Acknowledging Gratefulness and Milestones
We know celebrating milestones is important - it is important to the individual, to the team and to the organization.
On a personal note, this past May marked my 25th anniversary with Timberland Regional Library. My, time flies! When I reflect back on my library career, the first feeling that comes to my mind is gratitude – grateful to my former professors, supervisors and managers who saw my potential when I did not see it fully, and who mentored me in a variety of positions such as Library Assistant, Librarian, Collection Development Specialist, Senior Library Manager, Public Services Manager and Executive Director. I am so grateful for the continued experience of working collaboratively with the Board of Trustees and grateful to you for your exemplary service.
For those of you celebrating TRL milestones this year, congratulations!
- Cheryl
New TRL Location
West Olympia Timberland Library located at Capital Mall in Olympia, WA opened to the public on June 1, 2021. Thank you to all staff involved in the this project, with a special shout out to Brenda M.
The announcement of TRL's 28th location was met with excitement, receiving great feedback from patrons as well as coverage in The Olympian and Jolt News. Olympia Library Manager Stephanie Hope-Cochran and Cheryl Heywood were also interviewed by Doug Dahlgren on KGY 95.3 FM, KAYO 96.9 FM, and KAYO Legends 96.9.
"This is the smartest location for a new library. Bravo to whoever made this happen. People want to be in a safe place, read and get books, get a coffee and go for a walk. This lets us do all those things in one place. Thank you. Genius and remarkable." - Lindsey H, Patron
Images from Opening Day
SLP School Visits
Virtual School Visits were created by TRL staff to ensure all students have the opportunity to enjoy SLP this year. View a few examples from our various SLP playlists.
School Visit Video created by Erin M
Pre-K - 1st Grade
Featuring: Alexis H, Erika L, and Sarah L
2nd - 3rd Grade
Featuring: Kären M and Jared C
4th - 5th Grade
Featuring: Erica M, Elizabeth K, and Mike M
6th - 12th Grade
Featuring: Raina S, Elizabeth K, and Sara W
Español
Featuring: Jenna A
Featuring: Kären M
Summer Library Song 2021
An original song was written for the Summer Library Program this year. This project included contributions from Torey Y, Stefan A, Erin M, Chris S, and Westley W. All instruments were recorded separately and shared via Teams and OneDrive.
Meet the Musicians
Torey Y
Stefan A
Erin M
Chris S
Westley W
Anniversary Milestones
Congratulations to our staff members who celebrated their milestone anniversaries this May and June!
May
Cheryl H - 25 Years
Michael M - 15 Years
Carolynn W - 10 Years
"My favorite thing about working at TRL is getting to interact with the kids. Watching them grow up from itty bitties to young adults and to help them find new books to read as their interests change and grow has been very fun!" - Carolynn W
Rebekka S - 5 Years
June
Liz B - 15 Years
"I was hired in August 2004 as a Substitute (with no promise of any hours, but I tended to work 30-35 hours most weeks as a Sub, back in the day when Sub hours were generously used). It's actually been 17 years but the first 2 were not as a 'regular' employee until I was hired fulltime." - Liz B
Jessica F - 10 Years
"TRL has played a big role in my life both personally and vocationally. First as a six-year-old obsessed with Richard Scarry's Busytown books at the Aberdeen Library, then as a teen who discovered big novels and comics from the 1920's. Timberland gave me the opportunity to become a volunteer and an intern, launching me into my career as a librarian. Over the last ten years, as my roles and responsibilities change and grow, my desire to provide meaningful library services to our communities, supporting my coworkers in reaching their full potential, and creating positive associations with the library has not changed." - Jessica F
Carrie S - 5 Years
"Reflecting on the last 5 years of working with Timberland Regional Library I am grateful, still excited about my work and love my job as much as I did when I started. Every day I "GET" to come to work. Which is a great outlook on one's job. There are so many things to list about what I love but top of the list is the patron interaction and helping to the best of my ability and resources. My goal every day is to smile at every patron and say 'hello' " - Carrie S
Donna M - 5 Years
"Really grateful to be working alongside TRL’s diverse and inventive team of library people. Everyone is fabulous." - Donna M
Meet our newest co-workers
Mwawi M - IT Specialist II
Hobbies: Basketball, Cycling, Hiking and Travelling
Education/Training: Computer Information Systems and Telecommunications
Favorite Music: RnB, Kwaito Music, African House and Afro Beats
Favorite Book: Anything by Sidney Sheldon
Favorite Travel Spot: African Safari’s and Bali
Favorite Restaurant: Indian and Thai
Favorite Quote: “It takes Love to Know Love, In Order for Love to Love Itself” By Mwawi M Mfuni
Fun Fact: I understand 9 African Languages and am at 19 Countries out of my goal of 50 to visit in the world. I’ve done the Lion walk and seen the Victoria Falls 3 times.
