in America’s heartland, trees were often my favorite places of refuge. I spent countless hours perched comfortably in the branches of our giant mulberry tree, reading, writing and looking out and about from my leafy hideout. And each fall, I delighted in the acres of colorful leaves that carpeted my little world.  More than half a century has gone by and yet, I remain, as legend Ella Fitzgerald sang, “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” when it comes to trees.

It turns out I am not the only soul who is drawn to the majesty and magic of trees. I recently read an astonishing book by Peter Wohllenben entitled “The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate; Discoveries from a Secret World.” Now, that is a title that beckons a reader!  

The author, a forester by profession, initially dismissed any notion that trees could feel or communicate with one another, but after years of being immersed in the world and science of trees, he came to understand how they utilize a sophisticated network to communicate feelings with each other. Trees do this by exploiting a vast underground system of fungi, thus allowing a tree to warn other trees of both opportunities and impending dangers. Intrigued? Amazed? Skeptical? Regardless, I beg you to read this book and feel its impact.

And if you would like more books on trees to inform, inspire and delight you, I recommend the following titles: “Sky Tree: Seeing Science Through Art” by Thomas Locker, “The Itty Bitty Guide to Trees: A Child’s Identification Guide to Trees of the Inland Northwest” by local authors Jaclyn Gotch and Lisa Bird, “The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever” by H.J. Hopkins and “Your Guide to Forest Bathing: Experience the Healing Power of Nature” by M. Amos Clifford. 

All of these books (and thousands more) are waiting for you and yours at Neill Public Library. So check some out and connect with a tree - and your library - today.

by Kathleen Ahern

Children's Librarian

Improved UX at Neill Public Library

Joanna Bailey, Director, Neill Public Library

Neill Public Library’s user experience (UX) project is drawing to a close. We chose this project because we believe using the library should feel useful, usable, and enjoyable.  We adapt our services as library user expectations change and we recognize every decision we make affects how people experience the library.  Over the last eleven months, we’ve used the valuable insight we gained to make meaningful changes. 

The UX project focused on six areas:  signage, books and movies, self-service holds, space layout, service point evaluation and organizational identity. 

Signage:  Library signage is important, but too much of a good thing creates unnecessary clutter.  To determine which signs were most effective, we wiped the proverbial slate clean by removing nearly everything.  If it wasn’t glued or nailed down, it came down.  The number of related questions and comments were tallied.  Patrons felt the library’s overall space seemed bigger and brighter.  We received questions about the location of restrooms and a few other areas so that signage was restored.  A larger community bulletin board with a streamlined posting process now offers a more convenient way for patrons to stay up to date on community happenings. 

Books and movies:  We alphabetized the juvenile books with CD to make selection easier, we kept the children’s board books browse-able in their bin, and we are exploring options for making movies easier to browse and identify by genre.

Self-service holds:  No more waiting in line to pick up your library items!  Titles are stored on self-service shelves for convenient access.  The self-checkout machine is also close by so you can independently check out your items with less wait time.

Space layout:  Understanding how library spaces are used informs future decision making.  Focusing on actual versus theoretical use quickly revealed areas for improvement.  While young adult books are borrowed, the space for teens is not otherwise used.  Computer stations need improvement to address acoustic levels and better support mixed use.  Lounge and task seating is too limited and power outlets are in high demand but always short supply. To our surprise, many patrons brought their own items to the library to enjoy in our spaces (computers, books, games, music devices).  We know you can choose to be anywhere and love that you choose to be with us. 

Service Point Evaluation:  Last year, we transitioned away from age segregated reference service to embrace a single desk reference service for all ages.  That move streamlined our service points from three to two:  reference and circulation.  To understand the usefulness of this change, we kept a two-week tally of the types of questions and referrals received at both service points.  Results showed questions were being appropriately directed to and handled by staff at each desk and the flow between desks was good. A refresher training helped strengthen staff skills for stronger cross coverage to shorten wait times. 

Organizational identity:  We are working with a professional designer to create a library logo and tagline to better tell our story, cultivate and communicate the library’s positive vibe, and help the community more easily recognize and connect with the library.   Logo elements will be infused into library marketing and branding.  We look forward to revealing this soon!

Based on your feedback to these changes, we consider this project successful!  We will continue to evaluate services through the UX lens to ensure using the library remains useful, usable, and enjoyable.  Let us know how we are doing.

