Washington State Library News
Wolf recovery in Washington State – a blessing to many, a curse to others – continues on an upward trajectory, despite the controversial killing of seven wolves caught preying on livestock in the northeast corner of the state last fall. Folks who want to learn a little more about wolves can view a modest wolf exhibit on display weekdays through April 12 at the Washington State Library. (The Olympian [Olympia], 2.17.13) http://www.theolympian.com/2013/02/17/2426874/states-wolf-success-means-everybody.html

Library News
Spokane County Library District has announced the addition of Zinio, the world’s largest provider of online magazines. Library card holders can now access 157 magazines online through the district’s web site, http://scld.org/zinio. (Valley News Herald, [Spokane] 2.1.2013)

As the Walla Walla County Rural Library District moves ahead with building a 15,000-square-foot County Central library branch, controversy also advances. Last week, the State Auditor’s office released news of two findings against the Library District. And a new controversy is coming to light over the Library District’s refusal to disclose the location of its proposed County Central library. (Union-Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 2.2.13) http://union-bulletin.com/news/2013/feb/02/auditor-rural-library-district-violated-law/

The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation recently announced it is awarding the Walla Walla Public Library a $136,000 grant to install a technology and media lab that will focus on teaching teens how to produce video projects and maybe even a full-length movie. (Union-Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 2.3.13) http://union-bulletin.com/news/2013/feb/02/grant-gets-film-rolling-library/

As the Friends of the Washougal Community Library continue supporting the idea of a larger building, its members want to multiply. They recently kicked off a membership drive, involving area businesses and residents. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, [Camas] 2.5.13)

A Prosser teacher has called for two books he considers inappropriate to be removed from school libraries. The books are “A Child Called ‘IT’: One Child’s Courage to Survive” and “The Popularity Papers.” Neither is used in classroom instruction but both are available in school libraries for certain grade levels, said Prosser School District assistant superintendent Mary Snitily. (Photo) (Yakima Herald-Republic, 2.5.13) http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/yhr/tuesday/804044-8/prosser-teacher-wants-two-books-removed

Innovative programs to help schoolchildren, job-seekers and underserved communities, through libraries and museums, will be likely casualties of the federal budget crisis, the head of a federal grant-making agency said in Seattle on Monday. (Photo) Seattle Times, 3.5.13) http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020485567_storycorpsvisitxml.html

Elections
After more than six years of fundraising, the last contribution to a new library might come from the city’s voters. The Ferndale City Council unanimously approved on Monday, March 4, a request to go before voters for a $550,000 bond for the library. (Photo) (Bellingham Herald Online, 3.5.13) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/03/05/2906222/ferndale-council-asks-voters-to.html

Letters & Editorials
We are now presented with the option of voting for or against additional property taxes to fund library operations. I urge voters to oppose this property tax increase and let our city leaders know that there are alternatives to be explored. (Spokesman Review, [Spokane] 2.3.13) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/feb/03/library-fees-not-taxes/

The Rural Library District Board of Trustees is moving ahead with plans to build a central library while keeping the public out of the process. A town hall meeting to discuss the future of libraries in the Walla Walla Valley is past due. (Union-Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 2.5.13) http://union-bulletin.com/news/2013/feb/05/public-discussion-of-library-services-in-valley/

We are pleased with the support of so many for our Friendship Tea. We look forward to seeing our fellow tea members each Tuesday. A kind person paid for us to meet in the Community Building, which we really do appreciate. (Yakima Herald-Republic, [Yakima] 2.5.13)

Expanding library services in Walla Walla County, including building a new county central library and administrative center, best serves Rural Library District taxpayers. Unfortunately, the library collection can no longer be housed or expanded in current RLD facilities. (Union-Bulletin [Walla Walla], 3.5.13) http://union-bulletin.com/news/2013/mar/05/new-rural-library-best-serves-tax-payers/

Programs & Displays
The Sedro-Woolley Public Library is hosting “Pushing the Limits,” a new four-part science discussion series for adults, starting in February. The library is one of only 20 libraries chosen from across the country for this pilot project, and the only library in Washington State to participate. (Courier Times, [Sedro Woolley] 2.5.13)

At a meeting of the Port Townsend City Council on Monday, February 4, the library announced this year’s literary selection for the Community Read program that builds bridges through reading. The 2013 novel, Contents May Have Shifted, by Pam Houston, was selected by a committee made up of library staff and community members. (Photo) (The Leader, [Port Townsend] 2.6.13) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=33003&SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&S=1

[This summary of library news represents a selection of current newspaper clippings about Washington libraries received from Washington newspapers. The summary is created by Bobbie DeMiero and Leanna Hammond of the Washington State Library, Division of the Office of the Secretary of State. For further information about this summary or the clippings listed, contact Martha Shinners at 360.570.5567 or [email protected]]