Lynnwood Library - Sno-Isle Libraries

Le Petit Chouette

Note - this review is technically for the many branches under Sno-Isle, but I'm reviewing the Lynnwood one as it's the one I have the most (if not only) experience with. With that being said ...

I've been regularly using this library for several years. I receive programming-related emails from Sno-Isle weekly. About half a year ago, I noticed: ALL of their emails started having a subhead nested in their email body, explicitly stating: 

"To request a sign language interpreter, complete this online form or contact your local library at least two weeks prior to the library event. Interpreters will be provided based on availability."

Tickled pink, I tell ye! My goodness, why don't all hospitals, theatres, businesses, non-profits, etc. do this same system?!? So effective. So simple. No more running around guilt-tripping librarians, because they actually have an Accessibility Team. And proof's in the pudding: I've successfully been able to request terps for a couple of library events. The Accessibility Coordinator was lightning fast and responsive each time.

Thanks Sno-Isle for making libraries such an accessible, safe space for all.

  • Pen and Paper Available
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Well Lit Environment
  • Experience Hiring Interpreter
  • Positive Attitude
  • Speaks Clearly
  • Makes Eye Contact
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Kate

I wanted to leave a review after working at this place for over a year now. I have been blown away with how Sno-Isle Libraries has been great about providing ASL interpreters for our trainings, workshops, staff meetings, and supervisory meetings. Lynnwood Library is the largest and busiest branch out of all of the branches at Sno-Isle Libraries with a diversity of customers, volunteers and staff. The staff have been great about writing on paper and emailing with me whenever we need to communicate with each other. There is another staff at this library who is Deaf as well and she is able to speak and lipread. I have observed the staff making sure to face this Deaf co-worker and speak clearly plus loud enough for her to understand. I appreciate how the staff have been respectful about the differences with communication and not thinking that I'm able to speak/listen like my other co-worker. When I first joined, one of the supervisors was firm about respecting this difference by only writing on paper with me instead of speaking to me like what the staff was used to doing with another Deaf co-worker. I appreciated her support for this because it helped set the workplace in the right direction about how to communicate with me and that not everyone is the same. 

Shortly after being hired, I turned in a request to have a Videophone installed at Lynnwood Library for the public to use and it was recently installed before the end of 2014. I have been excited about this new additional as a way of making this library more Deaf-friendly and accessible to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. I also have been actively posting ASL Word of the Week in the break room on the bulletin for staff to learn some basic words (ex. books, library, thank you, etc.) so they are able to communicate with us and with Deaf and Hard of Hearing customers. I have received positive feedback on this project and staff have expressed interest with the new ASL words being posted. There is also an ABC fingerspelling chart on the bulletin as well. 


I recall many years ago when I was a high school student that worked at a different library branch under Sno-Isle Libraries. They were able to provide an ASL interpreter too in 2002, 12 years ago before I joined Lynnwood Library(!). This seems to be a practice already well done for many years about providing interpreters to their staff who need one. Lynnwood Library has been a very positive experience for me in the workplace and I feel respected as a co-worker for what I contribute to this branch. I have encountered many nice customers who are willing to communicate with me on the notepad with a pen that I tend to bring with me whenever I am out on the floor doing my tasks. Some regular customers will recognize me and say hello to me or have a brief conversation by asking how am I doing or saying something nice to me like Happy New Year. Overall, I have been very pleased and blessed with my experience at this workplace. 

  • Makes Eye Contact
  • Speaks Clearly
  • Knows Sign Language
  • Positive Attitude
  • Accepts Relay Calls
  • Assisted Listening Devices
  • Experience Hiring Interpreter
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