Washington State Library News
More than 60 library directors from around Washington will be among those congregating in Tacoma December 13-14 for an event to discuss how to make the most effective use of high-speed broadband connections that are being made available through $183 million in grants that will benefit libraries, as well as schools, health clinics, community colleges and various government and non-profit buildings across the state, especially in rural areas. The two-day event, dubbed “Broadband in Washington Libraries,” is being hosted by the Washington State Library and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. (Tacoma Daily Index, 12.10.10)
http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1891327&more=0

Library News
Facing an upcoming budget $1.8 million smaller than the current one, Tacoma Public Library Board is considering reducing hours of operation at the main branch downtown and possibly shutting down some branch libraries around the city. It was the topic of a special board meeting earlier this month. The board has until the middle of next month to finalize the TPL budget for 2011-12. (Tacoma Weekly, 11.19.10) http://www.tacomaweekly.com/news/city/branch_libraries_could_close/

The North Olympic Library System’s board of trustees approved a $4.3 million budget for 2011 on Thursday, Nov. 18. The budget increases spending for materials, training and technology at the four libraries including Sequim. Paula Barnes, the library system’s executive director, said her goal is to have 10 employees hired and in place by the end of 2011, to increase hours the library is open. (The Sequim Gazette, 11.24.10) http://www.sequimgazette.com/news/article.exm/2010-11-24_nols_ups_budget_to__4_3_million

This year, the city of Spokane asked Spokane Public Library to cut 6 percent from its budget, leaving the library with a $200,000 deficit. The proposed solution: Shut down the East Side branch. And even if the East Side branch closes, even if they fire its four employees, there would still be $50,000 to cut. (Photo) (The Pacific Northwest Inlander [Spokane], 11.25.10) http://www.inlander.com/spokane/article-15928-the-final-chapter.html

The Marysville Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries, has a new laptop for those who have difficulty reading the text on computer monitors. The laptop is specifically for use by people who are visually impaired. It includes a keyboard with Braille tags and ZoomText Magnifier software that allows users to change font styles, text sizes and colors. (The Herald Online [Everett], 12.14.10) http://heraldnet.com/article/20101214/NEWS01/712149865

Elections
After a proposed library levy increase was resoundingly rejected by voters, Kitsap Regional Library now faces a budget gap of $93,095. To balance its budget, KRL will need to reduce operating hours again, freeze its budget for adding to its collection and make other reductions. The board must close the gap by Jan 25, when the final budget will be adopted. (The Kitsap Sun [Bremerton], 11.20.10) http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/nov/19/kitsap-regional-library-faces-2011-budget-gap/

Current Deer Park Library services and hours will continue next year thanks to a voter-approved maintenance and operations levy lift proposal in August. Spokane County Library District’s board of trustees approved a $10.8 million general fund expense for 2011, a 5.5 percent hike from 2010. (Deer Park Tribune, 12.1.10)

Buildings
The Anacortes Museum Foundation is throwing the Carnegie Library/Gallery building a 100th birthday party Wednesday, December 8. This event doubles as the museum’s annual holiday party. The Carnegie Library became a museum in 1970. (Photo) (Anacortes American, 12.1.10) http://www.goanacortes.com/news/news_article/museum_renovation_on_display_at_birthday_celebration

A broken water pipe flooded the Manchester Library following this week’s winter storm and has shut down the facility indefinitely. Kitsap Regional Library personnel and members of the Friends of Manchester Library, who own the building, are still trying to assess the damage that was done when the pipe burst after heat was restored following a 2 ½ day power outage. (The Kitsap Sun [Bremerton], 11.27.10) http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/nov/26/burst-pipe-shuts-down-manchester-library/

Beginning the week of December 13, the University Place Pierce County Library will begin moving into new digs in the Town Center mixed-use development. The move will take two months and mean reduced hours, materials and services for patrons. The old library will close for good February 6, and the new library’s grand opening is February 12. (Photo) (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 12.5.10) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/12/05/1452457/books-migrate-as-library-changes.html

Letters & Editorials
People love their libraries. If each of the 191,286 Kitsap Regional Library card members voluntarily contributed $12 per year – $1 per month – t would raise almost $2.3 million to support the library. (The Kitsap Sun [Bremerton], 11.19.10) http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/nov/16/my-turn-library-should-go-to-public-for/

The Centralia Timberland Library is a city-owned building and is nearing its 100th birthday. Heating and cooling problems are common with high ceilings, older systems and doors that open to the outside elements many times during the day. What has not changed is the service we provide. The Centralia Timberland Library staff is committed to serving the information, entertainment, and educational needs of our community and our visitors, to the best of our ability. (The Chronicle [Centralia], 11.26.10)

The Omak Public Library is open again after getting a facelift. Our library contains a wealth of knowledge and opportunity. It’s a rich and precious thing, a mark of our civilization, and it is good that we are doing what is necessary to guarantee the richness it offers. (Photo) (The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, 12.1.10)

Nancy Pearl’s fans know her by her voice. Last week I waited in line for espresso with America’s favorite librarian; when Pearl ordered coffee, the woman next to us swiveled left and lasered in on Pearl’s warm, low-pitched voice. “Are you … that NPR lady?” said Pearl’s admirer – she’d know that voice anywhere. (Seattle Times, 12.6.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2013589850_litlife06.html

People
Deborah Thompson is the new branch manager of the Albion Library, a branch of the Whitman County Library System. The previous manager, Shannon Slaughter, has accepted a full time job. (Photo) (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 11.25.10)

Awards
Every year, the Whatcom County Library System gives a Golden Apple Award to an educator in Whatcom County that connects youth with reading. This year the WCLS acknowledged a team of educators from Nooksack Valley High School: Debbi Anderson-Frey, Julie Addis-Smith, and Kirsten Jenson. (Foothills Gazette [Maple Falls], 11.22.10)

Kamiak senior Jenna Lee won first place in the Sno-Isle Libraries poster contest. This is Lee’s third year winning the contest that is open to all students within the Sno-Isle district’s boundaries. (Photo) (The Snohomish County Tribune, 11.24.10)

Programs & Displays
The Friends of the White Salmon Valley Community Library invite the community to attend the 36th Annual Holiday Wassail open house to be held in conjunction with the downtown “I’m Dreaming of a White Salmon” holiday celebration on Saturday, December 4. (Photo) (The Enterprise [White Salmon], 11.25.10) http://www.whitesalmonenterprise.com/archives/Story.aspx/11980/library-celebrates-holiday

Friends of the Lake Stevens Library invite you to a Christmas Tea on December 11 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the library. Join them for a cup of hot cider and learn more about the Friends’ activities and the many library programs they support. (Lake Stevens Journal, 12.8.10)

[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] ]