WA State Library News

A new project coordinated by the Washington State Library has enabled small and midsized public libraries across the state to offer downloadable audiobooks, also known as “eAudioBooks.”  Ritzville Library District No. 2 joins the roster of 40 small and midsized public libraries, 22 public library systems, nine academic libraries and more than 350 schools and school districts that offer or are planning o participate in the program. (Ritzville-Adams County Journal, 4.8.10)

Library News

This week is National Library Week, the annual tribute to libraries in America, and the Camas Public Library is part of the big celebration.  In his proclamation, Camas Mayor Paul Dennis said that libraries are part of the “American Dream.” And your local library, not unlike other libraries, is a place for opportunity, education, self-help and lifelong learning to help make the dream a reality. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 4.13.10)

Timberland Regional Library will install a major upgrade of the library catalog system in mid-May.  The new system is expected to include several useful new features.  In order to train all public library staff, the Timberland Library branches will be closed one day each between April 12 and April 30.  The new system is scheduled to “go live” to the public, Thursday, May 13. (Chinook Observer [Long Beach], 4.14.10)

It’s National Library Week, a time to celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers in schools, campuses and communities nationwide. In conjunction with National Library Week the Friends of the Ferndale Library, a part of the Whatcom County Library System, is holding its annual Staff Appreciation Week. (Photo) (Westside Record-Journal [Ferndale], 4.14.10)

Recently, students at Endicott-St. John Middle School were researching the United State Supreme Court.  Because these students are familiar with the resources available from Whitman County Library’s Web site, they immediately turned to the online librarian service called Ask US 24/7 for help. Ninety-eight public and academic libraries cooperate in bringing Ask Us 24/7 to Washington residents, answering over 15,000 questions in the past year. The expertise of these real librarians outperform Ask Jeeves or Google, which often gives you thousands of hits, much of it being useless information or coming from unreliable sources.  (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, 4.17.10)

A small group of citizens in the early 1900s gathered together to raise funds for the creation of a community library in Stanwood. Though its name has changed over the years, the Friends of Library’s dedication to support the local public library services has endured.  Now, they are seeking to “stream-line” the group into performing more services and activities within the Stanwood Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries.  Therefore, they are seeking library supporters, avid readers and advocates to join the newly-recognized group. (Stanwood Camano News, 4.20.10) http://www.scnews.com/news/2010-04-20/Family_%28and%29_Friends/Friends_Raising_in_Stanwood.html

People called for more space, more seats, more books and materials, more technology and computers, and overall more of everything when Pierce County Library System asked how it could best meet community needs. From late 2008 through 2009, the Library worked with more than 5,000 individuals and community leaders to learn how it could best serve communities. The Library System worked collaboratively with communities to shape Pierce County Library 2030, a facilities master plan. (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 4.21.10)

State auditors found no problems with the way the King County Library System conducts business.  Reports released last month show no problems with how the Issaquah-based system handled public dollars and other assets. King County Council members appoint a board to oversee the third-largest library system in the nation. The system serves more than 1.2 million customers at 44 libraries. (Issaquah Press, 4.21.10) http://www.issaquahpress.com/index.php?s=state+auditors

At its April meeting, the Pierce County Library System’s (PCLS) Board of Trustees discussed plans for three libraries – University Place, Milton/Edgewood and Fife.  Managers updated the board about progress to move the Milton/Edgewood Library to a larger, more centrally located space.  Managers also discussed progress to find space for the Fife Library. By June 2011, PCLS will open the first library in Fife. (Fife Free Press [Tacoma], 4.22.10)

Buildings

Central Whidbey residents appear to be using all of the extra space that came with the library expansion.  The Coupeville Public Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries, reopened last month and more people than ever are going through the doors. (Photo) (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 4.14.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/wnt/news/90772409.html

It’s a normal Monday at the south Everett library, and the place is hopping. Built in 1989, the building, known as the Evergreen Branch, was a satellite site one-sixth the size of the main branch downtown.  As south Everett has swelled, so too has use of the branch.  Last year, the Evergreen Branch handled a third of the library system’s total circulation but an expansion isn’t planned for the immediate future.  The city curtailed or put off some projects with the recession.  (The Herald Online [Everett], 4.19.10) http://heraldnet.com/article/20100419/NEWS01/704199905&news01ad=1#Everetts.growth.putting.strain.on.south-end.library

Jonalyn Woolf-Ivory of Sno-Isle Regional Libraries addressed a crowd of local residents who turned out for the grand re-opening of the Coupeville Library. The renovated and expanded library offers patrons a collection of 24,300 items, and was made possible through voter approval of capital improvement district and passage of a $2.3 million, 20-year bond. (Photo) (The Whidbey Examiner [Coupeville], 4.21.10)

Letters & Editorials

Your April 2 article, “Library system considering levy increase,” warrants some comments and some questions.  Jeff Brody, community relations director of the Kitsap Regional Library (KRL), wants money, but doesn’t cite any numbers illustrating what the yearly income of the libraries countywide is.  To KRL, I would inquire as to why they believe the taxpayers should fund their request a second or third time, when it is apparent, in my opinion, that more than enough funding is there to run their operation. (Independent [Port Orchard], 4.16.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/poi/opinion/letters/90961409.html

Like a starry sky, our libraries are quiet wonders that can unexpectedly light up our world like a comet.    In this age of Google and Kindles, it’s important to remember that you can’t digitize the hands-on support, broad knowledge and encouragement that wonderful staff members bring to our lives every day at the library. (Columbian [Vancouver], 4.19.10) http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/apr/19/libraries-change-lives/

