Library News

Odessa librarian Julie Jantz sought approval from the Town Council to submit an application for grant money to fund the purchase of new library computers and to provide users with basic computer skills such as writing cover letters, submitting job applications, etc.  The Council approved the application.  (Odessa Record, 6.24.10)

The theft of more than 1,350 children’s picture books from the Port Orchard Library has prompted the Kitsap Regional Library (KRL) system to review its security procedures.  KRL is considering installation of mirrors and door alarms where library users can leave a building without walking past the staff at the circulation desk.  In the longer term, KRL plans to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of installing a radio frequency tag system to protect its collection.  (Independent [Port Orchard], 6.25.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/poi/news/96917549.html

The TRL Board of Trustees announced last Friday that Leonard Hernandez, the candidate who was offered the TRL executive director position, declined the offer and will continue his current position as library director for the City of Riverside, California.  The TRL Board of Trustees plans to hold a special meeting within the upcoming week to discuss the next steps. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 7.2.10)

The Ferndale public library could be closed for three weeks in early 2011 as officials work to remodel the Pioneer Pavilion as a temporary location and move books in.  The undertaking will be the first of its kind for the Whatcom County Library system, said Executive Director Joan Airoldi.  (Bellingham Herald, 7.6.10) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/07/06/1509384/ferndale-library-could-be-closed.html

Residents of the City of Roy and Pierce County Library System’s service area now have more options for checking out books, movies and music from either library for free.  At its June 14 meeting, the Roy City Council approved a borrowing agreement between the two libraries.  Earlier this month the Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees approved the agreement.  (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 7.7.10)

Keeping the doors open to Seattle’s libraries may boil down to a simple question: What other taxes are people willing to pay to ensure they have access to the more than two dozen library branches?  Possibilities to be aired before a City Council committee Friday range from forming a new tax-support library district to a system of “earmarking” current tax receipts exclusively for libraries.  (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 7.7.10) http://www.seattlepi.com/local/423010_library08.html

Financing Seattle’s library system in touch economic times has presented more questions than answers at the moment.  After hearing a complex list of financial options – a state sales tax, new taxing districts and dedicated property taxes among them – members of a City Council committee said they needed to probe further.  (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 7.9.10) http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/archives/214105.asp

After seven months with no Wi-FI signal, Longview Public Library patrons once again can connect to the Internet on their laptops.  The library cut off Wi-Fi in January after learning someone had illegally downloaded two first-run movies on the network.  A copyright infringement watchdog company traced the activity to the library’s Internet Protocol address and asked the city to take immediate action to prevent further infractions. (The Daily News [Longview], 7.12.10) http://tdn.com/news/local/article_c20f063c-8e13-11df-affd-001cc4c03286.html

Buildings

The King County Library System has narrowed its focus to one option for a temporary library site to serve the community when the Auburn Library closes for a year of renovations.  Denise Siers, director of public services for the King County Library System said “I can say that we’ve chosen an area to pursue, but can’t say at this point that the negotiations are final.”  (Auburn Reporter [Kent], 6.25.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/aub/news/97027564.html

At only 6,400 square feet, the Bonney Lake library building is among the smallest, which is why a new facilities master plan summary from the Pierce County Library System includes Bonney Lake among the branches.  “It’s a very, very busy library,” Pierce County Library Executive Director Neel Parikh told the city council at its June 1 workshop.  (Photo)  (Bonney Lake Sumner Courier-Herald [Kent], 6.30.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/pierce/bch/news/97340974.html

The new Vancouver Community Library is meant to be an open book.  It’s all about transparency: Book stacks, comfy reading chairs and a special children’s area will be plainly visible to passersby to broadcast the building’s purpose, said Bruce Ziegman, executive director of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District.  With expected savings on lighting, heating and cooling, the library stands to earn LEED energy conservation gold certification when it opens in about 12 months, mid-2011.  (Photos)  (Columbian [Vancouver], 6.30.20) http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/jun/30/new-library-to-turn-pages-heads/

The walls went up in May and the trusses in June, along with the start of the metal roof – all with donated labor as people rally around the effort to build the new North Fork Community Library. The North Fork Community Library represents some eight years of effort by the Whatcom County Library System, to which the Maple Falls branch belongs, and the Friends of the North Fork Community Library.  (Bellingham Herald, 7.14.10) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/07/14/1524393/residents-businesses-rally-to.html

Letters & Editorials

On August 17 the property owners of Ocean Shores will be voting on a library levy to increase their property tax by 22 cents per thousand of assessed value.  This will amount to an annual increase of $44 for a 200,000 house.  In tough times almost everyone is reluctant to incur additional expenses, but in reality the library levy is a real bargain.  (The North Coast News [Ocean Shores], 6.30.10)

Last week, we (the Save the Library Committee) held our first meetings to help support the August 17^th Library Levy.  We believe strongly that the community should support the Levy and bring the Library back to about its 2007 funding level with 22 cents per thousand in valuation.   (The North Coast News [Ocean Shores], 6.30.10)

