Library News

As little as seven years ago, borrowers at the North Central Regional Library had to list, in long hand, all the books and videos they were checking out.  Today library users are downloading digital books and the software to use them on a variety of devices, from iPhones and BlackBerrys to the Sony Reader.   Downloadable audio books, which have been available in the system for about three years, have become extremely popular.  (Photo)  (Methow Valley News [Twisp], 1.13.10) http://www.methowvalleynews.com/story.php?id=2785

A big round of spending cuts is coming to the Washington State Library, and agency leaders said it means 31 lost jobs and elimination of work to preserve many of the state’s oldest historic documents.  The layoff notices are going out January 25 and taking effect through the end of June.  State librarian, Jan Walsh said that some cuts must begin taking effect in February to meet the demands of Gov. Chris Gregoire’s supplemental budget plan.  Gregoire proposed to cut $2 million over the two-year cycle ending June 2011, reducing library funding to about $11.5 million.  (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 1.19.20) http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/1034235.html

The Orcas Island Library is now open on Sundays.  The library board and staff decided that beginning January 17 through the end of June there will be a trial run to determine if library hours on Sundays are in fact important.  (The Island Sounder [Eastsound], 1.20.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/sanjuans/isj/news/81359817.html

The North Olympic Library System is scheduled to hold a public meeting at public libraries in Forks on January 26 and in Clallam Bay on February 3.  Both meetings start at 6:30 p.m.  Points of discussion include the NOLS 2012 plan for establishing a library foundation and a proposed increase in the Clallam County property tax levy the library system receives.  Clallam County voters are scheduled to vote on the proposition in the November general election.  (Forks Forum, 1.21.10)

Buildings

By some accounts an estimated 1,000 people gathered at the new Sammamish Library, a part of the King County Library System, the morning of January 9 to commemorate the facility’s grand opening.  Visit www.SammamishReview.com for a video of the opening day festivities.  (Photos) (The Sammamish Review [Issaquah], 1.13.10) http://sammamishreview.com/index.php?s=ceremony+for+new+library

As the lease nears an end for the Yelm Timberland Library, city officials think they have a solution.  “We’re having a conversation with the property owner (of Prairie Park) to renegotiate a reduced price and extend the current lease,” Mayor Ron Harding said.  (Photo)  (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 1.15.10)

http://yelmonline.com/articles/2010/01/22/local_news/doc4b5102d4eaf69999181110.txt

Elections

After an emotional evening of debate, Renton City Council decided Monday night not to take a formal stand on the upcoming library annexation vote.  Renton residents will decide February 9 whether to annex their public library to the King County Library System.  (Photo) (Renton Reporter [Kent], 1.15.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/news/81274897.html

King County Library System officials will ask voters next month to increase the property taxes to maintain programs and services at the third-busiest library system in the nation.  Officials trimmed $1.9 million from the system last year, cutting dollars for new books and other materials, technology upgrades and building maintenance.  King County voters will decide the measure, Proposition 1, on the February 9 ballot.  (Issaquah Press, 1.20.10)

http://www.issaquahpress.com/2010/01/19/library-system-asks-voters-for-funding/

Letters & Editorials

Before moving to Renton, my family lived in Kirkland and we were faithful users of the KCLS.  It was a shock to move down here and find out Renton wasn’t part of that system.  However, the shock soon gave way to gratitude.  I prefer the Renton Public Library because of shorter wait times, getting the whole series and better late fee policies. (Renton Reporter [Kent], 1.15.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/81530752.html

Renton Public Library (RPL) is a well-loved treasure in our community.  Joining the King County Library System (KCLS) is the way to go if we want to retain a vibrant, useful, and contemporary library.  (Renton Reporter [Kent], 1.15.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/81531012.html

I can’t find any advantage to joining the King County Library System.  Let’s keep decisions made by Renton residents instead of KCLS.  (Renton Reporter [Kent], 1.15.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/81530917.html

Despite the misinformation being propagated, the extensive two-year Master Plan Study concluded that joining Renton Public Library (RPL) with KCLS will cost Renton taxpayers the same or less than remaining independent.  Thus, providing Renton residents the services we need and deserve while giving us more for our money.  (Renton Reporter [Kent], 1.15.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/81531102.html

Programs & Displays

With nearly 40 programs, including job training, child and family support, housing assistance, senior services, transportation, and utility assistance – Rural Resources Community Action is able to meet a multitude of needs, but it can be a challenge connecting with people in remote areas, particularly in winter. The non-profit organization partnered with the Libraries of Stevens County to start ResourceLink this fall.  (Photo) (Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 1.13.10) http://www.statesmanexaminer.com/content/view/19595/60/

The Pierce County Library System is offering a free service intended to assist people in learning another language.  The language program offers software technology to provide interactive learning.  The service incorporates audio and visual cues to help people better retain what they learn. For more information contact Mary Getchell at 253-536-6500, ext. 136. (Bonney Lake Sumner Courier-Herald [Kent], 1.13.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/pierce/bch/news/80955537.html

The Issaquah Schools Foundation helps fund three after-school programs designed to help students with their home work.  The King County Library System also has a range of services for students.  In Issaquah, many students use the library’s Study Zone, a free tutoring service that also offers free materials to complete projects, Internet service, printing, reference materials and plenty of books.  (Photo) (Issaquah Press, 1.20.10) http://www.issaquahpress.com/2010/01/19/schools-foundation-offers-homework-help/

Economy/Hard Times

King County Library System’s Snoqualmie and North Bend libraries have seen use grow with the economic recession.  People began turning to the library more because it’s a free source of information, and here, in King County, librarians took that to heart and launched a program last spring called Look to Your Library.  The program kept libraries open extra hours, provided special seminars about re-education, job searching, resume building and how to financially plan for tough times.  (Photo)  (SnoValley Star [Issaquah], 1.7.10) http://snovalleystar.com/2010/01/06/snoqualmie-valley-libraries%e2%80%99-use-grows-with-economic-recession

Increase in book circulation at Tacoma Public Library (TPL) is up, in part a sign of the economy.  People are turning to the free entertainment offered by checking out a book, at the same time the economic uncertainty led TPL staff to cut back somewhat on book purchases.  TPL’s goal is to have a one-to-three ratio, meaning it has one book for every three people waiting for a copy. (Tacoma Weekly, 1.7.10) http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/3909/

A lot of people ask Pierce County librarians for resume help and career assistance.  So many people seek guidance that they decided to start tracking the numbers.  They discovered that in one week, about 150 people used the county’s 17 libraries to build their resume or scout out a new job.  As a result, library leaders decided to partner with the Sumner School District and the Puyallup/Sumner Chamber of Commerce for Technology Week, a weeklong program of technology classes that helps students and adults learn more about technology.  (The Herald [Puyallup], 1.20.10)

[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] ]