Clippings – September 7, 2009

Library News

CHEERS … to Washington State Librarian Jan Walsh. Working with her staff and Washington’s library community, Walsh has spearheaded an online resource guide to help the state’s 315,853 unemployed. The Hard Times Resource Guide – www.secstate.wa.gov/library/hardtimes – offers information on education and training, family and parenting, college costs, finances and money management, employment and job seeking, housing and help for seniors, veterans the disabled and Spanish-speaking residents. Walsh and the state’s library directors came up with this idea when they met in January. It went live Aug. 28. So far, there have been 3,479 visits and 7,459 page views. (Lewiston Morning Tribune Online editorial)

The newly expanded and remodeled Richland Public Library is now open.  In 2006, Richland voters approved a $17.25 million project bond issue to add 25,500 square feet to the library and to renovate the 1969 structure. (Tri-City Area Journal of Business [Kennewick], 8.2009) http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/2009/08/shoptalk-4/

Residents of Kettle Falls were treated to an unusual sight last Tuesday when the building formerly used to provide visitor information and house the Kettle Falls Chamber of Commerce was relocated to its new home at the Kettle Falls Library.  After the building is fully secured and ready to use, the Friends of the Library hope to utilize volunteers to open the space once a week and sell used books. (Photo) (Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 8.26.09)

Tacoma City officials are considering issuing about $31.5 million worth of municipal bonds that could pay for a number of items on their wish list. City Manager Eric Anderson mentioned ongoing efforts by Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) to build a mixed-use structure in Salishan that would include a grocery store, bank and job training center. THA Executive Director Michael Mirra wants Tacoma Public Library (TPL) to close its Swan Creek branch and relocate into the planned building.  (Tacoma Weekly, 8.27.09) http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/3463/

The five-county Timberland Regional Library has begun the search for a new executive director.  Jodi Reng has announced she will retire October 22.  Michael Crose, the district’s administrative manager, said the district will convene a search committee to manage the nationwide search for Reng’s successor. An interim director is scheduled to be named next month. (The Chronicle [Centralia], 8.27.09)

Studio SC completed a new way-finding program for the King County Library System, the country’s second largest. The signs were installed in the Redmond and Burien branches, and will be installed in other new and refurbished libraries.  Studio SC officials say the program has made it easier for patrons to explore libraries, reducing the number of orientation questions that librarians are asked. (Photo)

(Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 9.2.09)

Innovations are coming hot and fast this week at the Anacortes Public Library, where two major initiatives were launched Tuesday – a new $95,000 radio frequency identification system (self-checkout system) and a reciprocal borrowing arrangement between the Anacortes Public Library and two other Skagit libraries. Both enhancements involved months of work. Since the library put out a call for help in March, a cadre of volunteers has worked with staff to tag the library’s 110,000 or so circulating books, CDs, videos and other materials. (Photo)(Anacortes American, 9.2.09) http://www.goskagit.com/home/article/check_this_out_library_has_new_way_to_scan_books_new_reciprocal_agreements/

Though the Rainier Historical Society didn’t reach its original goal date for opening the new community library, things are still moving along. The library’s opening was delayed because restoring the floor in a manner that preserves the building’s historical look proved more challenging than anticipated. The historical society has yet to determine an opening date. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 9.4.09)

 

Got a nondescript gray Mid-Columbia Libraries card in your wallet? You can get a more colorful one this month as part of National Library Card Sign-up Month at Mid-Columbia Libraries. Two other activities that Mid-Columbia Libraries are participating in are initiating a system-wide library card drive for all first-grade students this month and they have teamed up with the Tri-City Herald for a National Library Card Sign-up Month photo contest. (Photo) (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 9.5.09) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/705048.html

A new online language learning system will debut this week at Walla Walla County’s rural libraries. The Mango Languages program will be offered free to library patrons at the Burbank, Prescott, Vista Hermosa and Touchet libraries, said Matthew Berube, deputy director for the district.  Demonstrations will be held at each of the libraries this week and the next to introduce people to the system. (Walla Walla Union Bulletin, 9.21.09) http://www.union-bulletin.com/articles/2009/09/21/local_news/090921local03languagelearningdemo.txt

 

Buildings

Graham and Eatonville libraries and their surrounding service areas will be seeing huge changes in the future, announced David Durante, regional head of the Pierce County Library System.  A major component of the plan targets the Graham Library. It will need both physical expansion and reduction in the size of its district. As a result, the Frederickson area is scheduled to have its own branch – the only new library planned for the system. For the Graham branch, however, the exact nature of its expansion still requires more administrative review. (Photo) (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 8.26.09) http://www.dispatchnews.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=2172&SectionID=6&SubSectionID=6&S=1

Call for bids for the new Kenmore Library, a member of the King County Library System. Construct a new public library of approximately 9,500 sf with structured below-grade parking, surface parking and frontage improvements. Conference to be held at the project site on Sept. 17 at 1pm. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 9.5.09)

Letters and Editorials

I want to commend Betty Smith, a former Library Board member, for recommending membership in the Timberland Regional Library (TRL). All of their services and programs would be available to Ocean Shores citizens. We can advance the library from the 1970s to 2009 and beyond. What does it take? (The North Coast News [Ocean Shores], 8.26.09)

In November, county voters will have the opportunity to support the county library levy lid-lift, a critical issue for our libraries. We are talking maybe $25 a year per homeowner. Sure, times are tough. But let’s not punish our libraries and make them tougher. (Bellingham Herald, 9.1.09) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/letters/story/1049927.html

