Clippings, February 12, 2010
Washington State Library News
Whitman Library director Kristie Kirkpatrick visited with legislators from the 9th District in Olympia last Friday to discuss Governor Gregoire’s proposed budget for 2010. The budget proposal contains deep cuts to the Washington State Library that would impact many of the programs and services now offered by Whitman County Library. Kirkpatrick asked the legislators to support restoring $987,000 to Washington State Library’s budget in order to preserve federal funds that last year amounted to $3,328,627. (Whitman County Gazette, [Colfax] 2.4.10)
In an editorial Sam Reed, Washington Secretary of State, and Jan Walsh, Washington State Librarian, understand the challenges lawmakers face as the legislature grapples with the daunting task of fixing a $2.6 billion operating budget deficit. That said, they 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. (Photos) (Tacoma Daily Index, 2.5.10) http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/searchd.cgi
In an open letter to legislative colleagues in support of the state library, former 26th District State Representative Pat Lantz made a plea for the legislature to act to save the Washington State Library.
In her letter she states that the$2 million budget cut proposed by Gov. Christine Gregoire could result in the library being unable to meet the Maintenance of Effort requirement of the Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and thus jeopardize $3.5 million in federal funds. (Photo) (Peninsula Gateway [Gig Harbor], 2.10.10) http://www.gateline.com/115/story/6219.html
Library News
As the Seattle Public Library trims branch service hours to help cut $1.7 million from its 2010 budget, the Ballard branch will see its hours increase beginning Feb. 3. Ballard is one of 11 branches that will be gaining an additional five hours per week. (Ballard News Tribune, [Seattle] 1.29.10) http://www.ballardnewstribune.com/2010/01/21/news/ballard-library-gaining-hours-others-lose-them
The Libraries of Stevens County are currently in the process of hiring new Library Managers; one for the Colville Public Library and one for the Chewelah Public Library. The Cities of Chewelah and Colville both contract with the Stevens County Rural Library District to provide management of their libraries. (The Independent, [Chewelah] 2.4.10)
Lawmakers in Olympia have a rare opportunity this session to give a green light to the Washington State Heritage Center, creating much-needed jobs, generating sales tax revenue and providing our citizens with a priceless resource that will serve as a legacy for future generations. (Tri-City Herald Online [Kennewick], 2.11.10) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/964/story/897794.html
Pasco’s contract with Mid-Columbia Libraries now is six months longer. Pasco City Council unanimously agreed Tuesday to extend the library contract to June 30, 2011. Pasco and Mid-Columbia resumed negotiations last month after receiving an unofficial Attorney General opinion that a city can choose library services and pay for them rather than receiving a package deal. City officials are concerned about increasing library costs. The library board agreed to the same extension at a special meeting Friday. (Photo) (Tri-City Herald Online [Kennewick], 2.17.10) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/904679.html
Elections
The system that operates four public libraries in Clallam County won’t be able to continue its present hours and staffing unless the organization can pass a levy lid lift in November, its executive director said Monday. The levy measure on the November 2 general election ballot will ask for an increase from 33 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation to 50 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation on property countywide to support public libraries in Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks, and Clallam Bay. (Photo) (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 2.9.10) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010302099984
The King County Library System’s ballot proposition to raise property taxes and avoid budget cutbacks has pulled ahead slightly from its narrow lead on election night. About 31 percent of the ballots have been returned and counted so far. Officials were expecting a total return of 35 percent. (Seattle Times Online, 2.10.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011038985_libraryfolo11m.html
The gap between the Renton library annexation vote tightened today by about 100 votes. Wednesday night results showed 50.8 percent of Renton was in favor of annexing its library to the King County Library System, while 49.2 opposed. There is a 178 vote gap as of Wednesday night’s tallies, with about 27 percent of Renton ballots cast. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer Online, 2.11.10) http://www.seattlepi.com/sound/415306_sound84067332.html
The gap between the Renton Library Annexation held at 46 votes Tuesday after a three-day weekend. About 31 percent of the city’s 40,927 mail-in ballots have been counted, in a vote to decide whether the City of Renton will annex its library to the King County Library System. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer Online, 2.18.10) http://www.seattlepi.com/sound/415567_sound84521057.html
