Clippings, March 11, 2009

Park officials passed a resolution Feb. 10 stating unequivocally that they want the library (Vashon/ KCLS) to stay put.  (Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber [Vashon], 2.18.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/vashon/vib/news/39752273.html

A report of a gun threat in the Spokane Public Library on Friday led to a SWAT team invasion and the arrest of an unarmed woman.  (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 2.21.09) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/feb/21/swat-team-called-to-library/

Elections:

Voters in a five-county region (TRL) rejected additional funding for libraries last Tuesday.  The vote count was 52,748 against and 43,385 in favor – 55 percent versus 45 percent – on the issue of granting additional taxation authority to the TRL system.  Results by county:  Pacific County 51% in favor; Thurston County 53.47% against; Mason County 55.42% in favor; Lewis County 70.89% against; and Grays Harbor County 55.68% against.(Chinook Observer [Long Beach], 2.11.09)

Everyone loves a winner and Shelton city commissioners are no exception.  Following last week’s major election victory, when slightly more than 88 percent of Shelton voters approved annexing the city into the Timberland Regional Library system, the city commissioners were basking in the glow of that lopsided win.  (Shelton-Mason County Journal [Shelton], 2.12.09) http://www.masoncounty.com/?m=20090212

Now that its property tax levy lid lift proposal has failed at the polls, what’s next for Timberland Regional Library?  (Shelton-Mason County Journal [Shelton], 2.12.09) http://www.masoncounty.com/?m=20090212

Buildings:

For now, it’s apparently a waiting game.  On Jan. 27, officials of the King County Library System and the U.S. Post Office met in Kenmore, with library leaders hoping the post office might be willing to relocate its local branch.  (Bothell Reporter, Kenmore Reporter [Kent], 2.11.09)

Friends of the Port Angeles Library Board members gather around the Port Angeles Public Library’s new lighted sign after a board meeting.  (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], (Photo) 2.16.09)

A nonprofit community group is considering several properties on the west side of Olympia for a public plaza anchored by a new branch of the Timberland Regional Library.  (The Olympian [Olympia], 2.17.09) http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/760709.html

Letters and Editorials:

I wrote today to thank so many in the community for the overwhelming support you have shown for library services both in Shelton and greater Mason County (TRL).  (Shelton-Mason County Journal [Shelton], 2.12.09)

For every problem there is a solution. Let’s put our collective heads together to determine how to save the Castle Rock library.  (Daily News [Longview], 2.14.09)

The recent column in the Olympian opposing the library levy misrepresents library usage, and it is outrageous to suggest that there is no need for the library system.  (The Olympian [Olympia], 2.18.09)

People:

Seattle’s new city librarian, Susan Hildreth, has been on the job only a few days, but she is clearly in her element among the book stacks, computer screens and people who make up The Seattle Public Library. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 3.4.09) http://www.seattlepi.com/local/402132_librarian05.html

Programs and Displays:

Among many other things, San Juan Island Library is busy working on our next digitization project.  (Island’s Weekly Newspaper [Lopez Island], 2.17.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/sanjuans/isw/news/39748763.html

The Ocean Shores Library (TRL) will be selling raffle tickets for a signed Elton Bennett serigraph. The serigraph, “They Speak by Silence,” depicts a group of people gathered at the edge of a misty ocean with a backdrop of sand cliffs.  (The Daily World [Aberdeen], 2.21.09) http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2009/02/21/local_news/06news.txt

Summer Reading:

Every June, children who sign up for Port Townsend Library’s summer reading program get to choose a free book for every eight books they complete.  (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 2.16.09) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20090216/NEWS/302169992

Economy/Hard Times:

The city’s eight department heads took a voluntary one percent pay cut, which will save the city roughly $7,300 per year, reported City Manager Linda Hall.  (Walla Walla Union Bulletin [Walla Walla], 2.15.09)

During times of economic downturn your local library can be a big help.  (La Conner Weekly News [La Connor], 2.18.09]

The legislature needs to come up with an additional $39 million to build a center to house the State Archives and State Library – a shortfall that has some lawmakers wondering if the project should be postponed.  (Seattle Times [Seattle], 3.4.09) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008809284_heritagecenter04m.html

[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 newspaper clippings packet from all Washington newspapers received on the date shown. For more information about any of these stories, contact Bobbie at 360-570-5577 or [email protected]]