Clippings, October 10, 2008, Part 1

“The city of Grandview and Yakima Valley Community College took a big step toward replacing Grandview’s overtaxed library this week when the federal government announced a $600,000 grant for the project. The Department of Housing and Urban Development grant means the $4 million joint college-city library project is now about $1 million short of the local component being fully paid for.”(Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 9-29-08) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/332070.html

“It appears Pasco will spend another $15,000 to support kids’ MySpace habits and other computer activities in east Pasco. The city launched the Pasco Cyber Stop in the Kurtzman Building last October as a way to provide technology and Internet access to people who may not be able to afford computers at home….’The incentive for the council to undertake this experiment was born from a discussion about library service (Mid-Columbia Libraries) on the east and west ends of the city’, City Manager Gary Crutchfield said….’Conceivably you could have two or three satellite facilities in the community, strictly electronic,’ Crutchfield said. ‘So you avoid these large, expensive warehouses for books. That’s essentially what they (libraries) are.’“ (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 9-29-08) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/332071.html

Elections:

The Timberland Regional Library will ask voters for more in property taxes in the February 2009 election. “’We’ve never asked the voters for an increase in our levy,’ executive director Jodi Reng said. ‘It’s not like we keep coming out with our hands out.’ Library trustees voted Thursday night to seek the levy increase and (to) make cuts, such as eliminating Sunday hours and instituting a hiring freeze.” (The Olympian, 9-27-08) http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/598393.html

Buildings:

The City Council in Quincy (North Central Regional Library) will hear an engineer’s report on the Vordahl building, which is being considered as a library site. (Quincy Valley Post Register, 9-18-08)

As reported earlier, needed repairs at the Ocean Shores Public Library proved to be more extensive than expected. The Friends of the Library had to dip into their library expansion fund to assist. Original estimate for expansion had been $1 million, but has likely risen with the coast of materials. (The Daily World [Aberdeen], 9-18-08)

Mid-Columbia Library System has installed a drive-up book drop in West Pasco, with the assistance of Wal-Mart and the Friends of Mid-Columbia Libraries. “More than 50% of the bookmobile’s service is to the public in west Pasco and north Franklin County where patrons do not have close access to a Mid-Columbia Libraries’ branch.” (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 9-29-08) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/333892.html

People:

A long article interviews several Port Townsend-area residents, including Jefferson County Library director Ray Serebrin, on their personal and professional reactions to the current economic situation. (With color and b/w photos) (Port Townsend Leader, 9-24-08)

“Clark County Commissioners are seeking applicants for fill a vacancy on the Fort Vancouver Regional Library board of trustees. The opening is for someone living anywhere in Clark County that is within the library district and outside the city limits of Vancouver. The position is a seven-year term that begins in January, 2009.” (The Reflector [Battle Ground], 9-24-08)

Programs and Displays:

Upcoming events at the North Mason Timberland Library in Belfair are detailed. (Belfair Herald, 9-18-08)

“The Touchet Library’s (Whitman County Library) new program, ‘Read to Rover’, starts Oct. 6 and continues on the first Monday of each month at 3:30 p.m. Two therapy dogs, Bubba and Cinch, will be available to be read to by children.” (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 9-29-08)

“Susan Hess, award-winning journalist and columnist for the Hood River News, will present “The Rebuilding of Celilo Village”, a slide presentation on Sept. 25 at the White Salmon Community Library (Fort Vancouver Regional Library).” (The Enterprise [Klickitat], 9-25-08)

Summer Reading and Early Learning:

A letter from Jan Hanson, Youth Services Librarian at the Longview Public Library, describes the success of the Summer Reading “Catch the Reading Bug” program and thanks the many people and local businesses who contributed to the program’s success. An article lists youth programs for fall. (Both, Daily News [Longview], 9-23-08)

Book Sales:

At the Hal Holmes Community Center by the Friends of the Ellensburg Public Library. (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 9-25-08)

[This summary of library news was created by Susan Barrett of the Washington State Library Division of the Office of the Secretary of State. It represents a newspaper clippings packet from all Washington newspapers received on the date shown. For more information about any of these stories, contact Susan at 360-570-5561 or [email protected].]