Library News

May 10, 1910 was a big day for the people of Chehalis.  After years of longing for a city library, a dedication ceremony opened a stunning brick building on the hill overlooking the downtown core. Today, the Chehalis Library is a part of the Timberland Regional Library System. Check Monday’s “Today in History” column by local historian Edna Fund for more on the library’s opening exactly 100 years ago.  (The Chronicle [Centralia], 5.6.10)

A tentative agreement between Mid-Columbia Libraries and Pasco apparently calls for a new library in west Pasco and a lower annual fee for the city initially. The two agencies have been negotiating for several months because the current contract expires next year. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 5.6.10) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/05/06/1003742/library-proposal-includes-branch.html

As part of their strategic planning process, board members and planning committee for the Libraries of Stevens County recently visited the Chewelah Public Library for a community open house. More than ten members of the community identified their main concerns as more need for adult programming, early childhood literacy, enhancing the library collection, improving computer literacy and meeting senior needs. (The Independent [Chewelah], 5.6.10)

Kitsap Regional Library has reported that as many as 1,348 picture books for children have been stolen from the library collection at the Port Orchard branch over the past few months.  Based on replacement costs, the library is estimating the value of the loss at about $22,900. (Independent [Port Orchard], 5.7.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/poi/news/92783734.html

Borders bookstore in Tacoma has teamed with the Port Orchard Library, a part of Kitsap Regional Library System, to encourage area residents to help replace some of the 1,300 children’s picture books that have been stolen from the library over the past two months.  Justin Butterfield, general manager of the Borders store, said when he heard about the theft he contacted the library to see what Borders could do. (Seattle Times, 5.11.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011829508_books11m.html

University Place hopes that it will have secured Town Center’s first retail tenant by the time its new library opens next year.  On Monday, the University Place City Council unanimously voted to hire broker Jeff Kraft of the Neil Walter Co. in Tacoma to help find two tenants. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 5.11.10) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/05/11/1181816/town-center-broker-hired.html

 

Elections

Jim Mitchell, of the Library Board of Trustees, said he is hoping for an advisory ballot in the November election, asking voters if they would prefer a levy to join Timberland, or a cheaper levy to support the existing library. Michael Crose, interim executive director with Timberland Regional Library, explained that there are two options to become part of Timberland: contract or annex. (The North Coast News [Ocean Shores], 4.28.10)

Residents of Port Orchard will be voting this summer on whether they want to be a part of the Kitsap Regional Library System.  The Port Orchard City Council on Tuesday night agreed unanimously to authorize a ballot measure for the August 17 primary election regarding annexation into the library district. (Independent [Port Orchard], 4.30.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/poi/news/92431129.html

Spokane County Library District has experienced an impressive run of victories at the ballot, from a series of successful levy lid lifts to the passage of capital facility funding initiatives.  Yet in March 2008, the district found themselves on the losing side of an election for the first time in over a decade.  (Photo) (Valley News Herald [Spokane], 4.30.10) http://www.spokanevalleyonline.com/articles_svnews/2010/043010_scld_facilities_mapping.html

Buildings

The Spokane County Library District is asking for public comment on a draft facilities plan that covers the next 20 years.  The draft calls for rebuilding and relocating the Cheney branch, and expanding the Airway Heights branch.  The plan is available for public view and comment on the library’s website. (Cheney Free Press, 4.29.10)

Funding a facility for the Yelm Library, a part of the Timberland Regional Library System (TRL), is entirely up to the City of Yelm come 2012.  Facility costs are shared between the two entities, but the contract ends in December 2011.  It’s protocol for the city to provide a facility for TRL but an exception was made in Yelm to allow time for the city to develop a plan. (Photo) (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 4.30.10)

The Newport Way Library, a part of King County Library System, will be temporarily closed beginning Monday, May 3 for 8 to 12 months for renovations and improvements. During the closure, holds will automatically be transferred to a temporary location at the Factoria Mall, opening Wednesday, May 5. (Bellevue Reporter [Kent], 4.30.10)

After annexing to the King County Library System (KCLS) in February, the Renton and Highlands libraries are getting new furniture, carpets and paint.  KCLS will be sporting those designs, along with re-opened community rooms, at an open house May 1. (Photo) (Renton Reporter [Kent], 4.30.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/news/92450884.html

Letters and Editorials

Libraries were the first places to provide public access to computers and as technology continues to change the way we retrieve information, this access has become critical. The King County Law Library continues to strive to work outside the box, expanding our services to you and the public. (King County Bar Bulletin [Seattle], 5.2010) http://www.kcba.org/newsevents/barbulletin/BBView.aspx?AID=lawlib&Year=2010&Month=05