Buildings
Work is progressing on Duvall’s new library, to be located on the corner of Main and Stephens Streets in historical Duval, and that plan includes plans for at least two public meetings. Conceptual plans will be shared by King County Library System staff and project architect, Johnston Architects at the two public meetings. The first meeting will be held March 16th. Every resident in the 98019 ZIP code will be sent a postcard invitation to the meeting, for a chance to ask questions and offer feedback. (Valley View, [Woodinville] 2.8.10)
Miles Yanick & Company has begun design of the Kingston Community Center. The 25,000 square foot facility will include a large general community gathering room, senior center, conference room, administrative offices and Boys & Girls Club facilities. Provisions for a future 8,000 square foot Kitsap Regional Library branch will be part of the facility plan. (Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal [Port Orchard], 2.10) http://kpbj.com/construction/2010-02-03/miles_yanick_company_designs_kingston_community_center
Letters & Editorials
As members of the Friends of the Black Diamond Library, a part of the King County Library System, we are asking everyone who has a library card and who can vote to join us on February 9 in supporting Proposition 1 to restore the property tax rate to 50 cents per $1000 of assessed value for collection in 2011. (Voice of the Valley [Maple Valley], 2.2.10)
Your editorial January 30 suggests everyone should support the school technology levy, but the “casual and non-user” of libraries should say no to the King County Library levy. Using your logic, should non-users of schools also just say no to the school levy? (Federal Way Mirror, 2.3.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/fwm/opinion/letters/83374842.html
When you vote “Yes” for your share of the property tax that provides the maintenance and operations of the King County Library System (KCLS), you are supporting the information and technological tools needed by everyone to support our democratic society. (Highline Times/Des Moines News /SeaTac News [Burien], 2.5.10) http://www.highlinetimes.com/2010/01/30/letters-editor/support-king-county-library-levy
The King County Library System needs voter help to keep a good thing going. After eight years of soaring use by patrons, those popular services and the property taxes that pay for them need a reboot at the polls. (Photo) (Seattle Times, 2.6.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2010995817_edit06book.html
People
Several changes have occurred at the local Pierce County libraries, according to Communications Director Mary Getchell. Getchell said Lynne Zieher took over for Clare Murphy as managing librarian January 2 at the Bonney Lake Pierce County Library. Murphy returned to the central office to work with the library’s electronic resources after service the Bonney Lake branch for two years. At the Sumner branch, Lisa McNamara is serving as the senior librarian. She worked at the Graham branch before coming to Sumner on Jan. 2. (Photos) (Bonney-Lake Sumner Courier-Herald [Kent], 2.3.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/pierce/bch/news/83287457.html
Programs & Displays
On Saturday, January 23rd the Upper Skagit Library celebrated its 5th birthday. It was also a community thank you for all the support the past few years. The library is starting on a new series of talks aptly named “Our Upriver Home”. The program will be helpful to newcomers who want to learn about the area. (Concrete Herald, 2.10)
The Ellensburg Public Library features Bellingham’s Linda Allen in the James Nylander Memorial Speaker Series on February 25th at 7 p.m. in the Hal Holmes Community Center. “Here’s to the Women” is Allen’s musical tribute to Washington women’s activists. (Photo) (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 2.1.10)
Members of the Mill Creek Friends of the Library held a 25th anniversary celebration, Saturday, January 30th at the Mill Creek Library. (Photo) (The Enterprise [Lynnwood], 2.3.10) http://www.enterprisenewspapers.com/article/20100203/ETP04/702039903&template=ETPZoneEDart
The Mountlake Terrace Library is offering free citizenship classes. The goal of a small group of immigrants from Iran, Kenya, Southeast Asia and Canada who meet weekly for the free class is to pass the citizenship examination that gives them the right to vote and other rights accorded native-born Americans. (Photo) (The Enterprise [Lynnwood], 2.3.10) http://www.enterprisenewspapers.com/article/20100203/ETP03/702039907&template=ETPZoneEDart
Book Sales
Fundraising efforts for a new Ferndale library received a boost Monday when Friends of the Ferndale Library presented a check for $10,000, money raised from 2009 book sales. Most of the books sell for under a dollar, which means the Friends have been keeping busy. (Photos) (Westside Record-Journal, [Ferndale] 2.10.10)
[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] ]