Library News

The Cathlamet Town Council worked over its 2010 budget. As a result, Mayor Swart said he would approach the Wahkiakum County board of commissioners to seek a contribution of $6,000 to $7,000 for library operations. (The Wahkiakum Co. Eagle [Cathlamet], 10.15.09) http://www.waheagle.com/stories/101509/008.html

During a public hearing regarding the 2010 city budget, Seattle City Council members heard from many speakers concerned about funding for the Seattle Public Library system in 2010. (Photo) (Ballard News Tribune [Seattle], 10.16.09) http://www.ballardnewstribune.com/2009/10/07/news/residents-plea-bicycle-library-human-services-funding

For those interested in genealogy, the Washington State Library offers a free obituary service. The library has issues of state newspapers dating back to the late 1800s. Visit the obituary requests page on the library web site that explains the service. www.secstate.wa.gov/library/obituaries.aspx (The South County Sun [Royal City], 10.22.09) http://newsnik.net/?s=Library+offers+obit+service

The Rainier Library is completely run by volunteers. About 35 volunteers have signed up to volunteer their time for training and staffing the library. While they are still plugging away at getting the facility open, no firm date has been set for the library’s opening date. It is predicted that the library may open Saturday, November 14. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 10.23.09)

As the City of Ephrata looks for ways to cover predicted shortfalls in 2010, one proposed solution would be to cut hours at the library. (Photo) (Columbia Basin Herald [Moses Lake], 10.26.09) http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2009/10/26/news/doc4ae60c7ab9c0e321541157.txt

Fort Vancouver Regional Library District officials have agreed to shelve a move toward new fines and will focus on speeding up turnover of items. (Photos) (Columbian (Only in print edition) [Vancouver], 10.28.09)

Discussion on whether Pasco will renew its contract for library services will continue between representatives of the city and the Mid-Columbia Library District. Negotiations began in August after city council members questioned whether Pasco was receiving the services they felt the city was paying for. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 10.28.09)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/yahoonews/story/770438.html

Starting today, people can reserve up to two hours on a Pierce County Library computer for no charge. As the economy has worsened, people are cancelling their high speed Internet at home and using the library’s free public computers. (The News Tribune [Tacoma]. 11.2.09) http://blog.thenewstribune.com/business/2009/11/02/free-computer-time-for-job-seekers/

Negotiations between Pasco and Mid-Columbia Libraries are on hold while they wait for an opinion from the state attorney general. The city has been looking for ways to cut the cost of library services, including negotiating a new rate from the library district or starting its own library. (Photo) (Tri-City Herald Online [Kennewick], 11.9.09) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/785684.html?story_link=email_msg

Worried about overdue library fines? Mid-Columbia Libraries is telling you to “can” it. Starting Sunday, the library will be accepting donations of food to reduce overdue fees during the Food for Fines event. Library patrons can trade one food item for a $1 reduction in fines. Donations beyond the $10 fine limit will be accepted but will not apply toward library fees. (Tri-City Herald Online [Kennewick], 11.12.09) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/789777.html?story_link=email_msg

Elections 

A tax increase proposal that would help maintain library services across Snohomish and Island counties gained a little breathing room Wednesday as another large batch of ballots was counted. The “yes” vote for Sno-Isle Libraries Proposition 1 inched up to from 51.1 to 51.4 percent after another 10,000 ballots were tabulated. The new total is 51,421 to 48,531 in favor of the measure. (The Daily Herald Online [Everett], 11.5.09) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20091105/NEWS01/711059921#Library.tax.holds.slim.approval

A proposition that would increase property taxes to maintain services in the Whatcom County Library System was holding on to its slim approval Wednesday, Nov. 4. It was passing with 50.8 percent of the 22,214 votes counted so far. The measure was ahead by just 366 votes.

