Library 'family' meets in Sisters

The Deschutes Public Library System (DPLS) "family" got together in the Community Room of the Sisters Library last week to talk about library services. There were representative from many of the library branches at the family gathering - made up of library board bembers, Library Foundation, and various branch "friends" - to hear DPLS Director Todd Dunkelberg talk about a variety of library functions and subjects.

Dunkleberg began the meeting by talking about how DPLS is planning for Central Oregon-area growth all the way to 2050. He explained library size per capita and the square feet necessary to accommodate needs in the future. He noted that the new Sisters Library, dedicated and opened in January 2006, was built with future growth in mind.

He also pointed out that the county had dropped the library from the funding budget that year, and whether it was chance - or good planning - the director of the library at that time, Michael Gaston, stepped into the breach and established a library district that not only kept the library system running, but provided a solid future for the new Sisters Library, and the branches of DPLS.

The present director, Todd Dunkleberg, through involvement of the entire DPLS family, took the Wall Street crash of 2008 head on, and not only kept most of his employees and programs, but opened a new branch in East Bend.

The staff of DPLS has dedicated themselves to being a part of the communities they serve by coming to the library and staying involved with various branch activities - not something all libraries do.

DPLS, with the help of the library foundation, has expanded the "Author! Author!" literary series. Chantal Strobel, DPLS head of public relations, let everyone know that information on the upcoming program will be forthcoming soon. Strobel said the income from "Author! Author!" helps to augment the tax dollars needed to keep the library going, and provides writing workshops offered to the various schools where the programs are going.

One interesting development in the library services is the rise of digital books. Dunkleberg said it won't be long before the digital books will outnumber traditional books.

Another factor that will be of interest to library patrons of Sisters Country is the announcement that Linda Davis, of Sisters, has been elected to the position of new president of the DPLS board.

Friends of the various branches reported their activities. Friends of the Sisters Library (FOSL) was very pleased with their involvement with the past Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show; participants coming to the FOSL book store went home with thousands of used books, which netted the Friends over $1,200. Much of the income will go directly back into the DPLS budget.

When the meeting came to an end with a tour of the Sisters Library, led by manager Zoe Schumacher, the picture was pretty clear that the Deschutes Public Library System is well-known for its role as a leading Central Oregon institution providing the services that keep people informed of what's going on in the world, and how they can keep up.