Library profile | Martin Arnold
Published 3:54 pm Monday, November 18, 2013
Editor’s note: The Orcas Island Library is hoping to embark on an expansion of its facility. In the next year, there will be public meetings, design work and fundraising for $700,000. As part of the library’s community outreach efforts, the Sounder is featuring profiles of staff members.
Martin Arnold delights in helping islanders get the answers they need.
“We do so much more than just recommending books,” he said.
Patrons of the Orcas Island Library often ask Arnold for help with finding phone numbers, navigating websites and locating books without knowing the title or the author’s name.
“Finding things out for people is the most fulfilling part of my job,” he said.
Citing the huge range of people who walk through their doors, Arnold says, “Libraries are considered the most democratic of institutions.”
Books have been a big part of Arnold’s life, but his career in library services is relatively new. While he has been a life-long Washingtonian, Arnold had never visited the San Juans. When he and his wife Loreen first came to Orcas in 2004, they immediately bought property. Yet after returning to their home in Silverton, Ore., they realized it was a mistake.
“We thought we would never get jobs here,” he said.
They were able to back out of the property deal, but just 18 months later, Loreen landed a job at Islanders Bank.
Martin had planned to be a house husband, but a volunteer job at the library sparked a whole new direction for him.
At the age of 51, he went back to school, earning his masters in library science from San Jose State’s online program.
The degree covers all aspects of how the library is run from cataloguing to research to web design.
“It gives you an understanding of how the theory of information works and more tools to better serve the public,” he said.
Martin has a background in economics and accounting, having worked in corporate sales and inventory for Borders Books before moving to Orcas. He said his love of books began in college.
Martin is currently reading a biography of Woodrow Wilson. He also enjoys Craig Johnson’s series of mysteries and learning about American and European history. He and Loreen like to work in the yard and garden, hike and travel across the country.
As the public services librarian, Martin is responsible for processing inter-library loans, working at the desk, helping islanders find the information they need and updating the website daily.
He is excited about upcoming programs like Washington State Library’s collaboration with Microsoft that offers computer learning programs and certificates at libraries across the state. Through the Orcas Library’s website, patrons can learn how to use Word and Excel and take digital literacy courses.
“We hope people take advantage of this – it’s a great opportunity,” Martin said. “Libraries nowadays are not just about books – they are about everything. People can rent out 10 movies at a time here and there are nine computers for public access.”
He has seen a need for more areas to read quietly and says it’s one reason for the expansion.
“Some people walk in and turn right around because it is so crowded,” Martin said. “This expansion is a long time coming.”
