Clippings – August 17, 2009

Library News

The Cashmere School District is set to recommend replacing longtime Vale (Elementary School )Librarian Barbara DeRubertis with two first-timers: Steffanie Haney and Wendy Crossland. Haney is a substitute teacher in the district and Crossland just finished her student-teaching.  Neither of them has ever worked as a librarian before. The recommendations states the job will be on an interim basis for one year, after which a permanent position will be posted. (Cashmere Valley Record, 7.29.09) http://www.cashmerevalleyrecord.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=2256&SectionID=6&SubSectionID=6&S=1

Many local Facebook users may already have noticed the White Salmon Valley Community Library’s (a member of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District) new presence on the popular social networking website. If you have a Facebook account, you can become a “fan” of the library today! (The Enterprise [White Salmon], 7.30.09)

Adams County Rural Library District No. 1 board members voted to continue negotiations held July 23, before signing the contract between the board and Mid-Columbia Libraries (MCL). The contract has been under negotiations since the first of the year and several issues continue to be disputed between the two entities. (The Outlook [Othello], 7.30.09)

The Roslyn Public Library’s digital “Roslyn Heritage Collection” was published last month and is now available from any computer that has Internet access. The collection offers a glimpse into pioneer life in Roslyn and in the future the library plans to add more content to the Roslyn Heritage Collection.  (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 7.31.09)

A Ritzville family was the first to submit an entry form in a prize giveaway sponsored by the Clark County Historical Museum and the Carnegie Library Consortium of Washington. The museum and consortium, which was formed by the museum, developed Mr. Carnegie’s Grand Tour of Washington as a free automobile-based, passport tour of 20 Washington State Carnegie libraries as well as a sustainable heritage tourism development tool.  (Ritzville Journal Online, 8.6.09) http://www.ritzvillejournal.com/archives/2009/08-2009/WebNews_08-06-2009/News/Ritzville%20residents%20submit%20first%20entry%20in%20Carnegie%20library%20state%20tour.htm

Richland officials plan to look into ways to improve parking at the newly renovated and reopened library. One resident, Inez Austin of Richland, says the number of handicapped parking spaces is adequate but their location isn’t. The designated spaces are about 90 feet from the main entrance and involve ramps and curves. Austin would like the city to designate the parking spaces directly east of the entrance for handicapped parking, since they are closer than the ones currently designated.  (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 8.8.09) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/674934.html

Economy/Hard Times

The Seattle Public Library will close each of its neighborhood branches, including the m ain branch downtown the week of Aug. 31 through Sept. 4, in an effort to meet the mandate set by Mayor Greg Nickels that every city department cut its budget by as much as 3 percent. (Magnolia News [Seattle], 7.29.09) http://www.magnolianews.net/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=28871&SectionID=26&SubSectionID=248&S=1

 

Elections

Next fall’s Whitman County Rural Library District’s levy lift proposal will not be on the ballot in six Whitman county towns where the library now operates branches. Those towns are not actually in the library district because of the library’s long-standing policy of allowing the towns the option of joining the district or paying fees for the library service.  (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 7.30.09)

Columbia County voters approved the annexation of the city of Dayton into the Columbia County Rural Library District by a strong margin of 627-218. Annexation will relieve the city of responsibility for funding a portion of library expenses, and paying for maintenance and repairs. (Walla Walla Union Bulleting Online, 8.19.09) http://union-bulletin.com/articles/2009/08/19/local_news/090819local03library.txt

Castle Rock Librarian Vicki Selander danced among her books Thursday afternoon upon learning the library’s levy appears to have passed.  New results Thursday afternoon showed the levy had 62.3 percent approval, or 342 yes votes to 207 no votes.  The levy needs at least 60 percent to pass and was just below that figure with initial results Tuesday night.  (The Daily News Online, 8.21.09) http://www.tdn.com/articles/2009/08/21/area_news/doc4a8dee830023f418467740.txt

