Washington State Library News

Lawmakers in Olympia have a rare opportunity this session to give a green light to the Washington State Heritage Center.  The Heritage Center would serve the entire state of Washington. It bring together the state Archives, State Library, educational experiences, public gathering spaces and history displays under one roof, and also makes it all accessible online to a statewide and global audience. (Northern Kittitas County Tribune [Cle Elum], 3.4.10)

Senate Democrat’s capital-projects plan release Friday doesn’t include help for the Heritage Center project on the state Capital Campus, which appears to delay the projects start for at least another year. (The Olympian, 3.6.10) http://www.theolympian.com/2010/03/06/1162371/no-funds-in-plan-to-build-heritage.html

Library News

Arlington Friends of the Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries, is seeking new members.  The organization provides funding for special programs at the library.  New people are encouraged to join. For more info call 360-435-3033. (The Herald [Everett], 3.5.10)

The Sultan Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries, celebrates its 100^th birthday this year.  As part of the ongoing celebration, the library invites people to bring in their oldest book between March 1 and March 25.  The owner of the oldest book will win a Sultan Library Centennial book bag full of goodies, a certificate and will be made an honorary lifetime member of the Friends of the Sultan Library. (Monroe Monitor & Valley News, 3.9.10) http://www.monroemonitor.com/Issues/030210issue/0302106.pdf

The Oroville City Council gave the Friends of the Library, a part of the North Central Regional Library System, permission to proceed with an application for a grant that would partially fund a new library. The council agreed March 2 to sponsor the group’ efforts to get a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant for rural libraries. (The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, 3.10.10)

Buildings

It’s an exciting time for Fort Vancouver Regional Library users in Clark County.  Two roomy new buildings opened in Battle Ground and east Vancouver last year, and a flagship Vancouver Community Library is fast rising in the city’s downtown.  The Battle Ground and Cascade Park branch libraries are, respectively, three times and 10 times larger than their predecessors. (Photo) (Columbian [Vancouver], 2.28.10) http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/feb/28/new-libraries-greet-regions-readers/

Despite urging from library project supporters to approve a reduced-rate contract for Ferndale library architects, city council voted unanimously to wait to see whether certain items could be secured. Several members of council said they didn’t want to approve the contract until they knew for certain that the land for the project would be available. (Westside Record-Journal [Ferndale], 3.3.10)

West Valley residents would get a brand new library to replace the current branch in the Chalet Mall under a proposal by the Yakima Valley Libraries board of directors. The library filed an application with the city of Yakima on Tuesday.  The new library would be about 2,500 square feet larger than the current West Valley branch. (Yakima Herald-Republic, 3.3.10) http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/03/02/new-expanded-library-planned-for-west-valley

Administrators with the King County Library System, gearing up for an ambitious remodel of Vashon’s small branch library, say they’ve already learned much about the Island’s reading habits. The analysis is one of many steps under way in an effort to ensure that Vashon’s expanded branch library meets Islander’s needs. (The Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber, 3.3.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/vashon/vib/news/86000147.html

King County Library System officials released detailed plans for the Newcastle Library last month.  The library will be 11,000 square feet with 44 parking stalls, and most of the stalls will be in an underground parking garage beneath the library. (Photo) (The Newcastle News [Issaquah], 3.5.10) http://www.newcastle-news.com/2010/03/04/kcls-details-plans-for-newcastle-library

Central Whidbey residents will have a chance to check out a book while checking out what $2.3 million worth of taxpayer bond will purchase. The newly renovated Coupeville Public Library, a part Sno-Isle Libraries, is scheduled to open 10 a.m. on Monday, March 8. The announcement was made this week. (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 3.6.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/wnt/business/86638962.html

A spacious new library in the heart of Duvall is not the closest it’s been in six years to becoming a reality. The King County Library System last week submitted a formal application and preliminary site plan for the development of an 8,000 square foot new library. The application is now in review at the Duvall Planning Department, a process which can take as long as 28 days. (Valley View [Woodinville], 3.8.10)

The Yakima Valley Library is calling for comments on the West Valley Library, a construction of a 10,800 square foot regional library with parking for 54. Comments are due by March 22. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 3.9.10)

To the delight of a swarm of excited Coupeville residents, the new Coupeville library building, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries, opened its doors Monday after more than eight months of renovation. Within the first hour after its 10 a.m. opening, 109 people visited the newly expanded facility.  By the end of the day, more than 800 people had come through its doors. (Photo) (The Whidbey Examiner [Coupeville], 3.10.10) http://www.whidbeyexaminer.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=3598&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&S=1

