Library News

The Libraries of Stevens County are looking toward the future by involving the community in a strategic planning process to ensure that the library facilities, service and resources are fulfilling patron needs and expectations. In April and May, there will be community planning open houses at each of the nine library locations..There is also a survey available through June on the library website. (The Independent [Chewelah], 4.15.10)

The Anacortes Public Library is now charging for its interlibrary loan service, which allows the library to borrow items for patrons from another library. The items are ones the library doesn’t already own and isn’t going to purchase. It is an increasingly expensive service…starting April 1, the library charges $2 per item. (Anacortes American, 4.21.10)

Roslyn Library received brand new art books ranging in style and form from substantial Whitney biennials to large format collections. Twenty-nine books were made possible by a non-profit organization called Art Resources Transfer, Inc. The grant for the books came at a time with the Roslyn Library had been seeking ways to enhance its collection of art books. (Northern Kittitas County Tribune [Cle Elum], 4.22.10)

Elections

A bond levy for the expansion of the Jefferson County Library that was put on hold when the economy crashed two years ago has been rescheduled for 2012, library Director Ray Serebrin told the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners in his annual report to the county May 31. Serebrin called 2010 a “conditional date,” but said the library board is moving ahead in hope that this time the library can accomplish its expansion plans. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 4.7.10)

Buildings

The King County Library System hereby advises all interested parties that the New Sammamish Library Construction Project, with Sierra Construction Co., has been accepted as of April 2, 2010. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 4.16.10)

Letters & Editorials

What could ambulances and books, librarians and paramedics, possibly have in common? Clearly, Emergency Medical Services and the Library have nothing to do with each other. Expect, in Ocean Shores, they do. Here, EMS and the Library are step-siblings, offspring of a cranky old father called “the General Fund.” (The North Coast News [Ocean Shores], 4.14.10)

The cover of “This Book Is Overdue!: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All” features a librarian carrying an eBook-viewing product and wearing a cape while flying. That hokey visual aside, author Marilyn Johnson clearly thinks highly of librarians. Johnson is not a librarian, but she has interacted with a variety of librarians, especially while researching her first book, “The Dead Beat.” (Skagit Valley Herald [Mount Vernon], 4.18.10)

People

The Whatcom County Library System has hired Nathaniel Jenkins as its new Web services coordinator. Jenkins received his master’s degree in library studies from San Jose State University with a concentration on computer systems librarianship and children/teen services. (Photo) (Bellingham Herald, 4.18.10) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/04/18/1385613/jenkins-is-new-online-coordinator.html

Awards

The Skagit Valley College (SVC) Norwood Cole Library and the Mount Vernon City Library have received Renew Washington Grants from the state library funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Federal Library Services and Technology Act. The funds allowed SVC to purchase Career Transitions, a guided, online, self-paced resource on the job search process. The library also is in the process of purchasing print and other electronic resources to aid in career development and job searching. (Northwest Business Monthly [Bellingham], 4.2010)

The new Ferndale Library, a part of the Whatcom County Library System, project is gaining momentum in the community fundraising portion of its capital campaign with a gift of $10,000 from the Friends of the Ferndale Library. Norine Amend, president of the Friends, encourages the community to get involved. (Northwest Business Monthly [Bellingham], 4.2010)

Aberdeen High School art classes have donated a large ceramic tile artwork piece to be displayed in the city. The 30-inch wide by 48-inch tall color work showcases a couple under umbrellas as the rain falls on them. Aberdeen Public Works Director Larry Bledsoe said he’d like to see the artwork installed at the Aberdeen Timberland Library. On Tuesday, the Aberdeen Art Commission endorsed that plan and forwarded the suggestion to the Library Board for further review. (Photo) (Daily World [Aberdeen], 4.16.10)

Programs & Displays

Some paintings take countless hours to make, but local painter Erik Sandgren says you can create beautiful pieces of art within one hour. Sandgren, a professor of fine arts and humanities at Grays Harbor College will be using one hour to create a painting from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Montesano Timberland Regional Library. The event is free. (Photos) (Daily World [Aberdeen], 4.18.10)

Author Patrick Jennings will read and share stories at a celebration of the publication of his new book, Guinea Dog, at the Port Townsend Library, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The book is about a boy named Rufus who dreams of getting a dog for a pet. Copies of Guinea Dog will be available for purchase. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 4.18.10)

See Dick read his hardcover library book. Watch Jane download her novel in audio book form – or even onto a personal reading device. See Dick and Jane learn that libraries are much, much more than stacks and stacks of books on shelves. On Wednesday, the Tacoma Public Library will begin offering a catalog of 500 e-books that cardholders can download to any electronic media that will accept them. (Photo) (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 4.20.10) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/04/20/1155250/free-library-downloads-coming.html

Book Sales

Many people have donated books to the library over the winter and we hope you’re looking forward to the Friends of the Upper Skagit Library (FoUSL) book sales this summer. You may not realize how much work is involved in preparing for these book sales, but volunteers already have begun sorting donations. (Concrete Herald, 4.2010)

[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] ]