This issue of Alki is about a feeling that we’re all too familiar with, the feeling of being overwhelmed. Frank Brasile describes the current state of the e-collection at The Seattle Public Library, where eBook circulation has more than doubled in the past six years without a corresponding doubling in budget (p. 5). Our jobs regularly require us to make tough decisions with limited resources, like responding to shelter needs when extreme weather hits (p. 8) or stepping up to help a partner give a presentation when a government shutdown disrupts plans for programs (p. 14). On the flip side, these challenging times are opportunities to rise to the occasion, to support one another, strengthen our connections and our commitment to service, and overcome adversity.
Elsewhere in this issue, Diane Froelich reflects on how she flips her fears about her own technology abilities into an asset when assisting patrons who also have reservations about learning new tech (p. 23). You’ll also find tips on mindfulness for library workers (p. 10) and other concrete strategies for self-care (p. 16). And Michael Ebburg reminds us there are many potential ways to achieve peace of mind and enlightenment in his poem “ The Zen of Shelving Books” (p. 15).
We feature the innovative sewing program that is gaining popularity at Vancouver Community Library (p. 22), and a successful campaign by the North Olympic Library System (NOLS) to increase patron usage of OverDrive materials (p. 26). Sam Wallin shares experiences from participating in the first annual exchange program between Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries and Xiamen Municipal Library, where a strong partnership between library systems on different continents is creating exciting learning opportunities for everyone involved (p. 19). And Magenta Loera previews her upcoming OLA-WLA Conference workshop about making oral history collections more accessible to underrepresented communities (p. 25).
In our regular features, David Wright declares that there is no shame in being a self-help junkie (which bodes well for me), highlighting books that are full of motivating and helpful coaching (p. 28). Darcy McMurtery compiles a list of “Top Ten Worst Things Ever Said” with a number ten I’m sure you’d agree with (p. 31). Brooke Shirts shines a spotlight on Children’s and Young Adult fantasy novels that are bending the genre towards inclusivity and social issues relevant to our times (p. 29).
Alki Editor: Di Zhang
Alki Editorial Committee: Kris Becker, committee chair; Linda Johns; Magenta Loera; Suzanne Carlson-Prandini; Anna Shelton; Kelsey Smith; Mindy Van Wingen
Design: Sonya Kopetz, KB design
Cover attribution: “Frozen” by Shannon Stent, iStock
