Washington State Library News

 The Office of the Secretary of State said this week’s $84 million federal grant for high technology is a boon to 57 public libraries statewide that have limited broadband connections.  The agency, which oversees the Washington State Library and assists libraries around the state, put out a news release saying it will help “bring high-speed broadband to rural libraries in the state.” (The Olympian Online, 3.5.10) http://www.theolympian.com/2010/03/05/1161198/under-the-dome-for-march-5.html

Library News

The Pierce County Library System drew record numbers in 2009, surpassing the attendance of the Tacoma Dome, which hosted concerts headlined by Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears. Pierce County library visits were pegged at more than 2.6 million, up from 15 percent in 2008.  The Tacoma Dome averages around 700,000 to 800,000 guests each year. (Bonney Lake Sumner Courier-Herald [Kent], 2.24.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/pierce/bch/news/84990507.html

The Nile library will remain closed for now, but library officials said Tuesday that they will try to communicate better with residents about the branch’s future.  Nine Nile residents attended Tuesday’s meeting of the Yakima Valley Libraries Board of Directors to express their concern about the closure of the Nile branch after an October landslide buried State Route 410. (Yakima Herald-Republic, 2.24.10) http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/02/23/nile-library-board-meets-with-residents-about-closure

Outside the front door of the downtown Bremerton Library Monday, patrons ask each other what the time is, counting down the last 20 minutes before the library opens. Kitsap Regional Library and the downtown Bremerton branch specifically, have seen a squeeze as circulation numbers have grown. Last month, the branch saw a nearly 30 percent circulation increase over January 2009. (Photo) (Bremerton Patriot, 2.26.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/pat/news/85535542.html

Local Point Roberts parks commissioners have decided to go ahead with the purchase of the Julius fire station, even if they can’t really do anything with it yet. It was suggested they had options once the sale was completed, from renting the building out for awhile to working with the Whatcom County Library System to fund renovations that would transform the building into a bigger space the library has been asking for. (All Point Bulletin [Point Roberts], 3.2010) http://www.allpointbulletin.com/front_page6.html

Friends of the Black Diamond Library, a part of the King County Library System, need plant donations and any cool garden art you’d like to recycle for their 44^th Plant Sale.  Proceeds from the plant sale support the library’s children and youth programs. (Voice of the Valley [Maple Valley], 3.2.10)

Elections

The vote count continues to run in favor of the King County Library System (KCLS) and its proposed levy lid lift. Certification of votes was set to occur February 24 in both King and Snohomish counties.  But according to the latest numbers available prior to deadline, the KCLS issue was passing in both counties by a combined total of 125,882 votes for to 115,349 votes against. (Bothell Reporter [Kent], 2.24.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/north_king/bkn/community/85009392.html

The trustees of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District decided February 9 to ask voters for a tax increase on the August 17 primary election ballot. The exact amount of the increase has not yet been determined and an official ballot resolution has not yet been adopted. The trustees seek to raise $3 million a year with the tax increase. (The Reflector [Battle Ground], 2.24.10)

The ballots have been tallied and the Renton Library is part of the King County Library System (KCLS).  Now, patrons are asking what’s next for their library. “There are tons and tons of unknown questions right now,” said Renton Library Director Bette Anderson. Librarians received their layoff notices from the city about two weeks ago.  They were all offered jobs with KCLS this week.  (Renton Reporter [Kent], 2.26.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/news/85362632.html

Fifty-three votes.  That’s all it took for the Renton Public Library to merge into the King County Library System. It was the closest result in February’s election, and the changeover is expected to start Monday. But a group of library-loving residents has a message for Renton officials: Not so fast.  Known as Save Renton Library, the group recently hired an attorney to try to overturn the outcome, in which the final count was 6,395 yes to 6,342 no. (Photo) (Seattle Times, 3.1.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011220138_library01m.html

