Washington State Library News

The Wahkiakum County Collection, a portion of Washington Rural Heritage series is now live and online.  A slide show, featuring highlights of the collection, and a commemorative bookmark with the web address is available at the Blanche Bradley Memorial Library in Cathlamet. Evan Robb, WRH Project Manager from Washington State Library made several trips to Cathlamet to provide guidance and expertise. (The Wahkiakum Co. Eagle (Cathlamet), 11.11.10)

Library News

The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington (JCCCW) Nikkei Bunko Japanese Language Library recently expanded its hours of operation. Due to popular demand, the Nikkei Bunko will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, to give the public more access to its resources. (Northwest Asian Weekly (Seattle), 10.30.10) http://www.nwasianweekly.com/2010/10/attention-new-expanded-hours-at-nikkei-bunko-japanese-language-library/

Janet Lyon works full time overseeing the wide variety of services that Dayton Memorial Library, a modern 21^st century library, now provides.  This includes computers for homework and research, eAudiobooks, children and teen programs, oh, and sometimes people come in and check out books. (Photos) (Blue Mountain News (Dayton), 11.2010)

The Lake Stevens Library will host a 25^th anniversary celebration Saturday.  Cake and sharing memories will be part of the celebration. The library opened in 1985 in its current building in Lake Stevens. (The Herald (Everett), 11.2.10) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20101102/NEWS01/711029937

Ten year old Niv Bhide and his mother organized a fundraising campaign for Make a Difference Day that earned $2,300 for Columbia’s school library.  Niv said he thought he might make $100 for the library.  Instead, the donations more than doubled the school’s annual book budget. He wanted the library to benefit because he loves to read. (Photos) (The Wenatchee World, 11.2.10) http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/nov/02/beyond-amazing-what-a-few-letters-can-do/

The North Central Regional Library System is kicking off its “Go green! – Save the Library Some Green” campaign. Customers who receive notices through the mail are being asked to switch to e-mail notices to help the library reduce waste and save money, a library announcement said. (The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, 11.3.10)

A touch of confusion greeted last week’s motion by the Colville City Council to repeal Ordinance No. 1082.  Ordinance No. 1082, which has been on the books since 1993, charged non-residents an assessed fee of $40 per year, per family to use the library. According to Library manager Krista Ohrtman, the ordinance hasn’t been enforced since the Colville Public Library joined the Library District of Stevens County in 2000. (Statesman-Examiner (Colville), 11.3.10)

Pierce County Library System, looking to add to its base of more than a quarter-million users, conducted a month long library card drive in October. People could enter a drawing to win a Sony Reader, a gift from Pierce County Library Foundation.  People who already had a library card could enter the drawing by having a friend or family member get a card.  (South Pierce County Dispatch (Eatonville), 11.3.10)

The Elisabeth C. Miller Library, which celebrated its 25^th anniversary Saturday, is the first and only in the region dedicated to gardening and horticulture, and is the only library of its type in the West that lends from its collection to the general public. Housed at the University of Washington’s Center for Urban Horticulture, the library is a hub for gardeners, horticulturalists and naturalists of all sorts. (Photos) (Seattle Times, 11.7.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013366012_library07m.html

The Everett Public Library is among the top 10 finalists in a nationwide contest for $10,000.  The contest is a promotional campaign for the Playaway, an all-in-one audiobook available for Everett Public Library patrons to check out. Now, Everett officials want people to vote for the library in the contest.  (The Herald (Everett), 11.8.10) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20101108/NEWS01/711089949

Police say a third girl has reported being fondled at the Bothell branch of the King County Library System.  The girl, 7, was fondled at the library sometime before two other 7-year-old girls were fondled in early October. Police believe the same man was involved in all three incidents.  The investigation is ongoing. (The Herald (Everett), 11.10.10) http://heraldnet.com/article/20101110/NEWS01/711109837

For the past 11 years, the Friends of The Seattle Public Library have held its twice-yearly used-book sale in Building 30 at Magnuson Park.  But now the city says the building needs so much work the Friends and other groups that use the building may get kicked out. That means some of the non-profits that use the building, such as the Friends, may need to find a new venue. (Seattle Times, 11.13.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013428240_booksale14m.html

Elections

This year’s shortened hours at Seattle’s public libraries will likely continue into next year, but voters may be asked to approve a special tax levy to help pay for library operations in future years.  Council Budget Committee Chairwoman Jean Godden said that council members intend to seriously consider the idea of a special library tax and the formation of a special library district to collect it. (Seattle Post Intelligencer Online, 11.14.10) http://www.seattlepi.com/local/430152_library15.html

Buildings

The Camas Public Library will be closed to the public November 4-5 for staff training and the installation of new equipment. New radio frequency identification equipment and a materials sorting system will be installed.  The new identification equipment will speed up both checkout and return of materials and provide additional security. (Columbian (Vancouver), 10.29.10) http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/oct/30/camas-library-close-new-equipment-installation/

