Washington State Library News

Rural public libraries around the state have put together digital collections of historic items and fascinating community heritage.  Access is free and online.  These collections were made possible by grants from Washington Rural Heritage, an initiative of the Washington State Library.  The grants are funded by the Library Services and Technology Act through the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. (Northern Kittitas County Tribune [Cle Elum], 2.3.11)

The American Library Association’s “Library Snapshot Day” provides a way for libraries of all types across a state, region, system or community to show what happens in a single day in their libraries. On January 11, Library Snapshot Day for the Washington State Library branches in correctional facilities and psychiatric hospitals was held. The information gathered through the Library Snapshot Day has been shared with the public via Facebook, the Washington State Library blog, and the American Library Association website. (Franklin County Graphic [Connell], 2.3.11)

Library News

The Camano Island Library pilot project is kicking out CARL. Library Manager David Menard says it’s a good thing CARL got the boot. “Now before you think I’m being callous about the departure of a loyal staff member, I should explain that CARL is our integrated library system.” CARL is retiring because the manufacturer will no longer support the system with upgrades…they’ll soon be upgrading to the Polaris system. (The Herald [Everett], 1.28.11)

A new online catalog makes searching for library materials easier and allows Whatcom County library patrons to see what other users think of books, music or movies. Visitors to the website of the Whatcom County Library System, wcls.org, are invited to try the new catalog. Because of a sharing agreement, Burlington Public Library patrons also may use the catalog, which is hosted by BiblioCommons Inc. on its server. (Bellingham Herald, 1.31.11)

Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland laid out an ambitious agenda Monday night for the City of Tacoma in 2011, starting with finishing project the city already has under way.  Among the most high-profile tasks on the city’s to-do list that Strickland cited is the development of a long-term plan for the Tacoma Public Library and finding a way to fund it. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 2.1.11)

In coming months, utility crews will extend fiber-optic lines along Mount Baker Highway to Deming, providing high-speed Internet access to the Deming Library, a part of the Whatcom County Library System, and Mount Baker School District facilities. A Tacoma based nonprofit called Northwest Open Access Network is leading the project, which is mostly paid with federal economic stimulus money. (Bellingham Herald, 2.2.11)

Pierce County Library System’s budget for 2011 preserves service to the public, despite thinning revenue. The system’s Board of Trustees in December passed an operating budget of $28.6 million and $3.9 million in spending for capital improvements. Approximately 97 percent of the budget comes from property taxes. (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 2.2.11)

The North Central Regional Library (NCRL) received a $35,000 grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation to expand its Columbia River Reads program directed at teens. NCRL will use the funds to bring Newbery Award winning author Avi to 20 additional high schools and middle schools in 2011 and 2012. The award is part of the Foundation’s new “Making Connections” Initiative to help strengthen the relationship between libraries and the communities they serve. (Cashmere Valley Record, 2.2.11)

February is Library Lovers Month sponsored by the American Library Association. GFWC Chewelah Woman’s Club is hosting a program presented by Amanda McKeraghan, Library Director, Libraries of Stevens County. Amanda will be sharing information on the wide variety of services provided by the library. (The Independent [Chewelah], 2.3.11)

The Port Townsend Public Library Friends of the Library recently received a $2,000 grant from Puget Sound Energy. The grant provides more opportunities to assist job seekers through the Transition Yourself program that began in 2009. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 2.4.11)

Fort Vancouver Regional Library District officials declined Monday to establish a fine for patrons caught being a bit tardy.  But the issue of overdue fines and other new charges will be discussed during a retreat session, set for April 11-12 at the Cascade Park Community Library. (Columbian [Vancouver], 2.8.11)

Elections

A long list of details needs to be ironed out between now and April 26, the day Enumclaw voters will decide if they want to annex into the King County Library System. The city has supported its own library since the early 1920s, but dwindling financial resources have taken a toll on many aspects of Enumclaw’s municipal budget.  As a result, the city has, for a couple of years, kicked around the idea of handing library operations to the county system. (Enumclaw Courier-Herald, 2.2.11)

