What You Didn't Know About Sno-Isle Libraries So You Didn't Think to Ask! Part 2

Part 2: Getting My Book to Me
This is a post about a book, just one book, any book, that you would like to read. It's about what goes on behind the scenes at Sno-Isle Libraries to get that book to you.

 (Of course the library carries many items in addition to books, but for the purposes of this blog post we are using the word "book" to represent all types of media that Sno-Isle carries.)

Maybe you've heard of a certain book from a friend or read a review of it online. Perhaps you were enchanted with the book's cover when you saw it at the store, or you want to research a particular topic and came across a title that promises to be exactly what you are looking for. It's this specific book that you have in your mind, and you'd like to check it out.

Let's just say the book you are looking for is Encyclopedia of Birds.

So you go to the Sno-Isle website and type the title in the search bar, and up pops your book. Just like that, you see the entry, read the description and any reviews that are posted, and smile as you say to yourself, Yes! It's just what I'm looking for!

Joanne looking for her book on the Sno-Isle website

Your part is relatively simple. All you have to do now is wait for notification that the book is ready for you to pick up. If the book happens to be on the shelf in your local library, your wait won't be long. One of the staff will pull it off the shelf and, after a bit of record-keeping, put it on the hold shelf for you.

Often, however, the title you have selected will come to you from another library in the system. How does your book get from one branch to another?

Each of Sno-Isle's libraries has a bank of red bins set up in a work area for books that are needed at one of the other branches. Notified digitally by the Service Center, the staff or volunteers pull the titles from the shelves that are wanted elsewhere and place them in the bins. The final destination of the books in the bins is clearly marked.

Bins of books to send to other branches of Sno-Isle Libraries

Books bound for Marysville

These bins are picked up daily and delivered to the work room of the Service Center, where the walls are lined with rows and rows of red bins.

Bins at the Service Center work room

Books that are going from one branch to another pass through the Service Center work room. Staff sort through all the incoming books and place them in the appropriate outgoing bins. Each morning between 9:00 and 10:00 four trucks leave the Service Center on their routes, transporting the books to the libraries across Snohomish and Island counties where they will be processed and put on the hold shelves.

The delivery truck has arrived in Stanwood

There's plenty of room in this truck for lots of red bins!

Today's delivery 

Pam processing items that have arrived in the daily delivery

Joanne gets her book from the holds shelf

 Did you know that Sno-Isle libraries has one-and-a-half million items in its collection! Besides all the books, you can find everything from electronic media, movies and music to newsletters, blogs and material in various world languages.To learn more, go to the website home page and click on the button that says eBooks and More.

Next week we'll showcase the new Camano Island Library, which opens on August 1. If you'd like to see a teaser video, click here.

Happy reading!

What You Didn't Know About Sno-Isle Libraries So You Didn't Think to Ask! Part 1

Part 1: They Don't Have the Book I Want!
Have you ever checked the public library for a book or resource you'd love to get your hands on and discovered that it is not available? What do you do? Well, you could hunt around for something similar, or settle for a different book by the same author. You might just give up and go to a bookstore or an online bookseller and purchase what you're looking for. But did you know that you can request the library to order the book for its collection?

Today is the first of a six-week blog series in which I introduce you to some of the amazing features of the Sno-Isle Library system. It is likely that, if you live out of the area, your local library offers some of the same services that make Sno-Isle such a great resource in our community.

But first, I want to tell you about the Sno-Isle Service Center. If you are driving south on Interstate-5 through Marysville, WA, you may have noticed the large brick building just yards from the freeway off to your right. It houses the approximately one hundred administrative and support staff that keep the twenty-one community libraries, the online services, and the Library on Wheels of the Sno-Isle Library running smoothly, freeing up the librarians throughout the region to meet the needs of patrons who rely on their local libraries.

Recently I toured the Service Center, being introduced to the workings of many of the departments by my gracious and knowledgeable guide, Nancy Pursel, Sno-Isle's Volunteer Program Administrator. I was already a fan of the library, but this was like going to a familiar hiking area and discovering new trails that I didn't know existed.

So, back to the dilemma at hand, checking the catalog for an item from the library only to learn that there is no such title listed. Unless your need for the book is urgent (we'll just say book, although it could be any number of other things that you're looking for), you can click on the link on the Sno-Isle  website that says "Ask Us, Tell Us." Halfway down the page you'll find "Request an item not in the catalog." Click on that and follow the instructions. So here's the cool thing about this. There is a Collection Department at the Service Center, made up of trained librarians with specialties in various genres, who see your request and go to work trying to meet it. They research the book, looking up reviews and seeing if there are already similar books in the collections, then determine whether or not to approve the purchase of the title you have requested.

