Stories from the Stacks: Library Liaison January 2024

Stories from the Stacks

The Monthly Liaison: January 2024

Mike Wade, right, board chair of The Community Library and a veteran of the U.S. Army, holds an Armed Services Edition of The Great Gatsby from the Library's collection. Jenny Emery Davidson, left, executive director, holds a copy of a new book of library stories.

Little Books Can Carry Big Hopes

The novel that is the 2024 Winter Read, The Great Gatsby, did not captivate the general public when it first was published in 1925. Rather, it was nearly two decades later that it became a celebrated American novel - when it was published as a small Armed Services Edition (ASE) during World War II. It was one of more than 1,300 titles that were printed swiftly and by the millions to send to soldiers serving overseas. They were small enough to fit in a soldier's pocket, but they carried big hopes for holding on to humanity amidst the chaos of war.

While Nazis in Germany burned books by the millions, the United States responded by generating more books to encourage wide-range thinking about the sprawling human experience. Soldiers read the little paperbacks voraciously and gratefully, in trenches and in hospital beds, on aircraft carriers and in submarines.

Americans took courage in books.

Inspired by the history of the ASEs during World War II, we at The Community Library created A Little Book of BIG Stories: An Idaho Library Book. Like the ASEs, this book was produced quickly, in an earnest attempt to share true stories from libraries around Idaho. It is small enough to fit in a pocket, perhaps close to one's heart, and it beats strongly with testimonials of how Idahoans from Craigmont to Ketchum, Mountain Home to Moscow, trust their local libraries. They are stories of joy and love.

We gave a copy of this new little book to each Idaho legislator to help inform the conversation of this legislative session. Since the 2024 session began on January 8, three different actions have been taken to advance bills that could profoundly change how libraries serve the people of Idaho. One proposed bill, HB 384, would require libraries to have a section restricted for adult access only, and it would allow a single individual to restrict what other people in a community can access to read. This bill would make it possible for one person to bring a private cause of action against a library for $250 if the library circulated a book that that one person deemed offensive. HB 384 has been pulled back to committee, and legislators are working on a new version.

The Community Library is a privately-funded public library. It is unclear at this stage how such legislation would impact The Community Library, but it is clear that the legislation would be antithetical to the Library's mission. The repercussions will be real for Idaho communities.

We ask lawmakers to stop legislating against Idaho libraries.

We feel a responsibility to amplify the stories that we see happen every day at The Community Library and at libraries around the state. These are stories of belonging! And we feel a responsibility to convey information about how library services could change with proposed legislative measures.

Idaho legislators are talking about libraries. Let them hear your library story, too.

A few words, perhaps tucked in a pocket or held close to one's heart, can make a difference.

Jenny Emery Davidson, Ph.D.

Executive Director

Best Reads of 2023

Pam Parker and fellow librarian Andrea Nelson peruse a wide variety of

reference material to curate their list of best reads.

By Pam Parker

Director of Library Operations

Best of 2023 | How do we select our top picks?

Every January, our librarians tackle the task of curating a list of books worthy of a coveted spot on The Community Library’s “Best of 2023” list. It is a fun, but daunting, effort that involves a few of us grinding it out over what gets included, and what does not.

First, we start by examining major award winners and nominees. Among the prize winners we’ve included this year are Prophet Song by Irish novelist Paul Lynch, recipient of the 2023 Man Booker Prize; The Rediscovery of America by Ned Blackhawk, which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction; and The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride, winner of the Kirkus Prize for Fiction. Some other interesting award nominees we included are the graphic novel The Talk by Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Darrin Bell, and Fire Weather by John Vaillant, a National Book Award finalist.

Next, we consult some tried-and-true sources for readers, including The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Financial Times and The Economist. Each of these periodicals is available to you at the Library! We also have included numerous books that appeared on more than one online “recommended reads” list for 2023. These picks include: The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, Birnam Woods by Eleanor Canton, and Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward, among others.

We try to keep this list broadly sourced to include something for (and about) everyone.

