Library News

Friends of the Library are working on a long-range plan to expand Grand Coulee’s library.  It starts with an application for a $50,000 statewide grant from Wal-Mart to do the pre-planning and development of a plan to begin a mentor technology program for adults.  Bob Valen and Lisa Hess told members Monday night that the large Wal-Mart grant wasn’t a sure thing, but the organization was encouraged to apply. (The Star [Grand Coulee], 11.3.10) http://grandcoulee.com/articles/2010/11/03/news/doc4cd1818710bd7862413707.txt

Welcome to the new generation of libraries, a training ground for the new information economy. “”The problem used to be finding enough information on a topic,” said Dan Gemeinhart, lead librarian for Wenatchee elementary schools.  “Now kids find too much because there’s so much out there. It’s about filtering and finding information that’s good, reliable and relevant. “(Photos) (The Wenatchee World, 11.7.10) http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/nov/06/technology-is-revolutionizing-research-but-kids/

Elections

Kitsap Regional Library has few options left for funding a new Kingston branch this week, after voters rejected a library levy proposal.  Along with the Kingston library, the levy would have paid for a new Silverdale branch. The failure of the levy proposal means Kitsap Regional Library won’t be expanding, but it may shrink. (North Kitsap Herald [Poulsbo], 11.5.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/nkh/news/106782398.html

Stevens County voters overwhelming rejected a plan to reinstate the library district’s rate to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation (the current rate is 30 cents). That measure was trailing 6,095-4,307. Library district officials had hoped to use the added funds to purchase new materials, update technology and add computer classes. (Deer Park Tribune, 11.10.10)

There’s a due date for major improvements in the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District: May 1. That’s when Monday service will be restored at five library branches, while the popular Vancouver Mall outlet will regain 10 hours of operation each week, all lost to budget cuts imposed in February 2009.  This follows narrow voter approval in August of a property tax measure that raised per-thousand-dollar-value tax rates about 8 cents.  (Columbian [Vancouver], 11.12.10) http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/nov/12/check-it-out-library-enhancements-include-more-day/

While many organizations are tightening belts in the midst of an economic downturn, King County Library System (KCLS) is better off thanks to a voter-approved levy lid lift in February. This means patrons across all 46 KCLS libraries can look forward to a boost in materials and services in the coming year. (Redmond Reporter [Kent], 11.12.10)

Buildings

The Ritzville Library District No. 2 board unanimously voted on a position statement during the October 27 meeting that the library would not move to the building owned by the Ritzville Public Department Authority in downtown. According to Chairman Thomas Pulliam, “We’re not against it, but we can’t field (the move),” referring to the pros and cons presented by the feasibility subcommittee. (Ritzville-Adams County Journal, 11.4.10)

Yakima Valley Libraries is seeking consultants to design a 10,800 square-foot library.  The project budget is $1.2 million.  The building will be built on a site that the library district purchased for the new building.  It will replace the 6,700 square-foot Summitview Library. Qualifications are due by 4 p.m. on November 19. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 11.9.10)

Thirty-six spaces{parking spaces:editor’s note} have been added to the Firstenburg Community Center and Cascade Park Library, according to Tim Haldeman, director of facilities, risk and property management for the city.  Twenty-seven of those new spaces came in the form of a new employee lot to the south of the Cascade Park Library. (Columbian [Vancouver], 11.10.10) http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/nov/10/36-parking-spaces-added-for-firstenburg-center-lib/

City Council members hope that people will be in the spirit of giving in the next two weeks as they seek to help bolster fundraising for a new Ferndale library by matching public donations. The council on Monday, Nov. 15, pledged to give an additional $100,000 to the Whatcom Community Foundation to help pay for the project, plus the city will match another $75,000 from the public. (The Bellingham Herald, 11.16.10) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/11/16/1725121/ferndale-city-council-encourages.html

Letters & Editorials

The Mercer Island Friends of the Library just held another successful book sale thanks to your donations of quality books and media.  The money raised from our fall sale, as well as ongoing book sales in the library, fund in whole or in part, over 75 percent of the programs at Mercer Island Library, so we appreciate your year-round donations and your purchase of books. (Mercer Island Reporter, 11.3.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/mir/opinion/letters/106549288.html