Perhaps they approve the purchase. They pass the request on to the Acquisitions Department, where the staff spend their days buying books. Sounds like a great job to me! The Catalog Department creates a temporary description and adds it to the Sno-Isle catalog, so that people who use the system have a chance to put the book on hold. For every five holds, they buy one more copy of the title. I've been on very long hold lists as I've waited for my turn to get the book, but even when I am number 325, there are enough books being purchased that my copy shows up within a reasonable amount of time.

Every day books and other items are being added to the Sno-Isle collections, not just three or four books, but usually a hundred or more. Daily! You can browse the recent additions here.

Some of the new books waiting to go into circulation

If you request a book and the request is denied, they may be able to get you a copy from another library outside the Sno-Isle system. That is called an Interlibrary Loan. Or they may discover that the title is actually available through Sno-Isle, just a bit difficult to track down. Of course they may be unable to fill your request, but they will have done their best to help you get what you're looking for.

Come back next Friday morning at three minutes to nine to read Part 2 of What You Didn't Know About Sno-Isle Libraries So You Didn't Think to Ask!

A Firm Foundation

If you live in the Pacific Northwest you have probably heard the dire predictions for an earthquake that will destroy a sizable portion of our coastal area. According to Kathryn Schulz in "The Really Big One," an article in the July 20, 2015, issue of the New Yorker, we are already 315 years into a 243-year cycle since the last mega-earthquake that hit the Northwest in 1700. That same earthquake caused a six-hundred-mile-long wave to strike Japan's eastern coast. It leveled homes, breached a castle mote, and caused an accident at sea.

Experts say that there is a one-in-three chance that a 9.0 earthquake, accompanied by a tsunami, will occur in the Pacific Northwest some time in the next fifty years. If it does, we are told that everything west of Interstate-5 "will be toast."

The article warns that we are ill-prepared for this horrific event and, even more troubling, those of us living in this area have shown little concern about the possibility. Besides that, few early warning systems exist and, even if they did, most of the seven million people living in the affected region would have little time to evacuate.

The author points out that surviving this disaster seems unlikely, yet the prospect of living through the aftermath of the catastrophe is unthinkable—one to three months without electricity and drinking water, along with sewer service out for a month to a year, highways requiring six months to a year to restore and health-care facilities needing eighteen months to restore.

Reading the article left me feeling helpless, like I've been thrown into a sea of information, unable to swim, and equipped with only a child-sized lifejacket. It reminded me of years ago when I sat alone in my apartment on a Sunday night, watching The Day After, a disturbing movie about a nuclear holocaust and its effects on a small town in Kansas. Riveted, I could hardly bear to watch, yet I couldn't look away. I may actually have breathed while watching the movie, but only during the commercials.

The film is devoid of hope. At the end the earth is all but destroyed and hardly anyone is left alive. I sat transfixed, staring at the screen as the credits rolled. From my stupor I began to hear the soundtrack, a bold hymn infused with hope, which grew louder as the song went on. It was "How Firm a Foundation."

I sang the hymn all evening and again the next day as I drove to an appointment, modulating a step up in pitch with each new verse. My car was a sanctuary, my song an offering.

Gloom gave way to gladness as I let the words of the hymn fill my heart and mind. Truth pervades each phrase of the nearly 230-year-old song, truth taken directly from Scripture, truth that sets us free (see John 8:32). The more I sang, the freer I became—free from hopelessness and dread, free from fear of an uncertain future.

How Firm a Foundation* 

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled? 

"Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand. 

"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine. 

"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no, never forsake!"

Embracing this hymn does not guard against the possibility of a nuclear holocaust any more than it guarantees the Northwest corner of the US won't experience a devastating earthquake and tsunami. We must act wisely, doing all we can to prepare ourselves for the uncertain future. But all our physical preparedness will do us little good if we do not have a firm foundation. That foundation, laid out in the Bible, points us to God, who has promised never to forsake us. His all-sufficient grace is our supply. Our hope is in Him, and we need not fear.

* * * * * * * * * * *

*Written by John Rippon, 1787; Public Domain. The words, as found in The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration, are based on Isaiah 43:1-2.

The Road Trip to Who Knew Where

We buckled our preschoolers into their carseats, waved good-bye to Tom's parents, and backed the van out of the driveway, heading across the country to the Northwest to spend some time with my parents. We didn't know if our trip was for vacation or re-location. All we knew was that we would either have to find funding for the magazine that we had been publishing or find a radically different direction for our lives.

The van was not our own. We had contracted with a drive-away company to transport a vehicle from Point A to Point B where we would drop it off and pick up another vehicle to take to Point C, and so on. When we got to our first stop in Indiana we left the brand new van and picked up a car that was being repossessed by a bank in Iowa. It was a bit of a clunker, but it ran decently. Later we traded it in for another re-po that would take us all the way to Seattle.

