Washington State Library News
The Kittitas County Early Learning Coalition — which includes representatives from local Head Start, private preschools, the Ellensburg School District and an array of other organizations — formed with the help of a four-stage $40,000 grant from the state’s Foundation for Early Learning that began in 2011. In June of this year, the coalition and the Ellensburg Public Library received a $1,000 Early Achievers Outreach grant from the Washington State Library to operate a series of monthly workshops at the library focusing on learning for children 5 years old and younger. (Daily Record, 9.19.13) http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/grants-support-early-learning-in-ellensburg/article_38398f8c-2153-11e3-abc5-0019bb2963f4.html

Library News
Library users still want real books. They give high marks to library service, but some want a quieter place. What they don’t like is seeing their library used as a hangout by smokers outside or people loitering inside. Those are among findings of a public survey conducted recently by the Everett Public Library. (Everett Herald [Everett], 9.25.13) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130925/NEWS01/709259888

Most patrons of the Sequim Library want a larger library collection and more space in which to enjoy books and other materials, consultants said, based on two community meetings and a two-month survey. The meetings and survey were part of an effort led by the North Olympic Library System, to determine what the roughly 29,000 people the library serves want in a new space. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 9.30.13) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20130930/news/309309987/consultants-share-sequim-library-survey-results

Thanks to a state Supreme Court ruling, gun owners can now legally carry their weapons inside Seattle public libraries. Last year, the Supreme Court agreed with lower courts that cities, such as Seattle, have no right to ban guns in specific public places like parks and libraries. (Seattle PI [Seattle], 11.5.13) http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/article/You-can-now-carry-a-gun-at-a-Seattle-library-4956399.php?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=PIMail:%20Local&utm_campaign=PIMail:%20Local

In Schreiber’s front yard is a Little Free Library — a book exchange inviting anyone to grab a book, bring it back or add something new. Schreiber’s library, a hand-built, weatherproof bookcase that holds three shelves, is believed to be one of the first of its kind in Vancouver. The city honored Schreiber and her husband Bob Whitt with a “Vancouver Sparkles” award earlier this year for their efforts. (The Columbian [Vancouver], 10.23.13) http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/oct/23/passers-by-little-free-library-book-exchange/

Raymond Library celebrates 100 years of service to area. Although the building is less than 100 years old, Raymond’s library service dates back to that 1913 agreement made by Lewis, Burnside and Siler. Their commitment is the reason for this year’s centennial celebration at the Raymond Library. (Willapa Harbor Herald [Raymond], 9.18.13)

The Hoffman Family has opened a Little Free Library on Lake Drive. The library is open to anyone. The motto is “Take a book, return.” They have started with some classics and will add more books weekly. (Lake Stevens Journal [Lake Stevens], 9.11.13)

Buildings
While it’s uncertain whether the Navy will collaborate with Oak Harbor on a sewage treatment plant, city officials are exploring another potential partnership. It may seem like an unlikely partnership, but, the idea isn’t to fill a new treatment plant with shelves of books. Instead, at least one of the properties the city is considering has potential to be renovated into a new library. (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 9.18.13) http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/news/224423891.html

With the Port Orchard Library renovations in full swing, this fall might be the perfect opportunity to “hit the road” and visit one of the branches of Kitsap Regional Library or perhaps our bookmobile. (Independent [Port Orchard], 9.13.13)

For 30 years, the Forks Library, a part of the North Olympic Library System, has been in the Forks Avenue building that is being remodeled and it never had a face-lift or an update. Imagine being in the library sitting in an overstuffed chair by the fireplace, listening to someone gently playing the guitar while you read an e-book or chat with a friend. They call it a ‘third space,’ a place where people can connect and meet face to face. (Fork Forum, 10.24.13) http://www.forksforum.com/news/article.exm/2013-10-24_construction_on__a_different_library__progressing

Letters/Editorial
Value the Library, and all the people. I am happy to value the library; the books, the librarians and staff and all the other library patrons both inside and outside of the library. (The Herald [Everett] 9.27.13) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130927/OPINION02/709279920

Your library has free, helpful tools. Now that the best summer in the history of the world is coming to a close, it’s time to start something new. Whatever your age or situation, the library is here to help. (North Kitsap County Herald [Poulsbo], 9.13.13)

People
The East Port Orchard Elementary School library will be named for the late Kurt Wagner, a former principal at the school, South Kitsap School District has announced. Wagner, a beloved educator in the district, died in 2012 of pancreatic cancer. (The Kitsap Sun [South Kitsap], 9.24.13) https://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/sep/23/school-library-to-be-named-for-former-principal/

Awards
Stevens Elen Wahl and Nathaniel Wilson claimed their prizes for winning the Books for Bikes Giveaway, a program offered by the Lake Stevens Library and other Sno-Isle Libraries from around the county. (Lake Stevens Journal, 9.11.13) http://www.lakestevensjournal.com/news/article.exm/2013-09-17_books_for_bikes_giveaway_winners

Programs/Displays
Slated for fall and into winter are a number of programs centering on one book selected for the Timberland Reads Together program. The year, the book is “Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The epic life and immortal photographs of Edward Curtis,” by Timothy Egan. (Nisqually Valley News, 9.13.13) http://www.yelmonline.com/news/local_news/article_001d39dc-1bf9-11e3-9dc0-0019bb2963f4.html

The Roslyn Library will introduce its new Pioneer Queens Collection of historic photographs in a slide show presentation at 7pm Monday at the Roslyn Library and old City Hall. (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 9.18.13)

Timberland Regional Library Cardholders Entered in Raffle for E-Reader. Timberland Regional Library is celebrating its 45th anniversary as a public library service by offering a 45-day contest to win an e-reader. (The Chronicle [Centralia], 9.19.13)

[This summary of library news represents a selection of current newspaper clippings about Washington libraries received from Washington newspapers. The summary is created by Samantha Sunderland and Mari Houck 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]]