WCLS in Whatcom County presents Library Stories

A conversation with Mary Kinser, Jonathan Jakobitz, Emma Radosevich and Hana Boxberger, Washington Library Association's 2025 Candace Morgan Intellectual Freedom Award Winners for their work in developing a Right to Read training for WCLS staff. 

Our interview with No Two Persons author, Erica Bauermeister and a Whatcom READS wrap up with WCLS Adult Programing Coordinator, Claire McElroy.

Claire McElroy and Wes Weddell tell us about a new addition to the Whatcom READS author visit: MUSIC inspired by the book, performed by local musicians and organized by the Bushwick Book Club of Seattle!

Author Janie Chang and artist Kim Morris talk about their work and their love of libraries. Kim's cardboard sculpture of a dragon named Lloyd will be at our Open Book festival on Sunday, November 3, from noon to 5:00 p.m. along with Janie Chang who will be speaking about her books and inspiration. Find out about Open Book at wcls.org/openbook.

We talk with Clara Jacobson, a volunteer for the Friends of the Ferndale Library, who celebrates her 100th birthday on September 27, 2024.

We check in with long-time WCLS staff and new branch managers Mariya Farmagey and Erin Suda. Mariya is now the branch manager for North Fork Library and Erin is the new branch manager for Island Library.

A wedding at the Ferndale library and excited Birch Bay residents talk about their new library! 

We discuss our free Mango Languages app with WCLS Learning Coordinator Maggie Mae Nase who is a world traveler and a lifelong learner.

Poet and WCLS Communications Specialist Cynthia French joins us to talk about the intersection of libraries and poetry.

We feature an episode from the Young and Indigenous (YAI) Podcast from Children of the Setting Sun Productions. YAI hosts, Cyrus James and Wykeklyaa Curleybear talk with Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe about her book Red Paint and about life and everything else. Sasha's powerful memoir, Red Paint, is the 2024 Whatcom READS selection.  Hy'shqe to our friends at YAI and Children of the Setting Sun for allowing us to share this powerful interview.

Christine and Tamar stop by to tell us about the Digital Literacy webpage (https://www.wcls.org/digital-literacy/) they have created in cooperation with the University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public through a grant from the National Science Foundation. 

Claire McElroy is our Adult Programming Coordinator, wrangling speakers, authors, events and workshops for WCLS and Whatcom READS. Is the job as fun as it sounds? Tune in to find out!

Mary Vermillion chats with Executive Director Christine Perkins about the eventful 12 months that were 2023 and the exciting library events and activities that will take place in 2024. Also, a call to write in and give us some feedback. Send comments to neil.mckay@wcls.org

Our WCLS book selectors sit down and discuss several of the books in our Gift Guide publication, available at WCLS library branches. Two conversations, our adult selectors, Lisa Gresham, Mary Kinser and Emma Radosevich discuss their picks and three of our Youth Services selectors, Thom Barthelmas, Theresa Morrison and Tamar Clark talk about their contributions to the Gift Guide.

Listen to folks at our Open Book Festival and get a glimpse at the man behind the microphone as we share an excerpt from Puyallup Public Library's podcast, Shush!...with Debi in which Debi turns the tables on me and interviews me at the Deming Library.

Find out about the Open Book Festival happening on Sunday, November 5, 2023. WCLS Executive Director Christine Perkins and Village Books Co-owner Paul Hanson talk about this "book lover's dream day" and all the "bookish experiences" to be had there.

We caught Jerry after his trio performed among the stacks in the Ferndale Library and we discussed jazz and kids and the importance of libraries. And the one record album he recommends we all listen to.

Sarah Lavender and Hana Boxburger update us on the lively and exciting Summer Reading 2023 activities and we get a surprise announcement about our Whatcom Million Trees Project partnership!

Find out about our Summer Jazz Series. Transcript

Sarah Lavender discusses our Summer Reading program and our partnership with Whatcom Million Trees Project and then we take a walkin the woods with Whatcom Million Trees Executive Director Michael Feerer as he and his crew of volunteers remove English Ivy from the trees in Cornwall Park.

