Washington State Library News
For people nostalgic for newspapers of bygone eras, a number of Washington newspapers past have been digitized by the National Digital Newspaper Program and can be searched and viewed on the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America website [http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/]. The Washington State Library is helping the project by digitizing another 100,000 pages for the last phase of the project. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 4.1.13) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/03/31/2336650/old-newspapers-including-tri-cities.html

Library News
The Tonasket Library Board held their annual volunteer appreciation luncheon in March. The invitations go to those volunteers who help with the twice yearly book sales put on by the Tonasket Library Board. Proceeds from the winter book sale funded the purchase of a new copier that is used by both staff and library patrons. (Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune [Oroville], 3.28.13)

Tacoma City Council and the Tacoma Library Board met on April 30th at City Hall to discuss the strategic plan for the Tacoma Public Library. Immediately following the joint study session, City of Tacoma staff provided an update on the close of the 2011/2012 biennium budget. (Tacoma Daily Index, 4.29.13)

Tuition at community colleges might be rising faster than a tide in full flood, but students at Washington State’s 34 public institutions have saved more than $5 million in textbook expenses since the Open Course Library launched in the fall of 2011. (The Olympian [Olympia], 5.7.13) http://www.theolympian.com/2013/05/07/2535412/praise-for-library-project.html

First Lady Michelle Obama will join Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Director Susan Hildreth in a White House ceremony in the East Room to present the 2013 National Medal for Museum and Library Service to Pierce County Library System on Wednesday. (University Place Patch Online, 5.8.13) http://universityplace.patch.com/articles/pierce-county-library-system-to-receive-national-medal-for-museum-and-library-service-today

Elections
For Chewelah city residents to continue to use any library in the Stevens County, voters must approve the proposal for the Chewelah Public Library annexation that will be on the April 23 special election ballot. Only city residents will vote on this issue. (The Independent [Chewelah], 3.28.13)

Wednesday was the last big deadline for non-budgetary bills in the Legislature, and some proposals by Clark County’s legislators fared better than others. A proposal to keep Vancouver’s Library Square project on track is considered “necessary to implement the budget” and therefore is exempt from the deadline. (The Columbian [Vancouver], 4.22.13) http://blogs.columbian.com/political-beat/2013/04/17/local-lawmakers-bills-survive-last-major-cutoff-before-sessions-end/

The City Council has placed a measure on the August 6 primary ballot asking voters to authorize the purchase of up to $3 million in general obligation bonds for the Port Townsend Library expansion. It voters approve it; the measure would authorize the city to issue bonds for the renovation and expansion of the Carnegie Library portion of the library. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 5.9.13) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20130509/NEWS/305099986/port-townsend-library-bond-on-august-ballot

Buildings
In an intense meeting, King County Library System staff and consultants Tuesday night presented the Renton community with two options for the interior space planning of a new downtown library. A majority of those attending did not participate in KCLS’ small-group discussions, instead demanding the design team address the huge crowd’s concerns as a whole. (Photos) (Renton Reporter, 3.29.13) http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/200289621.html?mobile=true

Letters & Editorials
In honor of the Library’s 100th anniversary, Puyallup Mayor Rick Hansen has challenged each of us to read 100 books this year and to join Puyallup Public Library’s 100 Book Club. I’d like to challenge you to include local history, and I have a few suggestions … (The Herald [Puyallup], 3.27.13) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/03/27/2531606/history-suggestions-for-mayor.html

The probability of passing a Port Townsend library expansion bond has been explored twice by library administration. Two conclusions arising from these surveys are the weak support for a library expansion bond during the current economic recession and the need to involve the community in the planning process. Why has the library administration ignored the advice of its own surveys? (The Leader [Port Townsend], 3.27.13)

It probably should come as no surprise that an open house presented by the King County Library System was filled with rancor, frustration and shouting. And, some pretty important information. (Renton Reporter, 3.29.13) http://www.rentonreporter.com/opinion/200629511.html

I read Tracey Compton’s March 21 article about library design … The article states “Now KCLS officials are urging caution when talking about the design elements of the downtown library because they say it’s too early in the process.” It is nonsense to urge such caution. In fact, it’s misleading. Right now is the time to be very concerned about KCLS’s intention. (Renton Reporter, 3.29.13) http://www.rentonreporter.com/opinion/letters/199952411.html

The City of Ferndale has a bond election for the new Ferndale library coming up on April 23. Your “yes” vote will put us at fundraising goal, retain the $250,000 Norcliffe Grant (which expires in August), and meet the $2 million matching grants to the fullest extent. Support the library that supports Ferndale. Join with me in voting “yes” in April! (Bellingham Herald, 4.2.13) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/04/01/2942056/asks-voters-to-support-ferndale.html

Our hats are off to the city of Vancouver and its residents for the beautiful new library building in downtown. We were enticed to head over the Interstate 5 bridge and experience it when we sat in on the #nextchapter [http://hashnextchapter.com] series of workshops from Dene Grigar and the Fort Vancouver Regional Library that ran for the past couple of months. (The Columbian [Vancouver], 4.24.13) http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/apr/24/letter-vancouver-library-top-notch/

People
The Spokane Public Library will get a new leadership just as its funding stabilizes after years of uncertainty. Pat Partovi, who has led the library since 2003, will retire May 10. The process to pick Partovi’s successor is well under way. (Photo) (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 3.22.13) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/mar/22/library-getting-new-chief/

It’s those adults in their 20s and 30s, the no-longer-teenager but not-yet parents crowd, libraries are struggling to reach, said Audrey Barbakoff, the adult services librarian at Bainbridge Library, a part of Kitsap Regional Library. This month, Library Journal named Barbakoff one of its 50 Movers & Shakers for 2013, a list recognizing innovators in the library industry. (Photos) (The Kitsap Sun [Bremerton], 4.1.13) http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/mar/31/bainbridge-librarian-earns-national-attention-to/#axzz2SoZJWOBI

Programs & Displays
Pierce county residents will have an opportunity to participate in the Pierce County READS program by reading “The Paris Wife,” written by internationally known author Paula McLain. The book chronicles Ernest Hemingway’s life through the eyes of his first wife, Hadley Richardson. The Pierce County READS program begins now and runs through May 17th. (The Herald [Puyallup], 3.27.13) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/03/27/2531608/library-system-announces-new-reads.html

[This summary of library news was created by 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 Martha Shinners at 360.570.5567 or [email protected]]