Last week my 5 year old daughter asked me, “does anybody else live at the library or just Michelle? “I chuckled a little, and told her that no one lives at the library; Michelle just works there and has a home she goes to after work. She paused to process that and then told me she’d like to live at the library.  I tell you this to illustrate how important a library is to children, and even if we don’t have children we were all children at one time.  Speaking to you from a mother’s heart I am begging that we pass the library levy.   (The North Coast News [Ocean Shores], 6.30.10)

I’m new to the area. We’ve been here just under a year.  It was quite the eye opener to see the political upheaval and financial problems the city has been dealing with.  I too would love to understand it all, I too am frustrated with what appears to be lack of fiscal responsibility, but I am not willing to sacrifice the library on the altar of politics.  (The North Coast News [Ocean Shores], 6.30.10)

We have a gold mine in our area!  It’s the White Salmon Valley Community Library.  Let us ensure its continued success by voting for the library levy lift when it appears on the ballot on August 17.  We and our children deserve such a gold mine.  (The Enterprise [White Salmon], 7.1.2010)

The board of trustees must decide before the end of this month whether to propose a property increase for the Kitsap County Rural Library District.  Whatever the trustees decide this month, they need to be sure to lay out the details of their proposal on the KRL website prior to the meeting – including the estimated costs for each item.  It rarely hurts to make it easy for voters to know what they would be paying for, and it usually helps.  (Independent [Port Orchard], 7.2.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/poi/opinion/97595019.html

On behalf of the six public libraries of Skagit County, I would like to thank Kate Kypuros and META Performing Arts for the opportunity to partner with this great performing arts group on the recently concluded McIntyre Hall run of Annie.  The library is involved in a Renew Washington Grant Project, aimed at helping the library support the community in these tough economic times. The tie-in to Annie is strong, with this play’s depiction of life in an even tougher economic time and its message that working together is the only way out of tough times. (Skagit Valley Herald, 7.4.10)

Libraries have and continue to play an essential role in human civilizations, past, present and future.  Almost as soon as humans invented writing, we started collecting what we wrote so it could be shared with others and passed on from one generation to the next.  I hope everyone will come out and support our library (Ocean Shores) in the August 17 primary.  (Daily World [Aberdeen], 7.4.10) http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2010/07/04/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/doc4c3003aebf381520093932.txt

Last year 55,000 people visited the library according to one of the library board members at a recent meeting.  That is over 200 of our citizens each day, five days a week, throughout the year.  What a bargain to spend 12 cents per day for such a needed service.  I ask you to join with me and vote “yes” for the library on the August 17 primary ballot. (Daily World [Aberdeen], 7.6.10) http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2010/07/06/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/doc4c3362ef5ba21821948535.txt

Recently, you may have seen articles and ads in the Sequim Gazette about an election in August to support our library.  In the next few weeks there will be more details.  As I personally know some of the library board members and administrators, I realize that thoughtful analysis of our library’s needs has gone into this election.  I urge you to learn more and then vote “Yes” when you receive your ballot. (The Sequim Gazette, 7.7.10) http://www.sequimgazette.com/letters/article.exm/2010-07-07_letters_to_the_editor

Please support the upcoming library levy.  Libraries, like schools, foster literacy and a lifelong love of learning. It is a meeting place for cultural, community and literary programs. Please join us in voting “Yes” when you receive your ballot at the end of July.   (The Sequim Gazette, 7.7.10) http://www.sequimgazette.com/letters/article.exm/2010-07-07_letters_to_the_editor

People

Sara Foster has joined the Whatcom County Library System as the new branch manager for the Lynden Library.  The appointment was effective July 1, said Regan Robinson, who left the position in January to take on an administrative role with the countywide, nine-branch system.  (Photo)  (Lynden Tribune, 7.7.10)

Programs & Displays

The Anacortes Public Library invites members of area book clubs to its annual tea 3-5 p.m. Sunday, July 18 at the library.  As a special feature at this year’s event, author M.L. Malcolm will read from her debut novel, “The Heart of Lies” – a tale of suspense inspired by her own family history, set in Europe, Shanghai, and New York in the years prior to World War II.  (Anacortes American, 7.7.10)

The White Salmon Valley Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, will be featuring the “Young Artists’ Show” by students of the Masterpieces School of Art in the library’s Sprint/Baker Gallery from July 1-29.  These talented young artists have been honing their skills to create an exhibit of unique works in pencil, acrylic and pastels.  (The Enterprise [White Salmon], 7.1.10)

Economy/Hard Times

Lorie Woodruff is deep into the job hunt, joining thousands in Southwest Washington also on the prowl.  Her best new weapon: a small black Dell notebook she can use for two hours at the Vancouver Mall Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, free of charge.  Enter the netbooks, which arrived in April, courtesy of a $48,420 Renew Washington state grant.  (Photos)  (Columbian [Vancouver], 7.2.10) (Print Edition Only)

[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]]