Another favorite source of our recommended reads is each other! Martha, the director of programs and education, recommends a coming-of-age novel, American Mermaid by Jenifer Langbein, and Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea, who delivered a fabulous lecture this summer at the Library. Nicole, the director of operations, suggests Bottoms Up and The Devil Laughs by Kerry Howley, about the eroding validity of information. North Woods by Daniel Mason, is recommended by Aly, the collections manager, as well as by the editorial staff at the New York Times, which included it as one of the ten best books of the year. And, Hello, Beautiful by Ann Napolitano made its way around Library staff, and thus earned its spot.

Some patron recommended reads also made the list: A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan, a local favorite; Right Kind of Wrong by Amy C. Edmondson, one of the few personal growth books on the list; and, This Other Eden by Paul Harding. The run-a-way book of the summer for checkouts was The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese, one of several Sun Valley Writers Conference featured books that graces our ‘Best of 2023.' Yes, good readers, lend us ideas, and we welcome the input!

Lending is the tradition that makes libraries work – that includes books, ideas and more.

Rest assured that much thought, page turning, and discussion – not to mention a bit of collegial debate – makes up our annual ‘Best of’ process. No doubt we missed a few gems – as soon as the ink dries, we think of another deserving title! Our best recommendation: try something new. We have, and it has been rewarding in ways that are hard to measure.

The Community Library’s Best of 2023 list is available here. A printed copy is available at the Adult Circulation Desk.

Herald from the Hemingway House

“These two plus weeks chez Hemingway were magical. The opportunity to clear and cleanse my mind in a tranquil, inspired setting allowed me to create a framework for the coming months. Thank you, thank you!”

~Amy Tara Koch, frequent contributor to publications such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest,

Condé Nast Traveler and The Telegraph.

Recommended Titles

In honor of the extraordinary life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.,

we've curated some titles on the Civil Rights Movement.

You'll find titles in our Main Collection, Digital Collection, and Children's and Young Adults. You can also explore artifacts at the Wood River Museum of History and Culture on Mitsuru Takahashi and Wah Kee Lea, Wood River Valley citizens from different eras who also faced attacks

on their civil rights. Their stories are highlighted in the exhibit

How in the World Did You Get to Sun Valley?

Find these and more recommendations, across genres, here.

Adults Main Collection

by Alvin Hall

Travel | Guides

917.3 HAL

by Mark Whitaker

in MAIN Nonfiction

323.097 WHI

by Jonathan Eig

in MAIN Display

920 King | Martin

Digital

Film starring Denzel Washington

Streaming on Kanopy

Film starring

Samuel L. Jackson

Streaming on Kanopy

by Nikole Hannah-Jones

Overdrive eAudiobook

Children's and Young Adults

Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

in Juvenile Nonfiction

J 920 Kin

by Doreen Rappaport

in Juvenile Nonfiction

J 920 Kin

by Brad Meltzer

in Juvenile Nonfiction

J 920 Kin

Wood River Museum of History & Culture

How in the World Did

You Get to Sun Valley?

Exhibit Entry

Mitsuru Takahashi

Sent to Minidoka

from Seattle in 1942

Wah Kee Lea

Arrived from San Francisco in the 1880s

THANK YOU to Our December Donors

Class of 2023 Sun Valley Winter Sports Hall of Fame Inductees (L-R): Judy Blumberg, John Burke, Heather Flood Daves, Jonna Mendez, and Marc Mast. Also pictured: Regional History Librarian Kelley Moulton, Library Executive Director Jenny Emery Davidson, and Library Collections Manager and Emcee for the evening, Aly Wepplo.

