Idaho Librarian

Poetry Book Chosen as Idaho Book of the Year

By Carol Silvers
Idaho State Library

The ILA Book Award Committee announced the winners of the Idaho Book Award at the annual conference of the Idaho Library Association in October 2001.  Recognized as the Idaho Book of the Year for books published in 2000 was Out of the Ruins, poems by William Johnson, published by Confluence Press at Lewis-Clark State College.  Johnson has served as Idaho's State Writer-in-Residence and lives in Lewiston. 

"I admit to being a bit tone-deaf when it comes to poetry," said Carol Silvers in presenting the award, "but I took Elaine Leppert's advice and read these poems aloud.  I found a language that teases the mind and speaks directly to the heart." 

Johnson was not able to attend the award dinner. Accepting for him was Jim Hepworth of Confluence Press, who had nominated the book and read a brief speech prepared by Johnson. 

"I am honored to accept this year's Idaho Book Award," wrote Johnson.  "In a state like ours, with its relatively low and dispersed population, it is vital that we recognize people in the world of writing and books.  Because it is granted by Idaho librarians to books concerned with Idaho, your award respects local knowledge and talent".  See full text of speech.

Committee member Elaine Watson said that William Johnson's poems contain ordinary objects and everyday elements of life in the Pacific Northwest, with titles such as "Trout," "Floating the Salmon River," "Workboots," and "Moose."  In the poem "At Fishtrap," William's skill at description is evident:  

Many of Johnson's poems intertwine his experiences with his children with elements of nature.  Johnson's wilderness is not always a safe place, but it is an inviting and familiar place, a place to which all of us who live in the northwest can relate and of which we can be in awe. See a review of Johnson's book.

Honorable Mention was awarded to Susan Swetnam of Pocatello for Home Mountains: Reflections from a Western Middle Age.  A professor of English at Idaho State University, Swetnam  is active in many literary pursuits and was coincidentally a presenter at the conference.  She has also made major contributions to Let's Talk About It , a popular book-discussion series available through fifteen libraries around the state. 

Swetnam's essays explore themes of personal growth, love, home, community, and ties to the landscape.  Written over a ten-year period, they convey "the complicated kinds of perspective and peace that can come with middle age" (Introduction, p. 1).  They are also about feeling at home in the world and in a particular place.  "Finding home for me has meant, first, learning to live well in my adopted region, southeast Idaho.  It is a place of incredible beauty which I knew was my happy destiny the instant that I first saw it twenty years ago, but a quirky, strange sort of home nevertheless" (Introduction, p. 1). 

Committee members had a warm response to the book.  "My family has a long tradition of reading aloud to each other," said Elaine Leppert. "My mother and I found ourselves quoting the exact same passages of Home Mountains to each other because they express our own experience of middle age." See a review of Swetnam's book.

To be selected, a book must make a significant contribution to the literature of Idaho.  This is a broad criterion that leaves the field wide open and makes for a challenging selection process. "How do you compare history, poetry, essays, and scholarly critiques?" asked one frustrated member.  Nevertheless, clear favorites emerged.

In addition to the award winners, finalists included:

·        An Enduring Legacy: the Story of Basques in Idaho, by John Bieter, published by University of Nevada Press, Reno, 2000.  Recounts Basques' contributions and efforts to preserve their heritage.

·        Proving the Principle: A History of the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, 1949-1999, by Susan M. Stacy, published by Department of Energy, Idaho Falls, 2000.  Well-researched and intended for a lay audience.

·        Rediscovering Vardis Fisher: Centennial Essays, edited by Joseph M. Flora, published by University of Idaho Press, Moscow, 2000.  A scholarly collection of critical essays.

The committee acknowledged the quality and contributions of each of these works. 

Committee's Plans For the Future

With a year's experience behind it, the committee is now formulating a strategy for the future.  As former committee chair Ruth Funabiki pointed out, this is a time of transition for the book award committee. 

One factor is the retirement of Jan Smith, a Pocatello silversmith who was recognized for her contributions at the ILA awards dinner.  Smith worked with the original Book Award Committee, chaired by Chris Ellis (now Reynolds), to develop an award with high intrinsic value and impact. She has produced the silver medallion since 1986, setting a standard that will be difficult to meet.  The committee is examining options for the physical form of award, which include recruiting another silversmith to continue the tradition, or adapting the design to another format such as etched glass.

The committee is also looking at ways to increase the visibility, prestige and value of the award.  Based on discussions with publishers, one strategy that would appeal to authors and publishers is a greater emphasis on promoting the winning book. "It shouldn't end with the presentation of the award," said one publisher.  "It should be an ongoing opportunity to promote the book and the author."  

Promotional efforts may be large or small.  For example, this year, an ILA delegation presented the award books to House Speaker Bruce Newcomb and Senate Pro Tem Robert Geddes, in conjunction with the ILA Legislative Breakfast.   Both men were very gracious, and President Marlene Earnest took the opportunity to thank them for their support of the LiLI databases.  This presentation builds on the tradition of presenting a copy to the Governor and provides an opportunity to reach top policy-makers.

Promotional efforts can also occur at the local level. Both of this year's award winners reside in Idaho, which provides a unique programming opportunity for local librarians. In Lewiston, librarians from Lewis-Clark and Lewiston Public libraries are collaborating with the publisher on a community event of some kind, and possibly even a book tour of area libraries.  Such activities can take place over the entire year following the award.

At Marshall Public Library in Pocatello, librarians arranged for a reception, refreshments, reading, and book-signing, even before they knew Home Mountains was being considered for an award.  "Local writers and libraries are an exciting combination," said MPL librarian Kathy Watson.  "The library benefits from that relationship through better public relations, programming, and collection development.  The writer increases exposure for his or her work and is provided a built-in opportunity for book sales."

Other strategies for raising awareness include tapping into the wider literary community, possibly collaborating with such programs as Let's Talk About It, Log Cabin Literary Center, or the Idaho Writer-in-Residence program.  Ideas from ILA members are welcome!

The current committee is active, energetic, and fortunate enough to have statewide participation.  A number of projects are underway, including development of a book award website, soon to be available through ILA's website at www.idaholibraries.org.  However, the members recognize that energy ebbs and flows in the life of an all-volunteer committee.  The real challenge is to come up with a strategy that can be sustained over time.  List of committee members.

Meanwhile, the committee is beginning the process for next year's award.  Librarians and readers are invited to nominate books published in 2001.  They may be fiction or non-fiction, prose or poetry, intended for children or adults.  The main criteria are strong writing, clear presentation, and significant Idaho content.  To nominate a book, or to make a suggestion, contact any member or Carol Silvers at 208-334-2150 or csilvers@isl.state.id.us.