Honoring Her Heritage and Instilling a Love of Learning
Librarian Elsie Werth of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand
Ronde
Today, our librarian's duties often hurry us to a computer
terminal or an Internet connection. Our training quite naturally
involves expert knowledge in a variety of databases and published
mediums. As librarians we carry the ability to match a user's
information need with the appropriate materials. But there are
different paces and styles for meeting that need.
Within this spirit, earlier this year, I had the opportunity to
visit the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde at Grand Ronde,
Oregon. My focus was to assess technical levels of varying sets of
persons within the Tribe and those employed by the Tribe, in hopes
of leveling the field for all persons with regard to computer skills
and access to critical information.
After a dreary winter in Seattle, driving through the beautiful
countryside of Oregon was a treat. Daffodils in full bloom greeted
my eyes and an occasional elusive white cloud dotted blue skies of
springtime. In the town of Grand Ronde, heading toward the Tribal
offices, I passed the Grand Ronde Library. This library was one
room, about 30 x 40 feet, with a hand-painted sandwich sign out in
front of a dirt parking area announcing, "The Library is Open
Today!" Yes, I had already decided my path would return there before
the day was finished.
Open only on Mondays, the library is presided over by Elsie
Werth, custodian of the collection for over 47 years. She is a
concerned and professional woman, who sat beside a wood stove for
warmth, accompanied by a recipe box bursting with check-out slips.
She explained the purpose of her library with conviction: "a reading
library." She told me that it was her job to "know good books and
then sell the idea of reading to others." She deftly picked up a
volume and proceeded to sell me.
Elsie told me how her father came to this territory in 1901 from
Kansas. Colorful stories of the Elders her mother knew were next.
She concluded with her worries about collection development and the
actual future of her library. Sitting in a child's folding oak wood
chair next to her sent me back to my own childhood. Viewing her
collection of classic books, smelling the scent of the old oak floor
with sun streaming through six-foot tall windows of old wavy glass.
Through all these sensations, I remembered who sparked my child's
mind so long ago and why I personally became interested in the
information profession myself.
It is pioneers such as Elsie who spark the match of learning and
encourage curiosity, the very foundation of wisdom and learning.
Elsie knew her community well, and the importance of freedom of
expression -- what a treasure. These librarians are the bedrock of
information services delivered with a timeless passion for one's
work. Today Elsie is attempting to develop her collection of books
on the Pacific Northwest and the Indigenous Native People. Book
donations can be sent to:
Grand Ronde Woman's Club Library
c/o Mrs. Elsie F.
Werth
9030 Hebo Rd.
Grand Ronde OR 97347 
Photo: The Grand Ronde Library, located in the old Bank of
Grand Ronde building.
Thanks to Chholing P. Taha, Native American Resources
Librarian, National Network of Libraries of Medicine Pacific
Northwest Region, for contributing this article. It is adapted from
Dragonfly, the newsletter of NN/LM PNR, in which it first
appeared. | 
