Washington State Library News

Shanna Stevenson, coordinator of the Washington Women’s History Consortium, will offer a one-hour talk about the landmark anniversary of women’s suffrage, drawing from collections of the Washington State Archives and Washington State Library.  Stevenson will discuss her book, “Women’s Votes, Women’s Voices: The Campaign for Equal Rights in Washington.” (Nisqually Valley News, [Yelm] 3.12.10)

Library News

eAudiobooks are now available at the La Conner Regional Library through OCLC NetLibrary thanks to funding from the Washington State Library.  eAudiobooks can be downloaded and played on any desktop, laptop or portable device that supports Windows Media Player version 9 and above.  (La Connor Weekly, 3.10.10)

The Friends of the Ferndale Public Library are putting together a Build Our Building (B.O.B.) Shop where items may be donated and sold to benefit the New Ferndale Library Project. The B.O.B. shop is full of an eclectic mix of quality donations. The book selection is the largest of any sale held before.  Also available are antiques, china, silver, art, pottery, crafts, toys and much, much more.  All proceeds will support the New Ferndale Library Project. (Westside Record-Journal [Ferndale], 3.10.10) 

This fall, the Ritzville Public Library took a close look at its magazine collection and made some changes, which it hopes patrons will welcome.  There are new titles for both adult readers and youth/children.  The library encourages patrons to check out the new titles, and reminds patrons that magazines do circulate.  (Ritzville-Adams County Journal, 3.11.10)

The Oroville City Council gave the nod to the Friends of the Library to pursue federal funding to help build a new public library, a goal the group has been working on for the past several years.  (Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune, [Oroville] 3.11.10)

For the second consecutive year, the Rural Library District has drastically reduced the amount it will pay the Walla Walla Library for services rendered to county residents who live in Fire Districts Four and Eight.  Two major contentions focus on whether the reimbursement should be based per household or per individuals in the household and if the reimbursements should include other county residents with Walla Walla Library Cards. (Walla Walla Union Bulletin, 3.11.10) http://union-bulletin.com/stories/2010/03/11/deal-between-walla-walla-library-and-county-rural-library-district-ok-d

According to Interim Director of the Yakima Valley Libraries, the Sunnyside library is not capable of receiving broadband internet services because of trees and other obstacles, she noted, acknowledging a study was completed last year to see if the library had a “line of sight” for broadband signals.  (Photo) (Daily News, [Sunnyside] 3.12.10)

The King County Library System released its design for the Renton-themed card, an iconic sculpture of a boy reading.  City residents annexed the Renton library to KCLS March 1. The new card design is one way the system hopes to soften the blow of a tight election. (Seattle PI Online, 3.23.10) http://www.seattlepi.com/sound/417264_sound88871327.html

Buildings

Ferndale city officials and supporters of a new library say they think they’re on the right track to working more closely with each other on the proposed facility.  After a meeting held Friday, March 5 officials say they’re pleased with the discussion, which focused largely on potential moves the library might have to make for a remodel of the current library to become a new police station.  (Bellingham Herald, 3.6.10) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/03/05/1324419/ferndale-council-members-prepare.html

The Grays River Valley Library held an open house and is now open for business.  The library is located in the old Rosburg School at Johnson Park.  Come on in and say hello to our volunteer librarian, Jim Monteith and fill out an application for your free library card.  We currently have more than 7,000 books, as well as movies and audio books.  Everything in the library has been generously donated by community members and organizations. (Photo) (The Wahkiakum Co. Eagle [Cathlamet], 3.11.10) http://www.waheagle.com/down-river-dispatches/article.exm/2010-03-11_community_library_now_open_mon_sat

Notice of construction for a 9,200-square-foot public library building in Quincy. Comments have to be received by March 22. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 3.15.10)

City Council members approved Monday, March 15, spending $125,000 on initial phases of a library design contract after learning that a local foundation will match that amount with a donation for further work later. The council in 2009 decided to move forward on renovating the old library to become the new police station and agreed to help spend some money on a new library. The Whatcom Community Foundation is working to help raise additional money for the new library. (Bellingham Herald, 3.16.10) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/03/16/1340385/ferndale-city-council-approves.html

Letters and Editorials

Reading articles continually in the paper about possibly building a new library on the waterfront’s extremely valuable property makes me sick. Why waste a good tax-base for a place to read when there are many empty buildings with large parking lots available? (Bellingham Herald, 3.7.10) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/03/04/1322792/existing-buildings-can-house-library.html

