B5
THE ASTORIAN • SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2021
Library manager relishes
solving patrons’ puzzles
By PATRICK WEBB
Chinook Observer
ILWACO, Wash.— It is
a truth universally acknowl-
edged that all modern
library managers secretly
prefer the title “information
warrior.”
Amy Hitchcock laughed
behind her mask when a vis-
itor suggested that. But she is
ready for battle, leading the
Ilwaco Timberland Library
branch back into some sem-
blance of cautious normalcy
as some COVID-19 restric-
tions are eased.
Her core belief is that
libraries must continue to
play a crucial role, provid-
ing accurate information
as well as enrichment and
entertainment.
“People come here for
so many diff erent reasons,”
said Hitchcock, gesturing to
shelves neatly stacked with
murder mysteries and con-
temporary romances she
devours off duty. “Of course
we have books, and enter-
tainment like DVDs, but
there is so much more that
the library has.”
About helping people
Hitchcock, 42, took the
helm of the Ilwaco branch
when Susan Carney and
two long-serving colleagues
retired last year.
She earned a bache-
lor’s degree in linguistics
at the Evergreen State Col-
lege in Olympia and a mas-
ter’s degree in adult educ-
tion and training at Seattle
University before working
in higher education, evaluat-
ing programs and designing
curriculum.
She and attorney hus-
band, Jon Quittner, had relo-
cated to Ilwaco from the
Seattle area, in part to assist
her mother, affl icted by mul-
tiple sclerosis. They initially
cared for her at home before
medical needs prompted a
move to Golden Sands for
professional care.
Hitchcock began work-
ing part time at the library
four years ago while teach-
ing English composition and
literature for Grays Harbor
College through the Ray-
mond campus.
“The college met my
intellectual needs and the
library was all about helping
people,” she said.
The library manager job
opening presented an oppor-
tunity to focus. “I wanted to
be really challenged,” she
said, acknowledging the
statement’s irony in today’s
COVID-19 world.
The pandemic touched
the Long Beach Peninsula in
March 2020. At fi rst librar-
ies closed, then Ilwaco and
other Timberland branches
fulfi lled online book requests
with no-contact pick-up
services.
Now the building at 151
First Avenue North is open
Wednesday through Satur-
day, requiring masks and
distancing, with restrictions
on numbers of people using
Patrick Webb
Amy Hitchcock was appointed manager at the Ilwaco Timberland Library branch after the
retirement of Susan Carney. She is helping the library gradually resume normalcy as COVID
restrictions are eased.
computers and
bookshelves.
browsing
Puzzle-solving mission
Other than reading, Hitch-
cock’s other hobby is knit-
ting. Creating useful gar-
ments from raw yarn is an
apt metaphor for her mission,
responding to patrons’ needs.
“It’s complex life tasks, it’s
solving puzzles,” she said.
Some library users need
guidance working their tech-
nology; others seek informa-
tion and entertainment.
“We don’t always know
how we can help them, but
we have community connec-
tions and online resources,
as well as reference books.
There’s a wider world,” she
said. “And that’s the really
fun part, talking with peo-
ple, getting to know them
and fi nding out what they are
asking. Then we can match
them with what they need.”
Hitchcock has contin-
ued to strengthen links with
Ilwaco High School and
Hilltop Middle School, host-
ing virtual research work-
shops, steering students
toward accurate information.
Trustworthy sources
Another
demographic
is devoutly eager. “Home-
schoolers are one of my
favorite groups — the ones
that use the library exten-
sively, their kids are awe-
some,” she said.
Homeschooling parents
seek clarity.
‘THERE ARE
TRUSTWORTHY
SOURCES OUT
THERE — AND
LIBRARIANS
KNOW THEM.’
Amy Hitchcock |
Ilwaco library manager
Invention drives
knowledge
“There’s a bunch of mis-
information and sources that
can’t be trusted,” she said.
“But there are trustworthy
sources out there — and
librarians know them.”