14 WCLS staff members visited the Washington Library Association Conference in Wenatchee this year. Find out why and what they did there. Elizabeth Steward gives us her experience at WLA.

An interview with Jess Walter to kick off the Whatcom READS 2023 Season. Jess comes to town March 2-4 to talk about his historical novel, The Cold Millions. Find out more at whatcomreads.org

Ann McAllen, Linda Lambert, Chuck and Dee Robinson, Paul Hanson and Christine Perkins tell the origin story of Whatcom READS, now in its 15th year.

We talk to staff who are loading books onto the brand new shelves of the newly remodeled Sumas Library after the flood of November, 2021 caused extensive damage. Bonus, find out who makes the best cinnamon rolls!

WCLS's former Executive Director Joan Airoldi passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 3, 2022. Joan was our leader from 2002 to 2013.  She will be remembered as a Library Champion on a multitude of counts: establishing the Whatcom READS program in collaboration with partners at Whatcom Community College, advocating for new libraries in Ferndale, North Fork, South Whatcom, Island and Point Roberts and encouraging all of us to “Be Curious” and to “Listen, Learn & Lead”.  Joan's courage in defending patrons' rights to privacy earned her a national recognition with a PEN/Newman Award.  She generously donated the prize money to start the Whatcom County Library Foundation.

So many people wanted to say thank you to former WCLS Executive Director Joan Airoldi, who passed away on December 3, 2022, that we created a special bonus episode to thank her. 

An interview with WCLS Jail Services PSA, Barry MacHale about the services we provide our incarcerated patrons. Originally produced for our All Staff Learning Day, this episode provides insight into how the WCLS mission of connecting information, ideas, and community is fulfilled through jail service.

Collections Manager Lisa Gresham takes us on a tour of her departments that she calls "The Life Cycle of a Book"

Sumas and Everson Library Manager Paul Fullner talks with long-time Sumas residents Carl Crouse and Penny Leenders about the devastating flood that occurred in Sumas one year ago. Carl has written a book called The Waters Are Rising: Stories of Inspiration and Hope from the Sumas, Washington Flood of November 2021 available in our library catalog here

We welcome new Ferndale branch manager Alix Prior and talk with Theresa and Sarah about the return to in-person Storytimes.

Whatcom County Library Foundation Development Director Jenn Rick tells us all about the Foundation and the wonderful things they do to support the library and the community.

Bellingham author Clyde Ford talks to WCLS Collection Development Librarian Mary Kinser about his award-winning memoir and our 2022 Read & Share title, Think Black, as well as his newest non-fiction book, Of Blood and Sweat: Black Lives and the Making of White Power and Wealth. 

Vern Yadon, Ann Marie Impero and Katrina Buckman at the North Fork Library's 11th Anniversary Celebration.

Sarah Lavender talks about our Summer Reading plans and programs. And we get a handful of book recommendations from Sarah, Mary Vermillion and even your host, Neil! If you listen carefully, you can hear the birds singing. Summer is going to be really fun!

Update on the Sumas Library with Cayla Samms, Jonathan Jakobitz talks about events at Blaine Library and Emma and Marie talk about Young Adult fiction in a jam-packed episode.

Stories from the Public Library Association Conference in Portland OR and we ask What Does Amy Think About Poetry for National Poetry Month.

We get a look behind the scenes at Whatcom READS with Emma Radosevich who interviewed author Michael Christie in Deming, Amy Jones who attended our author's Mount Baker Theatre presentation and the author himself, Michael Christie backstage at the theatre before his presentation.  See videos of many of our Whatcom READS presentations at whatcomreads.org/videos

The first week of March is the culmination of a season of WhatcomREADS events as Greenwood author Michael Christie comes to town for 4 in-person and one live streaming event. We talk to Village Books owner and steward, Paul Hanson about the independent bookstore's role in WhatcomREADS and we talk with our own graphic designer Amy Jones about her passionate response to Greenwood. It's a "don't miss" episode so don't miss it! 