What Difference Does it Make?

by Kathleen Ahern

Children's Librarian

“What difference does it make?  Yeah, what difference does anything make anymore?”  Last week, I overhead those two troubling questions voiced by young women who were behind me in a grocery store line. Their questions stopped me in my tracks as they spoke of global warming, the separation of children from their parents and other concerning current issues.

I, too, feel greatly saddened, shocked and overwhelmed at times when I ponder the state of our nation and our world at large.  However, it didn’t feel appropriate for me to intrude on their conversation.  So instead, I will share a lovely story by Loren Eiseley that has and continues to serve as a beautiful reminder to me of the difference we each can choose to make. So for those two young women and all the rest of us, with deep appreciation to Loren Eisely, I share:

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one.” 

A powerful story, indeed.  And as you ponder it, I encourage you to head to Neill Public Library.  We have a plethora of books and other resources to inform you, encourage you and inspire you to make a difference.

Traveling the World… Mysteriously

Dan Owens, Adult Services Librarian, Neill Public Library

One of the great pleasures of books is the ability to connect to stories about places and cultures different from your own. From geography to tourism to culture, politics, and much more, books can introduce you to entire new worlds- but sometimes foreign fiction can feel a little too foreign.

Mysteries, though, provide a structure through which the reader can explore different worlds while experiencing a familiar plot. There is always some sort of detective, usually of the world-weary variety, and some sort of intuitive whodunit storyline that makes the reader immediately comfortable. Neill Public Library has a variety of mysteries and crime fiction that appeal to all mystery lovers from all over the world.  One good example is Donna Leon’s series of mysteries featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti, set in Venice. They evoke the rhythms and culture of the city while delivering endless satisfying plot lines.

Set in modern China, Qiu Xiaolong’s Inspector Chen series of mysteries detail unique Chinese political and cultural hurdles to crime-solving, not to mention including some wonderful poetry, a mystery rarity.  Martin Limon’s Sueno and Bascom series, set in South Korea, deliver outstanding mysteries as well as an in-depth look at some of the tensions caused by the long-standing  American military presence in that country.

Many of us are familiar with Stieg Larsson’s series featuring Lisbeth Salander, but there are many, many other fantastic Nordic mystery authors. One of the first was the husband and wife team of Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo, whose Martin Beck series started in 1965 and contains fascinating social commentary (along with some of the best police procedural mysteries ever). Other great Nordic mystery authors include Henning Mankell, Yrsa Sigurdardottir, Jo Nesbo, Karin Fossum, and the recently discovered Ragnar Jonasson.

France provides us with some amazing crime fiction, with many considering Georges Simenon’s Maigret series as one of the greatest of all time. Currently, Martin Walker’s Bruno, Chief of Police series beautifully details life in rural, southern France, and serves up some instructive history lessons as well. And don’t forget the food aspect. Food is very, very important for Bruno.

Of course, many of our most beloved mystery series come from England- think Conan Doyle and Christie. Other fantastic English mystery authors include PD James (a master of the psychological character study) with her Adam Dalgliesh series. Also, be sure to check out Elizabeth George, who recently published her 20^th Inspector Lynley novel- and let’s not forget the BBC TV series. Speaking of great British television, don’t miss Ann Cleeves, who writes the Shetland Island and Vera Stanhope mysteries, both of which have made it to the screen.

Elsewhere in Great Britain, Ian Rankin has his hard-boiled detective John Rebus, who has been policing initially decrepit-but-now-gentrifying parts of Scotland for 30+ years. And in Northern Ireland, Adrian McKinty’s mysteries featuring Sean McDuffy gets to the heart of the “The Troubles” as well as any factual account.

This is just a short list- Neill Public Library has a treasure trove of mysteries from all over the world. Come on in and try them out today.

Read Aloud, Read Aloud, Read Aloud!

I recently spent the better part of a sweet day with some soon-to-be-kindergartners and their parents.  Doors opened at 9 a.m. and a line of big and little folk streamed inside to participate in Pullman Public Schools’ Kindergarten Registration.

Such a milestone.  Such a myriad of emotions for all, including me, a once-upon-a-time-kindergarten- teacher turned children’s librarian.  Then, like now, the “bigness” of this moment remains.