Construction is slated to begin next year on a 15,000 square-foot replacement for the Federal Way 320^th Library, according to designer SRG Partnership.  The new library will have room for more materials, computers, children and teen space, and a community room.  The library, part of the King County Library System, sees more than 4.3 million visitors a year. (Daily Journal of Commerce (Seattle), 11.8.10)

Faced with a projected $1.2 million general fund shortfall, Kelso City Council has to make some tough budget choices. Last week’s decision to go ahead with the Kelso Public Library’s planned move to Three Rivers Mall was rare bit of encouraging news. And, yes, it was a smart budget choice, given the relatively modest cost and many benefits of relocating the library in the mall. (The Daily News Online  (Longview), 11.10.10) http://tdn.com/news/opinion/article_87e4a03e-ecf5-11df-aaa9-001cc4c03286.html

Letters & Editorials

We have in this country, in every community, in this town and county a great bank, a public repository, of the entire world’s collective stories, experiences and history.  It is your public library. It’s one of the best investments that can ever be made with your tax dollars for you, your children and your public library. (The Wahkiakum Co. Eagle (Cathlamet), 10.28.10)

On Monday, November 1, supporters of Cathlamet Library will meet with Wahkiakum Board of County Commissioners to request reinstatement of funding for the county’s public library in the form of $3,000 for 2011.  We encourage everyone to attend the November 1 meeting. (The Wahkiakum Co. Eagle (Cathlamet), 10.28.10)

Our library in West Pasco should have perfect features like a better reading place so people enjoy the new and improved library.  Handicapped people like books too, but they can’t easily visit when the doors are too small.  This library should be wheelchair friendly.  Is the library made for the community?  Yes, it is and the handicapped people are part of our community! (Tri-City Herald (Kennewick), 11.1.10) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/11/01/1232336/library-suggestions.html

A college wins, a city wins, students win, residents win and taxpayers win.  That’s a lot of victories in Grandview as work begins on a new $4 million library that will be jointly owned and operated by Yakima Valley Community College and the city of Grandview. (Yakima Herald-Republic, 11.2.10) http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/11/01/grandview-library-lets-city-college-declare-victory

A little over two years ago, my wife and I moved to Liberty Lake from Liberal, Kansas. Harry Potter, famous children’s literature character, in one of his many adventures says, “When all else fails, go to the library.” Let us work together so that we not only have a library to go to, but one that is open on a daily basis and is staffed by professional librarians. (Liberty Lake Splash, 11.4.10) http://www.libertylakesplash.com/news.asp?id=20120

Yes, I’m sure that all those who participate in activities at the Firstenburg Community Center are praising the center. But I’m sure that there were more praises prior to the installation of the Cascade Park Community Library.  In those days there was ample parking. Now the question is: where can we all park? (Columbian (Vancouver), 11.8.10) http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/nov/08/letters-to-the-editor/

I am in favor of reducing the main and local branch hours in lieu of closing individual branches. I am sure the library board is well informed of all those reasons to keep the library branches open. The library can be a resource for future professional growth. (The News Tribune (Tacoma), 11.9.10) http://blog.thenewstribune.com/letters/2010/11/08/please-do-not-close-library-branches/

Today’s schools and parents continue to fail our youth.  Read to your kids, have them see you reading, listen to books, and make reading an important part of your life and family’s life around you.  Truly make an impact on a child’s life.  (The Herald (Puyallup), 11.10.10) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/11/10/1416825/child-literacy-success-starts.html

People

Sylvia Platt has been hired as teen services coordinator at Jefferson County Library. She plans, organizes and conducts a variety of programs to inform and encourage use of the library by teens. Platt has been working with youth since 1991. (Photo) (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 10.31.10)

Josh Westbrook was hired in 2002 to be the Prescott library manager. Josh, who lives in Walla Walla, works about 15 hours a week in Prescott and 25 hours a week as the District’s technology manager. Josh has helped the Prescott Library introduce several special programs and events, including its summer reading program, and regular movie and Wii nights.   (Photo) (Blue Mountain News (Dayton), 11.2010)

Shortly after arriving in Waitsburg in 1978, Jan Cronkhite started helping out at the Weller Library. She had worked in the Lewiston Library for more than four years prior to her move. That same year, she took over as the Weller Librarian, a position she held until the end of September.  A celebration of her career was held at the library on October 23^rd. (Photo) (Blue Mountain News (Dayton), 11.2010.)