WCLS Teen Services Coordinator Tamar Clarke talks about Whatcomics and A Forest of Words, our annual teen art and poetry publications. We are also joined by Sorrel Thoerner, a WCLS patron, high school student and artist who talks about why Whatcomics is important for teens. 

In this first episode of 2022, Rose Momsen and Neil discuss our streaming music service, Freegal and Ann McAllen, Chair of our Whatcom READS community-wide book club talks about this year's book, Greenwood by Michael Christie and all the events surrounding the upcoming author visit. 

You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. And we couldn't make our podcast without breaking out in laughter. As an end-of-year reward to our faithful listeners, we present some of our broken eggs. Here's to many more omelettes in 2022!

On Sunday, November 14, 2021, the Nooksack River flooded communities throughout Whatcom County. Hardest hit was the city of Sumas with some estimates saying 75 to 85% of homes affected. The Sumas Library had up to 24 inches of water in the building but thanks to the resourcefulness of Sumas and Everson Library staff, much of the collection and equipment was saved from destruction. WCLS staff members, Cayla Samms, Paul Fullner, Deborah Morgan and Lisa Gresham talk about their experiences protecting and salvaging books and materials at the Sumas Library during and after the flood. If you need help or support or if you are looking to volunteer or donate to help the flood victims, visit our Community Resources page. See episode notes, photos and videos about the flood on our Podcast page at https://www.wcls.org/podcast/

Interlibrary Loan Specialist Sarah Miller talks about how she borrows books from other libraries to loan to our patrons. And Marv Waschke, President of the WCLS Board of Trustees talks about everything from My Friend Flicka to Palaces for the People to social cohesion to what a hay mow is. Visit wcls.org/podcast for show notes and links.

WCLS Collection Development Librarian Mary Kinser returns to interview Blaine Library patron and supporter, Melanie May, who tells us all the ways the library has been an important part of her life and her family.  Also it's time for part 2 of Executive Director Christine Perkins' conversation with America's Librarian, Nancy Pearl. Stories and book recommendations galore in this reunion of old friends.  Visit wcls.org/podcast for show notes and links.

WCLS Collection Development Librarian Mary Kinser interviews Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock, author of Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town and The Smell of Other People's Houses. And we welcome "America's Librarian" Nancy Pearl, winner of the National Book Foundation's 2021 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. Part one of this interview brings a surprise guest to chat with Nancy. Visit wcls.org/podcast for show notes and links.

Local author Clyde Ford stops in to talk about Think Black, Dr. Ford's memoir of his father which recently won the 2021 Washington Center for the Book Award in the Creative Nonfiction category. Also, City of Ferndale Communications Officer, Riley Sweeney discusses his role as "Roving Reporter" during Library Card Sign-up Month.  

We hear part two of my interview with Mary Vermillion about Library Card Sign-up Month and then we do a speed round of book recommendations with our Collection Development Librarians Mary Kinser and Emma Radosevich. Also the Library of Things and more.  Note: no math was used in the recording of this episode.

Our ILS Administrator Carmi Parker won a Movers and Shakers award from the ALA for coordinating a boycott of Macmillan Publishers and taking a stand for patron access to eBooks and eAudiobooks. Then we talk to Mary Vermillion about Library Card Sign-up Month. Get a card today at wcls.org/getacard/

Deming Library Manager Katrina Carabba takes us on a tour of the Deming Library and the Library Learning Garden and we solve the Deming Duckling Mystery. WCLS Collection Services Manager Lisa Gresham interviews upcoming Read & Share author Erica Bauermeister about her memoir House Lessons: Renovating a Life.

Our second half of interviews with Executive Director Christine Perkins and Sumas and Everson Manager Alexa Andrews. We talk about the Birch Bay community effort to build a library and the strong connection to local history in Everson. Also two more book reviews. And we learn where your host spent his vacation. (Spoiler: it's at the library, but which library?)

Theresa Morrison pops in to tell us about Summer Reading programs, we interview Alexa Andrews about one of the libraries she manages and celebrate her MLIS degree, and we wrap up with a conversation with Christine Perkins, WCLS Executive Director who shares her backstory. Also some book recommendations.