DAYTON – They say that 'absence makes the heart grow fonder,' and that truism turned out to be a career-changer for Dayton's new library director, Dusty Waltner.

While pursuing a doctorate degree in geography, Waltner found herself, for first time since her teens, not employed by a library. The realization of how much she missed that work eventually resulted in Waltner earning a library degree and landing her role as the current director of the Columbia County Rural Library District (CCRLD).

Waltner, who just completed her Masters in Library and Information Science last week, became the district's director in July and brings with her enthusiasm and a belief in the importance of technology. Waltner replaced Jill Rourke who was hired as director in 2014, but left earlier this year, shortly after losing her husband to cancer.

Waltner grew up in Louisana and earned both her bachelors and masters degrees in geography at the University of Montana in Missoula. She then transferred 2,100 miles back to Louisiana after being accepted into a doctorate program at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

That is when she realized her true passion was libraries, rather than geography.

"I started working in libraries at 16 and continued to work in them to put myself through school. When I started teaching college (geography) classes while earning my doctorate, I realized just how much I missed library work. That's when I started doing a dual degree and picked up the library degree," she said.

Weary of big-city life in Baton Rouge, Waltner moved with her husband and teenage son, to accept a job working in the archives at the University of Montana library while she continued to pursue her library sciences and doctorate degrees online. Waltner said she has always wanted to live in the Pacific Northwest and applied immediately when she saw the opening in Dayton.

Waltner said her family was looking specifically for a location with a small town feel. Having seen many small communities that are closed and unwelcoming to outsiders, Waltner said she was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome she received here.

"This is an amazing community. It's very welcoming. I was immediately treated as if I belonged," she said.

Waltner said the best thing about her role as CCRLD director is the variety. "I could get triple the salary at a large library, but I would do one job every day. In a small town I get to do every job that the library does; from cataloging to collection development to finances to programming.

"Yesterday I was playing musical chairs during the summer reading program party. What director gets to play musical chairs with kids? If I was in the city I would never get to do that. I'd be in meetings with stakeholders," she said.

Since being hired in July, Waltner has been busy with the physical reorganization of the library. The Young Adult area was moved from a tiny, cramped room upstairs, to a bright, airy space, with plenty of seating, in the basement. Waltner says they plan to move the children's section downstairs in the near future as well, so that kids can visit and play, while the upstairs is reserved as a quiet space for adults.

Waltner has a strong appreciation for the advantages of technology and is working to increase the library's technological resources. Just this month, the library received six iPod shuffles, provided by the Dayton Friends of the Library, which can be preloaded with up to five library audio books and checked out. The library also offers eReaders and laptops for both check-out and in-building use.

The library recently purchased several hand-held scanners, similar to a computer mouse, which can be used to scan items from books or newspapers. This is especially helpful with fragile items like aged newspaper articles.

"While there are a great many ways that living in a rural community improves quality of life, one of the downsides is the delay in access to information, particularly the latest and greatest technology," Waltner said. "I want to ensure that our community has equal access to information and technology services as that offered in libraries in the big cities.

"While still holding true to our farming roots, we need to also make sure we are preparing our youth in 21st century technology skills, especially considering farming equipment maintenance requires an increasing knowledge in computer programming," she added.

Waltner said she is also very pleased with the enthusiasm and efforts of her staff. Ninety-one kids participated in the summer reading program and 45 adults joined the library's first adult summer reading program, this year.

Library assistant (and entomologist) Howard Buehler recently set up a research room in the basement, with microscopes available for patron use. Buehler is also very involved in the library's extensive genealogy collection which includes Dayton Chronicle archives, local plot maps, cemetery records, census records and volumes of historical records compiled by area historians.

The library also hosts popular community events. Author Susan Matley will read from her newly released novella, Small-g City, on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m.

Political cartoonist Milt Priggee will give a talk entitled, "Cartooning the Evergreen State: A Conversation About Local Political Cartoons and What is Considered Acceptable Commentary of the 21st Century," at 7 p.m. on Oct. 1.

Washington State poet laureate Elizabeth Austen will give a free poetry writing workshop, "Poetry for All," on Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. No writing experience is necessary but class size is limited to 25 so participants must sign up at the library in advance.

The library is also planning a Banned Book Week celebration during the week of Sept. 27, which will include special events, prizes and a movie at the Liberty Theater. The library will also have a booth at the Dayton Fair where visitors can stop in to read, rest, play games to win books, and even sign up for library cards.

Dena Wood

Library Assistant Howard Buehler demonstrates the library's new hand-held scanners.

In fact, since September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, it's the perfect time for anyone who doesn't have a library card, to stop in and get one while checking out the updated space and new resources.