The Orcas Library is a hub of learning, creativity and community for patrons of all ages.

It is particularly busy once school lets out and groups of students head over for activities and socializing.

“There is so much tutoring after school. It’s astonishing how many kids are here writing scripts for Youtube movies, playing Magic: the Gathering and board games,” said Library Director Ingrid Mattson.

Mattson sent a letter out in February to teachers at the Orcas Christian School and the public elementary school reminding parents to touch base with their kiddos about after-school plans.

“We love having young people at the library, and I think some parents assume, ‘oh, my kid is at a library, they must be reading a book.’ But sometimes they are outside running around and there are groups of kids loudly interacting with each other,” Mattson said.

She noted they happily allow children to be in the library alone “if they can manage themselves” and adhere to the library’s code of conduct.

“Response to the letter has been good and parents are saying thank you for sending it, it’s very helpful,” Mattson said. “We’ve seen that parents are now checking in with their kids.”

Many of the students who arrive after school are hungry and in need of a snack, so the library created a budget to purchase food. Mattson is hoping to collaborate with the food bank to continue to meet the needs of their littlest patrons.

Mattson notes that the Funhouse’s new drop-in program for older kids provides additional after-school options. Learn more at https://www.funhousecommons.org/4th-5th-grade-game-time/.

The library recently hired Angie Reed as the young adult librarian. The lengthy interview process included key players from the Funhouse, the Coalition for Orcas Youth and the school to ensure the candidates understood “how much we really care about youth growing up here,” according to Mattson.

Reed said about herself: “All of my post-high school education was online while I worked two jobs. Before I worked in libraries, I worked in Assisted Living, and I loved working with the senior citizen population. I’m originally from the Pacific Northwest but have lived in Kansas for the last 4 years. My favorite book is “The Hobbit,” and I have two tattoos from the world of Tolkien, but two books that gave me perspective that I hadn’t had previously (and that I recommend to everyone) are “This is My America” by Kim Johnson and “Skin of the Sea” by Natasha Bowen.”

Mattson is thrilled with the library’s new hire, who is already invigorating programs for those ages 6th to 12th grade.

“Angie has been meeting with kids after school every day, devising programming that is what they actually want,” she said. “We’ve restarted the young adult book club, which just read ‘Boys in the Boat’ and then watched the movie. She’s also really into role-playing games and will likely start a journaling group. She has so much interest and care for helping to partner with the community to navigate the teen years. She loves working with seniors and teens — she has a spectrum of experience caring for people in all stages of life.”

Reed will be exploring a teen summer intern program like the one at Lopez Library, and soon there will be a 3,000-piece lego set for budding engineers to work on communally.

Mattson, who was a lawyer and then a law professor before becoming a librarian, continues to be energized by the magic of libraries.

“Being a librarian is way more fun than being a lawyer,” she laughed. “I always encourage young people who are smart and academically motivated to get a degree in library sciences.”