It seems almost anyone concerned about the libraries serving South Kitsap would have asked what makes Silverdale and Kingston, both part of the Kitsap County Rural Library District, so special that they should have everyone pay for their libraries while the rest of us fend for ourselves.  But now that there’s some movement, perhaps the public’s attention can be turned to the central question – whether to change the way we and most everyone else have paid for new library buildings. (Photo) (Independent [Port Orchard], 4.30.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/poi/opinion/92509509.html

If nothing else, you have to admire the gall of the Kitsap Regional Library. Not only does the agency decide the timing is right during the worst economic recession since the Carter administration to ask for a tax increase to fund non-essential services, but it does so in South Kitsap with a straight face, knowing how underserved this market is with respect to the rest of the county. (Independent [Port Orchard], 4.30.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/poi/opinion/92509384.html

On behalf of the Camano Island Library Friends, I wish to extend thanks to all who supported our March “Reading Between the Vines” dinner auction.  We are grateful to all who gave their time, funds and talents to provide the means for the library doors to remain open. (The Herald [Everett], 5.1.10) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100501/OPINION02/705019979

On behalf of the staff of the Mount Vernon City Library, I would like to thank the Friends of the Mount Vernon Library for the hard work on the recent Friends Spring Book Sale.  The total proceeds of the April 17 sale were $1,414.29, which the Friends will use to support various Mount Vernon City Library programs. (Skagit Valley Herald [Mount Vernon], 5.2.10)

Tacoma’s city government has a budget shortfall, and the libraries, of all places, are targeted to take the hit. Yes, the libraries, one of the few free sources of education, information and entertainment. We recently heard Tacoma’s citizens giving a resounding “yes” to the parks.  Let’s not tell the city the libraries need similar support. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 5.2.10) http://blog.thenewstribune.com/letters/2010/04/30/dont-cut-the-libraries-budgets/

Did you know that every single library in Tacoma is closed on Sunday, according to the library website?  That’s a bit tough on students and others who only have Saturday and Sundays to use the library.  Cut our library budget, and maybe we’ll lose even more days.  I cannot think of a worse time to cut the library budget.  (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 5.4.10) http://blog.thenewstribune.com/letters/2010/05/03/money-to-libraries-helps-everyone/

As the Community Relations Chair on the Library Board of Trustees, I, along with my fellow board members, would like to extend a reminder invitation to the Orcas Island community to attend the Library Board meetings.  Meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. (The Island Sounder [Eastsound], 5.5.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/sanjuans/isj/opinion/letters/92687399.html

Should the city of Snoqualmie surplus its old library?  It seemed like the sale of the former King County Library building, adjacent to the new Snoqualmie City Hall, was a done deal last year.  But two members of the Snoqualmie City Council seem to be bucking the majority and called for more information last month prior to a decision to seek buyers. (Snoqualmie Valley Record, 5.5.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/svr/opinion/92796999.html

I am startled and nonplussed to see that the Fort Vancouver Regional Library trustees think the Battle Ground Library needs to be twice as big as it is.  I’m a regular patron – once or twice a week – of the Battle Ground branch.  I go on various days at various hours, and I have never seen the library crowded. I fear that our trustees have become rather too accustomed to spending our money. (The Reflector [Battle Ground], 5.5.10)

I appreciated seeing The Reflector’s article about Fort Vancouver Regional Library’s (FVRL) new facilities plan.  I do need, however, to make a few corrections to your analysis. I hope you will publish an article that clarifies the situation and recognized some of the complexities that exist in various parts of the FVRL District. (Photo) (The Reflector [Battle Ground], 5.5.10)

In an online response to reader J.M. Mezzanotte’s question in our April issue about why Port Orchard didn’t simply fund its own library service rather than paying to have it provided by the Kitsap Regional Library, KRL spokesman Jeff Brody this week noted that last year the city paid $360,000 in return for what he estimates to be $1 million worth of service.  (Independent [Port Orchard], 5.7.10) http://blogs.portorchardindependent.com/rhodes/pay-krl-decides/157/

The Kitsap Regional Library system is again set on spending first, and taxing us later. It has to stop somewhere voters, and the upcoming elections and issues on the ballot is the time to say goodbye to elected officials and no to ballot measures that have funds attached to them. (Independent [Port Orchard], 5.7.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/poi/opinion/letters/93076384.html

In the early 2000s the Timberland Regional Library Board allowed access to sexually explicit material on its computers hooked up to the internet. Thankfully, the Washington Supreme State Court just made a ruling that public libraries can filter out sexually explicit sites from their computers. We believe putting up filters on all such sites right now, based on this state decision, would be upheld and appreciated by this community.  (The Chronicle [Centralia], 5.11.10)

People

Library manager Mary Thornton can usually be found between the shelves of the Hoquiam Timberland Library or between the pages of a good book. Thornton, 54, followed her passion for books to library school in Canada about 13 years ago. When she graduated from the two-year program, she joined the McCleary Timberland Library.  She took over the Hoquiam Timberland Library in 2006. (Photo) (Daily World [Aberdeen], 5.2.10)

