WCLS in Whatcom County presents Library Stories

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 R...

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...

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 membe...

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 fri...

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 cha...