Library News

Renovations to the Kent Regional Library, promised on a $172 million library bond in 2004 have begun, closing the building for the next four to six months.  Library patrons will still be able to access a few of the library’s features at a temporary branch, but the majority of the 1,000 or more people who visit the library each day will just have to wait until the improvements are complete.  (Photo)  (Kent Reporter, 9.23.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ken/news/60319527.html

The Arlington Library (Sno-Isle Libraries) recently obtained and installed an automated external defibrillator for public use.  The defibrillator was donated by the Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation after the Friends of the Arlington Library approached the foundation for financial assistance.  (Photo)  (Arlington Times [Marysville], 9.23.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/north_sound/arl/news/60309982.html

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in partnership with matching funds from the Friends of the Ellensburg Library, Puget Sound Energy, and the Ellensburg Rotary noon club, have provided the necessary revenues for the Ellensburg City Library to purchase and install new computers and four study carrels.  (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 9.29.09)

October is Washington State Archives month.  In recognition of this event, the Kettle Falls Public Library is reminding the community of archival resources available at the library.  The library holds a collection of over 700 photos relating to Old Kettle Falls and surrounding area from 1899 to the 1940s. In addition to the photos and other historical materials, the library has microfilms of area newspapers and a reader-printer which were obtained with a Library Services Act grant received by the library in 1996.  (Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 9.30.09)

[Editor’s note:  The grant was awarded by the Washington State Library using federal, LSTA funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services]

Seattle Public Library is changing its policy on book loans and fines.  Under the new plan, only 50 books can be checked out at one time, borrowers can place a total of 25 holds on books, and those borrowing materials from other libraries through an interlibrary loan must pay $5.  In addition, the amount charged for library cards for nonresidents will rise from $55 a year to $85 a year.   (The Seattle Times, 10.8.09)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010021295_bluebox08m.html

Elections

On November 3, everyone in Whatcom County living in the Rural Library District, which means everyone in the county except Bellingham residents, will vote on the library levy: Proposition 1: Library Levy Lid Lift.  The measure is an attempt by the Whatcom County Library System to collect enough revenue to maintain its current level of service at all 9 branches by raising property taxes by 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. (Photo)  (Westside Record-Journal [Ferndale], 9.30.09) 

 

Buildings:

The Omak City Council heard from the Public Works Director Jim Miller that the total cost of improvements to the library rose to $325,000 instead of $270,000 because of an error in the plans.  The bare minimum would be new shingles and insulation in the roof, about $80,000. 

(The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, 9.30.09)

Letters & Editorials:

Before the Kitsap Regional Library begins drafting its strategic plan for 2010 to 2015, opportunities for residents to say what they want in the library system have, of course, been made available.  So far, there don’t appear to be a great number of county residents with a desire to talk about the future operations of the library system.  If done well, the next strategic plan would start with an outline of KRL’s operations in the next few years with no voter-approved revenue increases for operations or construction, and then continue with options for expansion and their costs.  (Photo)  (Independent [Port Orchard], 9.25.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/poi/opinion/letters/61455822.html

On November’s ballot there will be a request to increase the library levy by $0.09/$1,000 assessed value.  For a house assessed at $200,000, that will increase property taxes by $18/year.  Traditionally in this country, the library has been the place where poor people go for their education.  Eighteen dollars per year is a very small price to keep the doors to knowledge open for everyone in Island and Snohomish counties.  Vote yes for the library levy.  (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 9.26.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/wnt/opinion/letters/62388317.html

As chair of the Whatcom County Library System board of trustees, I believe innovation and sound management are hallmarks of both Whatcom County Library and the Bellingham Public Library.  The two libraries cooperate more fully than nearly any other city and county systems in Washington State.  The discussion of the Bellingham city library buildings is a separate one from Whatcom County Library’s proposed levy lid lift on the Nov. 3 ballot.  Check these libraries out for yourself.  Ask questions and get the facts and statistics.  (Bellingham Herald, 9.27.09) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/letters/story/1086575.html

In these recession-laden times, belt-tightening isn’t just a personal decision.  Sometimes, it’s an institutional one as well.  A case in point: the city’s (Seattle) library system.  The City Council will hold three budget hearings in October (see seattle.gov/council for details).  Everyone’s encouraged to attend.  (Real Change [Seattle], 9.30.09) http://www.realchangenews.org/index.php/site/archives/3247/

Whidbey Island voters should support Sno-Isle Libraries’ request for a levy increase in the November 3 general election despite the ailing economy.  It’s a lot of money but it’s a fair price to pay for a system with 21 libraries serving 757,858 residents in Snohomish and Island counties with more than 1.4 million items. (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 9.30.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/wnt/opinion/62899427.html

The front page of The News Tribune (Re: Pierce County Library fine amnesty program TNT, 10-2) featured the smiling face of a woman who has accumulated $700 in library fines over the past several years.  This lady seemed to think her scofflaw behavior was a huge joke. This is a sad commentary on the sense of responsibility of some our citizens. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 10.4.09) http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/letters/story/904091.html

Re: “Library won’t throw the book at delinquent borrowers” (TNT, 10-2)  The woman who racked up $700 in fines and late fees should at least have to work out a plan to pay off the debt or volunteer at the library cleaning books and other materials until the fines are erased.  I also feel it was rather poor judgment to picture her in the paper surrounded with long overdue books with an enormous grin on her face.  What a great role model she is for our kids.  (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 10.7.09)

People

Leavenworth Librarian Sharon Loveall retired recently after spending more than 25 years at the Leavenworth Public Library, a member of the North Central Regional Library System.  (Photo)  (Echo [Leavenworth], 9.30.09)

Awards

The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has awarded a $1,026,415 grant for the seismic retrofitting of Port Townsend’s Carnegie Library.  “It’s the first piece for addressing the library’s space problem,” said Library Director Theresa Percy.  (The Leader [Port Townsend], 9.30.09)

The renovation and expansion of Seattle’s Douglas-Truth Branch Library won the 2009 North American Copper in Architecture Award and the 2009 AIA Pacific Northwest Region Merit Award.  Completed three years ago, the addition was designed to respect the landmark building and reflect the changes that have occurred in the community since the library was built 95 years ago.  (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 10.7.09)

Summer Reading Program

The North Central Regional Library (NCRL) has its own children’s book, The Adventures of Super Princess Madame Zorony.  It was created by author/illustrator Erik Brooks through interaction with kids at NCRL libraries as part of its summer reading program.  (News-Standard [Coulee City], 9.30.09.

[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] ]