‘West Seattle loses another treasure’: Christy Tyson

If you’ve been to West Seattle’s Southwest branch library in the past few days, you may have noticed that tribute in the art by its entrance. It is in honor of Christy Tyson, who worked with the branch for more than 15 years. Julie Enevoldsen and Toni Reineke, with help from library staff, put together and shared this remembrance, and the accompanying photos:

West Seattle Loses Another Treasure
You may not have known Christy Tyson by name, but many will recognize her in the attached photo, as she was a fixture at Southwest and High Point branch libraries.

Patrons, volunteers, and library staff are mourning the loss of our
friend–and our Friend. Christy lost her battle with a long illness just minutes into the New Year.

Christy devoted her entire life to the library. In 1991 she became branch
manager at Southwest, and then team leader at both Southwest and High Point until her retirement in 2007.

As manager at Southwest, she worked with library administration and patrons on a pilot project to support the development of branch Friends groups. In 1992, she and neighborhood patrons founded Friends of Southwest Branch Library as a subsidiary group of the Friends of Seattle Public Library.

As team leader, she made a significant contribution to the design of the new buildings at both Southwest and High Point branches.

Her reputation for working with young adults was national. Christy had a special rapport with teens, encouraging young adults not only to participate, but to take active leadership roles (“She listened carefully to what we were saying,” one former teen says), and she kept tabs on their development throughout her life. She was a past president of YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association). As branch manager, she made a special effort to mentor teens and encourage them to establish their own library careers. Three of the Library Assistants currently working at Southwest are in Library School because of Christy’s inspiration.

She took children’s ideas and needs seriously, too, from helping them select just the right book, to making sure they could contribute their visions for the library. (One of her favorites was the idea from a child who wanted bunk beds on the bottom of each book rack!)

Christy was a passionate library advocate. One of her favorite sayings was, “The library is the community’s living room.” It was important to her to maintain the library as a common meeting ground for people of all ages and walks of life.

Christy enjoyed working in West Seattle so much that she bought a house here in the community. She was an enthusiastic gardener and dog-lover, and became involved in preserving and enhancing her new community in the Fauntleroy Creek area.

Our community has lost a passionate and inspired leader.

A celebration of her life will be held at a date to be announced. Donations may be sent to YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) or the Seattle Public Library Foundation.

UPDATE: The celebration has been set for 3-6 pm January 30th at Camp Long Lodge.

Carrie Ann January 6, 2011 (9:49 pm)

I did not have the fortune of knowing Christy, but from this article alone, she sounds like a truly genuine and wonderful person who gave a great deal to her community. My condolences to those she leaves behind.

Sarel Rowe January 6, 2011 (11:42 pm)

Christy had a unique ability to recognize and develop potential in anyone ready for personal growth; old or young. She touched my life. I know I’m one of many whose lives are better because of her wisdom and care.

Alice January 6, 2011 (11:46 pm)

Christy was one of the people who helped guide my teenage years, and encouraged me to continue volunteering.
I and so many others will miss her terribly.

Cynthia T January 7, 2011 (7:34 am)

I was so blessed to know Christy and she will be sorely missed. She was a truly lovely woman. Rest in Peace Christy!!

Judy January 7, 2011 (8:15 am)

In addition to her gifted work among us at area libraries, Christy was one of the founding members of the Fauntleroy Watershed Council. She couldn’t pull weeds in Fauntleroy Park but she could lend her wisdom to the making of key decisions – and she certainly did. I told her once that, in my next life, I wanted to be a librarian and she allowed as how she did, too. I hope she got her wish.

Pam Lund January 7, 2011 (10:50 am)

I worked with Christy in planning the remodel and expansion of the Southwest Branch Library. She was clearly passionate about her work and very focused on every detail of the planning. Sadly, when she fell I’ll, she wasn’t able to continue her efforts, but her influence was felt throughout the project. The beautiful library we have today reflects much of Christy’s spirit. She will be missed.

Daniel January 7, 2011 (11:01 am)

Christy was truly a guardian angel in my life and I was fortunate to have known and worked with her over the years. I grew up in the High Point neighborhood and saw how much the library had a positive effect on the community over the years. I remember on one occasion in my early youth, I visited the Southwest branch looking for books for an assignment I was working on, not knowing anything about the library. And I fondly remember how attentive and caring Christy was when she helped me – I didn’t leave the library until she had found something for me.

Fast forward 10 years or so, Christy hired me to work at the High Point branch as a library associate and then over at the South Park branch when it first opened. Since then I have gone on to complete my MLIS degree and am still working for the library today. Christy saw something in me no one else did and gave me an opportunity of a lifetime that went on to instill in me a true sense of purpose and direction in my life.

I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for her guidance and support over the years. Thank you Christy, for everything. Rest in peace.