Buildings

Community leaders held on to their convictions, but let go of many assumptions Wednesday, January 26, when nearly 20 members from various groups with vested interest in Pioneer Park met to discuss the Ferndale Library’s, a part of Whatcom County Library System, transition into its temporary location at the Pioneer Pavilion.  Ferndale Library branch manager Sarah Koehler said that because the new location is meant to be temporary, the library intends to be a hospitable guest. (Ferndale Record, 2.2.11)

Some longtime dreaming of a new library in the Mount Baker foothills area will become reality this month.  Saturday, February 19, will be the last day of operation at the Maple Falls Public Library, and then the branch of the Whatcom County Library System will take a week off to move into a brand-new building five miles down the Mount Baker Highway in Kendall. (Lynden Tribune, 2.2.11)

Whitman County Library has purchased the Hamilton Drug building which adjoins the library’s Colfax building on the south side.  Kristie Kirkpatrick, Library Director, reported the $75,000 used for the purchase was given to the library Foundation for the express purpose of purchasing the Hamilton property.  (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 2.3.11)

The City of Yelm will face several challenges in 2011 including finding a solution for the Yelm library. The Yelm Timberland Library’s lease is up at the end of the year and Timberland Regional Library System will not be contributing to rental costs. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 2.4.11)

Letters & Editorials

I love the Orcas Library.  So much good reading materials to enjoy. It’s a beautiful location with wonderful views. The library represents a respect for knowledge, learning and concentration that are so deeply ingrained in our history.  Let’s support a quiet library. (The Island Sounder [Eastsound], 2.2.11)

I attended the Kitsap Regional Library Board of Trustees meeting January 25, mainly to hear the presentation of the 2011 final budget by Chief Financial Officer Bob Goldstien.  Little 2011 fiscal information was actually presented.  (Bremerton Patriot, 2.4.11)

In his January 30 column, John Laird urges local schools to “Keep music, sports strong in schools,” as they go through the budget-cutting process.  But there is another program being considered for cuts – school library programs, which serve all students, not just some.  It is shameful that worthy programs are forced to compete against each other. (Columbian [Vancouver], 2.6.11)

When it comes to user fees, the best approach is a strong reliance on common sense. If you return a library item after it’s due, you’ve broken your commitment and for that, a small fine is just common sense. But for years that has not been the case in the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District. This is just not a very efficient way to run a library district. (Columbian Online [Vancouver], 2.22.11) http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/feb/22/get-tough-at-fvrl/

Awards

Don’t accuse Angelina Benedetti, library cluster manager for the King County Library System, of not knowing what’s cool to read.  It is that passion for teen materials that won her the 2011 Allie Beth Martin Award, a national honor from the Public Library Association. Benedetti will be honored with other award recipients in June.  (Photo) (Renton Reporter [Kent], 2.4.11)

Programs & Displays

On January 28, after school, the teen section of the Issaquah Library, a part of King County Library System, was anything but quiet. It was the third time the library has held the increasingly popular Smash Brothers Brawl Tournament and no one was telling the kids to quiet down. “I love seeing them have fun at the library,” said Jessica Gomes, teen services librarian. (Photos) (Issaquah Press, 2.2.11)

Sam Tichota, 16, of Stanwood, and Thomas Lile, 15, of Coupeville, took top honors Tuesday in Burlington Public Library’s annual poetry competition, Poetry Out Loud. They will compete in a statewide competition with 10 other students in Tacoma on March 5. The winner there will compete in Washington, D.C. this spring against students across the country.  (Photos) (Skagit Valley Herald [Mount Vernon], 2.2.11)

Paintings by Edmonds artist Bonnie Hodges are on display at the Mountlake Terrace Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries, through the end of the month. The exhibit, titled “Scenes from the Northwest” and presented by the Mountlake Terrace Arts Commission, includes views of the Edmonds Ferry and Skagit Valley. (Photo) (The Enterprise [Lynnwood], 2.2.11)

[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] ]