Chapter 1: Jonalyn Woolf-Ivory

Sno-Isle Libraries Executive Director Jonalyn Woolf-Ivory retires at the end of November 2018 after 33 years of service and the past 16 years leading the organization. Jonalyn discusses her early years in Deming, Wash., as the daughter of the local postmaster as well as some of her most gratifying moments as library executive director. Jonalyn will be missed but is excited about her successor, Lois Langer Thompson, who will assume leadership beginning in December.

The library executive director reports to an appointed seven-member board of trustees. This board provides policy oversight for the two-county library district. Sno-Isle Libraries delivers library services and resources to a population of approximately 750,000 residents across Snohomish and Island counties.

Chapter links

Jonalyn’s hometown, Deming, Wash.

• American FactFinder on Deming
• Deming history, courtesy of Whatcom County Library System
• Livability

News

• Sno-Isle Libraries executive director retiring after 33 years

Board and commissions

• Compass Health Board of Directors
• Economic Alliance Snohomish County
• Leadership Snohomish County

Recent awards, honors and recognitions

• Jonalyn honored with the 2018 Elson S. Floyd Award by the Economic Alliance Snohomish County for her commitment to communities and the region.
• Sno-Isle Libraries received 2018 Verdant Award for Issues That Matter forum series. The Issues That Matter community forums convene audiences for civil discussions on tough topics.
• In 2017, Washington State Auditor’s Office issued its 30th clean annual audit in a row to Sno-Isle Libraries.
• Washington Association of School Administrators Region 109 bestowed its 2017 Community Leadership Award on Sno-Isle Libraries.
• Humanities Washington honored Sno-Isle Libraries with the 2016 Humanities Washington Award.
• Sno-Isle Libraries garners 2016 “Top Innovator” award for TEDxSnoIsleLibraries from the Urban Libraries Council.
• Green Seal certification received in 2014 by Sno-Isle Libraries in recognition of healthy and sustainable cleaning practices.

Videos

• Jonalyn says … Children at storytime are starting a library adventure video, 56 sec.
• Serving You: Sno-Isle Libraries, 7 min. 32 sec.
• Why early literacy matters video by Reach Out and Read, 2 min. 36 sec.
• Why we should all be reading aloud to children, Rebecca Bellingham , TEDxYouth@BeaconStreet, 9 min. 29 sec.
• Library Events Intrigue, Inspire, Educate, 1 min. 31 sec.
• Third Grade Reading Challenge Finals 2018, 2 min. 25 sec.

Values

• Sno-Isle Libraries Strategic Priorities
• Early learning through Sno-Isle Libraries
• What is Early Literacy?
• How to Cradle Early Literacy: A Guide for Parents

Leadership

• Sno-Isle Libraries Board of Trustees
• Library funding

Library services and events

• Bringing the library to the children and others with Library on wheels
• Issues That Matter forums
• Living with Brain Injuries forum Dec. 3, 2017, audio, 1 hour, 35 minutes, 39 sec.
• Issues That Matter: Let’s Talk Mental Health 
• Issues That Matter: Age-related Mental Health
• Issues That Matter: Caregiving and Self-care
• Issues That Matter: Depression and Suicide
• Issues That Matter: Substance Abuse
• Issues That Matter: Trauma
• Issues That Matter: Youth Mental Health
• TEDxSnoIsleLibraries
• Future library brick-and-mortar needs: 2016-2025 Capital Facilities Plan

Library Volunteers and Service Award Winners

• Library volunteer opportunities
• Library volunteer service award winners
• Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation
• Washington State University
• Cougar gold (cheese)
• Cougar Gold Cheese in a Can is Something You Should Try

Education

• Washington State University
• University of Washington, Masters in Information Library and Information Sciences

Chapter 2: Romancing the genre of romance

Check It Out! reporter Abe Martinez interviews Sno-Isle Libraries librarian Jackie Parker to get the scoop on why romance is so popular. Jackie is the Lead Librarian for Readers’ Services.

• 11 Romance Readers Reveal Why They Love The Genre – Bustle
• What Makes Romance Novels So Appealing To Women?
• Why American Culture Is So Obsessed With Romantic Love
• Why Amish Romance Novels Are So Popular | Intellectual Takeout
• Why Can’t Romance Novels Get Any Love? | Arts & Culture
• Romance Writers of America
• Library Staff Blog, Picks, Suggestions and a few comments

Episode host

Ken Harvey is Communications Director for Sno-Isle Libraries. Ken brings broad professional experience from his service with Community Transit, Sound Transit, the city of Reno, Nev., and several positions in radio and TV.

 

 

 

Episode sponsors

The Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation proudly supports the innovative work of Sno-Isle Libraries through private donations.

 

 

Edmonds Center for the Arts provides an array of outstanding performing artists from around the world, hosts events and serves more than 75,000 patrons annually.