Clippings 8.4.09

Library News

Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed visited Colville as part of a statewide tour of county election departments.  Reed also toured the Colville Public Library, a member of the Libraries of Stevens County.  Reed stated “Our libraries are more important than ever.  They are a community hub of information and a wealth of knowledge.  We shouldn’t let that slip away from us, no matter what new technology comes along.”  (Photo) (Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 7.15.09) http://www.statesmanexaminer.com/content/view/11331/60/

Use of the Battle Ground Community Library, a member of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, has skyrocketed since the new building opened May 15 with its 13,000 square feet of space—nearly three times the space available in the former building. (Photo) (The Reflector [Battle Ground], 7.15.09)

Members of the Adams County Library District meet to give final look at signing contract with Mid-Columbia Libraries.  (The Outlook [Othello], 7.16.09) http://othellooutlook.com/?p=3331

Buildings

With $3.4 million cash in hand, and a desire to build “yesterday,” the King County Library System (KCLS) is still having a tough time building Duvall its new library. The organization is awaiting a response to its fourth proposal in the past two years. (Valley View [Woodinville], 7.13.09)

The Omak city council has contracted with USKH Inc., architects to find out the best way to repair the public library roof, estimated to cost between $67,000 and $100,000.  The roof was put on in 1968 with a now-unapproved design.  (The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, 7.15.09)

Consultants list for the design of the Ferndale Public Library, a member of the Whatcom County Library System, was submitted.  (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 7.27.09)

King County Library System has advertised for the Kent Regional Library remodel project.  (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 7.28.09)

Seattle Public Library received 4 bids for Northeast Branch workroom improvements.  (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 7.30.09)

People

If you are ever lucky enough to meet Katherine Huber, you are in for a real treat. She is a lovely lady with a gentle spirit and an unwavering passion for kids and books.  She has been the children’s librarian for Duvall for almost 25 years. (Photo) (Valley View [Woodinville], 7.13.09)

History Librarian Milton Wagy says he couldn’t do his job without newspapers. With a graduate degree in library science, Wagy moved to Ellensburg in 1994 and began working part time at the Ellensburg Public Library.  After a few years he became the reference librarian and he says he’s been loving every minute of his job for the past 12 years. (Photo)  (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 7.13.09)

Awards

Approval of a $550,000 loan to Whitman County Library was among those announced last Wednesday by US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.  The USDA loan is a main ingredient in the funding package for renovation of the library building in Colfax. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 7.16.09)

Mid-Columbia Libraries has installed new public Internet access computers after being awarded an Opportunity Online hardware grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. (Record-Bulletin [Prosser], 7.22.09)

Programs & Displays

The Ritzville Public Library hosts Tom McCormack, a Native American Storyteller.  (Ritzville-Adams County Journal, 7.16.09)

As part of a week-long celebration marking the 80^th anniversary of the Raymond Timberland Library, Friends of the Raymond Timberland Library host a “Mystery Night at the Library” fundraiser.  (The Daily World [Aberdeen], 7.20.09)

Summer Reading

Ken Nesbitt is a poet who writes prose is specifically designed to enchant children.  Nesbitt presented a program at the Othello Community Library, a member of the Mid-Columbia Library System, as part of their Summer Reading Program.  (Photo) (The Outlook, 7.16.09) http://othellooutlook.com/?p=3426

Book Sales

The volunteers who sell books for the Battle Ground Community Library, a member of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, are excited about their new home for 2009. It’s not only new, it’s permanent.  For the first time, Friends of the Battle Ground Community Library will sell books from the library instead of setting up shop in places such as parking lots and borrowed buildings. (The Reflector [Battle Ground], 7.15.09)

Economy/Hard Times

Following a national trend, the Goldendale Community Library, a member of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library System, has noticed substantial increases in traffic since the current recession began.  There is also a rise in patrons utilizing the library’s resources for job searching.  The increase in visits to the library has helped make the community more aware of the unique resource it is.  (Photo) (Sentinel [Goldendale], 7.18.09) http://www.goldendalesentinel.com/news/2009news/07-16-09_news.htm

[This summary of library news was created by Bobbie DeMiero and Leanna Hammond of the Washington State Library Division of the Office of the Secretary of State.  It represents a selection of newspaper clippings about Washington libraries from all Washington newspapers received in the packets on the dates shown. For more information about any of these stories, contact Carolyn Petersen at 360.570.5560 or [email protected] ]