Library News

The Everett Public Library’s staff association usually does something nice for the community around the holidays. This time, they decided to make diaper collection their focus after reading a story in The Herald in November about the bare shelves at the Everett Gospel Women’s Shelter. By the end of the year, they had gathered a mountain of diapers – about 75 packages with a total of more than 750 diapers. (Photo) (The Daily Herald [Everett], 1.5.10) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100105/NEWS01/701059919

Customers of Mid-Columbia Libraries came through in a big way this holiday season with over 4,000 pounds of food collected during the “Food for Fines” campaign. The campaign gave Library customers the opportunity to reduce their overdue fines by $1 for each donated food item. All donated foods directly benefited local food banks. (Photo) (Othello Independent, 1.6.10)

Thanks to the spirit of several teens and the surrounding community, Roy City Library will not only be open throughout 2010, it added an additional three-hour day. The Roy library is not large in size, but it has a big support system. In the big scheme of things, three hours may seem insignificant, but those 180 minutes are highly appreciated. (Photo) (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 1.8.10)

Hours at the Naches Library, a part of Yakima Valley Libraries, have been expanded to improve access for Nile residents, who remain locked out of their own library due to the massive landslide that blocked State Route 410 in October. The rerouted highway has reopened, but the Yakima Valley Libraries system is continuing to divert Nile residents to its Naches branch. Starting today, the Naches Library will be open five more hours per week. (Yakima Herald.com, 1.14.10) http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/01/14/naches-library-hours-extended-to-help-nile-landslide-victims

The State Archives is hosting an event on January 30 that is open to the public and designed specifically with genealogy and history buffs in mind. Called the “Ruddell Riddle,” this free event uses exhibits and workshops provided by State Archives and State Library staff to explore the history of the Ruddells, one of Thurston County’s most influential pioneer families. Secretary of State Sam Reed said the event shows visitors the wide array of resources and information that the State Archives, State Library and Washington State Heritage Center make available to the public. (Northern Kittitas County Tribune [Cle Elum], 1.14.10)

Mid-Columbia Libraries and Pasco officials inched closer to creating a new contract that likely will include a new satellite library on the west side of the city in 2011. Officials from the two agencies met Thursday for their first contract negotiations session since learning last month that the state attorney general believes the new contract can be designed around what Pasco wants for services instead of a one-size-fits-all package. (Tri-City Herald Online [Kennewick], 1.15.10) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/863539.html?story_link=email_msg

Elections

The Kitsap Regional Library board of trustees will decide by late July whether to put a property tax lid lift proposition on the ballot for the November election. For KRL, the increase would be for expansion of library facilities, not to fill a shortfall caused by the recession. (Independent [Port Orchard], 1.1.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/poi/opinion/80347747.html

The North Olympic Library System will conduct public meetings at each of its libraries this month and February to introduce NOLS2012, a business plan for the library system that depends upon passage of a property tax levy. Copies of the plan are available at each library or from the NOLS Web site. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 1.8.10) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010301089982

Over the past two decades the Renton Public Library has seen continual budget cuts, while city annexations have increased demand for services. If the city doesn’t annex, city lawmakers plan to consider a special tax levy, which would almost double the library’s operating budget. The annexation vote is February 9. (Renton Reporter [Kent], 1.8.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/news/80920852.html

The same day Renton votes on annexing to the King County Library System, KCLS’s current residents will decide whether to increase the system’s taxes. The Renton City Council hasn’t decided what it would do with the money budgeted for the Renton Library System if the city annexes to KCLS. “They’ll have to pay the KCLS amount on top of what their current taxes are,” said Marcie Palmer, a City Council member who favors an independent library. (Photo) (Renton Reporter [Kent], 1.8.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/news/80920532.html

Buildings

The Yakima Valley Regional Library board of directors just approved purchase of land to build a new branch in west Yakima. The west Yakima branch is extremely busy and needs to expand. The library serves the Valley with branches in smaller communities. This would be the first facility the library has built for itself since the main Yakima branch was constructed. (Yakima Valley Business Times, 1.1.10)

After being closed seven months for repairs, the Fairhaven Library, a part of the Bellingham Public Library, reopened this week. While most of the construction work was to the 105-year-old building and the adjacent grounds, there was one noticeable difference inside: A new children’s section is straight off the main room, where the nonfiction stacks used to be. Nonfiction has moved to a smaller space off to the left of the entrance. (Bellingham Herald, 1.7.10) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/689/story/1232060.html

Beginning at the end of the summer, the King County Library System will close the Auburn Public Library to launch an extensive remodeling and expansion project that will keep the facility shuttered for up to a year. Patrons will be able to use several of the system’s other libraries during the closure—including the new Muckleshoot branch or the Algona Pacific Library. (Photo) (Auburn Reporter [Kent], 1.8.10)

Letters & Editorials

We have always been supportive of the Kitsap Library System, but we will not support a levy to build a new library in Port Orchard. Money is needed to support the total library system, which we would vote for. If Port Orchard wants a new library, let them pay for it. (Independent [Port Orchard], 1.1.10)

