Library News

King County Library System’s Words on Wheels program needs volunteers to select and deliver library materials to homebound patrons.  Training is provided. A one-year commitment is required. Volunteers must be at least 18, have their own transportation and be able to pass a Washington State Patrol background check. (The Newcastle News [Issaquah], 12.3.10)

Help the Anacortes Public Library Foundation add new books and audio-visual materials to the Library’s shelves.  A tax-deductible donation of $35 adds a book, CD or DVD with a bookplate honoring the name of your choice. $100 buys an engraved brick to be placed at the library entrance. (Skagit Valley Herald [Mount Vernon], 12.5.10)

John Moore, an engineer for P.V. Supa, of Helsinki, Finland, tests an automated materials handling system at the Camas Public Library.  The recent addition is expected to improve service, according to Library Director David Zavortink. (Photo) (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 12.7.10)

When it comes to cyber bullying, being the victim can be as damaging to one’s reputation as being the bully.  That’s one of many online lessons Edmonds School District officials are laying out to students.  Librarians Steve Goodwin and Maria Mondo shared the safety tips that they teach students to help teens recognize cyber bullying. (The Enterprise [Lynnwood], 12.8.10) http://www.enterprisenewspapers.com/article/20101208/ETP06/712089888&template=ETPZoneEDart

Spokane’s unionized library workers will get a 1 percent raise next year, under a contract ratified this week. Not knowing how contract negotiations would end, the library’s preliminary budget set aside money for a 5 percent raise, said Spokane Public Library Director Pat Partovi. Money that won’t be needed for raises can be shifted to help prevent the closure of the East Side branch. (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 12.9.10) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/dec/09/spokane-library-union-set-for-raises-in-2011/

Operation Homefront, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, made a surprise and early Christmas visit to students in the Clover Park School District. The organization dropped off more than two pallets containing 7,457 books worth approximately $55,000.  For more information about Operation Homefront, visit www.operationhomefront.net or contact John McDonaugh at (206)300-0893 or 800-779-5898. (Photo) (Fort Lewis Ranger & Weekly Volcano [Lakewood], 12.9.10)

The Rotary Club of Sequim, known as Noon Rotary, recently invested $1,000 in library books for Helen Haller Elementary School.  Club members recently launched a new program called Raise a Reader at the school to promote literacy. School librarian Marsha Omdal said most of the 55 books she purchased are hardbound and will hold up well over time. (Photo) (The Sequim Gazette, 12.15.10) http://www.sequimgazette.com/schools/article.exm/2010-12-15_books_abound_at_helen_haller

The Liberty Lake City Council made notable headway on budget discussions at Tuesday’s special meeting.  The library budget saw additional relief from the finance committee’s recommendation not to hold them responsible for the entire building insurance and utilities fee of $56,025.  The library only occupies 31 percent of the building shared with the LLPD and Council members decided that 31 percent is all they have to pay toward those fees. (Liberty Lake Splash, 12.16.10) http://www.libertylakesplash.com/news.asp?id=20250

Roy City Library will lose its three-hour Saturday starting January 1, 2011 due to lack of funds. The library will go back to just being open 2-6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Roy City Council made the decision Monday night. The library was able to maintain extended hours throughout 2010 because Roy teens collected donations last year. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 12.17.10)

Buildings

The home of Owen and Danya Patton, located around the corner from the Camas Public Library and which was purchased by the city in June 2009, was razed to make room for what will eventually become a parking lot. According to Library Director David Zavortink, exactly when the parking lot will be constructed has yet to be determined. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 11.30.10)

Yakima Valley Libraries and City of Selah officials announced the dedication of the new Selah Library on Wednesday, November 10.  The City of Selah and the Yakima Valley Libraries combined their efforts to lease a building less than a block from the Library’s old home, a space that was shared with the Selah Municipal Court and Selah City Hall. (Yakima Valley Business Journal [Toppenish], 12.2010)
The Newport Way Library, a part of the King County Library System, is closed for expansion and will remain closed for eight months to a year.  A temporary location is in Factoria Mall and is open from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday – Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays for hold pickups, returns and a small browsing collection for checkout. (The Newcastle News [Issaquah], 12.3.10)

City and library leaders will launch a $9.8 million capital campaign tonight, December 8, to expand and upgrade the historic Port Townsend Public Library. Attendees will meet the architect and view a model and renderings of the expanded and seismically upgraded building. (Photos) (The Leader [Port Townsend], 12.8.10)

Kelso Public Library manager Cindy Donaldson and library assistant Kristen Dahl map out how different sections of books will be laid out inside the library’s new 11,627-square-foot home at Three Rivers Mall.  At 5 p.m. December 23, the old library at Fourth Avenue and Academy Street will close permanently as packing and moving begins.  The new library’s anticipated grand opening and ribbon cutting is 2 p.m. January 15. (Photos) (Daily News [Longview], 12.11.10) http://tdn.com/image_417f9c78-04d5-11e0-a71e-001cc4c002e0.html