Donors

Anonymous - 15

Lois and Barton Adrian

Laurie and Paul Ahern

Barbara and George Akers

Andrea and Todd Anderson

Anita K. Hardy and Gregory Kaslo

Jan Aronson and Dominique Finas

Elizabeth and John Ashton

Judy and Don Atkinson

Mimi Avins

Kim Baar

Judy Bachman

Maureen and Donald Baker

Virginia and Mark Baumgardner

Matthew Baxandall

Ruby and Peter Becker

Renee and Carl Behnke

Ell and Jerry Bernacchi

Sara and Robert Berry

Susan and Art Berry

Jennifer and Douglas P. Biederbeck

Heather Black

Bowen Blair

Blank Family Foundation

Errin Bliss

Kathleen and Hugh Blue

Kari Bohlke and Charles Dart

Debbe and Franklin Otis Booth, III

Dianne Borjessan and Ed Haglund

Carol Boswell

Pamela and Nelson Bowers

Kristine Bretall

Broschofsky Galleries

Harrison and Nancy Buck Fund

Teri Burnett

Barbara Call

Heidi Campbell and Eric Younger

Stephen Cannon

Ragna Caron

Richard Carter

Claire B. Casey

Jeanne Cassell

Mary Chadez and Greg Sanders

Micki and Dan Chapin

Carolyn Chardack

Elaine Charlat

Darla and Steve Christiansen

Lucy Chubb

Jill and Greg Clark

Anita and James Cleveland

Carolyn and Charles Coiner

Mary and Michael Colhoun

Katrina S. Cord

Diane K. and Geoffrey W. Cordes

Kathrine Coull

Roy E. Crawford

Kingsley Croul

Pamela Crowell and Dennis

Hegewald

Jean and Pete De Luca

Karen and Marc De Saint Phalle

Margaret Dean

Sabrina and Mark DeBree

Joan A. and Roger A. Dermody

Eleanor and Robert Devens

Penny and Jim DeYoung

Shannon Di Lorenzo

Kathleen Diepenbrock and Kelley

Weston

Davida Dillingham and Peter McRae

Carey and John Dondero

Joyce and Roger Doughty

Casey Dove and Sam Christian

Charlotte and Dirk Hampson

Debra and Lyman Drake

Beth and Robert H. Dunn

Cynthia Dwyer and Craig Barry

Douglas Dyakon

Darlene and Ted Dyer

Robin and Sam East

Mr. and Mrs. Edsel Ford

Kathy and George Edwards Charitable Fund

Elias Construction Inc.

Marsha and Oleg Elkhunovich

Naomi and William Ellison

Mary Emery

Jean Enersen and Bruce Carter

Health and Wellness Fund

Sue and Earl Engelmann

Kathy Englar

Alexandra K. and John A. Engs

Jill and Mark Eshman

Helga and Philip Fast

Ellen and Joseph Fastow

Patricia Feldstein

Pat Ford

Jana and Jeff Foushee

Bunker and Larry Frank

Charles French

Sandra and George Froley

Kathryn and Steven Galbraith

Kathryn and Robert Gardner

Kathy and Richard Gariepy

John R. Garrison

Barbara and Michael Gettelman

Judith P. and Ernest J. Getto

Courtney Gilbert

Sally Gillespie

Dehan Glanz

Lawrence Goldberg

Margaret Goldberg

Deana and Morley Golden

Nancy and Ross Goldstein

Nancy and Gary G. Goodenough

Margaret and Roger Gould

Laura Grabow

Jami and Mark Grassi

Betty and Peter Gray

Fran and Jed Gray

Lynn and Austen Gray

Jennifer and Randy Green

Lolly Greeninger

Stacey and Ron Guill

Julie and George Gulick

Eileen Matthews Hansen

Sibyl W. Hanson

Carol and Len Harlig

Ellen R. Harris

Grace Harvey and John Bailey

Margund and John Haskell

Linda and Ronald Hatzenbuehler

Jude Hawkes and Charlie Pomeroy

Hope Hayward and Walter Eisank

Nina Jonas and Andreas Heaphy

Roberta and Thomas Heinrich Jr.

Heinz Family Foundation

Pat and Alex Higgins

Kitty Hillman

Joanne and Terry Hogue

Peggy Hollitz

Greet and Karl Hostetler

Jeri Howland and Gerald Edelbrock

Sogol Nowbar and Scott Huerd

Leslie and George Hume

Dennis R. Humphries

Hollie Hunter and Stephen R.

