[Libs-Or] FW: Connections: Your Link to the State Library of Oregon (April 2025)

Tue Apr 8 16:34:05 PDT 2025

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[Connections: your link to the state library of Oregon newsletter header]<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=4c078cf268&e=70bceba667>
Volume 35, Issue 2 - April 2025
In This Issue:

  *   Stay Up to Date with Our Newest Webpage
  *   Spring Is Here… and So Is Tax Season for Libraries
  *   The Future of Libraries and Archives Is in Their Hands
  *   Passing the Baton in Talking Books
  *   Northwest Digital Heritage Harvests Over One Million Records!
[https://mcusercontent.com/91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03/images/04f9b5a8-9b40-5cec-949e-6b14a1b9ab15.jpg]
Stay Up to Date with Our Newest Webpage
Current federal administration Executive Orders and decisions are impacting the national library community, including the State Library of Oregon. At this point in time, there are many more questions than answers. In order to share information as quickly and accurately as possible, we have added an Update page on our website that will have the most recent information regarding federal impacts on Oregon libraries. Please visit our Updates page for more information State Library of Oregon : Updates : State of Oregon<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=1be7864e88&e=70bceba667>.
Spring Is Here… and So Is Tax Season for Libraries
By Arlene Weible, Library Consultant, Library Support and Development Services
Spring is in the air! The sight of daffodils and cherry blossoms reminds us of the emerging natural beauty of our great state, but it also serves as another reminder… the return of tax season. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “Nothing in this world is certain except death and taxes,” and each year public library workers know spring brings the annual return of questions about taxes.
This season, the Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) has been working with libraries to help Oregonians take advantage of expanded free tax filing services
[Flyer for free tax help at local libraries]<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=0dfdef8727&e=70bceba667>
offered for both state and federal tax returns. Agency volunteers are traveling to libraries in 17 different communities across the state through April to assist taxpayers in using the free combination of IRS Direct File<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=ddf3dfb2b4&e=70bceba667> and Direct File Oregon<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=0840514fb0&e=70bceba667> to complete their returns. Libraries provide space, wifi, and public computers, while DOR staff interact with tax filers and help coach them through the process. More information about this program is available on the DOR website<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=e5deaebc81&e=70bceba667>.
At a recent event at the Salem Public Library, about 20 individuals dropped by to get assistance. DOR staff worked patiently with individuals to set up online accounts and determine eligibility to use the free services. While not every interaction results in a successfully filed tax return, the opportunity to learn more about free services and the ability to have a personal interaction with knowledgeable staff are successful outcomes of this program. Salem library staff praised DOR representatives for their skilled handling of the wide array of questions, commentary, and occasional frustration that come from those seeking tax filing assistance.
In their role as community navigators, public libraries are a core resource and referral centers for those seeking assistance with their tax returns. Partnering with the experts, such as volunteer groups and state agency programs, is a great way for libraries to make this kickoff to spring a bit less taxing for everyone!
Other resources often offered by libraries include:

  *   CashOregon<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=bdee2cbacc&e=70bceba667>
  *   MoneyWise Oregon<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=aec53f4a29&e=70bceba667>
  *   AARP FoundationTax-Aide<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=06a8cdcb04&e=70bceba667>
  *   IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=1e7d416e8e&e=70bceba667>
The Future of Libraries and Archives Is in Their Hands
By Emily Johns, Digital Preservation and Special Collections Librarian; Kate Anderson, Digitization Specialist; and Heather Pitts, Cataloging Services and Digital Collections Librarian, Government Information and Library Services
College and graduate school volunteers and interns are bringing their skills to new opportunities within the Government Information and Library Services Division! The State Library is committed to helping the next generation of library professionals put classroom theories into practice. In doing so, we hope to help students enhance their career experience while taking on projects that help our library serve Oregonians.
Newest to the team is Angelika, who has joined the State Library for the
[Cover of June 1954 "The Lamplighter"]
spring 2025 semester. Needing a practicum for her Master of Library and Information Science degree at Mississippi’s Old Dominion University, she is gaining cataloging experience working with Oregon state government publications. She is assigning Library of Congress subject headings, building Oregon Documents Classification System call numbers, and creating new bibliographic records from scratch for print state government publications to help lessen the backlog. In her first few weeks, Angelika has already completed dozens of titles. We are eager to see the progress Angelika makes in her time with the State Library, but beyond that, we are excited to see where she takes her library career and grateful she chose to start her career journey with us.
The library has been able to provide internships and practicums, and match students to volunteer opportunities. In some cases, we have created customized volunteer opportunities and positions to meet the individual’s needs and future goals.
Our Special Collections volunteer, Athena, is enrolled at Indiana University - Indianapolis, pursuing a Master of Library and Information Science degree with an Archives Management concentration. Athena reached out to us eager to put into practice the theories she is learning. She often shares how she has a better understanding of her course work because of this hands-on experience. Athena is working to build a career as an archivist and has been able to work on processing archival collections. While she has worked with many of our documents, her favorites so far belong to the Federal Writers Project collection, which includes some humorous newspaper clippings that detail such things as squirrel mitigation methods and small-town feuds. According to Athena, “These documents are sometimes charming, sometimes heartbreaking, but all of them offer unique and valuable glimpses into everyday life in19th-century Oregon.”
Kara, one of our book mender volunteers, is currently enrolled at Georgia’s Valdosta State University, pursuing a Master of Library and Information Science degree. While volunteering with us, Kara has gained hands-on experience mending rare books, a skill she hopes to carry into her future vocation. She has been working on smaller mending projects but looks forward to working her way up to more difficult repairs. While repairing materials, Kara has especially enjoyed flipping through old copies of The Lamplighter, a magazine published in the 1950s and 1960s by patients at the Oregon State Hospital. Kara shared, “Even though the hospital has a spotty past, it’s fascinating to see a random week’s worth of ward news, crossword puzzles, book reviews, and illustrations and to read about happenings like the installation of a new oven door in the bakery.” Kara and her fellow book mending volunteers have mended over 700 items this year!
During fall 2024, we had the pleasure of working with Jessica, who helped with our digitization program. Currently studying history at Western Oregon University, Jessica was our first federal work study student worker. She digitized a portion of our Oregon Documents Collection using a variety of software and scanners. This project allowed Jessica to apply skills she already had and learn new techniques that she can utilize later in her career as an archivist. Though she was only able to work with us for a few weeks, she processed thousands of pages that can now be accessed in our online digital catalog<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=6f14118c22&e=70bceba667>.
We are grateful for the hard work and dedication that all our volunteers and interns put into the State Library every day. Their work makes rare or unique items more accessible to the public and helps preserve print publications for the future. It is exciting being involved in training future librarians and archivists, and we are eager to see where our interns’ and volunteers’ careers take them.
If you are interested in volunteering for the State Library of Oregon, check our Volunteer Program<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=a7eed9120d&e=70bceba667> page.
Passing the Baton in Talking Books
By Monica Davidsen, Communications Analyst, Operations
Like all divisions of the State Library, the Talking Book and Braille Library has faced trials, changes, and ever-evolving technology and user needs as the world has advanced. Over the years, the dedicated staff working in this division have navigated it all! Andrea Clarkson and Elke Bruton were vital pieces of the culture and success of the Oregon Talking Books and Braille Library.
Elke began her Talking Books career as a student worker and eventually became Program Supervisor. She led the division through transitions such as software upgrades and major changes in service delivery during the COVID pandemic. In the spring of 2024, she branched out of Talking Books to become Program Manager of the Government Information and Library Services Division.
Only six months into her time at the State Library, Jen Robinson, who had been the Talking Books Outreach Librarian, stepped into the role of Program Supervisor. Jen brings over 20 years of library and leadership experience from multiple libraries across the West Coast. Elke and Jen worked together to ensure a seamless transition of leadership. With the support of the Talking Books staff, a new era began.
While division leadership was changing hands, Reader Advisor Andrea Clarkson was working towards retirement after 20 years of service. Andrea made a detailed plan that resulted in a smooth transition and allowed our new Reader Advisor Chris Hamilton to benefit from Andrea’s experience and insight. As we celebrate Andrea’s successful career and next steps, we do not have enough words to express our gratitude for the time, effort, and grace she brought to her transition into retirement that was felt so deeply not only in Talking Books but across the entire State Library.
Before the end of Jen’s first year as supervisor, she brought on a new Outreach Librarian and Reader Advisor while successfully helping Andrea cross the finish line to retirement. She has brought new ideas and insights to the program, building strong relationships with all who work with and use Talking Books services, learning from the Talking Books staff, and having a successful fall fundraising appeal.
So, what does all this change really mean? It means Talking Books has cultivated careers allowing staff to grow into their next chapters. It also means while there are some new faces around the Oregon Talking Book and Braille Library, it is growing and changing with the times and needs of its users and remains as strong as ever.
We have a great appreciation for the passion and skill Elke and Andrea brought to Talking Books, and recognize we are only able to pick up the baton and continue where they left off because they ran their legs well. Thank you, Elke and Andrea, for everything you gave us!
Northwest Digital Heritage Harvests Over One Million Records!
By Ross Fuqua, Data & Digital Projects Consultant, Library Support and Development Services
[Early Multnomah County Library Bookmobile serving kids with a pony in front]<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=98e9152306&e=70bceba667>
Northwest Digital Heritage<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=ac8b142dca&e=70bceba667> (NWDH) reached a milestone this month: one million records have been added from over 300 organizations! Everyone can freely discover all of these records online.
Northwest Digital Heritage is a collaboration between the State Library of Oregon, the Oregon Heritage Commission, and the Washington State Library. It’s an online network that lets  libraries, museums, and cultural heritage organizations in Oregon and Washington share their historic photos and other cultural material online.  These digitized materials are easy to search and give you access to a wealth of photos that would otherwise be hidden away in small towns and remote archives across the Pacific Northwest.
Some highlights from Oregon collections include:

  *   A.R. Bowman Museum<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=33913eea59&e=70bceba667> – Crook County’s museum based in Prineville, and NWDH’s newest Oregon contributor
  *   Oregon Scenic Images Collection<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=5d83ef44e3&e=70bceba667> – More than 60,000 photos taken throughout Oregon by the State Archives, free to use with attribution!
  *   Oregon Historical Society Research Library<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=56a10b9e0b&e=70bceba667> – Over 20,000 images, maps, and documents from a variety of perspectives
  *   Harney County Library<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=6762fbd3ef&e=70bceba667> – Over 5,000 images, documents, and oral histories from Southeastern Oregon
  *   Salem Public Library Collection<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=bd414ada20&e=70bceba667> – 13,000 images of Salem and the Mid-Willamette Valley, from 1840 through the mid-20th century
  *   Five Oaks Museum<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=64e6ec6626&e=70bceba667> – Almost 2,000 historic Washington County images
Northwest Digital Heritage also connects to the Digital Public Library of America<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=2b78c88cf9&e=70bceba667> (DPLA), which helps bring these unique and local Northwest collections to a wider audience through this national website. More than 5,000 institutions throughout the nation have contributed over 50 million records to the DPLA to date.
In addition to providing an opportunity to search a million unique records and cultural materials specific to the Pacific Northwest, Oregon and Washington work together to provide a range of technical assistance for heritage organizations, including:

  *   Training, resources, information, and guidance on digitization and collection management
  *   Funding opportunities
  *   Digital collections hosting for heritage organizations
Northwest Digital Heritage is funded in part by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the State Library of Oregon and Washington State Library.
To learn more, visit https://www.northwestdigitalheritage.org<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=91d0bcb66e&e=70bceba667>.
[https://mcusercontent.com/91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03/images/2704d93a-41dd-3ec2-6955-71e52d13426f.jpg]
Library Support & Development Services Manager
Buzzy Nielsen<mailto:buzzy.nielsen at slo.oregon.gov>, 971-375-3486

Talking Book & Braille Library Supervisor
Jen Robinson<mailto:jen.robinson at slo.oregon.gov?subject=&body=>, 503-378-5391

Government Information & Library Services Manager
Elke Bruton<mailto:elke.bruton at slo.oregon.gov>, 971-375-3509

Chief Operating Officer
Susan Westin<mailto:susan.westin at slo.oregon.gov>, 503-378-5435

State Librarian
Wendy Cornelisen<mailto:wendy.cornelisen at slo.oregon.gov>, 503-378-4367

Mission
The State Library of Oregon cultivates, preserves, and delivers library and information services to foster lifelong learning and community engagement.

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