When searching for a culminating project for Eagle Scouts, Eric Zils wanted to do something that would benefit the entire community.  After talking to Robin Clausen, then-business manager of the Sumner branch of the Pierce County Library System, Zils decided to design and build planter boxes outside of the library. “It spotlights the library so beautifully,” Sumner Senior Librarian Lisa McNamara said.  “You can see it from the road.” (The Herald [Puyallup], 5.5.10)

Georgette Rogers, circulation supervisor for Liberty Lake Municipal Library, recently completed a national, voluntary certification program for library support staff/library paraprofessionals.  She was the first library support staff nationwide to successfully complete the new program, which began this year. (Liberty Lake Splash, 5.6.10) http://www.libertylakesplash.com/news.asp?id=19543

The executive director of Mid-Columbia Libraries was dismissed from her $110,000-a-year-job Monday night following an executive session with the board. Gloria Garcia, board chairwoman, said the decision to end Danielle Krol’s employment was difficult but the best thing for the library district. Krol, who became executive director in 2004, was not available for comment. (Tri-City Herald Online [Kennewick], 5.19.10) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/05/19/1020186/mid-columbia-libraries-executive.html

Awards

One of Prosser’s sixth-grade students, Diana Godinez, is among only 45 students in Washington State to be honored as semi-finalists in the Letters about Literature contest, a reading and writing competition that challenges students to write letters to authors and describe how the author’s book affected their lives. Out of 1,413 entries in Level 1 of the contest, which is sponsored by the Washington Secretary of State and the Washington State Library, only 45 were named semi-finalists. (Record-Bulletin [Prosser], 4.28.10)

Fifteen people who work in area libraries have been nominated for the Library Services Award to be handed out during an award banquet for Thursday, April 29, at the Battle Ground Community Center. The nominees for the Library Service Award will be recognized at the banquet along with the award recipient.  (The Reflector [Battle Ground], 4.28.10)

Two new staff members, funded by a grant from Renew Washington, are now available to offer individual assistance to beginning computer users at the Everett Public Library.  The Renew Washington grant is made possible by the Washington State Library and funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  (Snohomish County Business Journal [Everett], 5.2010) http://www.snohomishcountybusinessjournal.com/article/20100501/SCBJ04/100429816/-1/scbj  (16^th from bottom)

The Timberland Regional Library District has awarded Aberdeen resident Patricia Warren the Dorothy O’Loughlin Distinguished Volunteer Award.  Warren, who has been a volunteer for the Aberdeen Timberland Library for 30 years, received the award during the district’s annual Friends and Boards Forum last weekend in Tumwater. (Photo) (Daily World [Aberdeen], 5.2.10)

Talented, dedicated and willing to work hard to achieve success, Coupeville High School senior Kate Nilsen is building her future one scene at a time.  The 17-year-old Langley resident and up-and-coming videographer recently demonstrated her skills by winning a video contest sponsored by Sno-Isle Libraries in which she came out on tops in a competition with 18 other teens. (Photo) (The Whidbey Examiner [Coupeville], 5.5.10) http://www.whidbeyexaminer.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=3868&SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&S=1

Programs and Displays

Kamiak junior Nicole Azus isn’t feeling as overwhelmed about college applications now that she attended a seminar on getting into college at the Mukilteo Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries. Mukilteo Library held the fourth annual Accepted! Getting into Your First Choice College seminar Saturday for parents and students grades 8-11. (Photo) (The Mukilteo Beacon, 4.28.10) http://www.mukilteobeacon.com/community/article.exm/2010-04-28_seminar_helps_students_plan_for_college

Judy McAdam’s Dad, Glenn “Scoop” Carlson, died in 1978, but McAdam can listen to his stories anytime.  So can anybody else, thanks to several librarians at the Everett Public Library who unearthed two dozen oral histories of early Everett folks, edited them into radio-style programs and put them online at www.epls.org.  The podcasts join a wealth of other history resources the library provides online, including a searchable database of photos. (Photos) (The Herald [Everett], 4.29.10) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100429/NEWS01/704299941

An explosion of colorful art created by White Salmon Valley School District students K-12 will be on exhibit in the White Salmon Valley Community Library’s (a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District) Sprint/Baker Gallery from May 4 through May 27. (Photo) (The Enterprise [White Salmon], 4.29.10) http://www.whitesalmonenterprise.com/ARCHIVES/Story.aspx/11458/festival-of-color-on-library-walls

Sprague’s Public Library has joined a consortium of 42 small and mid-sized public libraries in Washington offering downloadable audio books to local patrons. Already a staple in larger libraries, the service has been delayed in the smaller ones, mainly because of cost and lack of technical expertise, explained Will Stuivenga, project manager for statewide database licensing for the State Library. (Davenport Times, 4.29.10)

