Library News

A United Way official will join the Spokane Public Library Board of Trustees in time to decide how to deal with significant budget cuts proposed by Mayor Mary Verner.  The Spokane City Council on Tuesday unanimously appointed Janice Marich, the vice president of the community relations for Spokane County United Way, to the city’s library board for a five-year term. (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 6.3.10) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/jun/03/marich-to-join-library-board/

Everything the Gastellum family wanted to give to the Mount Vernon High School Library is in place, 10 years after the idea was hatched to give something to the school in Aaron Gastellum’s memory.  The family held a private dedication and reception on May 15 at the library to remember Aaron and to appreciate the library’s transformation. (Photos) (Skagit Valley Herald [Mount Vernon], 6.6.10) http://www.goskagit.com/home/article/gifts_to_mvhs_library_in_memory_of_1993_grad/

The U.S. District Court has asked both sides in the Sarah Bradburn, et al versus the North Central Regional Library District to submit 10-page briefs to state their arguments on whether the court should hear more arguments or accept the Washington Supreme Court ruling on the case.  The case seeks to answer the question of whether the library’s Internet filtering software infringes on the plaintiffs’ first amendment rights. (The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, 6.9.10)

At its June meeting, the Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees plans to discuss a borrowing agreement with Roy Public Library, the University Place Library Capital Campaign, how the Library exchanges books with libraries across the country, and other issues. The Library serves 554,000 people in all of unincorporated Pierce County and 15 cities and towns. (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 6.9.10)

The Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation invites the public to donate books during June as a means of supporting the regional library system. All books collected during the June book drive will be donated to the Friends of the Library organization for future used book sales. Proceeds from the sales will be used to support library programs. (The Reflector [Battle Ground], 6.9.10)

Roy residents may soon be able to check out books, movies and music at any of Pierce County’s 17 libraries. The Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees was expected to act Wednesday on an agreement between the City of Roy and PCLS.  Roy City Council will act on the agreement at its June 14 meeting. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 6.11.10)

On Monday, Roy City Council approved a borrowing agreement that allows the city residents to check out books, movies and music at any of Pierce County’s 17 libraries for free.  Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees approved the agreement June 9. The partnership with Roy means Pierce County Library has agreements with the only three city-run libraries in the county. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 6.18.10)

Amidst free food and conversation, the Yelm Timberland Library, a part of the Timberland Regional Library System, got to highlight its goals during the Yelm Area Chamber of Commerce’s monthly After Hours event. Library Manager Mike Wessells spoke to a crowd of about 20 people about what the library aims for with its services, as well as what it will continue to provide despite the uncertain future of the library’s funding and location. (Photo) (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 6.18.10)

Buildings

Plans and funding for what’s becoming known as Queen Sally’s Park are starting to come together.  Town officials and consultants from Architects Without Borders are applying the name to the proposed project to refurbish Town Hall and the municipal library and construct a park between the hall and the Pioneer Community Center.  (Photo) (The Wahkiakum Co. Eagle [Cathlamet], 6.10.10)

Construction continues on the new $38 million Vancouver Community Library.  The five-story project at C Street and Evergreen Boulevard has already become a feature of the downtown skyline from nearby Interstate 5. It will open in 2011.  (Photo) (Columbian [Vancouver], 6.11.10)

With approval from the general public in May and a recommendation from the Duvall Planning Commission earlier this month, designs for the new Duvall Library, a part of the King County Library System, are nearly finalized. All that remains is for the city’s Hearing Examiner to approve the designs at a June 22 hearing for the permitting process to advance. (Valley View [Woodinville], 6.14.10)

Letters & Editorials

All right, I’ve finally figured out how the city’s budget works. The city gets in trouble, looks around for an easy target, spies the Spokane Public Library and hacks it to death.  Really? This is the way to dig out of a budget hole?  Quit picking on the library.  If you have to make cuts, make cuts across the board.  The library may not be vital in the same way that fire and police services are vital.  It’s just vital in an entirely different way. (Photo) (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 6.5.10) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/jun/05/libraries-matter-more-than-ever/

With the economy still a bit fragile and many trying to cut back on expenditures, Maple Valley residents may want to take advantage of the nearly-free books and media available on the book cart at Maple Valley Library, a part of the King County Library System. An added advantage is the fact that book cart sales help to fund Maple Valley Library programming and events. (Voice of the Valley [Maple Valley], 6.8.10)

