Member Spotlight: Covington Library, part of KCLS

This year, the Covington Library celebrates 30 years in the community, providing a wide range of books, resources, programs and activities, as well as access to social services. This is particularly impressive coming out of the pandemic when so many people accessed books, research and entertainment materials, and participated in classes, activities and programs online. People are starting to come back to libraries for face-to-face interaction again.
 
Philis Ann Bodle, librarian and information services manager at the Covington Library, likes to look at the positive effects of COVID. The King County Library System was able to put a lot of their services online – programs, story times, homework help, world languages, etc. – during the shutdown.
 
“We reached people we wouldn’t otherwise reach,” said Philis Ann, who has worked for the library system for 22 years and in libraries for 35 years.
 
With a degree in secondary education, Philis Ann was drawn to library work because she loves books and connecting with people. She particularly loves giving kids their first library cards because she wants to share her love of literature and writing.
 
“Working at the library is the best of all worlds,” Philis Ann said. “It’s like a community living room.”
 
What many people don’t know about the Covington Library and other libraries within KCLS is the vast range of resources they make available to the community at no cost. Here are just a few:

• Books, ebooks and audiobooks
• Classes and programs – story time, ESL, tutoring, etc.
• Computer access and reservations
• Homework help
• Meeting and study rooms
• Mobile Apps – hoopla, Kanopy, KCLS app, LinkedIn Learning, Make Way for Books, and more
• Movies and TV shows
• Museum and park passes
• Music
• Printing services
• Programs: family story time, social services drop in, ESL classes, small business help desk, tutors, clubs, a welcome center and more.  Programs vary by location. Visit KCLS online to see what’s available at a library near you.
• Summer reading program

 
In addition to these resources, the Covington Library connects people with community services including access to resources like Recovery Navigator and Worksource.
 
Fun facts about the Covington Library:

• Libraries aren’t necessarily quiet places anymore.
• They are always open to the community’s ideas.
• The Covington Library has public meeting space and study spaces available.
• Part of their mission is to provide information in a nonjudgmental way.
• KCLS is inclusive.

 
The mission of KCLS is to inspire the people of King County to succeed through ideas, interaction and information. Their vision is a world where knowledge allows diverse communities to prosper and grow. To fulfill their mission, the Covington Library and all of KCLS serve audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
 
The Covington Library is part of the Rainier region which includes Covington, Algona-Pacific, Auburn, Black Diamond, Enumclaw and Muckleshoot. The region has about 70 to 75 employees who rotate among the different libraries with about 12 to 15 working at the Covington Library.
 
Whether you are looking for small business resources, story time for kids or grandkids, or access to social services, the Covington Library and KCLS are here to help! Visit KCLS.org for more information.