Gorgeous wildflower photographs are just in time for spring at the Quincy Library, a part of the North Central Regional Library District.  An exhibit called “Nature’s Small Surprises” shows photographs created by James and Mary Bennett, Quincy school teachers from Ephrata. The exhibit will be featured at the library’s Mary Kazda Art Space from now until June 30. (Photos) (Quincy Valley Post Register, 4.29.10) http://qvpr.com/articles/bennetts-love-capture-nature

Local residents can develop a taste for High Fiber Diet beginning Friday at the Second Story Gallery at the Camas Public Library. High Fiber Diet is a sub-group of 20 artists of the Columbia Fiber Arts Guild.  For the past 20 years they have been exhibiting their unusual art, which includes quilting, weaving, knitting and felting. (Photo) (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 5.4.10)

Free Videoconferencing is now available at the Lopez Island Library.  Call the library to book the room for your meeting time.  This is a great option for small groups to save travel time and energy using interactive telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously.  (Island’s Weekly Newspaper [Lopez Island], 5.4.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/sanjuans/isw/lifestyle/92550574.html

Noted Columbia Gorge artist Bonnie White’s work is showcased at Stevenson Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, during the month of May. The exhibit is open during library hours, and visitors are encouraged to vote for the “People’s Choice.” (The Skamania County Pioneer [Stevenson], 5.5.10)

With the help of his family, Bill, a heavy equipment operator for the Eareckson Air Station on Shemya Island in the North Pacific, got set up with Columbia County Rural Library District’s newest digital collection, NetLibrary.  Though he is almost three thousand miles from home, his library card gives him the ability to check out audio books. In a land so removed from everything, having access to our collections helps make life better. (Dayton Chronicle, 5.5.10)

The annual library penny drive at Garfield Library, a part of the Whitman County Rural Library District, brought in over $144 in change. Children in the kindergarten-first class topped the donation competition to win an ice cream party. The funds from the drive help support the library’s children programs such as Storytime and Summer Reading. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 5.6.10)

Get your passport and travel this summer.to any of the 27 Timberland Regional Library System branches.  Passports to Timberland which will be available June 15 through September 12, offer valuable information to all 27 libraries and communities, including audio downloads to enhance the experience. The fundraiser, which looks to become an annual event, plans to increase traffic to each community and increase revenue to businesses. (Photo) (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 5.7.10)

You can vote for president, you can vote on initiatives and referenda, and now you can vote on a book. The Pierce County Library System is leaving it to the public to decide which of three best-sellers should be the choice for the 2011 Pierce County READS. Readers have until May 31 to cast a ballot for their book of choice. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 5.8.10) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/05/08/1178797/anyone-can-vote-on-pierce-county.html

On Saturday, May 15, the Lake Stevens Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries, will be hosting the much anticipated CD release party for Eric Ode’s new album.  The renowned children’s musician will be debuting the music from Seven Clever Pirates, his sixth album. (Lake Stevens Journal, 5.12.10)

Book Sales

The Maple Falls Library, a part of the Whatcom County Library System, held a book sale April 23-25.  “It is the first time we held a three day sale, and so far it has been one of our more successful sales,” said Library Treasurer Nicole Jones, of Maple Falls. (Photo) (Foothills Gazette [Maple Falls], 4.26.10)

The Friends of the Upper Skagit Library will hold a book and bake sale on Saturday, May 29, during the Concrete Saturday Market.  Proceeds from the sale will be used for library activities ranging from reading scholarships to summer reading programs to various lecture series. (Concrete Herald, 5.2010)

Hard Times/Economy

One new angle to the budget discussion involved Tacoma Public Library (TPL). Its budget was originally approved for $24.7 million. Anderson and Finance Director Bob Biles recommended TPL’s Board of Trustees cut $1.6 million earlier this month.  The board has not yet agreed to this and has informed Anderson it needs that money to maintain buildings and purchase materials.  (Tacoma Weekly, 4.29.10) http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/4344

The Puyallup Public Library is offering free resume classes that give job seekers step-by-step guidance in creating a professional resume for an effective job search. The free Real Resumes classes started in January through the support of a grant from the Office of the Secretary of State and the Washington State Library as part of the Renew Washington Project, which is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. (The Herald [Puyallup], 5.12.10)

Mention the prediction of more cuts in service at Seattle’s libraries and supporters usually have ideas for keeping them open.  “Libraries are an instrument for the public good, so it’s really tough when they’re cut back,” said T.J. Stutman as he walked out of the Northgate Branch this week.  “It’s a resource that everybody is able to enjoy without any level of personal income.” Public libraries are in trouble nationwide, and Seattle may go through another battle over how to run its own system. (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer Online, 5.12.10) http://www.seattlepi.com/local/419931_libraries13.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] ]