Bellingham Public Library has a new head of Children’s Services.  Bethany Hoglund has been selected to fill the spot held by Scott Blume, who retired at the end of 2009.  Hoglund has a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Washington.  She has held several posts at Bellingham Public Library since 1996, when she was hired as a page. (Bellingham Herald, 11.1.10) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/11/01/1693539/bellingham-public-library-selects.html

Awards

Trout Lake School’s Emma Tiffan received an honorable mention award in the middle school division of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library’s (FVRL) annual Fall Teen Writing Contest.  Emma’s story can be read at the White Salmon Valley Community Library or on the teen portion of FVRL’s website.  (Photo) (The Enterprise (White Salmon), 10.28.10)

Programs & Displays

On October 30, kids of all ages participated in the White Salmon Valley Community Library, a part of Fort Vancouver Regional Library District’s, celebration of the Latin American holiday Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos).  On November 2, adults and youth continued learning about this celebration from local scholar, Anne Key PhD, who presented on the indigenous roots of the celebration and demonstrated how to create your own altar. (The Enterprise (White Salmon), 10.28.10) http://www.whitesalmonenterprise.com/archives/Story.aspx/11910/celebrate-day-of-the-dead

Clallam County Literacy Council and North Olympic Library System will celebrate National Family Literacy Day at all branches on Saturday.  This year, local firefighters will impress on children the importance of “Stop! Drop! And Read!” at events at the Port Angeles, Sequim and Clallam Bay libraries. (Peninsula Daily News (Port Angeles), 11.1.10)

Local writer and photographer Martin Burwash plans to discuss his novel, “Vis Major,” about the Wellington Avalanche of 1910 at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Everett Public Library.  The program is free. The Wellington Avalanche was one of the worst train disasters in U.S. history.  (The Herald (Everett), 11.2.10) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20101102/NEWS01/711029937

During November, we invite you to catch Foodie Fever – and help others – at your Prosser Library, a part of Mid-Columbia Libraries! Library customers can participate in the food drive by taking advantage of the Food for Fines program from November 1 – 30.  It allows customers to reduce their overdue library fines by $1 for each non-perishable food item they donate at the library (limit: $10/10 food items.) (Record-Bulletin (Prosser), 11.3.10)

Lots of Legos are coming to the library in Cusick on Saturday, November 20 at 11 a.m.  Several libraries across the country are hosting Lego clubs and tournaments these days and the Calispel Valley Library, a part of the Pend Oreille County Library District, is now among them.  Building with creative toys such as Legos help build analytical skills, creativity and concentration, all of which assist with reading literacy. (Newport Miner, 11.3.10)

Interested in archaeology?  Dr. Richard Daugherty, archaeologist and Aberdeen native, will be at the Aberdeen Timberland Library at 2 p.m. on November 13 to give a presentation on what archaeology is – and is not – and how sites are found. He’ll be joined by writer and photographer Ruth Kirk and will show film clips of two Olympic Peninsula digs. (Daily World (Aberdeen), 11.3.10)

Seattle’s Central Library will host a children’s music festival Sunday, featuring bands from the local cooperative Kindiependant.  The festival will be from noon to 2:30 p.m. and is free. The festival will feature five local bands. (Seattle Times, 11.6.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013359724_library06.html

Economy/Hard Times

Faced with an approximately half-million-dollar hole in next year’s budget, the Spokane Library Board of Trustees is considering a plan to close the East Side Library. Library Director Pat Partovi said closing a branch is the preferred option because the system already has trimmed branch hours substantially.  (Photos) (Spokesman Review (Spokane), 10.25.10) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/oct/25/budget-imperils-branch/

More than 100 people attended the library board hearing at the East Central Community Center, which is next door to the endangered library. Facing a more than $500,000 deficit, library officials have proposed closing the East Side because it has the lowest gate count and lowest circulation of the system’s six branches. (Photo) (Spokesman Review (Spokane), 10.28.10) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/oct/27/library-patrons-make-emotional-case-east-side-bran/

Liberty Lake City Council members will meet with the Library Board of Trustees Thursday to further discuss the proposed budget for the library.  The board issued a letter to the City Council stating it would keep the 2011 budget at $411,474, well over the city’s allocated $318,837. Library Board President John Loucks said the board’s interpretation of Ordinance 119 gives the library board power to determine the budget.  (Liberty Lake Splash, 11.4.10) http://www.libertylakesplash.com/news.asp?id=20128

Beginning next year, Tacoma Public Library patrons likely can expect fewer hours of operation at the city’s main library downtown and could face service cuts even more dire: losing their neighborhood library branch. Facing a coming budget more than $1.8 million smaller than the current one, the library’s five-member board of trustees is now considering several cost-cutting options, including scenarios that would close one or two branches. (Photo) (The News Tribune (Tacoma), 11.6.10) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/11/06/1412177/board-weighs-closing-library-branches.html

Duvall residents are anxiously anticipating construction of a new library, but they’ll have to wait a bit longer to celebrate its ground-breaking.  Two issues must be resolved before the King County Library System will be ready to set a date. The first issue is the sale of the property.  Next, there’s the budget constraint. (Valley View (Woodinville), 11.8.10)

[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] ]