(The Bellingham Herald, 11.5.09) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/1144706.html

Buildings

The King County Library System has requested bids for tenant upgrades to the Lake Hills Library. The scope of work is to construct a tenant improvement build-out of a one-story, 9,814 sf shell. Work includes library space, staff areas, and a meeting room. Interior finish includes all perimeter gypsum board, signage, furniture, and all associated mechanical and electrical systems excluding piping above the wood deck ceiling. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 10.28.09)

Secretary of State Sam Reed is changing plans for the Heritage Center project on the Capitol campus in Olympia. A smaller, cheaper structure could be built near where Interstate 5 traffic enters the campus. The cost would be scaled back from $141 million to $116 million because of declining revenue from real estate recording and business incorporation fees. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 10.28.09)

http://www.djc.com/news/co/12011553.html?query=King+County+Library+System+bids+upgrades+Lake+Hills&searchtype=any

The King County Library System plans to add parking space next year to the car-crowded Bellevue Regional Library with an underground parking structure beneath its existing surface lot. Money for the new parking facility comes from a $172 million capital bond approved by voters in 2004. (Photo) (Bellevue Reporter [Kent], 10.28.09)

Letters & Editorials

I read that for a $250,000 house, taxes will increase by $26 with Proposition 1. But I am a low-income renter, so the tax will not affect me. So here is what I decided: I am going to cobble together that $26 and send it to WCLS (Whatcom County Library System) as seed money to hopefully snowball into a landslide of “yes” votes so the library can carry on their splendid work here. (Bellingham Herald, 10.24.09) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/letters/story/1123498.html

Jonalyn Woolf-Ivory, Sno-Isle Libraries Director, explains why an increase to the library levy rate is needed. My daughter and 2-year-old grandson Ari used to go to Seattle regularly to visit the zoo. The current economy has changed that. Now, their destination is the library – for toddler storytimes, children’s books or free DVDs. They are among many individuals and families who find themselves turning to their local library (Sno-Isle Libraries) during difficult economic times. (The Daily Herald [Everett], 10.24.09) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20091024/OPINION03/710249994

In April we wrote an editorial saying the Whatcom County Library System should not request a tax increase no, during the worst economic times in decades. Last week we met with library officials and the leader of the Libraries Yes lobbying group to talk about why they are requesting the increase on this year’s general election ballot. We have not changed our core belief that there has never been a worse time for higher taxes. (Bellingham Herald, 10.25.09)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/315/story/1127393.html

I am a resident of Lummi Island and am very worried about the future of our branch library and the fate of the Whatcom County libraries. Vote “yes” for our communities, vote “yes” for libraries. (Bellingham Herald, 10.27.09)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/letters/story/1131082.html

As a voter and taxpayer of Lynden, I urge other voters to help pass Proposition 1 so current levels of service can be maintained at our rural libraries. (Lynden Tribune, 10.28.09) http://www.lyndentribune.com/node/5059

Do you like libraries? We know these are tough times, but in tough times we need libraries more than ever. Vote yes on Whatcom County Rural Library District Proposition 1. (Lynden Tribune, 10.28.09) http://www.lyndentribune.com/node/5059

I received an email from amazon.com detailing a book they thought I would like. Amazon.com showed me other books in the same category that I might be interested in. I knew there was no way that I could buy all these books. I decided to see if any of them were in our library system (Freeland Library, a part of the Sno-Isle Libraries). THEY ALL WERE. Please vote yes on the library levy. (South Whidbey Record [Langley], 10.28.09)

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/swr/opinion/letters/66942312.html

Please vote yes on Proposition 1 – the levy lid lift for Whatcom County libraries. To quote my neighbor, it’s the price of a pizza! (Lynden Tribune, 10.28.09) http://www.lyndentribune.com/node/5059

Awards

The Whatcom County Library System recently received a $50,000 grant from the Washington State Library to better provide for the needs of low-income residents during the current economic downturn. “The grant will be used to help low-income and non-English speaking residents learn basic computer skills, find and use job and career resources, file online job applications and locate job and educational opportunities,” said Lizz Roberts, WCLS spokeswoman. The Washington State Library received $515,000 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as $400,000 in federal funds, to distribute in grants to Washington libraries. (Bellingham Herald, 10.30.09) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/1137959.html