Gardner

Idaho Humanities Council

Lucie and Mel Jackson

Ellen F. James

Pamela and Joel Jarolimek

Beverly and Donald Jefferson

Steven E. Job

Katherine and McKay Johnson

Linda and Tom Johnson

Sydney McNiff Johnson and Jay

Johnson

The Johnson Company

Ruth Gaylord Jones

Tracy and Eric Kanowsky

Colleen and David Kassner

Martha and Carleton Keck

Janet and Bob Keegan

Janet Kellam and Andy Munter

Vilma Keri and Edward E. Matthews

Gurumukh Khalsa and Jason

McIlhaney

Judith Kindler and Kyle Johnson

Anndel Kininmonth and Bruce

Smith

Wendy and David Kistler

Patricia Klahr and Lee Scott Melly

Becky Klassen and Buck Drew

Sandy and Tom Kling

Page Klune

Susan Kniffen

Gina Knox

Martina P. and Robert Y. Kopf III

Susan Kraemer

Kathleen and Karl Krekow

Stephen Kroll

Lynn and William Kronberger

Marie and Jack Kueneman

Jack Lane (2)

Robert Law

Youell Legacy Foundation

The Lehman Foundation - Barbara

and John Lehman

Jane Letourneau and John Frey

Dora Levin

Kathie Levison

Jerome and Judith Weiss Levy

Family Fund

Kenneth and Colleen Lewis Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation

Katherine Liddle

Marilyn K. Lockhart

Skip and Liz Lord

Genevieve Lowe and Ben

Schellpfeffer

Jo and Bill Lowe

Thomas Lowe

Alison Lufkin Sullivan & Company

Design

Isabel Lui

Kelly Lukins and Kenneth Propp

John Lundin

Leslie and Jon Maksik

Pamela Mann and Mark Miller

Carol C. and Joseph V. Marini Jr.

Kiki and Wayne Martin

Stefanie and Jon Marvel

Jan and Kirk Mason

Lisa and Bob Mayer

Mazzola Family Fund

Anita and Mike McCann

Wilson McElhinny

Susan McKee (2)

Willa and James McLaughlin

Debby and John McNamara

Kathryn and Matt McNeal

Katrina and J.R. McNeal

Victoria and William McNichols

Tom Mecredy

Leslie J. Minks

Jette Morache and Jeffrey Yeo

Ann Morris

P.K. Murphy

Kim Nalen, The Nalen Foundation

Karen Nelsen

Andrea Nelson and Rod Harten

Marilyn Nesbit

Holbrook Newman and Geoff Isles

Linda and Bill Nicholson

Carol P. Nie

Carmen and Edward Northen

Bruce Norvell

Carol O'Loughlin

Sheron and Roger O'Connell

Kaye O'Riordan

Mary Tess O'Sullivan and Jeremy

Fryberger

Karen Oswalt and Baxter Craven

Young

Debbie Park and Jeff Williams

Harriet Parker Bass and Dr. Richard Bass

Albina and Jeffrey Parks

Lisa and Russell Patterson

Mollie Patton

Rebecca Patton and Raymond

Goodrich

Midge Patzer

Marcelle and Ridley Pearson

Karen Pederson and David Gwinn

Enid Perl Rawlings and Greg

Rawlings

Alan Pesky

Katherine and Jake Peters

Jan C. Philipsborn and Mitchell L.

