Check in with Milise Blanton, Council Librarian
Helpful describes Council Valley Free Librarian Milise Blanton. She derives great pleasure from connecting with patrons who frequent the library.
Blanton spent four years (mostly summers) working as an assistant to librarian Patty Gross before she retired in November 2023, and Blanton took over as librarian.
She was raised in Shinnston, West Virgina. Her father was in the military and then went to work for an airplane engine manufacturer. He was raised in Weiser, so every summer during her childhood, she and her parents would visit relatives there.
She is aunt to three children who live in the area and to five other children who live out of state, so Story Hour, which takes place every Thursday from 10:30 until 11:30 during the summer months, comes naturally to her; she’s had all those nieces and nephews to read to.
When she was a junior in high school in West Virginia, she visited the University of Idaho in Moscow and decided that was where she wanted to attend school after she graduated.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, with an emphasis in Agriculture Business and graduated from the U of I in 2018. She earned a master’s degree in Sustainable Agriculture from Sam Houston State University in 2022.
When asked whether library patrons could order books from other libraries on their computers, she said patrons would have to come in and have her order books through library loan.
But what they can do from their computers at home, once they sign up, is order books that are readable on a Kindle or similar device or order audible books.
“We offer the Libby Program, and it’s an unlimited, free service. Library patrons have to come to the library and sign up, and once they have their Libby Card, they can download the app and order what they would like to read or listen to from their home computer,” she said.
She said the library is part of a consortium of 79 Idaho libraries that use this service, and that it costs the library $900 per year to be a member.
But if you’re old school and like to check out books in person from the library, Blanton is happy to help. She said that last year, 12,298 books, puzzles, and DVDs were checked out.
When asked what genres are most popular with adults, she said that mystery and political thrillers are very much in demand.
For 13- to 14-year-old readers, Wings of Fire is popular and for kids ages 8 to 10 the Magic Treehouse books are much loved.
For the youngest readers, books about horses and Dragons Love Tacos are favorites.
