Digital Inclusion Corps Member, National Digital Inclusion Alliance, Columbus, OH
MA, Museum Studies, University of Oklahoma, in progress; Elementary Education, Oklahoma State University, 1996
Tharp-Thee is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation and author of The Apple Tree (RoadRunner, 2015), a children’s story written in English and Cherokee and a finalist for the 2016 Oklahoma Center for the Book award and First Nations Community Read
Bah Kho-Je (Iowa Tribal Library); SandyTharpThee.com; National Digital Inclusion Alliance
Photo by Madison Horrocks
When Sandy Tharp-Thee started as director at the Iowa Tribal Library in Perkins, OK, in 2009, she didn’t even have a shoestring budget. As she was introduced around the tribal offices, Tharp-Thee carried a big bag and asked for supply donations for children’s crafts.
During her seven years at the library (she’s since taken a one-year job at the National Digital Inclusion Alliance [NDIA]), Tharp-Thee reached out, approaching local businesses, national foundations, and state and federal agencies. “I talked to everyone I met about what the library could do to make a difference,” Tharp-Thee says.
With donations and an incredible record for getting grants—more than 20—Tharp-Thee grew the library from a small room with books into a vibrant public service for the entire 2,000-resident community. The library offers homework help, summer enrichment programs, a modest digital archive, tribal cultural activities, family outreach, health literacy, and a GED program that has helped 81 people, aged 16 to 64, since 2010. “My advice is start with what you have and do what you know,” she says.
However, Tharp-Thee quickly moved beyond that to dive into the unfamiliar. When a GED student told her he couldn’t read the instructions, Tharp-Thee told him not to worry; she would find him a tutor. She then called the Oklahoma Department of Libraries to ask: How do you teach someone to read? “The GED program and any literacy programs are about building success and self-esteem, seeing individuals change with their goals,” Tharp-Thee says.
A few years later, after realizing that homebound tribal elders needed access to health information, Tharp-Thee applied for a federal grant to provide digital access and instruction on technology, online health resources, and social media. This allowed elders to make informed decisions about treatment.
Tharp-Thee’s work has been recognized by several agencies and she received the 2013 White House Champions of Change Award for Libraries and Museums.
“I have been trying for many years now…to see if there was a way to get the Internet to be free just like phones for individuals that need it the most—handicapped, disabled, social-disadvantaged, and low income,” she says. This year, Tharp-Thee will keep moving on that path, participating in a collaboration among NDIA, the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. She and a handful of other Digital Inclusion Corps members will visit rural libraries, schools, and tribes across Oklahoma to develop a plan to help underserved communities that lack access to technology and the Internet.
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Melanie Toledo
Congratulations Sandy!!!! You are an inspiration to all librarians in the country and especially for Tribal Nations and Tribal Libraries.Posted : Apr 05, 2017 03:39
vehoae
So nice to see more recognition given of Sandy and her work. Those of us fortunate to observe the growth of the Ioway people’s library in Payne County have been amazed at Sandy’s vision and persistence in acquiring a full range of literature and program materials for children and adults. The expansion of her efforts to include helping people improve their language and knowledge is a blessing they will long appreciate. I was proud to see Sandy standing on the Tulsa stage to receive ATALM’s 2012 Library Institutional Excellence Award. To say it was well-deserved is an understatement. This Movers & Shakers award from the Library Journal is equally deserved. I suspect her work with the Digital Literacy Corps will bear more fruit in her tireless efforts to help and advance the lives and careers of Native Americans.Posted : Mar 22, 2017 11:51
Rhonda Holt
Sandy sure inspired me as a library student at the beginning of my journey through a visit in the Summer of 2015. Talk about someone I aspire to be like! She's encouraging, enthusiastic, and all-around AWESOME! Thank you for inspiring entire communities towards reaching their dreams and becoming more literate and aware! What a gem... Sandy is! I cannot say enough about her and am so blessed to have seen this announced. :)Posted : Mar 20, 2017 05:42
Marlena Hodson
I am always so proud of your generous heart and amazing talent. I am blessed to call you friend. Congratulation!!!Posted : Mar 19, 2017 04:46
Jan Bryant
Congratulations to Sandy. This is well deserved. Sandy does not know it can't be done; everything for her is how can this be done. She is like "The Little Engine That Could".Posted : Mar 18, 2017 11:06
Mary Alice Ball
Such well-deserved recognition for the amazing Sandy Tharp-Thee!!Posted : Mar 18, 2017 05:54
Zora J. Sampson
Sandy is the real deal. Whenever she sees a need she works hard to help. If she cannot solve the whole problem, she works on one part at a time. She is never held back by the fact that there is no research, or established right way, because she is focused on people who need help. I am so proud to know her.Posted : Mar 18, 2017 04:44
Jeanne Devlin
Congrats, Sandy -- so well deserved. From your wonderful Cherokee stories, like THE APPLE TREE which RoadRunner Press was so proud to publish in English and Cherokee, to your work on behalf of tribal elders and the young, you are an Oklahoma treasure!Posted : Mar 18, 2017 02:44
Kathy Platt
Congrats, Sandy! You do great, great work.Posted : Mar 17, 2017 09:28
Helen Clements
Congratulations to Sandy! She has been a real contributor to Oklahoma libraries and exemplifies the can-do spirit.Posted : Mar 17, 2017 09:28
Sandy Tharp-Thee
I just wanted to say thank you for a wonderful article. I had lots of help along the way - especially IMLS who offers funding to Tribal Libraries, one of which is a Basic Grant of $6,000 each year with travel funds of $1,000. This was actually my first "real" money. If IMLS funding is cut it will effect Tribal libraries across the Nation that depend on this funding for many things including covering their library. IMLS also supports State Libraries like the Oklahoma Department of Libraries that helped me more than words can express, they have always been a part of my story.Posted : Mar 17, 2017 07:20