Huckleberries gone wireless: She’s always been upbeat on library

Executive Director Ruth Pratt of the Coeur d’Alene Library Foundation played a key role in the opening of the new library building. You can read her entire Huckleberries Gone Wireless interview today at Huckleberries Online: www.spokesman review.com/blogs/hbo.

DFO: How would you describe yourself?

RP: I’m one of those optimistic people who (used to be) called a Pollyanna.

DFO: That Pollyanna outlook must have helped when you encountered individuals who opposed the need, cost and location of the library?

RP: We tried to stick to the positive message points that a library is a great factor as an economic engine, an information resource, a community living room. Libraries are the seminal symbol of a democratic society because everyone has access.

DFO: What kind of rumors amused you most about the library?

RP: My favorite was the one that suggested we built the library in that location so it would be close to Sandi Bloem’s jewelry store.

DFO: Were you sad to see the proposed third floor of the library eliminated from design plans?

RP: Yes, because I know the day will come when we will need more space. We can’t add a floor to the new building. We had to let that go because we knew the city wouldn’t support a building of that size. The timing of that bond was critical. I don’t think we would be able to pass a similar bond in today’s (anti-) tax climate.

DFO: You’re making a name locally as a Big Band singer. How did you get involved in singing?

RP: I started singing in high school. I sang with a combo to help pay my way through college. I sang jazz standards before arriving here. Here, I got involved with Coeur d’Alene Big Band through (trombone player) Stan Schedler. I’ve recently started doing vocals for Tuxedo Junction Big Band. I started a trio with J.J. Dion and Ray Clemons last January.

DFO: What’s your favorite song to sing?

RP: I’m so eclectic in my musical tastes. That’s why we named the (trio), Eclectics. I enjoy all genres, although I’m not good at rap. Ella Fitzgerald is my idol. She’s the greatest female jazz vocalist. I sing a lot of Ella’s tunes.

DFO: What’s one thing that few people know about you?

RP: The heads of Bullwinkle the Moose and Donald Duck are painted on the crowns in my mouth. If I die in a fire, they’ll know it was me.

DFO: Who should play Ruth Pratt in a movie about your life?

RP: Carol Burnett.

DFO: Isn’t your husband a retired university president?

RP: Yes. That’s how we met. In 1975, he became the youngest president at Western Washington University, and I joined the faculty, specializing in communication disorders (speech therapy). We got married in 1978. Then, he left and became president at Bowling Green University. He’s done some interim presidencies since he retired from Bowling Green in 1995.

DFO: What does “Mr. Pratt” do while you’re directing the foundation?

RP: My husband – Paul Olscamp – got used to introducing himself as “Mr. Pratt” during the library campaign. He’s a writer, so he’s working on a couple of books. He serves on the arts commission. He’s president of the board of CASA. He’s a professional philosopher. He has a (doctorate) in philosophy. His career was teaching philosophy classes and then university administration. Which paid better.

DFO: I was one of the subjects in your literary-classics calendar fundraiser of 2005. I’m thankful you didn’t ask me to pose naked. Was a “Calendar Girls” type of calendar even considered?

RP: Yes, that was the original concept. After several trials and much discussion, we decided there would be more models and patrons if we avoided the nude aspect. Coeur d’Alene wasn’t ready for that.