Hollins

Kristin Poole

Pure

Patricia A. Radeke

Lynn Ramm

Viki and Al Rankin

Tedde and Jim Reid

Julie and John Rember

Marjolaine and Robert Renfro

Rhea S. Schwartz and Paul Martin

Wolff Foundation

Virginia Rice

Julia R. and Alan H. Richardson

Doris Roemer-Moress

Mike Roundy

Thomas Rule

Rose M. Rumball-Petre and Ted E. Stout

Susan H. and Joseph E. Scheid

Carol Scheifele-Holmes and

Benjamin Holmes

Mary Schneider

Trudi Schneider

Heidi Schulman and Michael Kantor

Susan and Anthony Scirica

Susan and John Scott

Debbie Scully and Arthur M. Scully

Ann and Irwin Sentilles

Sara M. and Clark H. Shafer

T. Scott Shea

Nancy J. and John R. Shepherd

Roberta and Howard Siegel

Barbara and Glenn Silcott

Leslie and Tim Silva

Erin and Michael Sinclair

Sheri Slater

Becky and Peter Smith

Jeane Gadd and Steve Smith

Richard Smooke

Sandra Smyth Hyde

Gayle and Jerry Soderberg

Linda Southwick

Spur Community Foundation

Lisa Stelck and Bill Boeger

Gretchen Stengel

Gayle and Alan Stevenson

Margaret Macdonald Stewart and

Mark Stewart

Victoria and Steven Stokdyk

Mary Kate and Rodney Strachan

Strawberry Hill Fund

Louise and Trent Stumph

Pat Swanson

Tricia Swartling

Teri and Sandor Szombathy

Janis Smith Tedrow

The Albert Parvin Foundation

The Ambrose Monell Foundation

The Glen and Angela Charles Family

Foundation

The Palmedo Family Foundation

The Swig Foundation–Susan Swig

The Tullio & Marilyn Celano Family

Trust

William and Martha Erickson

Foundation

Jeremy Thomas

Beverly Tiffany and Patric Hooper

Jane Tillotson

Jennifer Tuck

Chris and Dan Turner

Cynthia and Peter Urbanowicz

Karl Uri

TomVan Slyke

Katrina Vanden Heuvel

Annie and Bill Vanderbilt

Shelly and Mark Vegwert

von der Heyden Family Foundation-

Ellen and James Gillespie

Gretchen and Lynn Wakem

Diana and Mallory Walker

Ellen and John K. Wallace

Sandra Webel

Sharon Wellsandt

Henry Whiting

Toni and Nigel Whittington

Sheila Witmer

Gina Verna Wolcott and John

Wolcott

Karen and Donn Wonnell

Joan Wrede

Elizabeth Ann Yoder

Barbara and David Young

Barbara Young Schlosser

Elisabeth and Steven Zahm

Joy Zimmerman

Tributes

Jane Reister Conard in honor of Richard A. Maneval

Elizabeth and Louis George Jr. in honor of Kelli Sagar, Mandy Hicks, and Skipper George

Lee Gotshall-Maxon in memory of Susan Gotshall-Maxon

Sally and Jeffrey Graves in memory of Hollywood and Animal

Dana and David Hollister in memory of Ellen Whelan

Marcia Kent in memory of Reginald Reeves

Jody Leidecker in memory of Vicky Graves

Carolyn and John C. Lloyd in memory of Gordon Russell

Jeannine Mars in memory of Hugh O’Riordan

Linda and Hans Muehlegger in memory of Laurie Laudenslager

Mary and James Nicholson in honor of Hank Dart

Cheryl Parnell and Samuel Dickerman in honor of Chris Turner

Joyce A. and Ernest E. Patricelli in memory of Bill and Judy Jurden

Linda and William Potter in honor of Lynn Kaplan

Prudence and Edgar Ragsdale in honor of Theo Young

Beverley Robertson in honor of Donna Delahorne

The Hardiman Family Foundation in honor of Trina Peters

Mary Ann and Dave Tuthill in memory of Lara Tuthill

Karl Uri in memory of Sofia Adele Uri

Julia I. and Jeffrey C. Ward in honor of Jack Lane

Page Turner Society

Robyn and Todd Achilles

Big Wood Landscape

Susan and Brad Brickman

Daphne Coble and Patrick Murphy

Kathleen Diepenbrock and Kelley Weston

Claudia and John D. Gaeddert

Diana Hewett

Kevin Lavelle

Kyla Merwin

Elaine Phillips

Narda Pitkethly

Gay Weake

Anita Weissberg

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out of Your Investments?

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a gift in your will can make a lasting impact for years to come.

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