One recent interaction
with a mother came to mind.
“She wanted to teach her
kids to access information
and know whether it was
trustworthy. It was really
fun for me to give her some
really concrete resources and
help her.”
Making connections
Hitchcock commends her
retired boss for laying the
groundwork for her own lead-
ership. “Susan Carney was
incredible. She forged com-
munity connections and made
the library part of the com-
munity. It is all about help-
ing people. I want to continue
doing that and build on that.”
She has linked with Made-
line Moore at the Columbia
Pacifi c Heritage Museum in
Ilwaco to develop a histori-
cal storytelling collaboration
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When library system
leaders in Tumwater asked
her for a favorite quote for an
introductory profi le, Hitch-
cock chose one from modern
Brazilian philosopher Paulo
Freire. “Knowledge emerges
only through invention and
re-invention, through the
restless, impatient, continu-
ing, hopeful inquiry human
beings pursue in the world,
with the world, and with
each other.”
When they announced her
appointment, she added one
of her own. “Education and
libraries are best friends, so
it’s a great fi t for my interests
and skill set.”
Dear Annie: I am 70 minutes on each occasion.
years old and have just relo- I’ve been to their house
cated to the U.S. from over- many times and each time
seas after an unexpected for several hours at a time.
divorce. It was my daugh- I’m told I only care about
ter’s suggestion for me to myself and she doesn’t want
move here. I’ve bought a anything else to do with me
house and am 5 miles from now. I’m partially reliant on
my daughter’s house. This her regarding the fi nal part
is the fi rst time in years that of my immigration here. If
I have lived close to her and she withdraws from that,
my two grandchildren. It’s then I’m in trouble and may
been a huge change for me, have to leave as a result.
She feels that I
and I am still getting
DEAR
am selfi sh and don’t
used to things here.
ANNIE
care about her and
My daughter is
the boys but that
still married, but
isn’t true. I just want
she and her hus-
some life of my own
band haven’t lived
along with being
together for seven
here to be close to
years. She is cur-
them. This is a huge
rently furloughed
ANNIE LANE problem for me and
from her job.
Creators
I have no idea how
While I want
Syndicate Inc.
to make it right. —
to be here and be
Dissed By Daughter
involved in their
Dear Dissed: I don’t
lives, I also want a life of
my own as I cannot be with know what your daugh-
them all the time. Using ter’s problem is, but it’s not
a dating website, I met you. Some unhappiness in
a woman. I wasn’t sure her personal life is proba-
whether to tell my daugh- bly causing her to lash out
ter, but my daughter told me so irrationally. Hopefully,
how she’d met a man on a she comes to her senses
dating site and they were and apologizes. The immi-
planning to meet soon — so gration factor does compli-
I fi gured I’d open up and tell cate things. I’d recommend
her about my new friend. It consulting with an immi-
seemed like she approved or gration lawyer to see what
other options you might
at least didn’t disapprove.
Then it came to my have so you don’t have to
eldest grandson’s birthday. rely on the whims of a petu-
I forgot his card and pres- lant daughter. You didn’t lug
ent, so I asked my new lady your whole life 2,000 miles
friend to bring them to my to be her punching bag.
Dear Annie: With an
daughter’s house for me.
I got it from her when she eye toward Earth Day, I
arrived outside and gave wanted to encourage your
her a quick kiss goodbye. I readers to try going meat-
went in and gave it to my less (and preferably vegan)
grandson who was over- at least one day a week. Ani-
joyed with the present. My mal agriculture is respon-
daughter on the other hand sible for more greenhouse
was unhappy, as she saw gases than all transportation
combined. — Healing the
my lady friend.
Now my daughter wants Planet Together
Dear Healing the
nothing to do with me any-
more because she thinks Planet Together: Thanks
I’m only thinking about for the letter. I’d encourage
myself. During the last three anyone to give plant-based
months, my daughter has a try, at least part of the
only been in my house three time. It’s easier than you’d
times and for less than 10 think!
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