The Timberland Regional Library District is working with community groups in Oakville on plans to build a library on a parcel of school district-owned land, according to Timberland communications manager Jeff Kleingartner.  Library district representatives, city officials, members of the Friends of the Oakville Library and others met last month to discuss building a new library. (The Olympian [Olympia], 12.13.10) http://www.theolympian.com/2010/12/13/1472370/oakville-eyes-joint-library-facility.html

Letters & Editorials

Not long ago, the community approved a levy lid increase to help out library maintain a high level of service. I favored such an increase. The call for fresh capital is a horse of a different color, based as it is on a hopelessly flawed plan.  We mustn’t fall for it. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 12.8.10) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=28277&SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&S=1

Two letters to the editor responding to RE: “Why would we pay for libraries no one needs?” – December 2. “I contend that the library is the most egalitarian, democratic and direct form of government service there is. Libraries are vital, now more than ever.  Respectfully, Mr. Daugherty, we shall have to disagree.” (Independent [Port Orchard], 12.10.10)

There’s a pretty lively online discussion being waged following reader Rob Daugherty’s letter to the editor last week positing that libraries aren’t necessary in the Internet age. Having expressed somewhat similar sentiments a few weeks back…I suppose it falls to me to defend his letter, or at least its intent…Daugherty is quite correct in noting they’re not absolutely essential in the sense that no one’s basic survival depends on them being publicly provided. (Independent [Port Orchard], 12.10.10)

Tacoma’s leaders are showing that resources for all children are low on their to-do list. The devastating choice of cutting the library’s budget means that a vehicle for low-income children’s educational opportunities is going out the window. It seems easier to cut than to fight for growth. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 12.17.10) http://blog.thenewstribune.com/letters/2010/12/15/thank-you-for-showing-tacoma-that-resources-for-all-children-are-low-on-your-to-do-list/

So I snuck into the Laura Bush library event earlier this week and had a great time. Make no mistake; Mrs. Bush is an extremely engaging person.  It’s also evident she’s extremely intelligent, has an infectious dry sense of humor and understands the importance of pacing when she speaks to a crowd. Let’s also not forget that Mrs. Bush was here to promote our libraries and reading. These are two hugely important features of any thriving community.  (Photo) (Columbian [Vancouver], 12.18.10) http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/dec/18/mrs-bush-quite-the-class-act/

People

Keitha Owen, of the Port Angeles Library, is the new director of the Ocean Shores Library.  Jim Mitchell, president of the Library Board, announced the news on Monday. Owen is the replacement for Judy Stull, who retired at the end of 2009, after 30 years with the Ocean Shores Library (which opened in 1972). (The North Coast News [Ocean Shores], 12.8.10)

For the past 12 and a half years, Hester Kremer has brought a quiet passion for books and community to her job as site manager of Vashon’s library, standing watch as Islanders browsed the stacks and flocked to attend a multitude of programs presented at the bustling facility. In January, Kremer will leave her position on Vashon to work at the Burien branch of the King County Library System. (Photo) (The Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber, 12.15.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/s?action=login&f=y

Katie Littleton is the new librarian for the Alice Porter Memorial Library located in Rosalia.  Katie has long time ties to the Rosalia area. Library hours are Tuesday 10-4 and Thursday 3-7.  (Photo) (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 12.16.10)

Lin Schnell, director of human resources for the Seattle Public Library, will become interim library director when outgoing Director Susan Hildreth heads to Washington D.C. for a post with the Obama administration.  She will not be a candidate for city librarian.  The board has launched a nationwide search to find Hildreth’s successor. The board hopes to name a new city librarian by March.  (Seattle Times, 12.17.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013699714_interim17.html

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Seattle Librarian Susan Hildreth as director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a grant-making agency that doles out federal money to museums and libraries. Hildreth was named to the post in September by President Obama, but her nomination required confirmation by the Senate.  She’ll start work January 24. (Photo) (Seattle Times Online, 12.23.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013748942_librarian24m.html

Awards

A $1,000 check from Chelan’s Wal-Mart translated into fresh paint, blinds, carpet and furniture at the Manson Community Library, a part of the North Central Regional Library System. Alice Bumgarner is the first artist featured at the newly remodeled library.  (Photo) (Lake Chelan Mirror, 12.15.10) http://www.lakechelanmirror.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=3248&SectionID=6&SubSectionID=6&S=1

Programs & Displays

“Landscapes close to home” will be featured during the December show at the Second Story Gallery at the Camas Public Library. Artist, Susan Mitchell, a native of the Midwest, includes in her paintings her love of nature and the outdoors. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 11.30.10)