Tina Wynecoop January 7, 2011 (12:23 pm)

Christy hired me as a young adult library associate at Spokane Public Library in 1984. For years I observed her loving magic with the teens who joined the Young Adult Advisory Committee (YAAC) – teens joined who loved to read, loved to share what they were reading, and loved the honor and respect bestowed upon them by national publishers who cared about receiving their input when publishing new books. The Golden Pen Award was given out to favorite authors – Stephen King, Beverly Cleary,among them.
Christy and the YAACs influenced City Hall and impacted budgets that affected the library.
Several teens (now adults) have confided to me that YAAC kept them from taking their own lives because they, among others, were not always accepted among their peers at school yet they found acceptance and support among their fellow readers in the library. There were budding romances and friendships.
Christy was life-affirming and trusting and a joy to be around and try to emulate. None of us could match her of course, but that didn’t matter, she illumined our own self-worth instead.
Farewell, dear Christy. We have loved you. We will always remember you. Tina

k8 January 7, 2011 (1:13 pm)

Christy was an inspiration to so many of us. We have all learned so much, those of us who had the honor of working with her. I remember her at both the Southwest and High Point branches, and the way she always said “hello” to every single person who walked in, from babies to teens to grown-ups (including “senior citizens”) They all got greetings and a cheery smile from her, and they were all made to feel welcomed. We are all the richer, for having known you, Christy. Rest in peace and know that you are remembered!

Diane January 7, 2011 (4:40 pm)

When I took over as the Young Adult Supervisory Library at the Mesa Public Library in Arizona in 1980, I knew I was filling some large shoes. Christy made young adult services happen at the Mesa Library, and also began the YAAC–Young Adult Advisory Committee (later Council)–there. She was charisimatic, vibrant, and very dedicated to teens and library services. She provided the preface for my 2005 book, Library Teen Advisory Groups–one of my favorite memories of writing it was Christy agreeing wholeheartedly to let me use a piece she had written about YAAC and its importance. Christy made her mark on the library world and the hearts of countless teens in Arizona, Alabama, and Washington. She is a treasure that will be sorely missed.

StanT January 7, 2011 (5:42 pm)

I remember Christy well from her many years at the Southwest Branch. She was always the smiling face you saw as you entered the library. She was very kind and patient with everyone and she truly made the library “the community’s living room”. She will be very much missed.

shirley conyne January 8, 2011 (11:29 pm)

I met Christy a little over two years ago when she moved into Bridge Park Independent Living and she became a special friend and neighbor. After reading the comments from her library family it became clear that this community has lost a great leader and mentor to young and old alike. Christy, your smile and laughter will be missed around here and the puzzle table is oh so quiet without you. Rest in peace. Shirley Conyne

Diane January 9, 2011 (12:46 pm)

Christy always had a ready smile and a greeting when you came into the library and was there to help anyone anytime. When our children were younger, she was always the one we looked for as she helped them find information and resources for their reports and projects. She had a passion to mentor that touched many people and she will live on in the many lives she touched!

Kay K January 10, 2011 (2:19 pm)

It’s hard to believe that such a vibrant, warm person is now stilled. Christy was always a voice for patrons and community service to all in our neighborhood. Her vision and eye for excellence really made the High Point Library the gem it is today.
As a fellow library employee I always knew that Christy would be ready with words of encouragement and humor to meet any occasion.

Hulen January 17, 2011 (7:45 pm)

Years ago, I shared cubicle space with Christy at the state library agency of Alabama. I knew her work ethic and commitment and after her move to Seattle I watched her townhome in AL until it sold. Years passed and we lost touch– I am now in Dakota. Yet, I do remember her excitement. — Hulen

Darrin Mossor January 18, 2011 (9:40 am)

I met Christy back in the early 80s when she formed YAAC (The Young Adult Advisory Committee) as part of the Spokane Public Libraries. Christy and YAAC provided a place for young adults to be a part of something with other like-minded readers. I was able to participate in activities like the newsletters, the Golden Pen awards (I recall us getting a thank you letter back from Piers Anthony after he received one) and helping to choose materials for the library for Young Adults. One of my favorites was participating and helping to create anti-censorship buttons and material. I participated in a local radio show on Dungeons and Dragons with other friends and YAAC members. We socialized together, we supported each other in our interests and Christy was always there to encourage and support us, even long after we had “graduated” from YAAC.
Thank you, Christy. For everything.

Michael H. January 25, 2011 (5:59 pm)

Not much I can say that hasn’t already been said. Christy was like a second mother to me. In fact, I considered her my surrogate mother for several years while I worked for her. She saw things in me that I would have never seen, and I’m one of many she nudged toward library school. I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for Christy. Her commitment to the communities she served has been and will always be an inspriation to me. Christy, you will be missed by everyone whose lives you touched. Thank you for all the wonderful positive energy you’ve brought to your work and to people’s lives over the years. I’ll miss meeting you at the Bamboo Garden or at Lee’s for lunch. Rest in peace, and love always.

Sorry, comment time is over.