The Washington State Library gave a $50,000 grant to the King County Library System (KCLS) to develop an online resource center for struggling small business owners and entrepreneurs. The online resource center, called InfoBiz, will offer streaming videos, tutorials and podcasts on demand, detailing business strategies, resources and concepts presented by local business experts. In addition, KCLS librarians will create online videos and tutorials to teach small business owners to use the library’s resources for their own business needs. Support for the grant came from the Renew Washington Project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Gates Foundation originally awarded the money to the Washington State Library, who gave the money to the King County Library System as a sub-grant. (Photo) (The Daily Tell [Bellevue], 10.30.09) http://www.thedailytell.com/2009/10/washington-state-library-gives-50000-grant-for-online-small-business-tutorials/

Programs & Displays

Jack Gunter, a well-known Camano Island artist and author, first created the simple black-and-white flying pig back in the 1980s to make his dying brother smile. Gunter returned to the area recently and spoke about his new book “A Pictorial History of the Pacific Northwest Including the Future” at the Everett Public Library. (Photos) (The Daily Herald [Snohomish], 10.23.09)

The Anacortes Public Library Foundation holds its second annual murder mystery fundraiser. Proceeds will be used to purchase books and other library materials. (Photo) (Anacortes American, 10.28.09)

Rise to the challenge during National Novel Writing Month and write a 175-page novel by midnight Nov. 30. The King County Library System is hosting NaNoWriMo, a month-long series of free writing workshops to support you along the way. For a full list of NaNoWriMo writing workshops and resources: www.kcls.org/events/nanowrimo.cfm (Seattle Times, 11.2.09)

Economy/Hard Times

At a recent meeting, the North Olympic Library System (NOLS) board of trustees tackled a $176,000 budget shortfall for 2010. Anticipating more staff cuts next year, the library staff union approved a two-week furlough: everyone takes unpaid time off and all branches close. That would save about $70,000 in personnel costs. Library staff suggested fewer cuts and an increase in overdue fines, charges for computer use and new library cards, and a best-sellers rental program. (The Sequim Gazette, 10.28.09) http://search.sequimgazette.com/news/article.exm/2009-10-28_nols_faces_$176k__shortfall_by_2010

Washington State’s libraries are hurting. The Great Recession – coupled with the voters’ frequent unwillingness to exempt libraries from the draconian limits imposed by Tim Eyman’s ill-conceived Initiative 747 – has resulted in reduced hours, cutbacks, and lost services in community after community. Now Eyman’s Initiative 1033 is threatening to slowly strangle libraries to death by freezing what funding they have left. If Initiative 1033 takes effect, libraries could eventually reach a point where they become so underfunded that they have to be shut down. (Photo) (Northwest Progressive Institute Advocate [Redmond], 10.30.09)

http://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2009/10/tim-eymans-initiative-1033-would.html

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced more than $4 million in new funding that will help 10 community foundations, the Washington State Library, and the Legal Aid for Washington Fund (LAW Fund) increase assistance for Washingtonians facing economic hardship. The grants will provide resources for residents as they look for work or seek support for basic needs, including food and family programs. Funds will also help to provide legal services for low-income families who face increasing economic hardship or unsafe living conditions. “The recession has affected thousands of families in our state, and many need a hand as they work toward economic recovery and stability,” said William H. Gates, Sr. co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “At the same time, many of Washington’s community support organizations are stretched thin by meeting a growing demand for services at a time when it’s difficult to raise funds. “ (Lake Stevens Journal, 10.29.09)

http://www.lakestevensjournal.com/county-state/article.exm/2009-10-29_new_grants_will_support_washingtonians_hit_hardest_by_the_recession

With the Seattle Public Library facing a 5 percent or $2.6 million budget cut, it says it will have to close most branch libraries two days a week next year, as well as closing all libraries for a week. Seattle Public Library reports that library usage in the city has soared, from 4.5 million in-person and virtual visitors in 2000 to 13.2 million last year. The Seattle Library proposal for 2010 would cut service hours by 23 percent and 21 of the branches would limit access to 35 hours a week. (The Seattle Times, 11.1.09) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010177666_library01m.html

Pierce County Library System is facing at least $1 million in cuts over the next year. But there are no plans to slash services or hours of operation at the system’s 17 branches. In fact, officials are moving forward with a new building in University Place and a new branch in Fife that was approved by voters in last week’s general election. Most of the cuts will come from staff, according to library spokeswoman Mary Getchell. (The News Tribune Online [Tacoma], 11.9.09) http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/947042.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 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] ]