Washington State Library News

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. “It’s over a third of our staff, if the governor’s budget goes through, which is what makes this so devastating,” State Librarian Jan Walsh says. (The Olympian, 1.19.10) http://www.theolympian.com/legislature/story/1106455.html

The State Library, which is a division of the Office of Secretary of State, is facing heavy cuts just as needs for its services are the greatest, Secretary of State Sam Reed said.  State Librarian Jan Walsh noted that the State Library has endured significant budget and staff cuts since 1999, while most state agencies have seen their budgets increase during this period.  (Photo) (Tacoma Daily Index, 1.22.10) http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/

As state legislators work to fix a projected $2.8 billion budget hole before the 2010 legislative session ends in March, the Washington State Library once again is in the crosshairs.  Gov. Gregoire’s budget proposal would cut $2 million from the state library, resulting in 31 full-time or part-time workers losing their jobs. State Librarian Jan Walsh said the state library offers important services for vulnerable citizens, including the visually impaired and those who are out of work or struggling to cope during the tough economy. (Stanwood Camano News, 1.26.10) http://www.scnews.com/news/2010-01-26/Camano_Scene/State_library_facing_budget_cuts__again.html

With a statewide $2.6 billion shortfall, cuts have been made in most all agencies and departments, but the Washington State Library has been particularly hard-hit.  State Librarian Jan Walsh, along with like-minded legislators and the organization Friends of the Washington State Library are fighting the cuts. (City Arts Magazine Online, 1.26.10) http://www.cityartsmagazine.com/blog/2010/01/book-junkie-library-cuts-cut-deep

As the state legislature grapples with the daunting task of fixing a $2.6 billion operating budget deficit, we understand the challenges that lawmakers face. There is plenty of pain to go around.  That said, we implore the Legislature to not once again make our Washington State Library a budget casualty.  It would be penny-wise and pound-foolish, and would unravel a significant service to state government, our local libraries and Washingtonians who increasingly rely on the support during these difficult times. (The News Tribune Online [Tacoma], 2.3.10) http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/regionalvoices/story/1054724.html

Library News

The Richland Public Library is asking its cardholders to stop by the library during January to get a free, updated library card.  The new cards feature a picture of the renovated and expanded library and are personalized with the patron’s photograph.  Library cards are available at no charge to all Richland residents and the annual card cost for others is $30. (Tri-City Area Journal of Business [Kennewick], 1.2010) http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/2010/01/shoptalk-7/

Here’s some good news for those of us who frequent the downtown Spokane Public Library: Beginning January 25, it will be open Mondays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  It has been closed on Monday’s since 2005 for budgetary reasons, but the library has been able to restructure its staffing to make this work. The Northwest Room will remain closed on Mondays, however.  (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 1.10.10)

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 [Kennewick], 1.15.10) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/yahoonews/story/863539.html

If only we all could remain so fresh, new and relevant as we age.  Come January 23 we should stop by the Ellensburg Public Library and ask for its tricks.  The library is celebrating its 100^th birthday this year with a luncheon and open house. (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 1.15.10)

The history of Ellensburg getting its very own library supports the observation that often the best man for the job is, indeed, a woman.  In this case it was many women led by Katharina Mayer Murray in her Ladies Municipal Improvement Society.  Research by Milton Wagy, Ellensburg Public Library’s reference and local history librarian, is telling. (Photos) (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 1.16.10) http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/articles/2010/01/17/news/doc4b5171293f89e129412008.txt

As part of the Columbia County Rural Library District (CCRLD) 2009 Washington Rural Heritage Grant,(editor’s note: LSTA grant) the Library District would like to scan photographs and/or original death certificates of pioneer families who died in the 1800s to early 1900s.  The photographs will be part of a cemetery record digitization project that CCRLD is doing. (Dayton Chronicle, 1.20.10)

E-book, Kindle, Nook, iPad.  The marketing hype is bombarding consumers and publishers as tech companies push the evolution of reading from paper to pixel.  But what if you’re a Kitsap Regional Library (KRL) user, or an Olympic College student who doesn’t want to buy your books?  Can your Kindle get books from the library?  Sort of.  As the system exists now, choice is limited, and several technological hurdles are yet to be scaled, librarians said. (The Seattle Times Online, 1.31.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010947444_ereaders01m.html

Elections

Voters will decide in the all-mail special election next month whether to lift the state lid on property tax levies so the King County Library System can raise additional operating revenue.  The total revenue generated by a successful Proposition 1 vote would become the base for additional levy increases of 1 percent each year as allowed by law. (Bothell Reporter [Kent], 1.20.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/north_king/bkn/community/81995862.html

Buildings

When the Sammamish Branch of the King County Public Library System opens its doors on January 9, the people of the Plateau will welcome into their growing city a building which is not only a vital resource but one that its designers hope will become a place of congregation and community.  (Photo) (Issaquah-Sammamish Reporter [Kent], 1.8.10)

Spokane County may soon eradicate 10,000 books.  No “Fahrenheit 451” worries, though.  The doomed literature is just law books that no longer fit in the county law library.  The library moved last fall and now occupies about a thousand fewer square feet.  Law librarian Cynthia Lucas said she contacted other libraries and couldn’t find any interest in the displaced books.  (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 1.12.10)

They’ve been talking about redeveloping the ancient Lake Hills Shopping Center for over ten years now. The new, more spacious Lake Hills Library will be the anchor tenant, and according to community meetings held last year, the building was to be complete in October and the library was to be open to the public at the start of January 2010.  While the finger-pointing continues over construction delays, the merchants in the shopping center are suffering. (Photos) (Seattle Post-Intelligencer Online, 1.27.10) http://blog.seattlepi.com/bellevuecitynews/archives/192581.asp

