Conference Preview Issue: Libraries Through the Looking Glass
Welcome to the conference preview issue. Frank Brasile checks in with Martha Brockenbrough, who shares some timely inspiration from the subject of her new YA biography, Alexander Hamilton (p. 6), and Incoming WLA President Craig Seasholes interviews Coe Booth, winner of the 2017 Sasquatch Award and Keynote Speaker at the School Library Awards luncheon on pg. 12
Being inclusive is at the forefront of many a librarian’s mind these days. Since Time Immemorial is a new educational standard endorsed by all twenty-nine tribes in Washington State (p. 10) and “Core Voices: Infusing Indigenous Perspectives” offers tips and resources for public and school library collections. “Dementia Friendly Libraries” (p. 13) explores programming designed to engage a growing population.
Zines are an accessible, cheap, and fun mode of self-expression; learn how one college used them to connect with students and discover how to implement them at your library on p. 15. And learn how new research indicates that our brains are wired, for better or for worse, to understand the world in terms of story (p. 8).
Even the smallest libraries can offer big impact programming, including Tech Tuesdays (p. 17) and STEAM (p. 22). And speaking of big, discover how the North Olympic Library System partnered with the National Parks Service to provide programming in the Olympic National Park (p. 18). If you’ve ever wanted to leave your job behind and see what it would be like to do someone else’s job, you’ll want to take a look at Mary Campbell’s tale of working for the Washington State Library on p. 20.
No conference preview would be complete without a dining guide or a preview of local attractions. Kati Irons-Perez highlights the best eats and libations to be had in downtown Tacoma on p. 24, and Kris Becker walks us through the Chihuly Bridge of Glass on p. 26.
In addition to the conference preview, take a look at articles on My Public Art Portal, a fantastic new tool that highlights Washington State’s remarkable public art collection (p. 27), a piece from the Early Learning Advisory Council’s “first librarian” (p. 29) and an explanation of HB 2242 and its significance for school libraries and their supporters from WLA lobbyist Carolyn Logue on p. 30. Finally, be sure to visit our regular columns, Milestones (p. 31), I’d Rather Be Reading (p. 32), Read This Book (p. 33), and of course, Dispatches from Swellville (p. 35), in which it’s time to call in the professionals regarding a Very Special Pest Control Situation.
Alki Editor: Sheri Boggs
Alki Editorial Committee: Frank Brasile, committee chair; Kris Becker; Suzanne Carlson-Prandini; Karen Diller; Anna Shelton; Kelsey Smith; Mindy Van Wingen; Dusty Waltner
Design: Sonya Kopetz, KB design
Cover attribution: “Architecture of Tacoma,” Gagliardi Photography