Awards

Job seekers have new resources available to them at Fort Vancouver Regional Library District locations thanks to the grant-funded program, Get Job Help @ Your Library which began in February. FVRL received $48,420 as one of 17 Washington public libraries awarded a Renew Washington grant by the Washington State Library. The purpose of the grant is to address the needs of people needing access to employment related information, resources and services. The Renew Washington grant program is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. (The Enterprise [White Salmon], 4.8.10) http://www.whitesalmonenterprise.com/ARCHIVES/Story.aspx/11408/get-job-help-at-your-library

Programs & Displays

Actors Barbara Callander and Toni Douglass performed “May’s Vote,” the story of suffragettes Emma Smith DeVoe and Mary Arkwright Hutton before a packed house at the White Salmon Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library, on March 30. The story presents the two women from their respective childhoods through the struggle that ended with women attaining the vote in Washington State in 1910. (Photo) (The Enterprise [White Salmon], 4.8.10)

Columbia County Rural Library District now offers eAudiobooks from NetLibrary to any patron living in Columbia County who has a library card.  The collection is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Adult and young adult titles are included in the collection. (Dayton Chronicle, 4.14.10)

It’s time for the third annual Prescott Library, a part of the Walla Walla County Rural Library District, Cowboy Poetry Week Celebration.  While long established gatherings elsewhere draw massive audiences, Prescott’s event more resembles a family gathering. Proceeds from commemorative CDs and posters will benefit the Walla Walla County Rural Library program. (Photos) (Walla Walla Union Bulletin, 4.15.10)

Performance artist Stokley Towles of Seattle performed his humorous piece “The Library: a physiological study” Tuesday night at the Burlington Public Library.  Library volunteers were also honored at the public event celebrating National Library Week.  (Photo) (Skagit Valley Herald [Mount Vernon], 4.15.10)

How will digital innovations like Kindle and iPad impact public libraries? It’s the topic at next week’s Forum at the Library event.  “Trends in digital literature, library services and design” is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday in the Community Room of the Clark Public Utilities building.  Karen Ford, librarian for the main Vancouver Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library System, will moderate the panel with three others.  (Columbian [Vancouver], 4.16.10) http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/apr/16/forum-explores-digital-future-libraries/

The Friends of the Bellingham Public Library’s annual meeting will be 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24, at the library’s main branch.  Keynote speaker Jamichael Henterly, a local illustrator of more than a dozen books, will be speaking on book illustration, said Kathie Wilson, Friends president.  The meeting also will include update on the Bellingham Public Library from Pam Kiesner, library director, and Christine Perkins, assistant library director. (The Bellingham Herald Online, 4.19.10) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/04/19/1387642/friends-of-the-bellingham-library.html

Need to return your library books and films but dread finding a parking space? Drop them off at the new grocery store! You asked, we listened.  The new drive-by library return box for the Lopez Island Library will answer many of the patron suggestions for a more convenient way to return books without going to the library. (Island’s Weekly Newspaper [Lopez Island], 4.20.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/sanjuans/isw/entertainment/91124584.html

Two Sno-Isle libraries are helping military families connect with their loved ones deployed overseas.  In May, the Sno-Isle libraries in Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace are each offering one day for military families to talk to a loved one via Skype, software that lets people make free videos and voice calls. (The Enterprise [Lynnwood], 4.21.10) http://www.enterprisenewspapers.com/article/20100421/ETP03/704219966&template=ETPZoneEDart

Port Townsend Public Library marked the opening of its all new grant center last week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and snacks for luminary and library-goer alike. “What you see here,” said Library Associate Keith Darrock as folks gathered around the second-floor addition, “is the grant center – funded by a grant, actually,” from the Library Foundation. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 4.21.10)

Centrum and the Jefferson County Library are partnering to present former Washington State Poet Laureate Samuel Green in a free reading at the library on Wednesday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m. In 2007, Green was named the state’s first poet laureate, a position established by the Washington State Legislature to build awareness and appreciation of poetry across the state. (Photo) (The Leader [Port Townsend], 4.21.10) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=26742&SectionID=101&SubSectionID=471&S=1

Book Sales

The Friends of the Seattle Public Library Spring Book Sale has been a Seattle tradition since 1971.  More than 250,000 books, posters, movies, CDs and other items filled an old Navy hangar. The friends group raises about $100,000 per sale, after expenses.  The money goes to programs the library can’t afford with its operating budget.  “One of the wonderful things in this community, I think, is how generous people are and how much they care about their libraries,” said Joan Amatucci,t he book-sale director for the friends group. (Photos) (Seattle Times, 4.18.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011635351_booksale18m.html

Economy/Hard Times

There are ways to find jobs, even in today’s market.  On April 26 the Port Townsend Public Library continues its series of workshops to help people find or upgrade their jobs.  The workshops help job seekers develop a career plan, goals and strategy that helps identify job openings. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 4.21.10) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=26775&SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&S=1

As part of their first-quarter balancing act, Tacoma City Manager Eric Anderson and Finance Director Bob Biles recommended a $1.6 million cut from the library budget – a “goal” Anderson said his budget team gave to library officials earlier this month.  After the presentation, Library Director Susan Odencrantz said the library cannot make those cuts this late in the budget cycle, in part because it already has spent or encumbered the money based on its approved budget. (The News Tribune Online [Tacoma], 4.28.10) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/04/28/1165818/library-in-cross-hairs-as-revenue.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] ]