Letters & Editorials

The people of Sammamish are very excited and pleased with our new library that opened January 9.  This beautiful, “green” building was paid for with King County Library System capital funds.  Now we need to pass Proposition 1 to keep it and the other 43 libraries in the system operating up to capacity. (The Sammamish Review [Issaquah], 1.20.10) http://sammamishreview.com/2010/01/19/sammamish-forum-january-20

The people of Kenmore may know me as a member of the Kenmore Library Advisory Board, but I write today as a private citizen.  I urge you to vote yes on Proposition 1 in the upcoming election.  A yes vote will help to restore the property tax rate to previous levels in order to support the King County Library System, the third busiest library system in the country. (Bothell Reporter [Kent], 1.20.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/north_king/bkn/opinion/letters/81388797.html

Yelm City Hall needs to get serious about the library’s future and demonstrate leadership to have our library in a public facility, and not a “band-aid” approach operating in a private, rented building.  The Yelm Timberland Regional Library is funded by property taxpayers all over the library’s taxing district. A regional approach is required by the mayor and City Council to properly use taxpayer money for a public facility. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 1.22.10)

The recent article detailing cuts to the state library (TNT, 1-19) failed to note that the governor’s proposed budget puts services to prisoners ahead of those for the disabled.  WTTBL provides a crucial window on the world to nearly 8,000 citizens statewide who would otherwise have little or no access to the printed world, something most of us take for granted.  I strongly urge the Legislature to reconsider the governor’s misguided decision. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 1.26.10) http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/letters/story/1043983.html

People

Regan Robinson is leaving as head librarian of the Lynden Library for an administration position in the Whatcom County Library System (WCLS).  Robinson will take the place of Sigrid Brorson, who is retiring after 35 years with WCLS. Robinson came with experience in the Stevens County Library System and also with libraries in King and Spokane counties. (Lynden Tribune, 1.20.10)

Awards

The Port Townsend Public Library has received $47,500 from the Office of the Secretary of State and Washington State Library as part of the Renew Washington Project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.  The money is providing not only materials for new workshops but also training for library staff to better assist job seekers and to increase the library’s collection. (Photo) (The Leader [Port Townsend], 1.20.10)

Programs & Displays

To help promote literacy and raise funds for the teen summer reading program, the White Salmon Valley Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, invites the public to participate in a Scrabble tournament on Saturday, January 23.  Everyone will play on a team of two and the suggested donation is $5 per team. (The Enterprise [White Salmon], 1.14.10)

WORC or Whitman County Library’s Occupational Resource Connection programs will provide job seekers the resources they need to conduct a successful job search or explore career changes.  Workshops and additional computer access time are currently being scheduled in communities throughout Whitman County. WORC programs are made possible through a grant from the Office of the Secretary of State, Washington State Library as a part of the Renew Washington Project, which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.  (The Eagle & Boomerang [Palouse], 1.14.10)

CORKIE the Robot will be at the Richland Public Library at 10 a.m. on January 25 and 26 as part of an education program. CORKIE, which stands for the City of Richland’s Kids Interactive Educator, will help Franklin Conservation Educators teach a water quality and awareness program. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 1.18.10) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/yahoonews/story/867243.html

Colville Public Library, part of Stevens County Rural Library District, is issuing a challenge during the month of March to city residents and everyone in the surrounding area.  Called The SPARK Initiative, this month-long event calls on local citizens to perform one hour of community service sometime during the month’s 31 days.  The SPARK, which stands for Spreading Positive Action, Recreation and Knowledge, will have a display set up at Colville Public Library and plans to keep track of all hours via email and drop-off sites around town. (Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 1.20.10) http://www.statesmanexaminer.com/content/view/20220/60/

When Ruth Reichl comes to Pierce County, she’ll be treated as a nationally admired author.   Her book “Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise”: a New York Times best seller, has been chosen as this year’s annual Pierce County Reads program, which begins tomorrow. Now in its third year, the program selects a book for Pierce County residents to read together to share experiences and build community. The Pierce County Reads program runs January 25 – April 3, presenting more than 50 free events on food-related topics. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 1.24.10) http://www.thenewstribune.com/soundlife/story/1041931.html

The Seattle Public Library has expanded its online homework-assistance service in English and Spanish to include support for immigrants, job seekers and college students, in addition to K-12 students. Online Homework Help, a free online tutoring service, allows library patrons to get immediate help from qualified tutors by visiting www.spl.org and selecting “Homework Help” from the “Quick Links” menu. Seattle Public Library cardholders can use the service from library computers, in school or at home from 3 to 11 p.m. daily. (Seattle Times, 1.28.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010910957_library28m.html

Economy/Hard Times

During tough economic times, layoffs and terminations have affected many in Jefferson County.  The Port Townsend Library, with funding from a “hard times” grant, ( is reaching out to those seeking jobs and coping with emotional stress of being unemployed or fearing job loss. The first series of six consecutive workshops, titled “Transition Yourself,” begins Monday January 25.  Classes are Mondays and Tuesdays and are free to all.  (editor’s note: Renew Washington grant is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services) (Photo) (The Leader [Port Townsend], 1.20.10)

Fifteen branches of the Seattle Public Library will reduce their hours beginning this week as part of budget cuts adopted last year by the Seattle City Council.  Eleven branches will be open 60 hours a week, seven days a week.  For those branches, that’s an increase of 5 hours a week, a move to provide services to library-goers at branches where hours are being reduced.  (The Seattle Times Online, 1.30.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010939790_library31m.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] ]