A person’s reputation is sacred.  And once it has been sullied, it’s hard to repair the damage. So we don’t blame retired Hall of Fame coach Frank Teverbaugh one bit for trying to take back his reputation after being falsely accused of striking and swearing at an autistic child. He recently filed a citizen’s complaint against Heide Schultz, the 7-year-old boy’s caregiver.  He has also filed a $150,000 claim against the city of Richland. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 3.9.10) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/03/09/931855/falsely-accused-finds-hope-in.html

In the February 24 edition of the Leader, you published a letter from three library managers with richly deserved praise for Theresa Percy’s countless contributions to make the Port Townsend Public Library such a dynamic community asset.  We would like to also acknowledge the leadership, vision and support of three other library directors who made their mark over the preceding 30 years, Linnea Patrick, Cheryl Silverblatt and Beverly Lamb Shelton.  (The Leader [Port Townsend], 3.10.10)

In rebuttal of your article, “Annexation wins; let’s now move on” (Renton Reporter, March 5, 2010). The City of Renton was poised to begin making cuts; however you overlook one fact.  The library budget was already, of necessity, fully funded.  So, not only do we still have to pay for the facilities, and pay our city property taxes, and fund the library budget, we now have to pay extra taxes to a board of appointees not responsible to voters, King County, or the citizens of Renton specifically. (Renton Reporter, 3.12.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/87363362.html

I am writing in response to Carol Dawn Scott’s letter to the editor.  Not only do I completely agree with Ms. Scott’s sentiments, I am wondering why it is up to a board of trustees and not every taxpayer to decide whether there is access to pornography in the library. As long as this is allowed in our library, I refuse to vote yes for any monies in favor of the library. (Stanwood Camano News, 3.16.10) http://www.scnews.com/news/2010-03-16/Letters_to_the_Editor/Pornography.html

Last week, letter writer Carol Dawn Scott complained about going to the library after her friends noticed a man viewing pornography. Although I find it in complete poor taste that anyone would choose a public place to view pornography, a library must remain a place for unfiltered research.  If libraries were to choose anything different it could violate The Library Bill or Rights.  (Stanwood Camano News, 3.16.10) http://www.scnews.com/news/2010-03-16/Editorial/Libraries_must_remain_a_place_for_unfiltered_resea.html

Jan Drago, a seasoned politician new to the King County Council, came out to meet us Monday night, and she sounded many of the right notes – from the continuation of the passenger-only boat to the expansion of the Vashon Library.  She’s written a letter to Bill Ptacek, the head of the King County Library System, suggesting he engage more effectively with Island activists. (The Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber, 3.17.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/vashon/vib/opinion/87836212.html

The Twisp Library Friends are taking advantage of this one-time opportunity to expand our library space. We are the smallest library in the 28-branch system of North Central Regional Library – and we have the sixth largest circulation.  We are three-quarters of the way to our $60,000 goal and need your help to reach the top.  Donations are tax-deductible and this is a one-time only drive done entirely by local effort for our wonderful library. (Methow Valley News [Twisp], 3.17.10) 

People

The director of the Pend Oreille County Library District, Matt Becvarov, resigned his position two weeks ago in a letter to board chairman Dave Livingston. The library board will discuss how to go about filling the position at a meeting Wednesday, March 10. (Newport Miner, 3.10.10)

Timberland Regional Library will begin evaluating candidates for its vacant executive director position next week.  Former executive director Jodi Reng retired in October, and officials with the five-county district had planned to hire her successor by now.  The application process that closed November 20 didn’t draw enough qualified candidates.  The district revised its job posting to generate more interest.  (The Olympian, 3.23.10) http://www.theolympian.com/2010/03/23/1181748/library-reopens-search-for-boss.html

Awards

Yakima County and Yakima Valley Libraries have received $800,000 in funds through a grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s stimulus programs.  These funds will be used in Yakima County for broadband internet service.  (Photo) (Daily News, [Sunnyside] 3.12.10)

Funded with a $30,000 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 & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum & Library Services, seven libraries in the Sno-Isle system (Darrington, Granite Falls, Lynnwood, Maryville, Oak Harbor, Stanwood and Sultan) are now dedicating computers to job-seekers, giving them unlimited hours to find employment.  The program allows library card holders to check out a laptop after signing a borrower agreement.  Users promise to pay for the $600 notebook computer if it goes missing and leave a government ID at the front desk.  (Photo)  (The Herald, [Everett] 3.14.10) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100314/BIZ/703149929