Smiles and laughter – shared by parents and their children – can be understood in any language.  Such is the case of a new offering at the Camas Public Library.  Spanish story times are held every Wednesday, at 11:30 a.m. The sessions are designed for infants to children 5 years old and their parents. (Photo) (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 11.30.10)

The Clinton Library invites the public to meet Dan Pedersen and some of the people featured in his book “Whidbey Island’s Special Places and the People Who Love Them” at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 2 at Clinton Community Hall.  Joy and Craig Johnson will share their new children’s books about hummingbirds.  Volunteers for the Clinton Library will also be recognized as Clinton’s “special people.” (South Whidbey Record [Langley], 12.1.10)

The Hood River Art Club will be exhibiting works in a variety of media in the White Salmon Valley Community Library’s Sprint/Baker Gallery, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, from December 3-31. The Hood River Art Club, whose members hail from throughout the Gorge, was founded in 1949.  The club’s weekly painting sessions are open to the public. (Photo) (The Enterprise [White Salmon], 12.2.10) http://www.whitesalmonenterprise.com/archives/Story.aspx/11995/hr-art-club-shows-at-library

Set sail into the imaginary world of Narnia from 6 to 7 p.m. December 14 on the lower floor of the Longview Public Library.  Enjoy stories, games, crafts and snacks on your voyage. (Daily News [Longview], 12.6.10) http://tdn.com/lifestyles/article_1ecf9404-00ab-11e0-851c-001cc4c03286.html

Diana McCaulay, a Jamaican writer, newspaper columnist and environmental activist speaks at 7 o’clock tonight at the Roslyn Library.  McCaulay will read from her award-winning novel “Dog-heart” at the meet-the-author event. McCaulay has spent a lifetime considering questions of race, class, color and privilege in Jamaican society. (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 12.7.10)

The battle of the ages returns to Mid-Columbia Libraries on December 13! In the second annual Winter Reading Challenge, kids and adults compete to see who read the most. The competition runs through January 15. Join us for a special musical performance to celebrate the start of the Winter Reading Challenge. Renowned local singer/songwriter Eric Herman performs at the Prosser Library, Monday December 13. (Record-Bulletin [Prosser], 12.8.10)

Teens!   Come to our free class for teens to learn how to defend yourself! You will learn how to use your voice, posture and eye contact to reduce your vulnerability, how to fight back if you need to, and how to escape dodgy situations. Class taught by staff from Seven Star Women’s Kung Fu in Seattle, Saturday December 11 at the Mountlake Terrace Library. (The Edmonds Beacon [Mukilteo], 12.9.10)

You can get the music out of the closet and into the hands of deserving students through the Manieri Jazz Endowment School Instrument Drive.  If you have an instrument lying silent, please consider donating it at the Anacortes Public Library.  Generous musicians affiliated with the jazz endowment will get the instruments tuned up and in good working order. Instruments will be given to the Anacortes School District to be used by students. (Photo) (Anacortes American, 12.15.10)

Sno-Isle Libraries have announced that Whidbey Reads 2011 will feature “The School of Essential Ingredients,” by Erica Bauermeister. Whidbey Reads offers all community members an opportunity to read and discuss the same book, and to meet the author. Erica Bauermeister will present a program at the Coupeville Library on Tuesday, March 8, at 2 p.m.  She will also be at the Oak Harbor Library on Wednesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 12.15.10)

The oil paintings of Albert Kissler are on display at the Mary Kazda Art Space, located in the Quincy Public Library.  Kissler is a Quincy/Wenatchee-area banker.  Kissler’s artwork is on display through the end of January. (Photo) (Grant County Journal [Ephrata], 12.16.10)

Good news for those who like to lift off via a good book: Nancy Pearl is coming after all.  Pearl, the traveling librarian from Seattle and Book Lust author, was supposed to arrive in Port Angeles the night of November 22, but a blizzard across the North Olympic Peninsula kept her away.  Pearl has been rescheduled and is slated to appear at 7 p.m. in the Raymond Carver Room at the Port Angeles Library this Monday. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 12.17.10)

Terry Ryan will sign copies of her new book, The Toolbox for Building a Great Family Dog, at the Sequim Library, a part of the North Olympic Library System, Saturday. Gus, a local canine that has inspired Ryan and others for many years and to whom the book is dedicated, will join Ryan for this event. The book is a guide to helping families raise a happy and well-mannered dog using techniques and games.  (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 12.17.10)

Brad Allen has long intended to read the novel “A Visit from the Goon Squad.” He’s finally getting around to it now that he has downloaded it to his Nook, an electronic book reader, and to his iPhone. Just before Christmas, the Everett Public Library began offering patrons free access to electronic books that can be read on portable readers…People with an Everett library card can choose from 144 titles. (The Herald [Everett], 12.28.10) http://heraldnet.com/article/20101228/NEWS01/712289923/1122

[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] ]