Hood River County Library Board

Why should residents consider you for the Hood River County Library District board?

I believe that libraries should be safe and welcoming spaces for all, and that libraries are essential to a thriving, connected, and compassionate community. I will support initiatives that reduce barriers to access for all our library services.

What is the role of the library district in our rural county?

Our library and it’s branches, including the Bookmobile, are positioned to provide resources above and beyond books, audio books and ebooks such as access to internet and computers, community connections through programming and outreach, and educational support with story times for little patrons and homework help for older students.

What do you see as the library’s greatest challenge going forward?

One of the greatest challenges facing the Hood River County Library District in the years ahead is to continue to evolve programming and services to meet the needs of a changing population. We need to listen to what our patrons need and work hard to serve them with the resources we have available. 

How will you continue to support the Hood River County Library’s vision of coming “together to create an inclusive, dynamic, and creative community where everyone belongs and there are opportunities for all”?

I will continue to support bilingual services, hands on activities such as kids and teen programming, maker space and Library of Things, and will strive to make the library a safe space where all feel welcome.

Yesenia Rojas

Why should residents consider you for the Hood River County Library District board?

 I want to bring a diverse perspective that amplifies the voices of Latino families in our community, ensuring their experiences and needs are represented. I also believe in the importance of fostering inclusivity and strengthening connections between the library and the broader community.

Quisiera aportar una perspectiva diversa que amplifique las voces de las familias latinas en nuestra comunidad, garantizando que sus experiencias y necesidades estén representadas. También creo en la importancia de fomentar la inclusión y fortalecer las comunicaciones entre la biblioteca y la comunidad en general.

What is the role of the library district in our rural county?

 To create inclusive environments where everyone feels safe and is encouraged to learn as well as provide accessibility to diverse learning materials such as:

•Classes for kids/teens/adults

•Outreach Services

•Digital Libraries

•Mobile Libraries

•Makerspace

Crear entornos inclusivos donde todos se sientan seguros y motivados a aprender, además de tener acceso a diversos materiales de aprendizaje, como:

•Clases para niños, adolescentes y adultos

•Servicios de extensión

•Bibliotecas digitales

•Bibliotecas móviles

•Makerspace

What do you see as the library’s greatest challenge going forward?

 Securing long-term funding and sustaining community support.

Garantizar financiación a largo plazo y mantener el apoyo comunitario.

How will you support the Hood River County Library’s vision of coming “together to create an inclusive, dynamic, and creative community where everyone belongs and there are opportunities for all”?

 I plan to continue building relationships and fostering collaboration across different community groups by:

 •Reaching new audiences and encouraging greater community engagement.

• Strengthening partnerships with local schools, businesses, and organizations to enhance library outreach.

• Increase public awareness of the library’s programs, resources, and events.

• Encourage youth and families to take greater advantage of the library’s educational and cultural offerings.

Planeo seguir fomentando la colaboración entre los diferentes grupos comunitarios mediante:

• Llegar a nuevos públicos y fomentar una mayor participación comunitaria.

• Fortalecer las colaboraciones con escuelas, empresas y organizaciones locales para mejorar la difusión de la biblioteca.

• Aumentar el conocimiento público sobre los programas, recursos y eventos de la biblioteca.

• Animar a los jóvenes y a las familias a aprovechar al máximo la oferta educativa y cultural de la biblioteca.

No one cares more about Hood River than someone who was born and raised in Hood River.

Nadie se preocupa más por Hood River que alguien que nació y creció aquí.

Pamela Tyler-Kroon

Why should residents consider you for the Hood River County Library District board?

Hood River County residents deserve to be served by a board that values and understands the best things that a good library brings to a community: a place to learn, to do research, to immerse oneself joyfully in the adventure of the written word and to find a steward of those valuable things, the librarian. One isn’t born with the ability to do research; people often need guidance to learn how to find solid and accurate information and understanding of a subject, and for me at least, the library been that place since I was a child.

What is the role of the library district in our rural county?

The role of the library in our rural area is to equalize knowledge for folks who live in the rural part of our county with the more urban parts of our world. A child living miles out of town, who lives on a farm or in an orchard, can have the same opportunity to learn and grow as anyone. The satellite libraries are so important, as well as the library van and little nooks that are shared by community members.

What do you see as the library’s greatest challenge going forward?

Fundraising: To make up for the financial assistance the library may lose from the federal government because Oregon is a sanctuary state.

Censorship: I’ve seen some courageous librarians standing up for full access for their patrons, and some have been blessed with board members who support their efforts.

Community education: As Ben Franklin wrote in 1771, “These libraries have improved the general conversations of the Americans and made the common tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen from other countries.” This is the best thing about what a library does — every American of any age can learn and become a wise and learned citizen.

How will you support the Hood River County Library’s vision of coming “together to create an inclusive, dynamic, and creative community where everyone belongs and there are opportunities for all”?

I will reach out to remind folks how well our library serves us, for free no less, and to help people understand our library may need the community’s support and helping them want to support their library, that has given so much to their families. I would listen to our community’s voices and stand beside them to protect and honor what Ben Franklin meant for us all to have when he created the first library in America — the freedom for each of us to learn, grow and thrive, because the knowledge inside those doors is free to each of us.