Letters and Editorials

Vashon activists who have spent countless hours trying to get the King County Library System (KCLS) to listen to them and the Island residents they represent are understandably frustrated.  The relationship between Vashon and KCLS has been rocky for years.  One skilled administrator can’t erase that history. (The Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber, 3.3.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/vashon/vib/opinion/85998852.html

Cutbacks in library services have been announced.  This year is beginning to prove to be one of challenges for our schools and libraries; our city, state and federal governments. (Forks Forum, 3.4.10)

“Fight!” The simple blog post from Save Our Renton Library sums up all that’s left of the Renton library annexation vote.  Monday, the King County Library System began its process of integrating Renton, but passionate opposers are threatening to slap the City of Renton with a lawsuit over a FAQ flyer. (Photo) (Renton Reporter [Kent], 3.5.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/news/85973052.html

Welcome to Renton, King County Library System.  To those who wanted to pull the welcome mat, it’s time to move on.  The results of the February 9 election, while close, still reflect the will of the people.  The decision to give up a nearly 100-year-old library system should have been agonizing. (Photo) (Renton Reporter [Kent], 3.5.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/86373052.html

I spent a few hours last week with some of the 25 visually impaired people who gathered Tuesday in the state Legislative Building to celebrate Braille Awareness Day.  So much information about Louise Braille’s incredible life is on public display on the Legislative Building’s third floor through March 15 as part of the National Braille Press’ Louise Braille traveling exhibit, hosted in part in this state by the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library, an arm of the Washington State Library. (The Olympian, 3.7.10) http://www.theolympian.com/2010/03/07/1163369/braille-provides-path-to-independence.html

A good friend of mine went into the library a little while ago.  She was standing in line to check out her choices and she heard a funny noise behind her.  When she turned to look she got a good view of the pornography that was being viewed by an adult male. It seems to me that this is a dangerous situation for the children at the library.  My friend felt violated.  (Stanwood Camano News, 3.9.10) http://www.scnews.com/news/2010-03-09/Letters_to_the_Editor/Pornography.html

When money is tight, businesses and governments cinch in their belts in an effort to remain competitive.  With that tightening, one has to examine which services are essential to our community.  Public libraries have a profound social and economic impact, but because they are free of charge and do not carry a price tag, their value is often diminished or seldom measured. (The Herald [Puyallup], 3.10.10)

Awards

Job seekers have new resources available to them at the Goldendale Community Library and all other Fort Vancouver Regional Library (FVRL) District locations, thanks to a grant-funded Get Job Help @ Your Library program that began in February. (Sentinel [Goldendale], 3.4.10) http://www.goldendalesentinel.com/features/2010features/03-04-10_features.htm

A King County Library System jobs outreach project received a third national award, library officials announced last week.  “Look to Your Library” – a community outreach project by the library system – has been named a winner in the 64^th Annual John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award Competition, sponsored by the H. W. Wilson Company and coordinated by the Library Leadership and Management Association. (The Sammamish Review [Issaquah], 3.3.10)

Three programs will receive grants of $500 each from the Whatcom County Library Foundation this spring.  The three causes are: the Parent and Child reading program involving inmates at the Whatcom County Jail; reading incentives for the Teen Summer Reading Program; and the annual Ferndale poetry festival Poetry Reigns & Reins & Rains.  (Westside Record-Journal [Ferndale], 3.3.10)

Four Mid-Columbia Libraries will benefit from broadband internet expansion made possible by a federal stimulus grant.  Northwest Open Access Network, a Tacoma-based nonprofit mutual corporation, received an $84 million grant to provide broadband internet access to 57 libraries, 22 government facilities, 38 medical centers, two tribal service centers and four community colleges. The Kahlotus, Connell, Eltopia and Othello libraries are among the libraries to benefit from the expansion. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 3.6.10) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/03/06/931020/4-libraries-to-get-faster-internet.html

The Timberland Regional Library system will benefit from the $84 million grant the state received last week to significantly expand broadband Internet access in rural communities. It isn’t yet clear how much money Timberland will get to expand the fiber-optic network for libraries in Grays Harbor, Pacific and Lewis counties. (Daily World [Aberdeen], 3.8.10)

