Library News
The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal recently remodeled and moved into Heron Hall on the east end of the tribal campus in Blyn. Now the library will begin the more profound undertaking of becoming a center for lifelong learning, focusing on developing 21st-century literacy themes and skills within the tribal cultural context. Siri Hiltz, tribal librarian, said she hopes the new location and focus will meet the needs of the community and help library users become more self-sufficient information creators and consumers. (Photos) (The Sequim Gazette, 4.11.12) http://www.sequimgazette.com/news/article.exm/2012-04-02_new_location__new_focus

The Chewelah City Council tabled discussion on annexing into the Stevens County Rural Library District due to insufficient information. Annexing would give the library district control over the Chewelah Public Library rather than the city, but would add another layer of taxation for city residents. (The Independent, [Chewelah] 4.12.12)

Cathlamet town officials are looking for support from Wahkiakum County commissioners for a plan to assist temporary relocation of the Blanchard Bradley Library and encourage connection to an unused sewer main. The town wants to relocate the library temporarily later this year while the old Town Hall is remodeled. (The Wahkiakum County Eagle, [Cathlamet] 4.12.12) http://www.waheagle.com/news/article.exm/2012-04-12_town_proposes_cut_in_sewer_connection_fee

The Goldendale Community Library will celebrate its 100th birthday this year. The library will release a list of events they have planned as part of their celebration of 100 years of library services at the beginning of June. A team of people will be collecting stories from the community about the library.
(Photo) (Sentinel, [Goldendale] 3.18.12) http://www.goldendalesentinel.com/story/2012/04/18/features/goldendale-library-celebrates-100th-year-festivities-kick-off-in-june/579.html

Timberland Regional Library will be hosting seven Community Conversations, held in each of the five counties TRL serves. Participants will be able to provide input and ideas on four major library-related topics, including services and programs, technology, collections and facilities. Community Conversations will be held at 5 p.m. May 10, at the Shelton Timberland Library. (Shelton-Mason County Journal, 4.19.12)

The Bellingham Public Library has set up a new donation fund. The new fund, administered by the Whatcom Community Foundation, gives three options: donations to a capital, or building fund; a materials fund; or an unrestricted fund. Library Director Pam Kiesner said the fund was established last year and recently received its first major gift: a $50,000 donation to the capital account from the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library. (Bellingham Herald, 4.21.12) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/04/20/2489986/donors-have-new-way-to-help-bellingham.html

The use of software to filter Internet content for library patrons received support in a recent federal court ruling. Officials at the King County Library System filter Internet content at public computers, although library patrons can have the filter deactivated. In April, Eastern Washington Federal District Court Judge Edward F. Shea ruled the Wenatchee-based North Central Regional Library did not violate the First Amendment by installing Internet filtering software on computers for all library patrons. (Issaquah Press Online, 5.8.12) http://www.issaquahpress.com/2012/05/08/local-library-systems-internet-policy-is-unchanged-after-court-ruling/

Elections
During its next two meetings, the Renton City Council is drafting a ballot measure that will give voters the decision where to build the new library in downtown. The council is taking these steps after deciding two weeks ago to stop a citizens’ initiative to keep the library over the Cedar River. (Renton Reporter, 4.13.12)

Ocean Shores’ voters appear to be split on two levy requests in results from Tuesday’s special election: the Emergency Services levy is passing but voters are rejecting a levy to support the city’s public library. (Daily World, [Aberdeen} 4.18.12)

Buildings
Thanks to numerous hours provided by the “Landscape Angels,” the Ilwaco Community Building landscaping project is now complete. Spearheaded by former Ilwaco Library Board chair Ann Saari and ecologist Kathleen Sayce, the project was funded by the Friends of the Ilwaco/Ocean Park Libraries, Timberland Regional Library, the Templin Foundation, and community donations. (Chinook Observer, [Long Beach] 4.11.12)

The King County Library System has issued a request for proposals for developing “nature discovery areas” on library grounds. Library officials want a design that can be adapted to a variety of sites and libraries. Proposals are due May 14. (Daily Journal of Commerce, [Seattle] 4.17.12)

Letters & Editorials
I am very concerned about the Rural Library District’s struggle with paying the Walla Walla Public Library each year for county residents to use the city’s library. (Walla Walla Union Bulletin, 4.16.12)

Some people question the need for a bigger library in Chelan. Why do we need it? Well, according to the National Institute for Literacy, success in school and life starts with literacy. (Lake Chelan Mirror, 4.18.12)

This letter is in reference to the article in the April 11 Methow Valley News, concerning the library filtering case. I am concerned about a press release, by the North Central Regional Library that states, “Rural Library Wins Porn Battle Against Seattle ACLU.” That release could not be further from the truth! (Methow Valley News, [Twisp] 4.18.12)

A great big thank-you to everyone who attended and gave so generously at the Branch Out Gala hosted by the Whatcom County Library Foundation. The gala netted over $11,000 to support library programs.
(Lynden Tribune, 4.18.12)

Are you aware that the Fort Vancouver Regional Library’s bookmobiles are going to stop operating this June? If you have not yet let your feelings/needs be known, you can fill out a survey about your library usage for FVRL. (Reflector, [Battle Ground] 4.18.12)

In addition to the reduction of space, staff and hours in our Mall library, the Board of Trustees is contemplating elimination of the programming. There will no longer be any reference materials available in the Mall location. No public input was allowed before the board made these decisions, and it’s a shame. (The Columbian, [Vancouver] 4.20.12) http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/apr/20/04-20-col-fri-letters/

Awards
The King County Library System has been named the Organization of the Year by the Municipal League Foundation. The Municipal League is a volunteer-driven organization that promotes government that is open, effective and accountable. (Issaquah-Sammamish Reporter, [Kent] 4.13.12)

The Pierce County Library System acknowledged 110 adults and teenagers during National Library week. Each volunteer was given a certificate of acknowledgement and thanks. (Tacoma Weekly, 4.13.12) http://www.tacomaweekly.com/news/view/city-briefs23/

The President’s Volunteer Service Award has been presented to 49 Sno-Isle Libraries volunteers for service in 2011. Honored volunteers came from throughout the Sno-Isle district. (The Herald, [Everett] 4.17.12)

Programs & Displays
Holly Petersen is an artist who grew up in Quincy. Her work ranges from Disney figures to abstract and modernist paintings. Her present showing in the Quincy Library has Disney drawings and large acrylic canvases. Her art will be in the art gallery at the library through June. (Photo) (Quincy Valley Post Register, 4.12.12) http://www.qvpr.com/articles/petersens-art-display-quincy-library

Local photographer Marilyn Santiago is showing images from travel around the world at the Sequim Library, a part of the North Olympia Library System, through May. (Photo) (Peninsula Daily News, [Port Angeles] 4.13.12)

Friday afternoon youth activities at the Yelm Timberland Library are getting a good turnout says Kelsie Raddas, library associate and event coordinator. Playing video games on Kinect through Xbox 360 is a lot of fun and a great way to form bonds with others in the community. (Photo) (Nisqually Valley News, [Yelm] 4.13.12)

Librarian Audrey Barbakoff of Kitsap Regional Library’s Bainbridge Island branch recently launched “Ferry Tales,” a book club aboard the Bainbridge Island ferry for literati on the go. The idea, addresses Kitsap Regional Library’s goal of reaching people who don’t typically visit libraries. (Photo) (The Kitsap Sun, [Bremerton] 4.15.12) http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/apr/14/library-takes-book-club-on-the-water/

[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 Washington newspapers received on the dates shown. For more information about any of these stories, contact Carolyn Petersen at 360.570.5560 or [email protected] ]