Transportation was not our only concern. By the time we found ourselves midway across the country we were hot, tired, and irritable. It had been a long time since we'd had a good meal, so we set out in search of steak. We found a simple looking place and parked the car. Let the reader beware: Don't judge a steak house by its unpretentious appearance. What we found inside were white linen tablecloths and wait staff that eyed us with suspicion. Our wiggly, exhausted children tried repeatedly to squirm out of their chairs while, throughout the meal, patrons gave us the hairy eyeball. It didn't help, that an ugly green bruise covered most of the top of my right arm. (Where did that come from anyway? It was just there, like the bags under my eyes.)

After one child had slid out of his high chair and the other had thrown up in his plate, we slinked out of the restaurant and headed off to find a place to stay. Alas, all the rooms were booked for the town's annual festival. Just one place had an opening, a quaint, mid-century motel. Our room was clean and comfortable, but the only phone available in that pre-cell phone era was a pay phone across a dark parking lot.

Totally spent, we tucked our kids into one of the double beds and fell into the other one ourselves. I awoke in the middle of the night and realized that Tom was not in bed. I found him in the bathroom, in such misery from what we later learned was a gall bladder attack that he thought he might die. I stood in the middle of the motel room, wringing my hands as I tried to decide whether to throw on some clothes, leave my babies and their dying father, and run out into the night to call 911, or stay with them and see how this all played out. Jumping from one foot to the other I kept repeating, "WhatamIgonnado? WhatamIgonnado?"An onlooker would have called it a meltdown. Just as I came to my senses and flew into action, my husband walked calmly out of the bathroom, apparently fully recovered.

The next morning we packed up and moved on as quickly as possible. With frequent stops along the way for the boys to run and play, and an overnight with dear friends in Spokane, our final leg of the trip was uneventful. We pulled into my parents' driveway on Father's Day, June 18, 1995. Twenty years ago today.

That cross-country drive was a pivotal point in our family's life. I guess you could call it The Road Trip to Who Knew Where. We thought we knew where we were going when we started out, and we did make it to my parents' house, which was our literal destination. But the life we had back in New York was one we loved and hoped to return to. This trip took us places we wound never have thought of, through experiences we wouldn't have chosen. And when we got to the end of the road we found a whole new life waiting for us.

We bid farewell to our magazine. Tom had his offending gall bladder removed and got a company job. Our little boys, whom I had planned to homeschool, did stints in private and public school and have long since graduated. As for me, I worked a bit out of the home, but most of my energy went into caring for my family. And now I write.

It wasn't the life we had planned, but it was the life we were given. The Lord has blessed us abundantly as we have clung to Him. Again and again over the years He has confirmed for us the truth of Isaiah 42:16:

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

It couldn't get better than that.

The Lost Art of Browsing the Library

How long has it been since you spent an hour hanging out in the library, surveying the shelves, browsing through books with intriguing titles or eye-catching covers? When did you last check out a children's book (even if you aren't a parent of a tyke) or scan the hot new titles in the teen section?

My friend Karen and I did that very thing yesterday, exploring a couple of the Sno-Isle Libraries we had not yet visited. Our goal is to get to each of the twenty-one branches in the system, as well as the Service Center and the Bookmobile.

You can go online and find a far greater selection in the catalog than you can on the shelves of one little branch, but the world opens up to you in a profound way when you can see and touch the books for yourself. In the library you'll find whole sections of books written about things you'd never thought of before. Between the cheery, quiet Briar Library and the roomy Mountlake Terrace branch, I found a rather large stack of things to bring home with me. Here's a sampling:

A new author (Henke) and a new book by a favorite author (Karon)

Poetry to tickle my mind 

When the hold line is too long for the book I want to read I sometimes choose the audio or the
large print version. which don't seem to be in as much demand.

History -- Philip Reid Saves the Statue of Freedom, Great Women of the Civil War,
(both written for kids but informative whatever your age) and Fortunate Sons:
The 120 Chinese Boys Who Came to America, Went to School,
and Revolutionized an Ancient Culture.  (How's that for a title!)

Words Fail Me, to help writers write, Ex Libis, for the love of reading, andDinner Talk. It's about
 conversation starters but I think they'd make good writing prompts too, I'd think!

Digital photography book for my husband, who is always growing in his skills.

A few months ago Tom and I took a couple of days and toured all five of the Sno-Isle libraries on Whidbey Island. Each branch has its own unique personality, and each seemed a popular hangout for community members. But for all their individualism, every one of the libraries I've seen have certain things in common.

Knowledgable, friendly staff...

colorful decor...

and space for folks to enjoy a good read...

...no matter who they are.

Sno-Isle is big on public art and has a number of sculptures around, like this one at Clinton,

or this one at Mountlake Terrace.