Programs and Displays

To commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the 1910 Wellington avalanche disaster, the Everett Public Library will host a public presentation by Gary Krist. The program will take place in the main library auditorium on February 28.  This event is free and open to the public. (Everett News Tribune [Snohomish], 2.24.10)

The Edmonds Arts Commission presents an exhibit featuring encaustic paintings by John Vandebrooke.  The exhibit at Edmonds Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries, runs now through March 31, 2010.  Encaustic art involves a technique in which pigment is mixed with melted wax, generally beeswax. (The Enterprise [Lynnwood], 2.24.10) http://www.enterprisenewspapers.com/article/20100224/ETP18/702249893&template=ETPZoneEDart

Everett Public Library’s David Dilgard will give a talk on the history of the Interurban trolley February 27 at 2 p.m. at the main library branch.  Just a century ago the Interurban Railway between Everett and Seattle began operation, initiating a new era in regional transportation. (Everett News Tribune [Snohomish], 2.24.10)

She says she’s satisfied with a painting if it makes someone smile.  Patti Chilbeck Meuler will be checking for reactions in Camas during the month of March when she presents her art at Second Story Gallery. The gallery is located upstairs in the Camas Public Library. (Photo) (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 3.2.10)

Local artist James Wilhelm’s retrospective is featured in the Stevenson Library Gallery, a part of Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, all month. Wilhelm, a long-time resident and participant in the Artists of the Gorge exhibition, is displaying works from the beginning of his career in San Francisco to his present explorations. (The Skamania County Pioneer [Stevenson], 3.3.10)

The March gallery show in the White Salmon Valley Community Library’s, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, Sprint/Baker Gallery is “In Memory of Erick Karlsson, Photographer.” The exhibit can be viewed through March 30 during regular library hours. His family feels his passing would best be honored by an exhibit of his photographs. (The Skamania County Pioneer [Stevenson], 3.3.10)

The North Olympic Library System hosts the 2010 Sequim-Dungeness Valley Local Author Fair 1-4 p.m. Saturday, May 22, at the Sequim Library. Participating authors will display, discuss and sell their publications on the day of the fair throughout the library. Application guidelines and forms may be picked up at the Sequim Library or downloaded from their website.  (The Sequim Gazette, 3.3.10)

If you are considering home-ownership now or in the future join Community Frameworks on Tuesday, March 9 at the Cheney Library, a part of the Spokane County Library District, for an informational meeting about self-help homeownership opportunities and affordable mortgage lending for first-time homebuyers.  The meeting is free and open to the public. (Cheney Free Press, 3.4.10)

The Living Book event is inspired by the Human Library, founded in 2000 by Danish youths whose friend had been stabbed.  In an effort to foster greater tolerance and understanding, the group sought out people who might be the target of stereotypes or even prejudice.  They enlisted these people to as Living Books which “readers” could “check out” to actually hear the “book’s” story.  This event is from 1-4 p.m. March 6 at the Bainbridge Public Library, a part of the Kitsap Regional Library. (Photo) (Bainbridge Island Review, 3.5.10)

Book Sales

Come support the South Bend Library, a part of the Timberland Regional Library System.  The South Bend Friends of the Library Book Sale is Saturday, March 6 in South Bend. The library welcomes donations, but requests to encyclopedia sets, no cookbooks from the 1990’s or earlier and that books be in decent shape. (Willapa Harbor Herald [Raymond], 3.3.10)

Economy/Hard Times

Many Seattle Public Library branches are operating on a reduced schedule, as of February 3.  The reduction in operating hours was part of a $1.7 million cut to the Library’s 2010 budget to help address a city revenue shortfall. (Madison Park Times [Seattle], 3.2010) http://www.madisonparktimes.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=27686&SectionID=26&SubSectionID=284&S=1

The Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks and Clallam Bay public libraries will be closed the last week of March to save money in light of an anticipated $163,000 budget shortfall. The weeklong closure, which will be the first of two planned this year, will be from Monday, March 29, through Saturday, April 3. All 51 employees of the North Olympic Library System, which oversees the four public libraries, will be on an unpaid furlough during the closure. (Photo) (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 3.4.10) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010303049990

A new Education & Job Center that opened at the Tacoma Public Library on February 17 is ready to provide resources for residents of the Tacoma and Peninsula areas.  Pierce County Library System cardholders are welcome to utilize all of the Employment Center’s resources, which include tools for finding colleges and technical schools, practicing entrance exams, submitting licensing applications and taking civil-service tests. (Business Examiner [Tacoma], 3.8.10)

[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] ]