Recalling the little library, Kirkpatrick shook her head. “That library was so well loved,” she said. “The Malden school bus driver told us that every week when story time was scheduled at the library, those kids were raring to go.”
The library had been a homey community gathering-place, with lace curtains at the windows and a colorful rug on the floor. It had been stocked with five computers and a rotating selection of 600 books – valued at $20,000 – as well as puzzles and Legos and games.
Since then, Kirkpatrick and Fullmer have teamed up with the Malden library branch manager, whose own home had burned to the ground, to work on disaster relief efforts for their Malden library patrons. They’ve added more computers and more open hours to the branch library in a neighboring town, where Malden kids already attend school. And they’ve been assisting Malden families in filing insurance claims.
At the same time, Kirkpatrick has been working with her successor to bring her up to speed on overall library procedures throughout the library. It’s been difficult, she acknowledged.
“I say, ‘This is how things normally are’ – but it’s been a very different reality this year.”
Fullmer, who at least has the benefit of having known Kirkpatrick as a colleague for years, nodded. “It’s been a complete brain shift,” she said.
And yet, there are some things that never change. In a recent exit interview with a local newspaper, Kirkpatrick was asked how her job had changed over 33 years. Of course there were things like automating the library catalog, digital buildout in rural areas and the implementation of internet access in libraries.
But what hasn’t changed is the library’s fundamental role in safeguarding intellectual freedom.
“This is the fiber of what we do,” Kirkpatrick said. “We are living in a rural, conservative place, but our citizens have always understood that the backbone of democracy is providing information without any bias.”
“Libraries are such a protector of democracy.”
That mission, Kirkpatrick and Fullmer agree, remains steadfast.
Whitman County Library System
Main Branch
102 S Main
Colfax, WA
877-733-3375
Monday 10 AM-5 PM
Tuesday 10 AM-5 PM
Wednesday 10 AM-5 PM
Thursday 10 AM-6 PM
Friday 10 AM-6 PM
Saturday 1 PM-5 PM
Sunday Closed
NOTE: Safety measures remain in place to comply with state guidelines, and patrons are reminded to wear a mask and maintain social distancing standards. Browsing and computer time limits have been extended to thirty minutes at all locations to better serve patrons. Curbside service will continue to be available during these hours by request.
Voter forum at the WCL Main Branch in Colfax.