The Chewelah Public Library Board of Trustees extends a big thank you to Mayor Bauman, Chewelah City Council, City Administrator Curt Kelling, and Chewelah Public Works’ Denise Smith, Gary Nussbaum and workers. Recently Public Works fixed the asphalt out in front of the library removing the swale that trapped water in front of the entrance and drop box, and re-paved the designated library parking area. (The Independent [Chewelah], 11.4.10)

The article about the failure of the Kitsap Regional Library Levy (November 5) states “.officials said in a statement the library district is facing drastic cuts.” Seems to me that the first “drastic cuts” need to be made in what appears to be a bloated administrative staff prior to reducing public services. I would be glad to vote “yes” on a levy if I felt smart, lean leadership and management was shaping the organization. (Central Kitsap Reporter [Silverdale], 11.5.10)

As the bunting and yard signs are cleaned up, Kitsap residents will try to make sense of this week’s election results.  But one thing is clear: As of Wednesday, with the measure trailing by 15 percent, voters expect the Kitsap Regional Library to live within its means.  But our bet is that residents will only realize the value of libraries when they miss them, sad as it may be. (Central Kitsap Reporter [Silverdale], 11.5.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/pat/opinion/106794818.html

I dislike arguing, yet again, against a pocketbook issue for city employees, and I understand that it’s complicated, involving union negotiations and the board wanting to treat non-unionized workers fairly. But if we hand out raises while closing the East Side branch, everyone involved ought to be ashamed. (The Spokesman Review [Spokane], 11.19.10) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/nov/19/worth-of-a-library-weighed/

I know our library system must make some cuts, but I would hate to have my branch closed.  I offer this alternative to closing branches: Cut service at each branch from five days a week to four.  They should not all be closed on the same day, so students with big assignments can find an open branch fairly close to home.  (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 11.13.10) http://blog.thenewstribune.com/letters/2010/11/10/another-take-on-library-cutbacks/

Cheers to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation, which scored a coup by signing former First Lady Laura Bush as the keynote speaker for its annual Authors and Illustrators fundraising dinner.  The foundation, a charitable nonprofit organization that supports the library district, sold out the December 14 event only a few hours after it was announced that Bush, a former school librarian, will speak. (Columbian [Vancouver], 11.13.10) http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/nov/13/in-our-view-cheers-jeers/

People

The Ritzville Library District No. 2 is searching for a new library director after accepting a resignation from Robin Braun during its October 27 meeting.  Braun has taken a position managing a research library in Spokane.  Her last day is December 4, according to draft minutes from the meeting.  (Ritzville-Adams County Journal, 11.4.10)

The Roslyn Library hired Shawna Graham to serve as a part time library assistant just five months ago, and she has already hit the national library-world circuit.  Graham attended the annual conference of the National Association of Rural and Small Libraries in Denver, Colorado the third week of October, and she returned home full of ideas, resources and enthusiasm.  The conference was made possible through federal Library Services and Technology Act funds via the Washington State Library. (Photo) (Northern Kittitas County Tribune [Cle Elum], 11.11.10)

Marion J. Otteraaen, who led the Longview Public Library into the computer age and created nationally recognized reading programs in her 29 years as director, died Nov. 6 at the age of 78 after a long battle with cancer. Hired in 1974 to replace Stewart Robbins, her achievements have left a lasting imprint on the library, said her successor, library Director Chris Skaugset. (The Daily News Online [Longview], 11.20.10) http://tdn.com/news/local/article_fb299b8a-f556-11df-9f91-001cc4c03286.html

Awards

Camas High School Principal Steve Marshall was recently named by the Washington Library Media Association as the high school level Principal of the Year.  He was nominated by CHS teacher-librarian Rosemary Knapp. He was honored at the WLMA annual conference at a banquet in October at the SeaTac DoubleTree Hotel.  (Photo) (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 11.2.10) http://www.camaspostrecord.com/news/2010/nov/02/marshall-earns-library-media-association-honors/