I think I had the best job at registration sitting at a table where every kindergartener-to-be got to select a book of their choice to keep.  Yes, keep - thanks to the generous financial support of the Friends of Neill Library who provide these literary gifts year after year to our community’s youngsters.

Included with each book was a Neill Public Library card and information about the importance of reading aloud. So important.  So very important.  Anyone who knows me knows I cannot say or emphasize it enough.  Read aloud, read aloud, read aloud.

There is no shortage of reasons why to read aloud to our children of all ages.  Here are my top four:

1. Reading aloud creates and sustains strong emotional connections.  It provides us ongoing opportunities to talk and share our feelings, thoughts and values.  It also gives us time to listen to each other and reinforce to our child that they matter.

2. Reading aloud dramatically impacts language.  Do you know a child with a larger-than-their-age- vocabulary?  Chances are, they’ve heard many, many books read aloud because the language in books (especially picture books) is different - better, and far richer than the words we use in everyday conversation.  We might say, “The elephant said.” But when we read a picture book, our child hears, “The enormous gray elephant boldly trumpeted.”

3.  Reading aloud teaches your child how to read. Really!  It absolutely does.  Just as our children learned to talk by us talking with them from the moment they were born, so too, they learn to read by us reading aloud to them day after delightful day.

4. Reading aloud allows us to pass on a gift that will continue long beyond our own lifetime - the gift of family literacy. Your child will read to their child and your grandchild will read to your great grandchild and on and on - generation after generation, because you read aloud and made those times so memorable.

So, let’s all say congratulations to the incoming graduating class of 2032.  May the world we give them be teeming with peace, love, wonder, kindness, laughter and hundreds upon hundreds of delicious read aloud times.

Kathleen Ahern
Children's Librarian

Life Goes On...

Kathleen Ahern

Children's Librarian

The past few weeks I’ve found myself both nettled and comforted by the words, “life goes on.” Life does indeed go on. It is a joyous thing that it does and yet, it has been challenging for me at times to hold onto that beauty, as my sweet husband and I have had three recent deaths come into our lives.  We lost two people we admired and were grateful to know. We also had to say goodbye to our beloved cat, Mr. Rogers.  All three of these deaths left us tearful, saddened and contemplative. As we work through our grief, we continue to search for meaning and comfort as life goes on.

Some of the comfort I hold onto came from an eight-year-old boy who was a student of mine over twenty years ago.  His prodigious insights and deep wisdom were well beyond his tender years. He was in my second grade class when I read aloud the book “Fig Pudding” by Ralph Fletcher.  It is a beautifully written story of a delightful family full of antics and exuberance and also about their journey of grief and healing over the tragic death of their eleven-year-old son and brother. I knew his death was coming into the story as I read aloud.  The children in my classroom did not.  So, when it happened, there was much emotion and so much to talk about.

As we processed our thoughts and feelings about the book, we learned so much. We learned it is good and necessary to cry. We learned that unfair things happen and sometimes there is nothing we can do to change them.  And we learned that life goes on.

I vividly remember that insightful eight-year old boy with both affection and awe.  As we were all sharing and listening to each other he said, “I think our birthday is one of the most important days of our life.  We learn what the date is for it when we get older and then it’s great because we know it’s our birthday.  But I just realized after we read this book that another really important day is when we die.  And we don’t know when that is going to be.  But, we pass by it on the calendar every year and we don’t even know it’s important. It’s kind of amazing. So, I think we should always try and do our best every day because we don’t know the day we’re going to die.”

As I type those words, I remain astonished at his wisdom.  They both comfort and inspire me.  I hope they do for you as well. And should you find yourself dealing with loss and grief, Neill Public Library can be of help. We have a wealth of books and other resources to support you and your loved ones.  Life goes on, so let’s try and do our best every day.    

Libraries and the Power of Space

Dan Owens
Adult Services Library
Neill Public Library

At the Neill Public Library, many people view us a resource for the books, movies, and many other items that we check out every day. But the library also plays another role, one that is often less recognized- that of a physical, public space, open to everyone and located in downtown Pullman.

Over the past years, and even decades, the number of public spaces in our society has gotten smaller and smaller. Today, particularly in large cities (with very high real estate costs), it is increasingly difficult to even find a space where you can go and simply spend time- particularly without spending money. Even many government buildings now require an appointment and/or photo ID to gain entry. The public library stands out as a place where all are welcome to spend time, without judgement. We do not ask why anyone comes to the library and we are happy to open our doors to all.