Castle Rock voters are again being asked to approve a levy to keep their library running. The City Council Monday voted to add the annual library levy to the August 17 primary ballot.  Despite a devastating failure in 2009, library officials are cautiously optimistic that the measure will pass as it has in all but one instance. (The Daily News Online [Longview], 3.10.10) http://tdn.com/news/local/article_73c4a03c-2cb5-11df-aec2-001cc4c03286.html

Buildings

Eight architects from a variety of firms in Oregon descended on Cathlamet Monday to gather input on possible development of Cathlamet’s Town Hall and nearby facilities. They met with town council members and around 80 members of the public to discuss ideas and suggestions. People suggested moving the library’s entrance to the entrance to the old fireman’s quarters, which is on the same floor as the library. They also suggested raising the ceiling into the attic, expanding the view windows and adding more technology offerings. (Photo) (The Wahkiakum Co. Eagle [Cathlamet], 2.18.10) http://www.waheagle.com/news/article.exm/2010-02-18_town__public_give_input__on_development_of_town_hall

Two years of planning is complete and expansion of the Twisp Library, a part of the North Central Regional Library System, is set to begin this spring when organizers hope to have gathered $60,000, a goal already nearly half-met. Twisp Library Friends developed a plan and received approval to remove a section of wall in the existing library and connect to the room next door. (Photo) (Methow Valley News [Twisp], 2.24.10) http://www.methowvalleynews.com/story.php?id=3060

The Coupeville Library branch of the of Sno-Isle Libraries’ temporary location at the Pacific Rim Institute closed this week. The closure was necessary to allow workers to move materials and furniture into the expanded library building that is set to open sometime in March.  (Photo) (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 2.27.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/wnt/news/85549922.html

Ferndale City Council members will consider paying about $347,000 to a Seattle architecture firm to design a new library, a part of the Whatcom County Library System, on Monday, March 1. If the council approves the contract Monday, it’s “within the realm of reason” that a new library could be finished by August or September 2011. (Bellingham Herald, 2.28.10) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/02/28/1313134/ferndale-city-council-to-consider.html

Ferndale City Council members held off on awarding $347,000 library design contract to a Seattle architecture firm Monday, March 1, in order to get more information on fundraising efforts for the project.  The council would like to hear from the Whatcom Community Foundation and other partners as to how fundraising for the new facility is going and whether there is any type of commitment for an anonymous donor who has pledged $1 million to the new library. (Bellingham Herald, 3.2.10) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/03/02/1317813/ferndale-officials-hold-off-on.html

Letters & Editorials

The managers of the Port Townsend Library cannot reflect on the accomplishments of the past year without acknowledging our appreciation and support for Director Theresa Percy.  We would like to conclude by saying we believe Theresa to be an exceptional library director, respected highly among her colleagues.  (The Leader [Port Townsend], 2.24.10)

Bill Ptacek, the director of the King County Library System, is sending signals that he understands the deep sense of loss some Renton residents are feeling about their much-beloved library. He wants to preserve the culture that has made the Renton Library so special. (Renton Reporter [Kent], 2.26.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/85362907.html

In the utility bill the City of Renton included information about tax issues related to King County Library System taking over our library and in flyers in the library.  The city provided inaccurate misleading information about taxes. A retraction and correction was issued after the ballots had already gone out and after many residents had mailed in their ballots. (Renton Reporter [Kent], 2.26.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/85363167.html

The merger of the Renton Public Library with King County libraries should continue moving forward.  A group trying to stop the changeover is interfering in a democratic process approved by voters in last month’s election. They had all the information in a timely enough fashion to make an informed choice.  (Seattle Times, 3.3.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2011235122_edit03renton.html

People

The Kitsap Regional Library Foundation recently added six new board members from around Kitsap County.  The board raises money to support the library system. New to the board are Port Orchard residents Kim Abel and Carolyn Dankers, Leonard Costello and Susan Larsen of Bremerton, Olalla resident Gregg Olsen and Verda Averill of Bainbridge. (North Kitsap County Herald [Poulsbo], 2.19.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/nkh/community/84792682.html

