Lynne’s Library Journey

It Starts with Storytime

As a toddler, Lynne attended Baby Storytime at the Port Orchard branch with her mother, Min. Shannon Peterson, Deputy Director of Public Services and former Youth Services Librarian, remembers her well.

“I first met Lynne in 2008. Her mother was one of our core attendees, showing up every week without fail,” Shannon recalls. “It was such a pleasure to get to know them and see friendships form between caregivers in the group. I can perfectly picture toddler Lynne taking it all in with her observant eyes.”

Storytime—and Baby Band and Tiny Tunes, which are musical iterations of Storytime—are foundational programs at Kitsap Regional Library, welcoming parents, caregivers, babies, and toddlers for more than 24,000 visits in 2024 alone. Offered in many formats—from baby and toddler to preschool, family, and pajama Storytimes—these programs nurture early literacy and support social-emotional growth. For Lynne and her family, the program—and, moreover, the community built—were integral.

“It’s where I first learned to read, to use a computer, and to run a scientific experiment. If I have free time, I’ll hang out at the Library, or just stop in to chat with the librarians.”

“Baby Storytime was an opportunity to practice taking a step back and watching Lynne grow,” says Min. “It introduced activities and books we weren’t familiar with, making our world bigger. As a person who didn’t grow up in the States, it provided a bridge between my culture and the local culture.

Growing with the Library

As Lynne grew and her needs changed, the Library continued to meet her where she was. After some time away, Lynne and her family moved back to Kitsap County—and reconnected with familiar faces.

“Life—and libraries—have a funny way of reconnecting people,” says former librarian Lisa Lechuga. “I was working at the Sylvan Way branch—and one day, there Lynne and Min were! Lynne was in sixth grade by then, full of opinions, quick wit, and a much louder voice than I remembered. The quiet little girl from Storytime had become a hilarious, insightful teen who was still enthusiastic about the library and the books she was reading.”

“Kitsap Regional Library is like another home to me,” Lynne says. “I’ve been coming here all my life and developed close relationships with the staff.

It’s where I first learned to read, to use a computer, and to run a scientific experiment. If I have free time, I’ll hang out at the library or just stop in to chat with the librarians.”

A Place to Belong

Through the blur of a pandemic, closures, and reopenings, Lisa later spotted Lynne again—this time at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. branch.

“One day, high schooler Lynne walks up to the desk and asks for an obscure, scholarly book through interlibrary loan. She began visiting regularly again, and our conversations surprised me, made me laugh, and made me wonder about the world.”

Shannon adds, “We are so lucky to work in community libraries where it’s possible to follow families through their entire school career.”

As quintessential third places, libraries are a vital space beyond home, work, and school, which foster community, connection, and belonging. That role has never been more important than now, as young people face the lingering impacts of COVID-19 and what the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has labeled a national “loneliness epidemic.” Kitsap Regional Library’s 2024–2029 Strategic Direction addresses this reality, emphasizing early learning, interest-based learning, and social connection.

From Patron to Intern

One way the Library brings this mission to life is through its Community Learning Internship.

First launched in 2015, the program led by STEM and Learning Supervisor Megan Burton and STEM and Learning Assistant Shelby Barnes—one of the first two interns to graduate from the program—supports youth ages 16–25 through job shadowing, hands-on projects, and paid learning experiences, preparing them for higher education and careers.

“I knew Lynne would be a perfect fit,” Lisa says. “I encouraged her to apply. She did, and she got it!”

Lynne was one of three interns in the class of 2024. Over eight months, she observed the varied work of library staff, met one-on-one with mentors, developed a professional project, and presented her experience during a graduation ceremony at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. branch.

“I was so excited to learn more about how the Library works,” Lynne says. For her project, she decided to create a functioning library for her school—which didn’t have one. She mapped a timeline, sourced donated materials, created a card catalog that adhered to the school’s no-internet policy, and recruited volunteers to sustain the library beyond her own graduation.

“Megan and Shelby are like rays of sunshine,” Lynne adds. “They helped me complete my project but also supported me while I searched for colleges and scholarships.”

“It’s beautiful and overwhelming to see our services and relationships evolve as kids grow through their lives,” Shannon says.

For Lynne, the library has always been more than books— it’s been a bridge, a home, and a launchpad. And now, her story is part of something even bigger: a community of young people building a future, together.