It can be difficult for us librarians to believe, but there are many patrons who use the library on a regular basis who do not even have library cards! Parents bring their children to storytimes. Tutors and students connect. Many use the library to study or simply access the internet, and they need computers, wifi, electrical outlets, and places for group study and work. Others are here simply to stay warm and dry. The library welcomes them all, and it is our physical space that allows us to meet all of these critical needs.

Physical space, though, is inherently limited and therefore we have to balance competing priorities. Every day we think we’d love to have more books and movies for everyone to check out. But if we expand those collections, we also have to find a place to put that “stuff”. That usually means taking space away from another purpose. As another example, more programs and more activities in the library are very positive, but they can lead to more noise. Many patrons want the library to be a quiet, reflective space, so balancing all of these needs within the existing space presents a very real challenge, one we strive to address every day.

Moreover, the library is a space located within the community. We’re proud to be a strong City of Pullman presence in downtown Pullman. The library would very different if we were located elsewhere. Years ago, I lived in a community where the library contemplated moving from the downtown area to a less central location in order to provide more parking and easier vehicle access. When those discussions became public, the ensuing uproar showed just how much people valued the library being downtown and contributing to a vibrant, central community.

If you haven’t been to our space in a while, come down and check out the Neill Public Library. Take a moment to notice all of the many uses of our public space. We’re happy to welcome everyone into their public library- a space that is truly for all.

It Is A New Year

Kathleen Ahern

Childrens' Librarian

I don’t know about you but there is something about the beginning of a new year that feels awash in excitement and opportunity. And although I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions in the traditional sense, I’m all about tradition when it comes to New Year’s Eve. The traditions my sweet husband and I share involve our individual and collective perspectives, hopes, efforts and dreams. 

Our first tradition finds us at our computer to watch a 1993 Oprah show where Ms. Winfrey is conversing with her beloved mentor Maya Angelou.  One of the things Ms. Angelou shared was her personal perspective and experiences related to the concept and practice of “courage.”  She believed “courage” to be the most important of all the virtues. Without courage, any virtue can be practiced, but only sporadically. With the practice of courage comes opportunities for consistency. And it is the consistent practice of common virtues – kindness, respect, trust, charity, acceptance, compassion, honesty, humbleness, gratitude - that can change each of us and others with whom we share this world.  We have watched this powerful program for the last twenty-five years.  We can’t imagine our New Year’s Eve without it. 

Next, we have a feast of some of our favorite foods and then head outside with our New Year’s bowl, slips of paper and matches. We each take paper and write our regrets for the year-about-to-end. We put them into the bowl and burn them, watching our regrets vanish into the silence of the night.  Next, we write our hopes and dreams for the New Year and place them into the bowl. We set them ablaze and watch their embers rise toward a sky hanging with stars. Like gossamer threads they soar upward and outward, carrying our individual wishes along with our shared hope for this world to be a more peaceful and equitable place for all.   

Finally, we head inside and see if we can actually make it until midnight. The older we get, the less likely that is to happen. But it matters not, for we have done what is meaningful and traditional to us.  How about you?  Do you have traditions?  And do any of them involve reading or finding a comfortable spot in which to simply “be”?  If so, I hope you know we’re here for you at Neill Public Library.  We have an abundance of reading material, including books to check out or download to your devices. And, our comfortable chairs, quiet nooks and helpful staff await you. Happy New Year!  Happy Reading!

Brake for a Good Book

Joanna Bailey
Director, Neill Public Library

Hustle and bustle, dart and dash, endings and beginnings.  This time of year is exhilarating and exhausting.  Some holidays are over while others lie just around the bend.  Academic semesters have finished just in time to start prepping for the new ones.  Life moves at Mach speed.  Enough.  Brake.  It’s time for an intervention, library style.

Close your eyes and slow your breathing.  Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.  Feel your lungs fill with air and try to release the tension as you exhale. Keep breathing.  Feel better?  Excellent.  The next good thing happens at the library, so come along.

Neill Public Library has really good entertainment options, quiet corners and comfy chairs.  Perfect for calming chaos and taking a break.  Staff smiles and welcomes you by name.  The space feels vibrant, comfortable, and familiar.  It should; a public library is a reflection of you, our library community.