What happened to Hood River can’t happen here, right?  Hood River County voted to close its libraries at the end of June.  I was shocked that could happen there, but smug about our wonderful library here on the Washington side. Well, it turns out the entire Fort Vancouver Regional Library District has lost more than $1.2 million due to the property value crash in Clark County.  Something to think about when we vote on the special library levy measure in our August 17 primary. (The Enterprise [White Salmon], 6.10.10)

As North Kitsap School District wrestles with difficult decisions about how to make reductions in the budget in an effort to keep cuts away from the classrooms, we would remind the decision makers that counselors and librarians are teachers too. We urge the district to create a budget that includes a full-time librarian and counselor in every school. (North Kitsap County Herald [Poulsbo], 6.11.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/nkh/opinion/letters/96161309.html

Teacher-librarians are the lifeblood of the North Kitsap School District (NKSD) library system, promoting reading, facilitating responsible research and gluing each school’s academic framework together so teachers and students have a rich variety of resources.  All NKSD students need and deserve a full time teacher-librarian. (North Kitsap County Herald [Poulsbo], 6.11.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/nkh/opinion/letters/96161204.html

And it came to pass that on the fifth day of the sixth month of the tenth year of the third millennium, a host of men, women and children gathered to witness the grand opening of the Federal Way Regional Library.  If thou wilt invest in your reading, thou shalt be sure of great returns in the future. Because a state of the art library is too valuable a treasure to waste. (Federal Way Mirror, 6.12.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/fwm/opinion/96110854.html

People

As a fifth grade teacher at Arbor Heights Elementary School, Lynn Barnicle brought a special passion to reading and impressed everyone with her love of books.  When she dies of Leukemia in July of 2009 it left a big void in the lives of all those she had taught, and the entire school community.  Thursday night, May 27, hundreds of people gathered to honor Barnicle’s memory by naming the school library after her.  (West Seattle Herald/White Center News [Seattle], 6.4.10) http://www.westseattleherald.com/2010/05/27/news/teacher-who-touched-lives-honored-arbor-heights-elementary

“Booth Who?” a richly illustrated and anecdote-filled biography of former Governor Booth Gardner, is being published online and in print by the Secretary of State’s Legacy Project this week. The book will soon be available at some booksellers.  The publication costs were covered by donations, not public dollars. (Photo) (Tacoma Daily Index, 6.11.10) http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/searchd.cgi

Francisco Garcia-Ortiz has been branch manager at the Sunnyside Library for almost two years, but this past June 7 he began a new job with Yakima Valley Libraries. Garcia-Ortiz’s new job will be as Technical Services Manager, a position he once held in Spain. The bulk of his time will be spent at the Yakima Library, where he will oversee the ordering and distributing of new books to the 18 Yakima Valley Library branches. (Photo) (Daily News [Sunnyside], 6.16.10) http://www.sunnyside.net/ARCHIVES/Story.aspx/18688/sunnyside-library-bids-farewell-to-branch-manager-this-thursday

Awards

Clara Davis, a sixth-grader at Little Mountain Elementary School; Sophia Flores, a first-grader at Jefferson Elementary School; and Laura Moores, a fourth-graders at Washington Elementary School are the winners of the Mount Vernon City Library’s 2010 Create-a-Bookmark Contest called Make a Splash – READ @ Your Library! Their winning designs have been reproduced on bookmarks that can be picked up at the library. (Skagit Valley Herald [Mount Vernon], 6.6.10)

In an age when books are being replaced by digital communications and independent bookstores fall to national chains, Roger and Nancy Page, proprietors of Island Books, have created an oasis for reading – a strong value on Mercer Island.  From 34 nominations, the pair was chosen as 2010 Mercer Island Rotary Citizen Achievement awardees, to receive the honor at the June 8 Mercer Island Rotary meeting.  (Photo) (Mercer Island Reporter, 6.9.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/mir/lifestyle/95870544.html

A youth group came together last year and raised money for the City of Roy’s Library.  Because their efforts ensured that the library would remain open, the teens are being rewarded 1:30 p.m. Saturday.  Secretary of State Sam Reed may be the official presenting the award.  Every teen not in attendance will receive their award later. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 6.18.10)

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), part of the Library of Congress, presented awards to libraries in Seattle and Virginia Beach for outstanding service to the blind and physically handicapped communities June 18.  West Seattle Resident, Danielle H. Miller, Program Manager, Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL) in Seattle, accepted the Network Library of the Year Award.  Miller was joined at the luncheon by Washington State Librarian Jan Walsh. (West Seattle Herald Online, 6.22.10) http://www.westseattleherald.com/2010/06/22/news/west-seattles-danielle-miller-accepts-national-aw