What do you like best about your job/TRL? The People and culture.
What inspired you to work in libraries? The gift of giving knowledge to society is one of the greatest honors.
Vivian H - Finance Specialist
Hobbies: Cooking, Painting, Gardening, Traveling, and playing with my German Shephard. 😊
Education/Training: Associate degree of Science in Accounting, Associate degree of Business Administration
Favorite Music: Classic music, Gospel music
Favorite Book: True Crime
Favorite Travel Spot: Hawaii
Favorite Restaurant: Din Tai Fung
Favorite Quote: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
Fun Fact: I am fluent in Mandarin (Chinese)
What do you like best about your job/TRL? The people and a lot of books.
What inspired you to work in libraries? I have a team role: I work collaboratively and with respect with colleagues and other teams. I strive to have good organizational skills and work well under pressure. I am dependable and hardworking.
I have a career development role: I am curious, and am willing to learn and develop new skills.
Audrey G - Library Assistant
Hobbies: Reading, knitting, crochet, looming potholders, writing, and adventuring with my husband
Education/Training: BA in English Literature, concentration in Creative Writing, minor in Women’s Studies; MA in Information Research and Library Science; working on MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Favorite Music: Hozier, Birdy, Alanis Morissette, and anything alternative 90s vibe
Favorite Book: Fiction: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman; Nonfiction: Born for Love by Dr. Bruce Perry and Maia Szalavitz
Favorite Travel Spot: Astoria, Oregon; Bruges, Belgium; and anywhere along the Rheine River in Germany
Favorite Restaurant: Olympia Oyster House
Favorite Quote: “You will learn a lot about yourself if you stretch in the direction of goodness, of bigness, of kindness, of forgiveness, of emotional bravery. Be a warrior for love.” – Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things
Fun Fact: Despite growing up in Phoenix, Arizona, I have STILL never seen the Grand Canyon
What do you like best about your job/TRL? I love working with patrons!
What inspired you to work in libraries? I was an early reader and an avid one, thus libraries were my favorite place to go to pick out new books to read. As I got older, I became more aware of the important social services that libraries provide their communities, safeguarding the free and open access to information for all people, not just those who can afford it. It is an honor to serve my community through connecting them with resources that entertain, educate, support, and encourage.
Lane M - Library Assistant
Hobbies: Reading, cooking, hiking
Education/Training: Washington State University, B.A. 2012
Favorite Music: All different kinds
Favorite Book: Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Favorite Travel Spot: Probably Japan, I haven't been there.....yet.
Favorite Restaurant: Tin Tin Tea - Lacey, W.A.
Favorite Quote: “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” - Oscar Wilde
Fun Fact: The ancient Greeks believed that redheads could become vampires
What do you like best about your job/TRL? The incredibly supportive and encouraging staff. I have felt very welcomed since I've started. Thank you.
What inspired you to work in libraries? When I was in my final semester at W.S.U., I had an internship with their Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections department. In this position I was tasked with digitizing old documents, ranging in age from a few decades to several hundred years old. The experience was utterly fascinating, and I had a lot of fun surprisingly, considering I had no interest in libraries prior to this. This experience gave me a deep appreciation of libraries and how they help all of us, both in preserving history and in helping educate us in the present for a better future.
"Please welcome Izzy and Lizz to our group... We are so glad to have them both on our Bilingual Team!" - Susan F
Izzy T - Library Assistant
Hobbies: Reading, Watching Anime, Baking
Favorite Music: K-Music & Latin Indie
Favorite Book: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Favorite Travel Spot: Oaxaca
Favorite Restaurant: Peking House
What inspired you to work in libraries? I've always loved the library, I spent most of my childhood here and also volunteered as a Teen. I love the environment, the people, and I wanted the opportunity to help and give back to the community.
Lizz B - Library Assistant
Hobbies: Reading, hiking, researching random information
Education/Training: MLS from Texas Women's University/ Worked for Pierce County Library and SPSCC Library
Favorite music: All-across the board
Favorite travel spot: I have a revolving list
Favorite quote: Grand Canyon and any beach/ocean
Favorite Restaurant: Not a specific restaurant but I am always up for sushi or Greek food
Fun Fact: I am first generation in the US
What do you like best about your job/TRL? Working with people, both patrons and co-workers
What inspired you to work in libraries? I had a Library work study job my first year in college and became interested in becoming a Librarian, which took some twists in different directions for a while (social work in non-profits)
Congratulations!
Jenny P
Ann H
Meghan M
Andrea H
Steve C
Kim S
TRL Social Media
Interested in joining the Social Media Team? Contact Sarah O.
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