Come browse our shelves.  We’ve got what you’re in the mood for.  Browse at your own pace. No agendas, no homework assignments, no ticking clock, just moments of relaxed browsing.  Come in sweat pants and slippers, we won’t care.  These are your moments of unscripted time.  Let your fingers run over titles and your eyes roam until you find something that looks interesting.  Glance at it, noncommittally.  If it looks promising, hold on to it.  If it doesn’t, put it back on the shelf.  The best finds come when you least expect them.

Your next step is to claim a comfy chair.  Then, hunker down, prop your feet up, and open your new find.  Try a few pages.  If you don't like it, stop reading and pick something else instead.  This is called pleasure reading.  It’s the opposite of required reading.  With pleasure reading, you read whatever you fancy.  Read in a library, and never worry about being judged.  Pleasure reading is the “open range” of reading styles, with no preconceived notions or social mores to fence you in or barricade your progress.  Central to pleasure reading is the fact that there are too many good titles out there to get stuck with one that doesn't interest you.  Books don’t have hurt feelings.  So browse with abandon, select, discard, and browse again.  Anything and everything is available to you at the library.  Feels indulgent doesn’t it?

Of course, if you’d like assistance, library staff stands at the ready.  Looking for something specific?  Ready to read outside your comfort zone?  Excellent, we have many recommendations for you.  Ready to try the wonderful world of downloadable reading?  We can’t wait to show you how to use Libby, the one-touch reading app recently named one of Google Play’s Best Apps for 2017.

Are you still breathing slowly?  In through the nose, out through the mouth.  Great job.  We can’t wait to see you.

Exquisitely Horrifying Reads at Your Library

I blame Edgar Allen Poe.   More specifically, I blame the The Tell-Tale Heart and Edgar Allen Poe.  This marvelous author and his spine tingling story was my first foray into the world of horror.  I couldn’t get enough.  I quickly devoured The Raven, The Pit and the Pendulum and The Fall of the House of Usher.  I blame (or credit) Poe’s masterful storytelling for turning me into the horror junkie I am today. 

In middle school, my tastes shifted from Poe to more mainstream horror by Stephen King. Thanks to his books Pet Semetery, Salem’s Lot, It, and Needful Things, I became a night-time flashlight-under-the-covers kind of reader.  I paid for this indulgence every morning.  By day, I swore I would not read at night so I could get a good amount of sleep.  But by nightfall, my resolve had evaporated; the lure of the tale was too strong.

In college, I discovered Dean Koontz and Anne Rice.  Koontz’s books The Bad Place, Strangers, and Door to December provided needed respite from the harsh realities of strict deadlines, brain crushing exams, and annoying professors.  I eagerly opened my mind to Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire and let it draw me to the darker side of gothic horror.  This book put New Orleans on the map for me as a must-see destination.  I read other books from her Vampire Chronicles series, The Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Dammed, and The Tale of the Body Thief.  Anne Rice led me to Bram Stoker and his famous novel, Dracula.

From gritty mysteries to dark macabre to malevolent supernatural, I love a good heart-stopping story.  The aforementioned authors take readers into the darkest recesses of the human psyche and rip a hole through the natural world to make the impossible plausible.  A great horror story ignites the imagination, builds suspense at an unrelenting fast pace, then delivers an adrenaline charged ending.  Characters in these types of books are deeply flawed and damaged, yet when faced with adversity, dig deep to discover their inner fortitude to fight seemingly insurmountable (and usually unnatural) odds.  Stories set in slithering darkness, damp rotting places, and lurking slippery shadows deliver on chills.  These are perfect fireplace reads on a dark frosty night when you’re home alone.

A scary tale comes alive when you listen to it as an audiobook.  If, that is, the narrator is worth their salt.  Will Patton’s performance of Stephen King’s Dr. Sleep is achingly terrifying.  Kate Mulgrew is equally fantastic.  Best known for her role as Captain Kathryn Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager, Mulgrew’s performance of Joe Hill’s The Fireman and NOS4A2 is utterly captivating. 

Neill Public Library has hundreds of terrifying tales in various formats waiting for you.  Come try one today as the moon rises and darkness falls across the land.

Joanna Bailey

Director, Neill Public Library