The plan is for the library to move into a new structure to be built on Prospect Street above the proposed underground parking garage, which will be part of a community center campus that will also house a senior center and hopefully a Boys and Girl Club Hope Center. The City Council may decide to declare the current building surplus and sell it to the highest bidder, but that won’t happen until a new library facility is built. (Independent [Port Orchard], 1.1.10)

The library system should not be wasting tax payer money to build a new library facility. Once again, if Port Orchard and Silverdale want new libraries than let them pay for them. This levy lid to build new libraries in this economy should not be pursued. The last levy failed and that was just to improve existing systems. A library levy to build a new library will fail and the system will lose credibility. (Independent [Port Orchard], 1.8.10)

While it is unclear what advantages will accrue to Renton residents if our library annexes to the King County Library System, one thing is very clear: We would be voting for a significant increase in our taxes. This money will go into a system already composed of 44 branches with no guarantee that it will be used in Renton. We would lose local control. Vote no! (Renton Reporter [Kent], 1.8.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/80921452.html

I support an independent Renton Library. If we join King County, there may be an initial bump in improved services; but given the economy and diversity of their service area, I question how well they will serve our community in the long term. Once we join, we lose our buildings and infrastructure with no turning back. (Renton Reporter [Kent], 1.8.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/80921722.html

I was personnel director at the King County Library System for five years, the same position at Seattle Public for four-plus years, a Renton Public Library board member for 12 years and a Renton resident for 30 years. I am strongly opposed to the Renton Public Library joining KCLS for the following reasons: 1. A study we performed while I was on the board conclusively determined that the cost to Renton citizens would increase by 22 to 28 percent. 2. KCLS has a central book-selection committee which would have little or no knowledge of the needs of Renton citizens. 3. Renton Public Library currently gets new books in one to two weeks. 4. Waiting time for reserves/holds would increase exponentially. 5. Renton Public Library cardholders are eligible for KCLS library cards. (Renton Reporter [Kent], 1.8.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/80921812.html

The 10-year service contract between the city of Pasco and the Mid-Columbia Library District expired in December, and discussions for a new agreement have been under way since last summer. As both sides have a different view on the formula for setting the cost of services and the services to be provided, I’ve asked for a chance to explain the city’s perspective to Herald readers. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 1.10.10) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/964/story/858432.html

People

New Yelm Library associate Kelsie Raddas isn’t an unfamiliar face to the Timberland branch’s patrons. Raddas subbed for the library, and in the summer of 2007 she replaced Heidi Larsen for three months. Reference is not the only thing Raddas will do for Yelm’s patrons. She’s also taking over Larsen’s duties with preschoolers and teens. (Photo) (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 1.8.10)

Programs & Displays

Learn about applying for citizenship by joining a class at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Mountlake Terrace Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries. The class is available to everyone whether folks are just starting to apply for citizenship, already have an interview date or would just like to know more about the process. (The Daily Herald [Everett], 1.5.10) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100105/NEWS01/701059915

Three Battle Ground artists, Jackie Aspass, Barbara Szktnik and Carol DeGregory, offer their visions of southwest Washington in an exhibit of their work at the Battle Ground Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District. Called “Three Voices from Home,” the exhibit will continue through February. The exhibit is free and open to the public. (The Reflector [Battle Ground], 1.6.10)

For the Everett Public Libraries, a Web site isn’t just an extra resource anymore. They started with podcasts, and now Everett librarians have moved on to a blog where they tell stories about books, audiobooks, and movies they’re reading, hearing and watching—complete with links to the catalogue so readers can put a hold on anything they want to check out. (Everett News Tribune [Snohomish], 1.6.10) http://snoho.com/stories/January/010610_library.html

The Aberdeen Timberland Library will kick off its popular and prolific Rainy Day Reading Reviews series Friday morning with the first of eight weekly hour-long programs. Each week features a guest reviewer talking about and reviewing his or her own book selection. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Aberdeen Timberland Library. (The Daily World [Aberdeen], 1.7.10)

Port Townsend Library and the Jefferson County Rural Library’s fourth annual Adventures in Simple Living series will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Stephanie Tourles will start the series with her program, “Living Better Never Looked or Tasted So Good,” at the Port Townsend Library. The free programs will be held every two weeks alternating between the Jefferson County Library and the Port Townsend Library. Visit the Library’s Web site at http://jclibrary.info/about/simpleliving.html to learn more. (Photo) (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 1.11.10)

Your questions can now be answered with the simple push of a few buttons using the Seattle Library’s new text reference service. Text your questions, 160 characters or less, along with the code SEA to 309-222-7740 and in just a few minutes a librarian will send you a brief answer. The new text reference service is offered 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information call 206-386-4636. (Seattle Times, 1.13.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010777028_library13m.html

Economy/Hard Times

The Pend Oreille County Library District had to recover a budget shortfall of 10 percent this year, due largely to reductions in private timber harvest tax disbursements from the state. Two shortfall recovery actions in 2009 prevented the district’s income and expenditures from becoming seriously out of balance. Revenues for 2010 are projected to be at roughly the same level as those received in 2009. (Newport Miner, 1.6.10)

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[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]]