Programs & Displays

At this time of harvest bounty, some are still in need.  The Washington Public Employees Association and Fort Vancouver Regional Library are teaming up to collect food and other items for local food banks.  Please bring donations to the Stevenson or North Bonneville libraries or the Skamania County bookmobile. Items most needed include canned meat, beans, fruits or vegetables as well as personal care products. (The Skamania County Pioneer, 11.3.10)

The November meeting for the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society will take place on Wednesday, November 10.  The computer interest group will meet in the basement of the Colville Public Library.  Lora Rose will have a class on “Using Heritage Quest Online.” This class is free and is co-sponsored by the Libraries of Stevens County. (The Independent [Chewelah], 11.4.10)

The community contra dancing season in Ellensburg begins with its first free monthly dance session at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Hal Holmes Center. This is the fourth year the dance sessions have been conducted at the Hal Holmes Center, thanks to the continuing support of the Ellensburg Public Library in cooperation with the Kittitas County Contra Dancers.  Because of the library’s support, the dance sessions are free of charge. (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 11.5.10)

Hoquiamite Judy Morgan says she’s a big fan of the popular word game Scrabble but has always had a hard time finding people to play with her. Now, Morgan will join others from Twin Harbors for a championship Scrabble match in Tumwater this weekend, hosted by the Timberland Regional Library District’s Friends of the Library.  (Daily World [Aberdeen], 11.5.10)

The selected title for 2010 Everybody Reads, a community reading program, is “The Hearts of Horses,” by Molly Gloss, and culminates with local appearances by the author in early November at both the Neill Public Library and Colfax Library.  (Daily News [Pullman], 11.6.10)

A representative from Cottey College, located in Nevada, MO, will be presenting scholarship and school information to interested young women and guests at the Hoquiam Library, a part of the Timberland Regional Library District.  Amy Diaz will be explaining scholarship information available to all women from Washington.  (Daily World [Aberdeen], 11.7.10)

Tickets to see former first lady Laura Bush speak December 14 at the annual Authors and Illustrators Dinner and Silent Auction at the Hilton Vancouver Washington have sold out, the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation said Tuesday.  The sellout comes a day after the former schoolteacher and librarian’s visit was made public. (Photo) (Columbian [Vancouver], 11.10.10) http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/nov/09/bush-dinner-sold-out/

The “Yule Ball” from the pages of J.K. Rowlings “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” is now a real-life event at Marysville Public Library.  Sixth-through-12^th graders are invited to the party, to dress in Hogwarts-style wizard robes if they are so inclined, for an evening of music, trivia, performances and entertainment from 7 to 11 p.n. Saturday.  (Photo) (The Herald [Everett], 11.12.10)

Book Sales

The Friends of the Whitman County Library is hosting a large sale in the Colfax Branch to benefit children’s programs countywide.  Besides the usual books, movies and music the Friends are selling a number of older office items that were declared surplus after the move back into the library at the conclusion of the Colfax renovation.  (Daily News [Pullman], 11.4.10)

WSU students are working with Neill Public Library in Pullman to bring school supplies to children in North Charleston, S.C.  The library agreed to divert all donations of children’s books and school supplies for the month of November to the project, which will benefit students at W.B. Goodwin Elementary School.  (The Daily Evergreen [Pullman], 11.9.10) http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/33121

Economy/Hard Times

Librarian Beth St. George remembers when she led her elementary students on a hunt once a week.  They learned how to navigate libraries and how to find reliable, safe information online.  But no more.  She’s the only librarian left at Eastmont Elementary Schools this year.  She travels between four schools and supervises the library aides who run the show.  This is the new reality of school libraries. (The Wenatchee World, 11.7.10)

Pasco’s budget writer describes the proposed 2011 budget as a “hold the line” budget. The city will be spending $150,000 less in 2011 on library services from Mid-Columbia Libraries because the city and library district negotiated a new contract earlier this year.  (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 11.8.10) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/11/08/1242816/pasco-faces-some-cuts-at-budget.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] ]