Library News

Seattle Public Library representatives recently attended the International Book Fair in Guadalajara, after which they acquired more than one thousand new Spanish-language titles that will be appearing on the library’s shelves throughout 2010.  Rachel Martin, selection librarian, offers her picks for Spanish readers young and mature.  Visit spl.org  to browse the full catalog. (City Arts Magazine [Seattle], 01.2010)

The Friends of the Point Roberts Library, a part of the Whatcom County Library System, have had a fun and productive year. Funds raised by the Friends support library activities for children throughout the year, the summer reading programs, periodicals for all ages and library social events.  The Friends also want to say thank you to all who supported the levy lid lift.  Passage of this measure allows our library to continue at its current level of service. (All Point Bulletin [Point Roberts], 01.10.2010)

Elections

The North Olympic Library System will conduct public meetings at each of its libraries this month and February to introduce NOLS 2012, a business plan for the library system that depends upon passage of a property tax levy. The plan is based on the establishment of a library foundation and an increase in the library’s property tax levy to be put before Clallam County voters in November.  (Peninsula Daily News Online, 01.08.2010) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20100108/news/301089982

Buildings

There was plenty of work left to do to prepare for the January 9 opening of the Sammamish Library, a part of the King County Library System, as librarians were still working out some details around the building and situating all the books. Not only twice the size of the old library, Sammamish’s newest public space will provide more technology, more overall resources and easier access to the approximately 106,600 books, periodicals, CDs and DVDs, all in a more cozy atmosphere. (Photos) (The Sammamish Review [Issaquah], 12.30.09) http://sammamishreview.com/2009/12/30/welcome-to-the-new-sammamish-library

The King County Library System is not only celebrating the New Year, but the opening of a new library, too.  The new Sammamish Library opens Saturday, and the public is invited to help celebrate. The celebration begins as the library opens its doors for the first time at 10 a.m. (Photo) (Seattle Times, 01.08.2010)

Letters & Editorials

My name is Francois and I would like to give special thanks to a special librarian.  Jody Glaubman has been a real mentor to me for many years, and has guided me through many amazing novels.   Jody, this one is for you: Thank you for all of your amazing help! (The Leader [Port Townsend], 12.30.09)

People

After leading an estimated thousand story times, children’s librarian Scott Blume has retired from the Bellingham Public Library. Blume was the head of the children’s department for the past 28 years.  His official last day was Thursday, Dec. 31. (Photo) (Bellingham Herald, 01.01.2010) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/689/story/1225288.html

Awards

The Quincy City Council approved submitting an application for a $900,000 Community Development Block Grant to pay for a new library.  The federally-funded, state-administered grant helps low to moderate income areas with public or community facilities, economic development, housing rehabilitation, public services and planning projects.  The state rejected Quincy’s last two attempts to obtain the grant in 2009. (Photo) (Columbia Basin Herald Online, 01.08.2010) http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/articles/2010/01/11/news/doc4b47b359885d9088445851.txt

Programs & Displays

Three Battle Ground artists will offer their visions of southwest Washington during an exhibition of their work at the Battle Ground Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library System.  Called “Three Voices from Home,” the exhibit will open Tues., Jan. 5, and continue through Sat., Feb. 7.  The exhibit is free and open to the public. (Photo) (The Reflector [Battle Ground], 12.30.09)

The Lynnwood Arts Commission presents artwork by fiber artist Grace Willard and photographs by photographer Donald Simpson now through Jan. 7 at the Lynnwood Library Gallery, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries.  (Photo) (The Enterprise [Lynnwood], 12.30.09) http://www.enterprisenewspapers.com/article/20091230/ETP15/712309959&template=ETPZoneEDart

On Saturday, Tumwater Timberland Regional Library will launch a series of monthly workshops for those looking for jobs.  The library staff will lead the job-hunting workshops on the second Saturday of each month from Saturday through June 12 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the library’s meeting room. (The Olympian, 01.05.2010) http://www.theolympian.com/living/story/1090528.html

Both Kay Brightman and Jane Gray remember the joy and memories that were created from something as simple as picking out a book and sitting down with their children.  In light of that thought, Brightman and Gray have formed the Welcome Baby Committee, an extension of the Colville Library, a part of the Libraries of Stevens County, Improvement Club that is dedicated to education parents in the area about the importance of early literacy to children, particularly newborns and infants. (Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 01.06.2010) http://www.statesmanexaminer.com/content/view/18879/60/

A series of classic movies begins Monday at the Bonney Lake Library, a part of the Pierce County Library System.  The Friends of the Bonney Lake Library sponsor the series and movie showings at 6 p.m. Mondays.  (Bonney Lake Sumner Courier-Herald [Kent], 01.06.2010)

Author and artist Peter Brown will present his new children’s book, “The Curious Garden,” from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. on January 19 at the Ballard Public Library, a part of the Seattle Public Library. The program is free and open to the public. (Ballard News Tribune [Seattle], 01.08.2010) http://www.ballardnewstribune.com/2010/01/06/news/children%E2%80%99s-author-peter-brown-ballard-library

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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] ]