One more thing. Librarians can through a fine party. I recently attended a baby shower with a roomful of librarians. They were comrades, those gals, and they had a great time together. They were good cooks, too, and provided a delicious spread.

Just a sampling of the food at the librarians' party.

I'll bet you know what kinds of gifts they gave. Yep, books! Lots and lots of books! Without a doubt, that baby is going to be a reader.

* * * * *

June 16, 2015, Thanks to Deborah of Sno-Isle Libraries, here's a great video of a father and daughter who visited all the libraries in one day. Phew!! (Thanks, Deborah!)

Seeing God at Work in Our Stories

From the time I left the house Friday until I arrived in Sedro-Woolley, drama played out in the sky. For one stretch the clouds seen through my rearview mirror were black as a starless midnight while the fluffy white clouds ahead of me offered promises of smooth sailing. But they were false promises, as farther down the road rain thrashed overhead, forcing me to slow by twenty miles an hour, my windshield wipers as effective as limp noodles against the storm.

As we neared the auditorium, the steeple of the Episcopal church gleamed as late afternoon sun broke through the ever-changing sky.

So often life is like that. Decisions we make and events we cannot control pitch us from one trauma to the next, offering glimpses of glorious beauty, then dashing us back into chaos. In eastern Skagit County there is a group called Women HAND in Hand whose objective is to help women find God in their stories where, often, turbulance seems the order of the day. By hosting conferences that feature internationally known speakers, authors and musicians, they are bringing laughter, friendship, hope, encouragement and inspiration to the women of Sedro-Woolley, Darrington, and the surrounding communities.

Ruth Graham, the daughter of Billy Graham, was the featured speaker at Women HAND in Hand's event over the weekend. I invited Mom to go with me to hear her speak.

As she shared her own story, Ruth told how twice she found herself written into the story of the prodigal son. The first time, when her marriage fell apart, Ruth was resentful of her unfaithful husband and unforgiving, much like the older brother in the Bible. But later she herself became the prodigal, having to return home to ask forgiveness for her own sins.  She reminded us that the father in the story was insulted by both sons, yet he gave them both unconditional love. So it is with our Heavenly Father, who redeems the saint as well as the sinner. He sings over us, delights in us, and says, "All is forgiven; welcome home!"

But restoration comes only with our brokenness. While forgiveness is unconditional, Ruth told us, reconciliation is conditional, the condition being our changed behavior. And that requires our brokenness. She showed us how that looks as she shared her own life story with us. She encouraged us with the truth that there is hope in brokenness.

Just like her father, Ruth Graham ended her message with an invitation. "If the Lord has spoken to you tonight, please join us in the front for prayer." Several of the Women HAND in Hand team members stood waiting to pray with any women who responded to Ruth's invitation. One particular team member caught my eye. She was radiant with the most open, welcoming face I have ever seen. She received each woman who came to pray with her as if she was her best friend. She wrapped the seeker in her arms, drew back to look her in the face, and moved right into the role of loving listener. And when it was time to pray, she held the seeker close as they prayed and cried together. And then they rejoiced, laughing, hugging, and praising the Lord for His victory.

East Skagit County is rural and a long ways from the metropolitan centers where women have access to a plethora of opportunities for Christian inspiration and fellowship. But thanks to Women HAND in Hand, it is possible for Skagit ladies to enjoy rich fellowship and outstanding speakers in a loving, caring atmosphere presented with excellence and grace -- and all just a short drive from home. It's where they can gather to see God at work in their own stories.

Nailed to the Cross

With a hammer in one hand and a nail in the other, I waited, body heaving, sobs rising up in gasping breaths. "Please don't make me kill my Jesus!" I silently screamed as the moments passed. And when at last I pounded that wretched nail into the rough wood the hammering thundered in my head and the tears streamed down.

Traumatized, I turned to the communion table. 

The bread – his brokenness in exchange for yours. Take, eat. 

The cup – his blood that washes away your sins. Drink.

Quietly, from deep within, I heard singing, as if a puppeteer was pulling together the strings of many hymns and bringing to life a whole new song ~

Love and sorrow 

flow together

from a wooden cross,

nothing left of self

but love alone.

Blood of Jesus,

pure and holy,

spilled for Adam's race

and calling to the Father

on his throne.

Love and mercy

flow together

from the heart of God,

"The saving work is finished!"

cries the Son.

He drops his head 

in victory,

the sun goes dark as night.

Death is conquered

by the dying One.

Grace and mercy

flow together,

so immense and free.

They rap upon my heart;

I let them in.

My soul cries,

"Hallelujah!

Glory to the Lamb

whose sacrifice has freed me

 from my sin!"

© Ginger Kauffman

April 4, 2015