New library head wants ‘life-long library’

By Jennifer Clampet

The Times, Oct 17, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Jennifer Clampet / The Times

A POSITIVE PLACE – Abigail Elder, the new Tualatin Public Library manager, believes that libraries can change lives.

TUALATIN — Libraries should be a life-long institution, says Abigail Elder, Tualatin’s new library manager. And she’s not just talking about a sturdy facility.

From the “to do list” written in crayon on giant post-it notes to a brazen approach to hold an interview in the middle of the library, Elder admits she never would have made it as a “shhhhh” librarian.

“I like the interaction,” Elder said as she glanced around at librarian patrons as they typed on their laptops or leafed through magazines.

Elder doesn’t carry the old-school thinking of being a librarian. She embraces any library activity whether it be on site or remote — like browsing a library catalog from a home computer.

She’s a promoter of a “life-long library,” one that offers something for every age group. Elder said her specialties include an interest in technology for the new generation and a library for the future — one that recognizes civic engagement by the “third age,” senior citizens.

Leaning toward her interviewer, Elder added “People can choose to go anywhere, and they choose (the library). It’s fantastic.”

In fact, lots of people have chosen the Tualatin library. Even before it’s $9 million makeover and expansion, the Tualatin library experienced growth.

In the last nine years, the library’s circulation has increased three fold from 200,000 in 1999 to 609,000 in the last fiscal year.

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