Buildings

Construction of a new Vancouver Community Library, a member of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, starting today, will add to a string of projects in downtown Vancouver that continues to transform the city’s core. Groundbreaking ceremonies at the southeast corner of Evergreen Boulevard and C Street will kick off work on the $38 million five-story library building that, among other amenities, will include an early learning center, roof garden and glass-enhanced interior. (Photo) (The Columbia Online, 8.14.09) http://www.columbian.com/article/20090814/BIZ01/708149946/Library+groundbreaking+to+open+next+chapter+for+Vancouver

Letters & Editorials

The picture on the front page of The Reflector of the new mid-county library in Battle Ground, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, jammed with kids was a joy to see.  It was also a welcome surprise to hear that the new library was number two in the library district’s circulation numbers in just its first month of operation. (The Reflector [Battle Ground], 7.29.09)

The last time a levy to finance the Castle Rock Library was run, it clearly received a majority of the votes, but fell nine votes short of the required 60 percent supermajority. Citizens of Castle Rock, now it’s up to us. We have another chance. The ballots are in the mail. The library is an important part of our little town. Please vote yes for the library. (Daily News [Longview], 8.5.09)

If you haven’t stopped by the new Richland Public Library yet, then do so! The improved facility is fantastic. However, if you stop by the library, think twice before checking out a large stack of books, due to the new book return system. The bottom line is: I love the new library, but I don’t want to check books out anymore because of the excruciating return system. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick}, 8.9.09)

Awards

Susan Pennington of Sequim has won the North Olympic Library System’s first slogan contest. Pennington’s winning entry says, “Libraries… Expanding our world, Enriching our lives.” The slogan is feature on shirts that are for sale at the NOLS branches in Sequim, Port Angeles, Forks and Clallam Bay. (Photo) (The Sequim Gazette, 7.29.09) http://search.sequimgazette.com/news/article.exm/2009-07-29_library_honors_slogan_author

When Rory the Library Lion goes out to spread his message about reading for the Whatcom County Library System, he now has help in the form of two lion cubs, Cubby and Bubby. A contest was held to name the new cubs and 6-year-old Kyla Bellamy of Lynden submitted the winning suggestions. (Photo) (Lynden Tribune, 7.29.09)

David Yu, a 2009 graduate of Colfax High School was named library supporter of the month during the July meeting of the Board of Trustees of Whitman County Library. Yu has regularly used the library and its many resource since he was young. Over the years, he has volunteered for the library and the Friends group in several capacities.  Most recently, Yu compiled a YouTube film detailing the Colfax library’s building project. (Photo) (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 7.30.09)

Programs and Displays

The Second Story Gallery in the Camas Public Library will be hosting an art show called “Common Connection” until Monday. Artists featured in the show are 14 to 18 years old and from schools in Poland and Tigard, Ore. The exhibition came about through an art/travel exchange between the sister cities of Camas and Krapkowice, Poland. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 7.28.09)

The Shelton Timberland Library (William G. Reed Public Library) presents outdoor concerts at the library’s amphitheater each Tuesday in August from 6 to 7:30pm.  The all-ages concert series is sponsored by the Friends of the Shelton Timberland Library. The concerts are free of charge. (Photo) (Shelton-Mason County Journal, 7.30.09)

Janet Evanovich’s “Finger Lickin’ Fifteen” topped the Sno-Isle Library’s list of downloadable books last month. Have you done it yet?  It’s free.  Just go to ww.sno-isle.org and click on “Books, Movies, Music” on the top bar.  Then select “Download Digital Media” for a list of books to download to your computer and listen to at your leisure on whatever device you have. (The Daily Herald [Everett], 8.9.09) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090809/LIVING/708099966

Summer Reading

Attempting to adequately and accurately describe Capoeira can be as challenging as the art form itself. To be fully appreciated, the truly unique Brazilian martial arts “dance” must be seen, heard and absorbed by the senses.  A Portland-based class of Capoeira students will offer local residents just that opportunity of Saturday. The group will perform a demonstration of the art form that combines martial arts, dance, ritual and music at 4pm, at the Camas Public Library. This demonstration is part of the Camas Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 7.28.09)

[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 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 Carolyn Petersen at 360.570.5560 or [email protected] ]