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has awarded Laura Bush 21^st Century Librarian Program grants totaling $22,623,984.  (There were 110 applications to the program with requests totaling $68,242,619.) The grants provide scholarships for LIS masters and doctoral students, support for LIS faculty research and provide continuing education opportunities. (Library Journal Online, 6.24.10) http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/home/885408-264/imls_awards_22.6m_in_librarian.csp

Programs & Displays

This year, Mary Jennings, with the Camano Island Library pilot project, is switching it up a bit.  For the first time, the summer reading program is partnering with Camano Animal Shelter Association (CASA) to benefit kids and pets. Kids can ask friends and family to sponsor their reading goals by making a donation to CASA’s homeless pets. (Photo) (Stanwood Camano News, 6.8.10) http://www.scnews.com/news/2010-06-08/Camano_Scene/Help_a_kid_help_a_pet.html

Those who have been thinking about starting a business, but want more information about business plans, financial plans and just how to get started should check out several upcoming workshops at the Camas Public Library.  Workshops are presented by the Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE).  Registration fees will be funded for registered participants as part of the Renew Washington Project from the Washington State Library funded by the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 6.8.10)

A free public screening of the 76-minute documentary “Tapped” will be at 5:30 p.m. today at the Ellensburg Public Library. The film is part of the Second Tuesday Film Series, which focuses on education and informing the community on local and global water resource issues, as well as encouraging dialogue. (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 6.8.10)

The Noteworthy Duo will appear at the Everett Public Library Main Library Auditorium, June 22 for a musical performance.  The flute and guitar duo, who hail from Long Beach, Calif., will be stopping in Everett on a summer tour of the Northwest. (Everett News Tribune [Snohomish], 6.9.10)

King County Library System has unveiled its “Read Three, Get One Free Summer Edition” and “Read-Flip-Win” summer reading programs for youth.  Children who read three books and write three thoughtful reviews get a free prize book.  For “Read-Flip-Win” youths can read a book, make a movie and put their movie on YouTube.  Entrants could win a “Flip” video camera. (Snoqualmie Valley Record, 6.9.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/svr/community/95896379.html

The King County Library System has created the “Virtually There Online Book Club.” Adults can log on to Facebook to see a list of upcoming reads and to post thoughts and comments on what they are currently reading. (Snoqualmie Valley Record, 6.9.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/svr/community/95896319.html

How do you inspire kids to love reading?  Connect them with teens who also enjoy the written word.  That’s the idea behind “Book Buddies,” a program at the Mercer Island Library, a part of the King County Library System, designed to help children ages 5 to 8 learn and appreciate reading in a relaxed environment. Trained teen volunteer’s pair up with a child for 20-minute sessions and either read to their buddy or have their buddy read to them. (Photo) (Mercer Island Reporter, 6.9.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/mir/community/95874159.html

The Timberland Regional Library Foundation is sponsoring a “Passport to Timberland” program.  Families are eligible to win prizes by visiting different libraries within the district this summer. Patrons can ask for a Timberland Library passport starting June 15.  From then until September 12, library patrons can get a stamp on their passports for each library they visit in the district. (Daily World [Aberdeen], 6.11.10) http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2010/06/11/local_news/doc4c1296c2cbb3c458557413.txt

Hard Times/Economy

Tacoma Public Library Board feels the latest rounds of proposed cuts to its budget are too drastic.  After making their case to Tacoma City Council during a budget meeting on June 3, board members got a favorable response.  The council directed City Manager Eric Anderson to find somewhere else in the city budget to make cuts of $588,000. The cuts could come from other city departments or the council’s contingency fund. (Tacoma Weekly, 6.10.10) http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/4491/

Another $1.5 million shortfall is expected in the city’s budget next year, with officials saying they have little good financial news to share. Budget exercises this month have caused panic among some residents, especially supporters of the Bellingham Public Library system.  The reduction exercise has shown that the library would need to cut another $372,000 on top of the $546,385 that has been cut in the past two years. (Bellingham Herald, 6.14.10) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/06/11/1475423/bellingham-officials-budget-outlook.html

Police hiring will be delayed and 10 of the city’s wading pools will be shut down or converted to spray features under Mayor Mike McGinn’s mid-year budget cuts.  The midyear cuts don’t require a council vote.  The mayor is also planning to spend more than half of the library’s fund balance this year.  The library is losing some of its janitorial, human resource and technology staff and equipment and giving up $500,000 in funding for the library collection, but it will be able to keep branches open the same hours. (Photo) (Seattle Times, 6.15.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012118312_citybudget15m.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] ]