CE NEWS

December 14, 2021

Image by Andrew Martin from Pixabay

2021 Year in Review

As this second pandemic year comes to a close, it seems appropriate to take a few moments and reflect on some of the changes and opportunities that occurred this past year.  

Workforce Development Trainings

In response to a staggering loss of 27,200 jobs in Alaska, Library Development began 2021 by offering two workforce development trainings. These online self-paced trainings prepared library staff to assist job seekers with locating employment opportunities, creating a resume, and identifying professional training to transition into a new career.

These workforce development trainings led to a partnership with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. DOLWD Anchorage/Mat-Su Regional Manager Demetria S. Veasy facilitated two virtual trainings on workforce employment services.

COVID and Youth Programming

In the spring and summer, library development shifted its training focus to support youth services librarians who were wrestling with how to safely provide children’s programs during the pandemic.

Our staff reached out to the Division of Public Health in Juneau. Public Health Nurses Elaine Hickey and Sabrina Meredith agreed to be guest presenters during a Public Librarians’ Chat and shared current health safety recommendations and guidelines.

During that chat, Kari Petersen, Program Coordinator for the Petersburg Public Library shared how the barriers created by the ongoing pandemic were an impetus for her to develop innovative programs and new community partnerships.  

Thanks to Everyone Who Participated in 2021

During 2021, our staff facilitated 2 statewide listening sessions, 3 online courses, and 14 webinars.  

We would like to thank everyone who shared their expertise by presenting or co-presenting during a webinar, training, or meeting.

Special thanks to the youth services librarians who helped develop content for the 2021 Alaska Reading Challenge and the librarians who agreed to review the What to Do When Law Enforcement Arrives in Your Library online course.

• Demetria S. Veasy
• James Adcox, A. J. Gooden, M.J. Grande, Susan Jones
• Claudia Haines, James Adcox, Marguerite La Riviere, Maite Lorente
• Stephanie Schott, Leslie Meyer, Ani Thomas
• Tracy Johnson
• Valerie Oliver
• Anjuli Grantham
• Elaine Hickey, Sabrina Meredith, and Kari Petersen
• Mike Robinson, Shannon M. Oltmann, Lieutenant Jeremy Weske
• Anastasia Tarmann, Shawn Schollmeyer
• Valerie Tomici, Brian Lindsey

Library Development Staff Changes

Several library development staff changes occurred in 2021. Janet Madsen, School Library Consultant retired in April. Samantha Blanquart, Early Literacy Consultant resigned in June, and Jack Kovaleski, the OWL Librarian, resigned in July. Claire Imamura transferred into Library Development as the Grants and Inclusive Services librarian in August. Kate Enge was hired as the OWL librarian in November, and Daniel Cornwall transferred into Information Services as their Continuing Resources librarian in December.

$2.2 Million in ARPA Grants

Grants, grants, grants!  In 2021, the Alaska Division of Libraries, Archives, and Museums awarded 109 easy grants and 69 project grants totaling $2.2 million in grant funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), received through the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Public Library Director Turnover

Public libraries across the state also saw a considerable amount of turnover in their library director positions.

• Anchorage Municipal Libraries
• Juneau Public Libraries
• Seward Community Library & Museum
• Gustavus Public Library
• Chiniak Public Library
• Ouzinkie Tribal Media Library
• Dermot O’Toole Memorial Library
• Cantwell Community Library
• Tri-Valley Community Library
• Craig Public Library

Library Closures

When a public library closes permanently, the entire community is affected. In 2021, the Kasilof Public Library and the Whale Public Library were closed after their Library Boards made the difficult decision to dissolve their non-profit organizations.

New Library Buildings

For two communities in Alaska, 20201 was the year their hopes and dreams of a new or renovated library building were realized. In October, the Thorne Bay Public Library’s new 1300 square foot modular library building arrived on a barge (see the photo below). In November, the community of Willow celebrated the opening of their new library and community center facility. 

New Thorne Bay Public Library