Tacoma Public Library is presenting a series of employment workshops thanks to a $35,000 grant from the Renew Washington Project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Institute of Museum and Library Services.  Tacoma Library users can take career training Coach Paul Anderson’s employment workshops for free at the main library and several workshops are led by career consultant and book author Robin Ryan. (The News Tribune, [Tacoma], 3.14.10) 

A new $48,420 grant has enabled the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District to reach out to job hunters who may lack computer access and can benefit from new job databases, in-person or online coaching and soon, the ability to check out small laptop computers for a few hours.  The free “Get Job Help @ Your Library” services will help meet the obvious surge in the number of patrons who face employment challenges. (Photo)  (Columbian (Print Edition Only), [Vancouver] 3.16.10)

Programs and Displays

Along with family members, Ocosta Elementary students gathered to enjoy a terrific meal and read together at the latest Family Fun Night held on Monday, February 22.  Kids were treated to stories presented by guest readers and at the end of the evening, got to choose brand new book to take home, courtesy of the Ocosta Parent Teacher Organization. The timing for the annual event coincides with the beginning of Timberland Regional Library System’s annual Family Read-Aloud program, intended to connect reading and early learning with family fun. (Photos) (South Beach Bulletin [Westport], 3.4.10)

Greg Mortenson, author of the novel “Three Cups of Tea”, started an effort called Pennies for Peace, a campaign to involve students in raising money to provide schools for students half a world away.  At the Roslyn Library, a Pennies for Peace collection jar sits just below an original oil painting done by 18-year-old Kaleigh Frisinger of Easton.  On the final Friday of Arts Walk, April 30, art inspired by Mortenson’s story done by children from preschool to middle school will be displayed at the Roslyn Library.  (Photo) (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 3.8.10) http://dailyrecordnews.com/news/article_b73a401c-2ae7-11df-9ab5-001cc4c002e0.html

The Mountlake Terrace Arts Commission presents an exhibit of watercolors by Jim Farrand now through March 28.  Farrand works in watercolors and paints big, bold, colorful shapes that are at times semi-abstract and playful.  (Photo) (The Enterprise [Lynnwood], 3.10.10) http://www.enterprisenewspapers.com/article/20100310/ETP15/703109806&template=ETPZoneEDart

Each February the students at Oroville Elementary are challenged by their principal to revitalize their involvement in reading by reaching a set goal.  This year, the goal was set at 4,000 books read for the month. In keeping with our “All Aboard the Learning Express” theme for the year, the principal told students that he would don the outfit of a train engineer for a day and go to each classroom to read a train story if they reached the goal. The grand total for the whole month ended up being an astounding 6,872 books! (Photos) (Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune [Oroville], 3.11.10)

The Sultan Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries, celebrates its 100^th birthday this year, and everyone is invited to the celebration.  Cake and punch will be provided by Friends of the Sultan Library on Thursday, April 1, from 1-5 p.m.  (Monroe Monitor & Valley News, 3.16.10)

The question asked of Library staff, “Why don’t you publish the list of new books at the Dayton Library?” Answer, “They are updated and listed on our website weekly.” That is all well and good but if you are many people, there is no Internet at home. To bridge the gap the Chronicle will attempt to publish from the web site, those books that are listed in the adult fiction category.  The Chronicle may be able to run the list every two weeks and may expand the list in the future.  (Dayton Chronicle, 3.17.10)

In conjunction with a national initiative knows as Teen Tech Week, the Puyallup Public Library partnered with The Museum of Flight in Seattle to host a free of charge, interactive lesson on robotics.  Gus Posey, the outreach education coordinator for the Museum, says well-known stories have given impressionable teenagers the idea that robots are here to take over the world.  Nothing could be further from the truth, he told a handful of students at a March 10 event.  (The Herald [Puyallup], 3.17.10)

Economy/Hard Times

A third of Americans – about 77 million people – use public-library computers to look for jobs, connect with friends, do their homework and improve their lives, according to a University of Washington study released Thursday.  The study results confirm what public libraries have been saying as they compete for public dollars to expand their services and high-speed Internet access: Library use by the general public is widespread – and not just among poor people. (Seattle Times Online, 3.24.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011432166_libraries25.html

Oak Harbor Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries, now has free thumb drives available to job seekers who need to save their resume and other information.  (Whidbey Daily News Online, 3.26.10) http://whidbeydaily.com/2010/03/oak-harbor-library-adds-new-computers-and-extended-computer-time-exclusively-for-job-seekers/

[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] ]