While I certainly respect the right of citizens to have and express their opinion regarding the annexation of the City of Dayton to the Columbia  County Rural Library District, I take offense at the instigation and promotion of malicious lies or at the very least, reckless information about the Library District. (Dayton Chronicle, 9.2.09)

People

Connie Finch and Cathy Miller were in Reardan, Thursday, for Pro-Quest data base training. Through the Washington State Library, the public access computers at Hesseltine Public Library are set up for anyone to use the ProQuest Culture Grams, ELibrary and ELibrary elementary data bases.  Users have access to full-text magazines, journals, newspapers, transcripts, e-books, images, maps, websites, videos and interactive simulations. (Wilbur Register, 8.27.09)[editor’s note: Proquest training is a part of an LSTA supported statewide initiative]

Awards

The Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) announces receipt of a grant for the 2009-2010 school year to support local elementary, middle and high schools’ work with the state-mandated Social Studies Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs).  This year’s grant of $39,845 allows WCLS to distribute funds directly to school libraries in the public school districts in rural Whatcom County and the Lummi Tribal School to purchase books and materials related to civics, history, geography and economics. In addition, WCLS researched and developed the CBA Portal, which provides authoritative and recommended teaching resources to help teachers and students with Social Studies CBAs. (Lynden Tribune, 8.26.09) [Editor’s note:  The grant was awarded by the Washington State Library using federal, LSTA funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services]

Programs and Displays

Share what you’ve been reading lately with fellow book lovers at the Bring Your Own Book meeting, sponsored by the Friends of the Mill Creek Library (Sno-Isle Libraries). The group meets every other month and you’ll leave the discussion with new ideas about the latest and greatest reads. (Millcreek Enterprise [Lynnwood], 8.26.09) http://www.enterprisenewspapers.com/article/20090826/ETP04/708269817&template=ETPZoneMCart

In 2007 and 2008, the Redmond Regional Library, a member of the King County Library System, sponsored community-wide reading events called “One Book, One Redmond, One Summer,” with book discussions and author appearances at different venues including the library, Redmond Senior Center and Redmond High School. This year, the “One Book, One Redmond” program will be different in several respects. It will take place in the fall and early winter and will feature a non-fiction book, the National Book Award-winning “The Worst Hard Time” by Timothy Egan. Egan, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer for the New York Times, lives in Seattle and has agreed to speak at the Redmond Regional Library at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 3. (Photo) (Redmond Reporter [Kent], 8.28.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/red/community/55416322.html

Summer Reading

Children who participated in the summer reading program through Tacoma Public Library (TPL) celebrated their achievement with a free afternoon of fun at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium on Aug. 22. They were treated to animal presentations at the Wild Wonders Amphitheater. As a special treat, they watched a performance of Nanda, a Portland-based troupe that combines elements of juggling, acrobatics and martial arts in their routines. (Photo) (Tacoma Weekly, 8.27.09) http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/3465/

Roslyn’s summer readers crushed their goal to read for 1,000 hours over the course of the eight-week Summer Reading Program, as they logged 1,460 hours by the end of the program. “This year we had more children sign up, more children follow through with the program by logging their reading time, and more participants at our weekly events than ever before,” said Erin Krake, Roslyn librarian. (Photo) (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 9.1.09)

This summer 133 men and woman from all 14 branches of the Whitman County Library participated in Adult Summer Reading. According to Library Director, Kristie Kirkpatrick, this was the highest number of finishers since the program began three years ago. This was also the first year that every branch was represented. (Photo) (The Eagle and Boomerang [Palouse], 9.10.09)

Economy/Hard Times

Roy City Council knows the meaning of “drastic times call for drastic measures.” Because of the city’s financial woes, council made a motion Monday night to close the library indefinitely and city hall on Friday’s for the month of September. It is premature to predict if the library, or the city hall on Fridays, would reopen in October. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 8.28.09)

If you are looking for a job or a new career, you won’t want to miss a new program hosted by the Shoreline Library, a member of the King County Library System. The program, “You Can Reach Employment Through Education,” will help you find out about local education opportunities that will help open up new possibilities to find a great job. (Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Enterprise [Lynnwood], 9.2.09) http://www.enterprisenewspapers.com/article/20090902/ETP04/709029880&template=ETPZoneSHLart

Sno-Isle Libraries introduces a new Web page dedicated to making life easier at work, at home or at play: search for a job, get small business help, stay on budget, do-it-yourself home repair, plan free activities for the family and much more. “Tools for Tough Times: We Have What You Need,” contains a comprehensive selection of recommended books and Web Sites selected by Sno-Isle’s reference librarians. (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 9.2.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/wnt/community/56658982.html

Budget cuts to the Seattle Public Library didn’t result only in last week’s weeklong system-wide closure.  They have also led to a neglect of maintenance at the famous Rem Koolhaas-designed downtown facility.  Five years after the building opened to acclaim, signs of wear and tear can be seen.  This is due to the budget cuts yes, but also to the tremendous amount of people who use the library every day. (Seattle Weekly, 9.9.09) http://www.seattleweekly.com/2009-09-09/news/one-library-in-need-of-a-bath

The Seattle Public Library re-opened Sept. 7 after its weeklong closure.  The closure saved $655,000 but that wasn’t the only painful money-saving strategy: There were layoffs amounting to nearly six full-time positions. The library has also delayed its computer-replacement schedule and reduced its training budget. (Seattle Times, 9.14.09) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2009849952_litlife14.html

[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] ]