Awards

Eleven books written and illustrated by the well known early 20^th century cowboy author, Will James, were presented to the Columbia County Rural Library District, much to the delight of several young library patrons. The books were a gift from the Will James Society, whose gift-giving program donates books to rural community libraries. (Blue Mountain News [Dayton], 3.2010) http://bluemtnnews.com/mar10/briefs.html#timeless

Programs & Displays

The White Salmon Valley Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, invites children age 5-9 years old to the next “Imagine That!” event on Saturday, February 20, at 1 p.m. in the library’s Sprint/Baker Gallery. Library staff and volunteers will make the story of “Flat Stanley” by Jeff Brown come to life through creative, hands-on games, readings, crafts and more. (The Enterprise [White Salmon], 2.18.10) http://www.whitesalmonenterprise.com/ARCHIVES/Story.aspx/11278/imagine-that-continues-at-library

Tacoma Public Library’s new Education & Job Center at the downtown branch is a one-stop shop for all job-search needs: lots of books on all aspects of searching for a job, free workshops with some of the region’s great career coaches, interactive online resources, five computers with resume-writing and job-related software and personalized assistance from librarians. (Tacoma Weekly, 2.18.10) {Some of the funding was provided by an IMLS Renew Washington grant: editor’s note} http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/4091

Timberland Regional Library (TRL) announces its 2010 annual district-wide Family Read-Aloud program, connecting reading and early learning with family fun. Each Timberland library in Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties will provide free Read-Aloud kits and most will also host one or more free related events. (The East County Journal [Morton], 2.25.10)

On a normal day, Dr. Sam Schneider piles his trade as a medical practitioner at a clinic in downtown Cle Elum.  But for fans of Dr. Seuss – and supporters of the Roslyn Library – Saturday is anything but a normal day.  Saturday is the day Schneider, dubbed “Dr. Sam-I-Am” by Roslyn Librarian Erin Krake, is scheduled to emcee the fourth annual Seussapalooza chili feed and silent auction. (Photo) (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 2.26.10) http://dailyrecordnews.com/news/article_34d5fad4-231d-11df-9733-001cc4c03286.html

Richland library card holders will have unlimited access to nearly 3,000 adult, young adult and children’s downloadable audiobooks beginning Monday.  Patrons will be able to access and download up to 10 audiobooks from the library’s website, with no overdue fines and no due dates. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 2.28.10) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/02/28/921509/richland-library-to-offer-downloadable.html

For the next seven weeks, the 10^th annual Family Read Aloud program, hosted by the Timberland Regional Library, will feature a series of events connecting reading, early learning and family fun. The celebration encompasses two national events: Dr. Seuss’ birthday and Read Across America Day on March 2, and children’s author Beverly Cleary’s birthday and D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) Day on April 12. (The Olympian, 2.28.10) http://www.theolympian.com/2010/02/28/1155132/timberland-library-melds-reading.html

Book Sales

Kathie Wilson, president of the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library, says the volunteers love to cash in on chances to make money for the library, especially in these tight times.  The support group raised around $80,000 for the Bellingham library last year through its Internet, community and “nearly new” sales. The group holds four major sales each year. (Bellingham Herald, 2.21.10) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/02/21/1300503/friends-sale-at-bellingham-library.html

The Friends of the White Salmon Valley Community Library are seeking donations of books, CDs, cassettes and videos for their annual March Used Book Sale. Bring donations to the library during regular library hours. The funds provide community programs for all ages and enhance the local library collection. (The Enterprise [White Salmon], 2.25.10)

Economy/Hard Times

Kitsap Regional Library has cut hours and spending but the cuts haven’t scratched attendance.  The number of visitors to the Poulsbo branch has skyrocketed over the last three years, from about 120,000 in 2007 to more than 185,000 in 2009, Branch Manager Sharon Lee said.  Lee believes the poor economy is driving more people through the library’s doors to take advantage of free resources and self-help information. (North Kitsap County Herald [Poulsbo], 2.19.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/nkh/community/84791562.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] ]