Following Director Erica Brown’s Washington Library Association Outstanding Service Award in 2023, Upper Skagit Library staff have continued to shine in award ceremonies, grant application acceptances, scholarship wins, and conference presentations throughout 2024!
Most recently, Children’s Librarian Haley was named one of the Skagit Women’s Alliance and Network (SWAN)‘s 2024 scholarship recipients, which she will use towards funding the completion of her MLIS degree, giving her more knowledge and resources to serve families in our community. Haley was chosen for her passion for improving accessibility within the community, her support of literacy and creativity, and her efforts in empowering youth and families with resources via the library.
In September Library Director Erica and Library Technology Specialist Loly flew to Massachusetts to represent USL at the annual Association for Rural and Small Libraries conference. While there, Loly brought home the 2024 Distinguished Service Award, which goes to a librarian or library worker who has demonstrated significant, sustained engagement and impact in their community. Loly was nominated for her efforts to bridge the digital divide through tech education, her efforts in securing grants to expand library services, and her work with Sustainable Connections and Skagit County Public Health through the Community Freedge program, which addresses food insecurity. Her outreach to Hispanic patrons and willingness to help, even outside the library, showcased her commitment to ensuring that everyone in the community has access to vital resources.
While at ARSL, Erica and Loly joined forces with other librarians and library workers (including one from consortium member Central Skagit Library!) to form team Dead Weights at the 2024 ARSL Trivia Night, bringing home a hard fought trivia championship! ARSL Trivia Nights are polayed to rain funds for ARSL scholarships, which help rural librarians across the nation continue their education, network with other library workers, and more.
In May, Loly graduated with a certificate from the local Latino Leadership Initiative program, which is “a yearly program that trains young Latinos from Edmonds College, Skagit Valley College and UWB and puts them on a path to become leaders, by involving them in their communities and by giving them the confidence and tools to succeed.” While moving through the program, Loly connected with local leaders in Skagit County, sharing information about USL and making connections for future collaborations and resource sharing.
In March, Erica and Loly attended the Washington Library Association Conference where Loly received an Outstanding Service Award and Erica co-lead a presentation on Tabletop Role-Playing Games for All, showcasing USL’s Dungeons & Dragons and TTRPG programs and the impact they’ve had on teens and the wider community. Erica’s presentation was well-received and lead to great opportunities later in the year!
The Upper Skagit Library currently has eight full-time and part-time staff members, who all have no plans of lowering their standards for community service. We look forward to carrying this year’s momentum to 2025!
