Episode 18: Comics and audits and books, oh my!

Episode 18 of the "Check It Out!" podcast includes three short stories from three contributors, Rilee Louangphakdy, Abe Martinez and Kaley Costello.

Chapter 1 – Library Surprise with Rilee Louangphakdy

Rilee says he is a "huge fan" of comic books, graphic novels and manga.

Recently added to the Sno-Isle Libraries collection are digital version of comics from DC, Marvel and other comics publishers.

"There's a tidal of popularity for comics right now," Rilee says. "With your library card, you can browse through titles and decide what to read."

Rilee says his personal favorite is Japanese manga. "I love finding the hidden life lessons," he says.

He adds: "The world of sequential art … is a legitimate form of art and symbolic storytelling."

Chapter 1 links

• Digital media through the library
• Hoopla
• Overdrive
• Manga
• Rilee's TEDxSnoIsleLibraries talk

Chapter length: 04:20

Chapter 2 – Gary Sitzman and financial stewardship with Abe Martinez

Keeping a close watch over the funds entrusted by taxpayers to Sno-Isle Libraries is Administrative Services Director Gary Sitzman. Sno-Isle Libraries podcast reporter Abe Martinez talks with Sitzman about stewardship of those funds.

As a public agency, Sno-Isle Libraries gets audited by the state Auditor's Office every year. Ever since those audits began 32 years ago, Sno-Isle Libraries has received a clean slate. The audits check on adherence to state laws as well as library policies.

"We take it very seriously," Sitzman says. "I haven't been responsible for all those audits, but I'm proud to carry it on and don't want to the record to stop on my watch."

While the library district has never received what is called an audit "finding," Sitzman says he does review reports on other agencies to see what he can learn that will help the library district.

Chapter 2 links

• Clean audits blog post
• State accountability audit
• State financial statements audit
• State Auditor's Office
• Sno-Isle Libraries funding and budget

Chapter length: 05:33

Chapter 3 – Book Notes with Kaley Costello

Librarian Kaley Costello, a member of the Sno-Isle Libraries Readers' Services Team and library manager at the Lakewood/Smokey Point Library, shares a few suggested titles that readers may enjoy.

First, is My Favorite Thing Is Monsters by Emil Ferris. Not giving away too much about the plot, Costello does share that Ferris drew this first volume while recovering from West Nile virus and paralyzed from the waist down. The second volume is on order now and available for holds by customers.

Costello's next suggestion is The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel. While it may sound like a horror story, Costello points out this tale of life in the woods on Maine is actually non-fiction. It is also available in ebook and e-audio formats.

Chapter 3 links

• Reading suggestions for customers
• Bibliofiles blog

Chapter length: 02:21

Episode sponsors

The Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation proudly supports the innovative work of Sno-Isle Libraries through private donations.

Edmonds Center for the Arts provides an array of outstanding performing artists from around the world, hosts events and serves more than 75,000 patrons annually.